Category: Uncategorized

U Soe Aung (M/Auto 70) visited Kampuchea (Cambodia) for a conference.

He was surprised and delighted to see a Burmese Inscription at a temple in Ankor Wat.

ရန်ကုန်တက္ကသိုလ် လှေလှော်အသင်း

RUBC / YUBC

ရာပြည့် — Dec 24, 2023

Centennial

• ဖွင့်ပွဲ ဖိတ်စာ

  Invitation to Opening Ceremony

• ပြိုင်ပွဲ
  Regatta
• ညစာစားပွဲ ဖိတ် စာ
  Invitation to Dinner

Sayagyi U Ba Hli (GBNF)

He was the first Dean of Engineering at the University of Rangoon. He also served as Professor of Civil Engineering. He is credited for the “Twinning” with the prestigious universities in the USA.

He earlier served as Principal of the Government Technical Institute (GTI) and Professor of Civil Engineering.

The commemorative issue of RIT Alumni International Newsletter for the first RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe paid respect to Sayagyi.

Sayagyi U Aung Khin (former Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and the driving force behind SPZP-2000) wrote an introduction to the special article written by Saya Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (the only child of Sayagyi U Ba Hli).

Saya Dr. F Ba Hli (GBNF)

Dr. F. Ba Hli received his Sc.D. in Electrical Engineering from MIT. He helped Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi and Sayagyi U Min Wun, who were two of the first undergraduate engineering students from the University of Rangoon to be given State Scholarship as part of the “Twinning” program.

Dr. F. Ba Hli’s spouse Daw Myint Thwe is the sister of Sayagyi U Tin U (C), Sayagyi U Ba Than (M), Dr. Myo Tint (father of Ma Kay (EE93)), U Tin Htoon (A60), Saya U Myo Min (UCC) and U Thaung Lwin (EC66). Note that four are Past Captain and Gold of Rangoon University Boat Club.

Dr. F. Ba Hli has a daughter (Tin Tin Hlaing) and two sons (Tha Hlaing and Min Thet Htoo).

Grand children of U Ba Hli

Ma Tin Tin Hlaing (UCC) is the spouse of Ko Htay Aung (Victor, EC80, UCC, nephew of Saya U Sein Hlaing (EE)).

Ko Tha Hlaing (EC83, UCC) stood joint first with Ko Thaung Tin (KMD, former Deputy Minister) in their final year. He, his father and his paternal grandfather form Three Generation of Burmese engineers who are sayas or alumni.

Min Thet Tun did not smoke or drink, but succumbed to lung cancer. He lamented why some people who drink and smoke lived long.

by Khin Maung Zaw

Updated : Feb 2026

U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) commented on my post on “Disaster“.

No matter if there is a somewhat connection with the ‘climate change‘ concept, the natural disasters, storms/earthquakes/tsunamis are getting as often and more powerful in the past several years. These has caused severe damaged to many lives, killed, injured, livelihood wiped out among others.

In the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which covers these emergencies have discovered that they alone albeit budget crunch could not handle each and every aspect of the damages, They are now encouraging, and working with local authorities, city/county/state on many aspects of the disaster preparedness and recovery process and procedures.

First, there is a FEMA App on all mobile platforms, where one can go through subscribing Alerts, Anticipate/Prepare for any disasters, Disaster Resources et al. In US, various regions have differing disaster, for example Washington State where I live, we have to be prepared for major earthquakes but not for Hurricanes etc. The local authorities have classes, training sessions, drills on where/how/what/who, the usual five ‘W’s on many possible disasters. My city, Kirkland has multiple levels of CERT, Community Emergency Response Team, classes, trainings, intensive training/classes for leadership levels, regular sync ups/meetings etc.

They are also aware that not all local/state/federal could communicate well in the cases of disasters due to proliferation of different communication equipment and trying to alleviate the issue.

One very interesting discovery they learned from the mega-disasters past couple of years is that the previous assumptions that they had for the preparedness were no longer adequate. The old assumption was that you need to have at least three day supply of food/water/first-aid – basic essentials. In the recent mega-disasters, they discovered that there are many instances no rescuers could get to you for more than a week or so, the new thinking/suggestion is that you need to have at least 2 weeks stock of live essentials. food/water/waste management/radios/batteries etc. There is also a movement where rather than you do it for yourself and/or your family, your neighborhood would pool resources in a commonly accessible area, like one’s spare space in a garage, you could store beds/cots/water tanks/medical supplies for multiple family etc. We live in a place where rain is given so tents/ponchos are a must. Dehydrated food, which could last 25+ years or so could be stored there.The city have all these info, with maps, co-ordinate with all authorities in the case a disaster,

I could go on and on as I went through the very basic level of CERT, and am thinking of week long class/training.

There is a consensus assessment that rescuers could not reached to many victims in major disaster where roads, telecommunication might be devastated. Seattle, Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond and many other cities in and around Puget Sound, Western Washington where life is way overdue for major earthquake.

Steeve Kay (EC70)

• U Thaung Sein (Steeve, Multiple Golden Sponsor) called me this morning.
• He had two successful careers: first as an engineer in the semiconductor industry for 15 years, and second as founder and CEO of QTC for 20 years.
• For his third career he launched a consulting firm and an investment firm.
• He will have some free time to pursue his hobbies and help with more non-profit activities in addition to CABA (Charitable Alliance of Burmese Associations) and “Helen and Steeve Kay Health Fund”.

From Saya Allen Htay

Hello Ko Benny, Ko Hla Min, Ko Maurice and Ko Khin Zaw:

I am a little slow replying. Mu Mu and I will participate in the Baby Shower for Khin Khin Latt on 4/20/06 at Ko Khin Zaw and Ma Wai’s home.

I do not know what is customary to bring for the baby shower, that is Mu Mu’s department. As for Ko Khin Maung Zaw, I am planning to bring a bar of lavender soap and a tiny bath towel. Any better suggestion?

Best Regards,
Allen Htay

Editor’s note

Khin Khin Latt is the daughter of U Soe Myint and Daw Aida Than Saw. U Soe Myint is the eldest son of U Thein Maung (Htin Lin, National Literary Award winner). He worked as Editor at Working People’s Daily under U Than Saw. He became Chief Editor at the Guardian Daily newspaper.

Ko Zaw Tun Naing and Ko Nyan Win Shwe
ex-rit singapore wrote :

Please be informed that there will be Ex-RIT, Singapore 7th meeting on

Date: April 30, 2006 (Sunday)
Time: 14:00 to 16:00 (2:00pm to 4pm ) after Appreciation Lunch 12pm to 2pm.
Venue: Yunnan Corner, Nanyang Terrace, NTU

Agenda

1. Review 2006 Thingyan
2. Update 2006 Thingyan Account
3. 2006 Thingyan Video Production
4. Define Price for 2006 Thingyan Video
5. Distribution Plan for 2006 Thingyan Video
6. 2007 Sayapuzawpwe discussion
We will discuss how should we celebrate the coming “Ex-RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe” in April 2007”. We’ll also form sub committees for actions.
7. Any other matters

Please come forward and give us good ideas. Your attendance is invaluable to EX-RIT, Singapore.

Reprints and rrevisions

I often said, “Reminisce the past, cherish the present, and plan for the future.”

Re-prints of old articles help refresh our memory.

The following are excerpts from a poem:

I shot an arrow into the air
It fell to earth I knew not where.

I breathed a song into the air
It fell to earth I knew not where.

Long long afters in an oak
I found the arrow still unbroke.

And the song from beginning to end
I found it in the heart of a friend.

Value of health

• The other day, a young man in his mid 30’s fell ill for three days and then passed away.
• We do not know the value of health until we get sick.
• The growing list of GBNFs remind us to live meaningful lives and to appreciate simple joys.

• Salutations are context and culture dependent.
• Many Burmese call older people as “Uncle” and “Auntie” although they are not related to them.
• At SPHS, we call our sayas without the formal U. e.g. Saya Sein (instead of Saya U Sein)
• I was reprimanded by a senior alumnus for writing Saya Aung Khin instead of Saya U Aung Khin or Sayagyi U Aung Khin.
• A visiting Professor from Germany wanted to be addressed as “Professor Doctor” (not just Professor or Doctor).
• Saya Allen Htay (C58) told us that he could not use “Mr” during his stay in Netherlands. He was asked to use “Ingr” (based on his profession).
• Early surgeons in the UK were not necessarily doctors, and so they did not force people to address them as Dr.
• People who have Honorary Doctorates usually put “Honoris Causa” (meaning the degree was awarded for esteem).