Thura Thant Zin : RUBC Gold; RU Hockey; Past President, BASES; Organizer, 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
Thura
Phyo Wai Win : RUBC Gold; RU Hockey
All Uni Hockey
Electrical
Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ) : RU Hockey; RIT Rowing; ex-UCC; RIT Alumni International; SPZP-2000 Organizer; Designed & implemented First ex-rit web site; Microsoft alum
Khin Maung Zaw visiting San Francisco
Myat Thein (Adam Khan) : RIT Rowing; RU Hockey
Wynn Myint Aung (GBNF) : ex-UCC; Aerospace / Federal Aviation
Ivan Lee (M69) invited us — U Aung Myint (Saya, M69), U Sein Tin (Omega, M69) and I — to get together at his house in New Jersey preferably in May-June of 2015.
U Aung Myint & U Sein Tin had visited him on previous occasions. They could not make it to the 2015 mini-reunion.
Fred
Frederick Thetgyi (M69) joined the 2015 mini-reunion.
He drove most of the 1800+ mile trip. Ivan provided his Mercedes & gas.
Except for the rare occasion where his batteries went out (and had to be replaced), Fred took pictures at the mini-reunion and the trip.
He would appear only in a fraction of the photos, when someone else (Ivan, a waiter, or a stranger) offered to take the photo.
Memories
The photos can be grouped by location
New Jersey
NJ
Host: Ivan
Other hosts : Saya U Soe Paing & Daw Saw Yu Tint
Niagara Falls
Niagara
On the way to Canada
Taken on both the US side and the Canada side
Windsor, Canada
WindsorWindsor 2
Host : Sayagyi U Aung Khin
Toronto, Canada
Brief sight seeing
Ottawa, Canada
DAG
Host : Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi & Daw Emma
Quick trip to Thousand Islands
Massachusetts
TAG
Host : Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw (EC 69) & Daw Khin Maw Maw
Visit MIT & Harvard University
Connecticut
Conn 1Conn 3
Host : U Toung (EC69) and Daw Khin Myint
Visit Yale University
Ate at Pizza place frequented by the young Bill Clinton
For HMEE-2012 project, U Myo Myint (EC67, RUBC Gold) submitted several photos including the “Reunion of the Class of 48 and 49” photo. The class included
U Boon Pin Graduated with Mech/Elect combined major Retired Deputy Chief Engineer, Burma Railways Father of Ko San Lin / Robert (EC 73)
U Soe Aung Chief Engineer, PWD Father of Daw Thynn Thynn Khaing / Janet (EP 70)
U Po Han Deputy Minister Father of Saya U Khin Aung Han
U Min Han Father of U Kyaw Kyaw and U Nyein Min (C79)
U Gym Kho Uncle of U Myo Myint (EC 67)
Early Sayas
Many are GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten)
U Kyaw Tun is a saya of our sayas. He started teaching Electrical Engineering at BOC College. Father of Dr. Elizabeth Kyaw Tun (Daw Tin Nu, English) and Daw Dorothy Kyaw Tun Saya jokingly said that his son-in-laws must be doctors. Ko Tin Aung Win recounted in one of the “Countdown to the Reunion” how he became known as Dr. Tin Aung Win.
C. Ping Lee taught EE at BOC College. He transferred as Director of Technical and Vocational Training. Dr. Win Aung (M62) wrote an article in memory of his father.
H Num Kok taught Civil Engineering at BOC College. President of RIT Track and Field Association Line Judge at RUBC Regattas Elder brother of H Num Fatt (EE60) and H Num Pon (Myint Lwin, C61)
U Soe Khaw was Head and Part-time Lecturer of Mining at BOC College. Moved to Thailand and USA.
U Soon Sein took over as full-time saya and Head of Mining department. Moved to USA
U Ba Hli First native Dean of Engineering Proposed the “Twinning Program” between RU and prestigious universities in the USA Dr. Freddie Ba Hli wrote an article in memory of his father.
U Yone Mo First Rector of RIT Father of Kyaw Moe (M72, GBNF)
Dr. Aung Gyi Rector Moved to Canada Gave a key note speech at SPZP-2000
U Khin Aung Kyi Rector At SPZP-2000, he paid physical respect to his sayas: Saya H Num Kok and Saya U Ba Toke.
U Maung Maung Than Rector Chair, RIT Sports Council
U Tin U attended Rangoon University in 1946. He is a Past Captain and Gold of Rangoon University Boat Club. He studied BSCE at Oregon State University and MSCE at Yale University. He taught part-time at the Civil Engineering Department, U Tin U (C) gave an interview to Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) and U Htin Myaing (A66) for the HMEE-2012 project.
Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (retired Adviser of National Planning, retired Director General of UBARI) taught part-time at EE department and also served as external examiner at UCC. He wrote an article about his father in the commemorative issue of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” for SPZP 2000.
U Min Wun did his BSCE at MIT along with Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi. He thanked Saya Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (ScD) for helping and encouraging them during their stay at MIT. He did his MS at Cornell University and specialized in Photogrammetry. His interests also included Western and Eastern astronomy and astrology. He served as Adviser on the “Myanmar Pyeikkadein Ah Phwe”. He was an early contributor to the newsletter updates.
Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Tekkatho Maung Thin Char) published a book on the life/journey of Sayagyi U Ba Toke (retired Rector of MASU, retired Professor of Mathematics at RIT). It has a section about Sayagyi missing the March exam due to his participation in a student strike camp and passing all the subjects in the supplementary/compartmental examination in June/July. Since the stipends/scholarships were considered only for those who passed the March exam, Sayagyi decided to forgo his dream of becoming an engineer and instead pursue an Honors program in Mathematics. Sayagyi is a “Phwa Bet Taw” of Rangoon University Act (1920) and the first RU Student Strike (1920).
U Aung Hla (Maths), his spouse (Daw May Than), and his son (Ko Mya Than) are all talented musicians. Sayagyi also annotated Burmese music.
U Kar (Maths), father of Saya Dr. Tin Maung (Maths, UCC/ICST, GBNF), served as Minister of Education in the Caretaker Government.
U Hla Maung (Burmese) taught Abhidhamma in his spare time. Several of the courses were held at the premises of Daw Khin Than Nwe’s parents. Saya served as member of the “Myanmar Sar Commission” and as “Naing gan daw kaung si win”.
Notes
Several pioneer engineers (e.g. Saygyi U Kyaw Tun, EE) studied at UK for associate and full membership of the organizations (e.g. AMIEE). Some did their B.Sc. and/or Special Honors (which is a requisite for entering the Masters program).
Dr. Yan Naing Lwin (WIU) had a copy of the Burmese/Myanmar state scholars studying in the US universities and institutes around ’54 – ’55. The list was published in a very early update and includes Saya U Sein Hlaing (EE) and Saya U Tin Swe (EE).
RIT69ers had a mini-gathering at Kruwa Nam Tip Thai Food Restaurant at Pho Sein road on 21st December 2003.
Standing : Yee Pin (Maung Maung Kaung, M, GBNF), Win Lwin (M), Maung Maung (E), Win Maung (E), Sein Tun (M), Kyaw Zin (E), Thein Swe (E, GBNF), Ye Gaung (M), Khin Maung Gyi (M, GBNF), Myint Maung (E), Maung Shwe (E)
Sitting : Tin Maung Aye (M), Myint Thein (Kabar, M, GBNF) Htay Aung (M), Dickie (M, GBNF), Myint Thein (David, M), Aung Min (M), Zaw Lai (E)
Update
Myint Thein (Kabar, GBNF) was an organizer of the 69er group. He passed away in Yangon after undergoing medical checkup in Singapore and India.
Kabar (Myint Thein)
Win Naing (Dickie, GBNF) represented RIT in Rowing. He passed away in Singapore.
Dicky Tan (Win Naing)
Maung Maung Kaung (Yee Pin, GBNF) did business mostly in Dawei. His spouse passed away in 2020. He passed away in 2021. Both succumbed to Covid.
Yee Pin (Maung Maung Kaung)
Thein Swe (GBNF) was RIT Luyechun in 3rd BE. He annotated the EE69 Group Photo. He passed away in Yangon in 2021.He earlier lost his spouse Dolly Sein.
Thein Swe (rightmost)
Khin Maung Gyi (GBNF) passed away in Yangon in 2021.
Khin Maung Gyi
Zau Lai has his business in Myitkyina. He drives 1000+ miles to attend selected gatherings in Yangon. He is a proud Great Grand Father.
Zau Lai
Kyaw Zin, Tin Maung Aye, Kyaw Nyunt (GBNF), Than Myaing, Sein Tin, Myo Nyunt, Kyaw Min Thein, Thein Swe (GBNF) & Aung Myint travel abroad (e.g. Australia, Singapore, UK, USA, New Zealand) to spend quality time with their children.
Myint Maung (Bu) is one of the youngest in the class. He played Volleyball for RIT EE. He is still an eligible bachelor.
Aung Min and Ko Shwe are core members of the 69er HCF (Health Care Fund). They also organize the monthly breakfast gatherings. There are ad hoc gatherings to welcome 69ers visiting from overseas.
Aung Min (Right)
Many have given up competitive sports & hobbies : hiking & mountaineering (Win Lwin), volleyball (Maung Maung, Myint Maung), swimming (Htay Aung, Sein Myint, Win Maung), accordion (Tin Maung Aye)
At the recent gathering, Aung Gyi Shwe (GBNF) could not remember Toby (Tobias Kittim Ku, GBNF) and attributed the incident to forgetting his glasses or having a senior moment. Both passed away in 2021.
[Special in 1924] Eligible B.Sc. graduates are admitted to the “accelerated” program (3 year course)
[Common in the old system] Students who passed the I.Sc. (Intermediate of Science) with Science Option and scored 50+ points in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are admitted to the four year course.
Short-lived in the Old system
Eligible students who passed the Matriculation are admitted to the “special” six year course.
Due to resources (logistics …), the students were transferred” before they graduated to the “default” program.
November 1964
Three batches of students were admitted to RIT (Rangoon Institute of Technology) under the then new Education System.
200 (or so) students joined the first ever 3rd BE Class. Most of them completed their I.Sc.(B) with the Science Option
320 (or so) students joined the first ever 2nd BE Class. Most of them completed their I.Sc.(A) with the Science Option
450 (or so) students joined the first ever 1st BE Class. Intelligence Level Aggregate (ILA) system was used for admission. There were students with (a) all Science (b) all Arts (c) Hybrid
Regional College Era
After finishing two years at a Regional College, eligible students were admitted to 3rd BE classes.
I had a wonderful time in Myanmar in Janaury and February, 2018.
5th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe for ICST/UCSY
Paid respect to Saya U Soe Paing
Paid respect to Saya U Moe Aung
Last rites at Ye Way for Ko Aung Moung (M73)
Guest lecture at UCSY
Guest lecture at MARB
Guest lectures at private monk university
Monthly meeting of 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
RITAA meeting (includes Opening Ceremony of Teacher’s Corner
Discussion with Ko Wynn Htain Oo and Sayama Daw Thida
69er breakfast gathering organized by Ko Shwe (EP69)
Birthday celebration by Ko Tin Mg Aye (M69)
Birthday soon kway by Ko Kyaw Win (SPHS63, Germany) for Uzin Victor Aung Chaw
UCC lunch gathering hosted by Ko Soe Myint and Ko Sein Myint
Gatherings with relatives
Meeting old friends
ICST
The 5th Acariya PuZaw Pwe of ICST (Institute of Computer Science and Technology) and UCSY (University of Computer Studies Yangon) was held in January 2018.
Former students from UCC (Universities’ Computer Center), DCS (Department of Computer Science) and ICST (Institute of Computer Science and Technology) requested me to attend the 5th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of ICST/UCSY.
San Yin Myint (Samanta), one of the organizers for the Pu Zaw Pwe, is a niece of Saya U Win Kyaing (GBNF) and a cousin of Ko Maurice Chee, M75.
Per arrangement of Samantha, Ko Saw Yan Naing came and picked me up. He is the son of Dr. Saw Naing (Leslie), a nephew of Dr. Myo Khin and a cousin of Ko Soe Lin Maung (ex-UCC).
Gave a short speech as a member of “Generation Zero of UCC”.
The SPZP was held in five batches. As a member of “Generation Zero of UCC”, I covered some milestones of the Introduction of Computers to Burma under the leadership of Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe.
Ma Nge (Daw Nge Ma Ma Than, GBNF) attended the SPZP.
ICST/UCSY published a commemorative magazine for the 30th Anniversary of the founding of UCC. I wrote “Paying Back to My Alma Mater” (a summary of the 30+ posts about UCC) for the issue.
San Yin Myint (at SPZP-2000)
UCSY
Gave a guest lecture at UCSY a week later.
Spent 3 (or more) days of my vacation to write and post “Memories of UCC”. I also wrote an abridged version for publication in the 30th Anniversary of UCSY. They can be read at hlamin.com
UCC
Sayama Mu Mu Myint is a senior alumni of UCC and DCS. She requested her husband to drive a long way from their home to hand over the “token garawa” from an earlier “Thet Kyee Pu Zaw Pwe”.
Soe Lin Maung hosted a lunch micro-gathering (despite his busy schedule).
Ko Sein Myint (EC76, ex-UCC) and Ko Soe Myint (KSM, ex-UCC) hosted a lunch gathering at Kone Myint Tha. Ko Aung Myint (AM), Ko Win Myint (Bo Waing) and Ma Nu Nu Aung were also present. We then walked to Saya U Soe Paing’s house and paid respect to Saya (who was having a problem with his spine). Friends of Daw Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69, MEHS 63) advised Saya to undergo a surgery in Singapore.
RIT
Met Saya U Moe Aung, Ko Wynn Htain Oo (M72), Ko Ohn Khine (M70), several members of RITAA, and 69ers.
69er Gatherings
Attended three breakfast gatherings with the 69ers.
Donated US$100 (part to 69er HCF and part to EE 69er HCF).
I hosted the gathering (mostly EE) with Uzin Aung Chaw (C) and Wei Lu (Met) as guests.
Mini-gathering hosted by me
During my visits to Myanamar, several friends gave me rides.
U Win Maung (Lake) gave a ride to three alumni:
U Myint Maung (Bu, Volleyball)
Ashin Okkantha (Uzin Aung Chaw, Victor) who came down from Sagaing Hills
Yours truly
Since it was short notice, some former classmates could not show up.
A notable exception was U Win Thein Zaw (“Wai Lu”) who came down from Nay Pyi Taw at the breakfast gathering. His spouse is a cousin of U Win Boh (Robert).
Standing:
U Shwe (Treasurer of the 69er HCF and EE 69er HCF)
U Sein Myint (Major donor of the HCFs, RIT Selected for Rowing, Swimming and Water Polo)
Ashin Okkantha (Uzin Aung Chaw, Sagaing Hills)
U Win Maung (Lake, RIT Selected for Swimming and Water Polo)
U Hla Min (Host, also donated to the HCFs)
Seated :
U Myat Soe Lwin (Sai Hwet, Survived a fall from the ceiling)
U Win Thein Zaw (Member of Pyithu Hluttaw in Nay Pyi Taw)
U Kyi Win (Kyaw Gyi, former sea farer, yogi)
U Myint Maung (Selected for EE Volleyball, One of the youngest 69er, Eligible bachelor)
Second Gathering
Ko Tin Maung Aye (M, Accordion) hosted a gathering to celebrate his birthday.
Third Gathering
The gathering on February 24, 2018 was to welcome Ko Win Boh (Robert) and Surinder Singh from Australia. Unfortunately, Surinder could not wrap up his trip to Upper Burma to be in time for the 69er gathering. Ko Kyaw Nyunt organized a lucky draw with presents given by Ko Frederick Thetgyi.
Trips
Tiring, but interesting and entertaining to take three trips.
Phyu Phyu Kyaw (UCC) offered to sponsor me to spend two nights at a hotel in Bagan Myo Thit. Had been a long time since I visited Bagan / Nyaung Oo.
A sayadaw asked if I would like to attend a consecration ceremony for “Lyaung Daw Mu” (Reclining Pagoda) near the bank of Mu River (in Kanbalu Township, Sagaing).
My beloved wife wanted to do dana at Hinthada for her ancestors.
Learned a lot
I learned a lot from the trips by being a “good” listener and also experiencing the conditions (infrastructure, culture, …) in different parts of Myanmar.
Cost more to take a taxi to and from the “Long distance bus station” than to travel by an air-conditioned bus.
Takes a lot longer to take the “short cut” road than to take the longer “paved” road. It’s worse if one is not aware of “unfinished” repair work on a dirt road : sharp rocks, pot holes, …
Ha Lin (Old Capital of Pyu) is a Cultural Heritage, but there are no “good” roads leading there.
Someone commented : “Most of us just make quick trips to pagodas. Several tourists hire motorbikes to explore both Old and New Bagan (and beyond). They take photos with professional cameras.”
SPHS
Kyaw Wynn (SPHS63) is cousin of Saya U Tin Htut (M) and Sayama Daw Khin Khin Chit Maung (E).
He rowed No. (3) on the Bow side in our Senior Novice crew.
He Hosted a birthday soon kwyay gathering at Shwe Ba Saing. Offered soon to Uzin Aung Chaw (C69) and donated to Uzin’s dhamma projects. Ordered lunch for his old classmates (some of whom I have not seen since our University days). Attendees include Than Win (M69), Tin Tun (M69), Khin Maung Bo (Alan, EP69, GBNF), Aung Kyi (Arthur, “motorcycle” guy, GBNF), Aye Ngwe (Edwin, GBNF), and Khin Maung Zaw (Frank, UK).
