Jan 19, 1987 · Center for Burma Studies at Northern Illinois University at “DeKalb”- The Center will have its formal opening on July 29 and 30, 1987. Richard Cooler, the Director of the new Center, will send out the detailed announcement !
I have arranged the key note address by U Nu, the first Prime Minister of Burma for the opening ceremony. U Nu also gave a summer class in “Buddhism” prior to the opening ceremony.
Here is a picture that I took of the group as we toured the Lake Shore one day.
You will notice U Nu (First and Last Prime Minister of the Union of Burma), late Professor Than Tun (History, Visiting Scholar in residence) & Mrs. Than Tun. Also, Burmese Lecturer Saya U Kyaw Hlaing. Dr. Cynthia Htaik is just behind U Nu. I still have some hair on my head! The Standard Oil Building can be seen in the back ground.
Standard Oil Building (Chicago), Illinois, is now known as the Aon Center.
Editor’s Notes
Dr. Yan Naing Lwin is Emeritus Professor and Chair of the Physics Department at Western Illinois University (WIU).
U Saw Tun is Head of the Burmese Department at Northern Illinois University (NIU).
Rector : Rangoon University, Rangoon Arts & Science University and University of Distance Learning
Saya Kha Hall
Saya Kha Hall
Spouse : Daw Khin Soe Tint (Sayama Ruby)
Son : Dr. Oak Soe Kha
Daughters : Maimee Kha, May Thi Kha, Dr. Myat Munn Kha
Sayas Association in Sept 1988
Saya Thutmagga
Oway Magazine
Oway Magazine
Published by Rangoon University Student Union-
Ko Aung San served as Editor
Oway Magazine Committee
Minthuwun
U Wun co-founded Khit San Sar Pay with U Sein Tin (Theikpan Maung Wa) & U Thein Han (Zaw Gyi)
Translation Department Head, RU
Lexicographer
Professor of Burmese, RU
Visiting Professor, Osaka University
Minthuwun
Selected Photos
Several were published in RU Centennial Facebook Pages
RU Ah Nu Pyinnya ShinRU ArtistsRU Badge 1RU Badge 2RU Estate 1RU Estate 2Prome Hall SoccerSagaing RoadShwe Bo HallInya HallYadanar Hall Yadanar Hall 1978 Thit Pote 1Thit Pote 2SEAP Games 1969SEAP Games 1961MinthameeSaing Waing 1Saing Waing 2Philosophy (Workers’ College)Table TennisTrack and Field
Maurice Chee (Hla Myint Thein, M75) : Past President, BAPS; Founding member & Financial Controller, RIT Alumni International; Co-chair, Working Committee, SPZP-2000; Founding member & Past Vice President, NorCal RITAA; Donor and organizer, Books to YTU Library; Seminar, YTU Mechanical Engineering Department
Maurice
Than Po (M75) : Luyechun; Zat Saya, Yangon SPZPs; Musician : Piano, Pattala Composer
Than Po
Win Khaing (M75) : RUBC Gold; Past President, MES; Union Minister; Organizer, SPZP-2004 and SPZP-2012
M75
Ye Lin Oo (M75) : Retired after teaching in Brunei; Co-Organizer, M75
Mar Mar Yee (M75) : Member of Htee Yein in 1970 (RU Golden Jubilee); Minthamee, Swel Daw Yeik Ah Nyeint; Vocalist; Master of Ceremony, M75 & All Mechanical Gathering
Mar Mar Yee
Soe Aung (M75) : Senior in marriage to class mates
Ohn Win (Raymond, M75) : Bragged about the number of children & grand children; Sisters : Joyce Win (Nwe Yin Win), Hilda Win
Dr. Soe Thein (C75) : Web master and organizer for SPZP-2007 & Singapore Civil Alumni; Invited me to join Civil Gathering in Singapore & C75 dinner in Yangon
Annette Shwe (Annette Shain, A75) : Spouse — James Shwe (Jimmy Hla Shwe, M76); Provided internship for Myanmar graduates (before they could pursue studies and/or work permanently); Stipend for eligible YTU students; Donation to YTU Library; Donation to “Prevent starvation” project
UCC/RASU Graduates
M.Sc. (Computer Science) First Batch : Ko Win Naing (Maths 73, Science Scholar) & Ko Khin Maung Aye (M73) are now GBNF
In 1963, ten from our class from SPHS received the Collegiate Scholarship of 75 Kyats per month.
After paying 15 Kyats for the school fees, those who attend as day scholars have 60 Kyats to spend.
Sad to note that Dr. Myo San (Freddie Ba San), U Maung Maung Kyi & U Aung Thu Yein (Brownie Way) are GBNF.
The number of scholarships awarded vary with the scholastic years.
In the mid 1950s, the top 25 students were awarded scholarships of 60 Kyats. There was no tuition fees for attending college.
Changes
In 1960, the top 100 students were awarded scholarships. SPHS had 24 scholarship winners.
SPHS60
In 1963, students from the private schools have to be in the top 40 to be awarded scholarships.
Stipend
In the early days, some medical students were awarded Army Stipend.
After graduation, they became commissioned officers.
In the 1960s and the early 1970s, stipends were given to eligible students.
One student who attended Dental College in 1973 said, “I received a monthly stipend of 75 Kyats. I paid 57 Kyats for the hostel fees, and 15 Kyats for the school fees. I use the remaining 3 Kyats for riding buses. The short trips cost five or ten pyas.”
YTU
Scholarships and stipends are being awarded by various organizations to YTU students.
Before the pandemic, NorCal RITAA awarded scholarships to eligible YTU students. A student was typically given $1000 for an academic year.
Note that the purchasing power of Kyat has changed drastically over the years.
Thanks to the Ko Htu’s and Ko Hta’s for making a difference in the lives of selected YTU students.
Dr. Myint Thein (M73) Doctorate from Georgia Tech, Atlanta, USA
Myint Thein
Dr. L Sein Myint (M73) Doctorate from UK Worked in UK, USA, Malaysia and Myanmar
U Hla Win (M73) Roll Number 1 in most classes Member of Hovercraft Project
HE U Khin Maung Cho (M73) Member of Hovercraft Project
John Rao (M73) English Editor, Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2007 Organizer, M73 er Monthly Gathering in Singapore (with Saya U Tu Myint)
Hovercraft Project Members (M73) Supervisor : U Tu Myint Six members Interview with media a few years back (arranged by Saya U Moe Aung)
U Khin Maung Aye (M73, GBNF) First batch Masters student at UCC
U Htun Aung Kyaw (HAK, EC73) First batch Masters student at UCC Moved to Australia
U San Lin (Robert, EC73) First batch Masters student at UCC Moved to Singapore and USA
U Kyaw Lin (C73, GBNF) Organizer, All Civil Reunion and SPZP
U Nyunt Htay (Met73) Retired Associate Professor High School Luyechun Poet Chief Editor, Myanmar Mudita Sar Saung
RASU
U Win Naing (Maths, Science Scholar, GBNF) First batch Masters student at UCC
U Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing (Physics, Science Scholar) SMART Group of Companies Award winning author President, Professional Speakers Association
Dr. Khin Maung Maung (Physics) Chair, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Mississippi University Co-organizer, International Physics Conference in Mandalay
Dr. Rafiul Ahad (Physics) Preliminary selection for Burma Team for Hurdles First batch Masters student at UCC Post graduate studies in CS at AIT and USC Retired VP, Oracle Cloud Computing
Computer Courses in 1973
Thanks to Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe (Founder/Director of UCC, Maths Professor at RASU), the following degree courses was offered
M.Sc.(CS) Conducted at UCC Degree conferred by Maths Department of RASU
DAC Part-time two year course Post-graduate Diploma in Automatic Computing offered by Maths Department of RASU
The first Hovercraft was fabricated and submitted as a thesis by 1973 Mechanical students as a partial fulfillment for the Bachelor Of Engineering degree. Their supervisor was Saya U Tu Myint.
Updates
Singapore Oldies
Singapore Oldies
Saya U Kyaw Sein, Saya U Thein Lwin, Sayama Daw May Than Nwe and U Myint Thin (M71) are GBNF.
U Tu Myint retired from Singapore Polytechnic.
John Rao invited me to meet Saya U Tu Myint, U Hla Win & some M73 at a lunch gathering.
Hovercraft Follow up
The next batches submitted thesis on improvement of the first one.
VIP test drive was performed for the Minister for Industry at that time, Col. Maung Cho. The test drive was performed on the lake beside Insein Locomotive Maintenance and Repair Shop. The invention was a success.
U Kyi Aung (Roland Chen, ChE73) had the honor to drive the first ‘Hovercraft’ invented by M73 students. Ironically, further improvement projects were stopped for no reasons.
Additional information
Article by Dr. Myint Thein (M73)
Interview of the Hovercraft team (arranged by Saya U Moe Aung)
Modern Olympics was a revival of the ancient games held every four years at Olympia.
The four year interval is called an Olympiad. The ancient Greeks use Olympiad instead of years when describing dates.
Pierre de Coubertin created the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894.
IOC selects a city or cities to hold the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. The two Olympics are interlaced.
Drama in the Olympics
Summer Olympics has its share of drama.
Berlin (1936)
The 1936 Summer Olympics was held in Berlin and was attended by Adolf Hitler (who promoted the supremacy of the Aryan race). Jesse Owens, a black athlete from the USA, won four Gold medals : 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m relay, and Long Jump.
The drama occurred in the Long Jump event. Jesse Owens was having some problems in the Long Jump when the German competitor Lang supposedly advised him to leave about six inches gap behind the broad to prevent overstepping and getting disqualified. Jesse took the advice, regained his poise and went on to win the Long Jump Gold.
Munich (1972)
1972 Olympics in Munich saw both good and bad.
Mark Spitz (USA) won seven Gold medals in swimming : 100m & 200m Freestyle, 100m & 200m Butterfly, 4 x 100m Freestyle relay, 4 x 200m Freestyle relay, and 4 x 100 Medley relay. He saved energy by not competing in the trials for selected relay events.
Olga Kolburt (USSR) was awarded a couple of Perfect Ten in Gymnastics.
Eleven Israeli athletes were kidnapped (shown live on TV) and murdered by Black September. Mossad took several years to track down and decimate Black September.
Boycotts (1980 & 1984)
USA boycotted the 1980 Olympics held in Moscow.
USSR retaliated with a boycott of the 1984 Olympics held in Los Angeles.
Olympians
Some went on to have illustrious careers.
Johnny Weissmuller, swimming champion, gained fame as Tarzan in the movies.
Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion, went on to become Mohammad Ali, three time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion.
Media Coverage
During my SPHS days, there was no television in Burma. I received a ticket from Brother Austin as a prize to see the “1960 Rome Olympics” documentary at Thamada (President) cinema.
I was in the UK and was fortunate to see the 1972 Munich Olympics on a Color television.
