HlaMin

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  • Saya Pu Zaw Pwe

    Saya Pu Zaw Pwe

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    World Wide Saya Pu Zaw Pwe

    Beginning

    The first RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was held in San Francisco, California, USA in October of 2000. I am honored to be a member of the RIT Alumni International that hosted SPZP-2000.

    SPZP-2000 Organizers

    I founded the RIT Alumni International Newsletter in 1999 and have served as its Editor and Content Provider for 26 years. I have repaid the metta and cetana of my mentors.

    Seven SPZPs

    There have been seven RIT Grand Reunion and SPZPs (also known as World Wide SPZPs). They are

    • SPZP-2000 : US in October 2000
    • SPZP-2002 : Singapore in December 2002
    • SPZP-2004 : Yangon in December 2004
    • SPZP-2007 : Singapore in April 2007
    • SPZP-2010 : Singapore in December 2010
    • SPZP-2012 : Yangon at the Gyogone Campus in December 2012 (True Home Coming). The Reunion dinner was held at MICT Park
    • SPZP-2016 : Yangon. A free All Day Event at the Gyogone Campus with exhibitions, and two stages.

    Note : SPZP-2020 was canceled due to the pandemic.

    Publications

    For SPPZ-2000, I served as Chief Editor for the commemorative issue of “RIT Alumni Newsletter”.

    For SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010, Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) served as Chief Editor of the commemorative issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung”. Saya also served as Chief Editor of the commemorative issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” for Shwe YaDu 2014 and SPZP-2016.

    U Saw Linn (C71, GBNF) served as Chief Editor of “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” for SPZP-2012.

    Other special publications for SPZP-2012 are

    • HMEE-2012 (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) by Saya U Aung Hla Tun & team. I was a member.
      U Ohn Khine and I compiled a CD supplement for the book.
    • Selected RIT Cartoons
      by U Myint Pe (M72) and fellow cartoonists
    • @hmin3664
    YouTube Channel for my videos

    Posts

    • Noble Tradition
    • RIT Alumni Newsletter
    • Souvenirs
    • SPZP-2007 Diary
    • SPZP-2012
    • SPZP-2016
  • Supplementary Materials for HMEE-2012

    Supplementary Materials for HMEE-2012

    by Ohn Khine & Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Ohn Khine
    Hla Min
    CD for HMEE

    Constraints

    Due to time & resource constraints, only a fraction of the materials could be described in the book “History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar”

    CD Supplement

    U Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled references, articles in English and photos that were not covered in the book into a CD.

    We attempted to cover as much historical data and articles as possible.

    Materials for non-Burmese readers

    • Part 1 of the HMEE book was translated by U Ohn Khine (M 70). Saya Des Rodgers corrected the contextual and usage errors.
    • Part 2 is not a complete translation of the Burmese text. To avoid duplication of some materials (e.g. lengthy tables), we have chosen to present a summary & overview.

    Archives

    • Archives from the RIT web sites: http://www.ex-rit.org and http://www.rit-alumni.info.
      Thanks to U Khin Maung Zaw and U Wunna Ko Ko for designing and maintaining the web sites.
    • Archives from the SPZPs: SPZP-2000 (San Francisco), SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010 (Singapore), and SPZP-2004 (Yangon)

    Photo Albums

    • From ex-RIT web sites, RIT Alumni Facebook Pages, Sayagyi U Ba Than, Saya U Soe Paing and U Myo Myint (EC67)

    History of the Engineering Departments

    • By Dr. Aung Gyi (Rector), U Min Wun (C), U Aung Khin (M), U Soe Khaw (Min), U Thit (Met), U Myo Myint Sein (A)

    Selected Posts

    • Excerpts from “RIT Alumni International Newsletter Updates” from 1999 – 2012 by U Hla Min (EC 69)

    Interviews

    • Saya U Tin U, Saya U Ba Than and Saya U Khin Aung Kyi gave interviews for HMEE-2012 project.

    Proofreaders

    • Saya U Soe Paing, U Ohn Khine and I proof read HMEE-2012 and provided corrections (e.g. RIT Luyechun list did not contain 1965), but they was not enough time to do all the corrections.

    HMEE projects

    • Saya U Aung Hla Tun is the leader for HMEE-2012 and HMEE-2018 Projects.
    • HMEE-2018 will cover revisions and extensions to HMEE-2012.
    • Due to the pandemic and Saya’s demise, HMEE-2018 is in limbo.
  • Textile Engineering

    Textile Engineering

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Video Broadcast on January 1, 2021

    Discipline

    • Design and production of fabrics
      Natural
      Synthetic
    • Current offerings in universities include a multi-disciplinary program (e.g. Textile, Chemical and more)

    Textile Sayas

    U Maung Maung Than (GBNF)

    U Maung Maung Than
    • Matriculated in 1949
    • States scholar to study undergraduate and graduate degrees in Textile Engineering
    • Alumnus of Clemson University
    • Former Professor, Textile
    • Former Rector, YTU
    • Former DG
    • Chair, RIT Sports Council
    • Expertise : Chinlon, Harp

    U Shwe Yee (GBNF)

    • Early graduate
    • Former Professor, Textile
    • Daughter-in-law : Writer, speaker

    U Hla Shwe (T69, GBNF)

    • Former Associate Professor, Textile
    • Resisted “pressure” from Adhamma Authorities
      e.g. end class teaching and pay respect to “visiting” Taing Hmu
    • Received donations from former colleagues and students and some unknown alumni for his Medical / Health Care
    • Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) wrote about him and U Tin Shwe (EP66) in “Shwe Hnit Shwe”; I translated the poem as “To the Shwe Duo”

    Female Engineers

    • The First batch include Sayama Amy, Sayama Julie, Daw Yin Yin Kyi and Daw Mi Mi Lay
    • The Second batch : Daw Khin Than Nwe (Margaret)

    Daw Tin Tin Ohn (Amy Thwin, T61, GBNF)

    • Joined Faculty upon graduation
    • Father : U Thwin (Principal, Boundary Road Technical School)

    Dr. Julie Han (T61, GBNF)

    • Joined Faculty upon graduation
    • Attended SPZP-2000 and provided a brief bio
    • Former Vice President, Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA); Led fund raising to establish Dhammananda Vihara
    • Upon her demise, Saya U Htin Paw (EE58, former TBSA President) donated $2000 to Dhammananda Vihara in her memory

    Daw Yin Yin Kyi (T61)

    • Worked in industry
    • Met her twice : in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Sydney, Australia
    • Spouse : U Aung Gyi (Simon, ChE62)

    Naw Mu Mu Aye (T69)

    • Former Professor, Textile

    Daw Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T69)

    • Worked in industry
    • She and Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) hosted gatherings for UCC alumni visiting Yangon
    • She and Ko Tint Lwin (Daniel, M69) sent photos and reports of the “30th Anniversary of Graduation of the Class of 69”.
      They are partly responsible for Yours Truly to started the RIT Alumni International Newsletter in 1999.

    Miscellaneous

    • Jimmy Kyin (T69, GBNF)
      Represented RIT in Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Weightlifting and Body Building)
    • Hla Tun (T69, GBNF) fondly known as Japun Gyi
      Spouse : Dolly Gale / Ma Swe
    • Textile factories before Nationalization (and the decline of economy) include
      Khit Ah Kyaik Nylon : Parents of Saya U Tin Htut (M60) and Sayama Daw Khin Khin Chit Maung (Eng)
      Hun Tha Aye Nylon : Parents of Daw Than Than Yi (T61) and Dat Pone Sann Aung (M74)
      Fabric display and sales by celebrities on trains (Yangon – Mandalay lines)
    • Various kinds of fabrics
      Including those used by NASA astronauts
    • Modern technology
      Computers, Automation, Nanotechnology …
    • Poem in memory of Saya U Hla Shwe (T69)and U Tin Shwe (EP66)

    “To The Shwe Duo”
    by Tekkatho Moe War

    Translated by Hla Min

    SHWE duo
    Blossom in unison
    Disappear together
    Free from complaint
    Even with thin breath
    Showed mark [of courage and wisdom]
    Never ever wavered …
    Pressed by burden
    At the awaited turn [of journey’s end]
    Body — inheritance [from previous lives]
    Succumbs [to failing health]
    Yet, “Wei-nyin” is fresh, alive and hovering.

    • @hmin3664
    YouTube Channel for my videos
  • Dhamma Books

    Dhamma Books

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Sunlun Sayadaw U Vinaya

    • Chief Resident Monk of KabaAye Sunlun Gu Kyaung ကမ္ဘာအေးစွန်းလွန်းဂူကျောင်း
    The Yogi & Vipassana

    In the Buddha’s Words

    • Mr. Li Chan (Buddhist Chaplain) taught at the Summer Dhamma Camp at Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay, California, USA.
    • He gave me the book as a dhamma gift.
    In the Buddha’s Words

    Milinda Panha

    • Ashin Nemeinda (Taungyi Thein Daung Taik) taught courses during his visits to California
    • One course covered the book about King Milinda (မိလိန္ဒ မင်း) & Ashin Nagasena (အရှင်နာဂသိန်)
    Milinda

    Dhamma Dana by U Ba Than & Family

    U Ba Than
    • U Ba Than is Retired Professor of Mechanical Engineering at RIT.
    • He offered Birthday Soon Kyway and gave dhamma gifts.
    Things that every Buddhist should know
  • 1972

    1972

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Video Broadcast

    Some RIT Graduates

    M72
    • Victor Aung Myin (M) : Scholar Athlete
    Cross Country Event Winners
    • Wynn Htain Oo (M) : Fund raiser and Organizer
    • Nyan Win Shwe (M) : Chair of SPZP-2007
    • Myint Pe (M) : Lu Shwin Daw, Cartoonist, MES
    • Win Myint (M) : Poet
    • Ko Ko Kyi (EC) : Luyechun, Saya
    • Aung Myaing (ChE) : Poet, Saya
    • Ma Gyn Yu (ChE) : Fund raiser
    • Kyaw Myint (T) : President of MARB, Indigenous Medicine
    • Thein Aung (Met) : Mr. RIT, Co-emcee of SPZP-2000

    Munich Olympics

    • Gymnastics : Olga Kolbert (USSR) got Perfect Tens
    • Swimming : Mark Sptiz (USA) won Seven Gold Medals with Seven World Records —
      100 m (Freestyle), 100 m (Butterfly), 200 m (Freestyle), 200 m (Butterfly), 4 x 100 m Freestyle Relay, 4 x 200 m Freestyle Relay, 4 x 100m Medley Relay
    • Soccer : Burma won a match in the first round, but lost to the power houses
    • Dark Moment :
      11 Israeli athletes were taken hostage and killed by “Black September”

    UCC

    • Several posts were filled after approval from PSC
    • UCC Courses in Computer Systems & Applications
    • State scholars for Academic Studies in UK
    • UCC Engineers sent to ICL ETC, Letchworth, UK
    • UCC was helped by unpaid and minimum-wage Volunteers
    • @hmin3664
    YouTube channel for my videos
  • TED and TEDx Talks

    TED and TEDx Talks

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    TED Talks

    • TED Talks started 30+ years ago.
    • In the beginning, the talks were mainly about
      (a) Technology
      (b) Entertainment
      (c) Design
    • The talks now cover a much broader scope.
    • Each talk cover lasts around 18 minutes.
    • The videos can be found on TEDTalks.org and YouTube.

    TEDx Talks

    They are similar to TED talks, but they are organized by regional and local organizations.

    Daw Thin Thiri Mon is the daughter of Dat Pone Sann Aung (RUBC Gold, M74) and Dr. Anna Myint. She is the niece of Sayama Daw Tin Tin Myint (Emma Myint, ChE70). She is a co-organizer of several TEDx Talks in Yangon.

    TEDx Inya Lake

    In TEDx Inya Lake, U Nay Oke (St. Paul’s) talked about two Burmese Poets from the “Khit San Sar Pay” era. One was his beloved mother Daw Khin Saw Mu. The other was Minthuwun (Saya U Wun). They were students of Saya U Pe Maung Tin (Pali Scholar who proposed to establish a separate Burmese Department at the University of Rangoon). U Nay Oke gave the background of the short story “Bagyi Aung Nyar De ဘကြီးအောင် ညာတယ်” by U Wun (Minthuwun). He remarked that the true story should be visited since it led to the emergence of Myanmar Kabyar, and all the main characters alluded in the story — ICS U Tin Tut, ICS U Ba Tint, Minthuwun and Daw Khin Saw Mu — have passed away.

  • Centennial

    Centennial

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Video Broadcast on November 20, 2020

    Celebrations

    • St. Paul’s High School Centennial in 1960
    SPHS
    • Mahatma Gandhi’s Centennial
    • U Thant’s Centennial
    • Bogyoke Aung San’s Centennial in 2015

    2020

    October

    • Myanmar Yoke Shin

    December

    • 1920 Rangoon University Act
    • First RU Students’ Strike
    • Saya U Ba Toke’s Birthday
    U Ba Toke

    Miscellaneous

    • Anniversaries
    • Jubilees
    • @hmin3664
    YouTube Channel for Videos
  • Age

    Age

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Video Broadcast on September 13, 2020

    Types

    • Stone Age
    • Information Age / IT Age

    Age

    • Date of birth (DOB)
    • Time passed since birth
    • Conventions of reckoning age
    • Physical age
    • Physiological age
    • Mental age

    Requirements / Restriction

    • Admission to school / college
    • Voting age
    • Minimum age for marriage
    • Retirement age

    Miscellaneous

    • Senior / Thet Kyee
    • Aging / Longevity
    • @hmin3664
    YouTube Channel for Videos
  • Checkers

    Checkers

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Video Broadcast on November 16, 2020

    Board Game

    Use only 32 dark squares on 8 x 8 board

    Two players with 12 pieces each

    Player who has all pieces captured by the opponent loses.

    Player whose pieces are trapped by the opponent loses.

    Player may end in a draw by mutual consent or by a set of rules (e.g position repeated three times).

    ကျား (Myanmar)

    Kyar Bayin (Mandalay)
    Kyar Ba Nyein (Assistant / also Champion Boxer / Evangelist of Myanmar Boxing and Martial Arts)

    Variant

    Player who has all the pieces captured by the opponent wins

    Fun / Trick play

    Player with 12 pieces forces the opponent with a single piece to capture all its pieces and wins!

    Artificial Intelligence

    Arthur Samuel (IBM) developed a Checkers playing program and a data base. Learning from mistakes, the program improved and eventually beat a human player.

    Miscellaneous

    • Draughts (British)
    • Origin / Game from Middle East
    • Chinese Checkers
    • @hmin3664
    YouTube Channel
  • Three & List of Threes

    Three & List of Threes

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Three

    • Hindu-Arablic numeral : 3
    • Roman numeral : III
    • Tri (e.g tripod, tricycle, trimester, trilogy)
    • Trio

    List of Threes

    Triple Gems

    • Buddha : the Enlightened One
    • Dhamma : His Teachings
    • Sangha : Monastic Order

    Tipitaka (Three Baskets)

    • Vinaya : Monastic Rules of Conduct
    • Sutta : Discourses
    • Abhidhamma : Ultimate Reality

    Characteristics

    • Annica : Impermanence
    • Dukkha : Suffering, Unsatisfactoriness
    • Anatta : No Atta, No Self

    Trinity

    • Father
    • Son
    • Holy Spirit

    Most well-known Hindu Gods

    • Brahma : Creator
    • Vishnu : Preserver
    • Shiva : Destroyer

    Early NASA Projects

    • Mercury : single astronaut
    • Gemini : two astronauts
    • Apollo : three astronauts

    Apollo Crew

    • Mission Commander (e.g. Neil Armstrong for Apollo11)
    • Command Module Pilot (e.g. Michael Collins for Apollo11)
    • Lunar Module Pilot (e.g. Buzz Aldrin for Apollo11)

    Apollo Modules

    • Service Module
    • Command Module
    • Lunar Module

    Musical Envelope

    • Rise : attack
    • Sustain
    • Fall : decay

    Prime constituents of an atom

    • Electron
    • Proton
    • Neutron

    Persuasion Techniques

    • Ethos
    • Pathos
    • Logos

    Typical Toastmasters Meeting

    • Prepared Speeches
    • Table Topics : Impromptu Speeches
    • Evaluation
    DTM

    Three-valued Logic

    • Yes
    • No
    • Do not care

    Essay (and most writings)

    • Introduction : Beginning
    • Body
    • Conclusion : Ending)

    Medal

    • Gold : first prize
    • Silver : second prize
    • Bronze : third prize

    Measurement of Time

    • Hour
    • Minute
    • Second

    Angular Measure

    • Degree
    • Minute
    • Second

    Academic Degrees

    • Bachelor
    • Master
    • Doctorate

    School Type (1)

    • Primary School
    • Middle School
    • High School

    School Type (2)

    • English School
    • Venacular School
    • Anglo-Venacular School

    Traffic Light

    • Red
    • Amber
    • Green

    Guitar

    • Lead Guitar
    • Rhythm Guitar
    • Bass Guitar

    Professor

    • Assistant Professor
    • Associate Professor
    • (Full) Professor