Rangoon University used to have Social and Reading Clubs.
Burma Institute of Technology
BIT S&R Club
In 1961, the RU Faculty of Engineering moved to the Gyogone Campus and was called BIT. Saya U Yone Mo was Dean.
Saya U San Tun joined Mechanical Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer in 1959. He did his Masters at MIT. Upon his return, he taught at BIT. He served as a Hall Tutor along with U Maung Maung Win (M), U San Tint (EE) and U Shwe Yi (Tex).
Saya U Kyaw Tun served as Hall Warden.
The photo of the BIT S&R Club Executive Committee for 1962 – 63 was provided by Saya U San Tun.
The first batch (A58) included Saya U Myo Myint Sein (Retired Professor and Head).
The second batch (A59) included U Bo Gyi (Uzin, GBNF, Designer of Mausoleum for Daw Khin Kyi) and Saya Dr. Lwin Aung (Uzin, Retired Pro-Rector).
The third batch (A60) included U Tin Htoon (Past Captain and Gold of RUBC, ARAE Champion in 1958 and 1960), U Aung Kyee Myint (Retired Chief Architect, PWD) and U Kin Maung Yin (GBNF, Modern Art, Director).
U Tha Tun (GBNF)
Saya is remembered in the articles by Saya Dr. Koung Nyunt (A67, GBNF) and U Than Tun (A65, GBNF). He served as Head of Architecture Department.
U Kyaw Min (GBNF)
Saya is an MIT alumnus. He taught part time. His pen name is Pi Thu Kar Kyaw Min. He is a founding member and EC of BARB.
U Myo Myint Sein
Saya graduated in 1958 from RaU. He did his Masters at Michigan University. He succeeded U Tha Tun as Head of Department. After retirement as Professor and Head, he moved to US. He published books. He wrote articles for RIT Alumni International Newsletter and Swel Daw Yeik Magazine.
Class of A68, A69 and A70
Saya Sai Yee Laik (A68, GBNF) stood first and last in his class.
U Kyaw Kyaw, U Thet Tun, U Aung Khin, U Myo Tun (Uzin, Bobby), Saw Tobias Kittim Ku (GBNF), Daw Thwin Thwin Aye Hmi and U Tin Maung Hla (GBNF) are from A69.
U Khin Maung Maung (A70) is an organizer for Arch Alumni gatherings.
Miscellaneous
One female student (from A60) left for India before graduation. She was the first female engineering student at RU.
Five female students — four Textile and one Chemical — graduated in 1961. They were the first batch of female engineering graduates.
Burma produced Asian Selected including Suk Bahadur, Maung Maung (Navy), and Goalkeepers — Khin Maung Tun and Tin Aung.
Aung San Stadium
The First Division matches are played at Aung San Stadium. The teams include Rangoon University, Burma Railways, Customs, Army, Navy and several others. The bottom teams in the League get relegated to Second Division the following year.
My uncle U Win Tin (GBNF) took me to watch soccer matches. We watched selected matches (e.g. Dunlop Trophy) and some International matches (e.g. 2nd SEAP Games).
The Northern and Southern Stands cost about fifty pyas, but they provided limited scope and vision. But, they have roofs.
Grand Stand costs about five kyats. It would be a rare treat to watch from the Grand Stand (especially near the center line).
The Open Stand opposite the Grand Stand is a good compromise for about K1.50. We had to carry umbrella or wear raincoat for matches during the Rainy Season.
Inter State and Division (ISD) Soccer tournament
It was established in 1952. Shan States with Suk Bahadhur won the inaugural tournament.
Mandalay, Tennessarimand Irrawaddy became Contenders and/or Champions.
Many players were recruited by the First Division teams and some became Burma Selected.
His first nickname at the Institute of Economics was “Bo Gyoke” because he had his hair cut like Bogyoke Aung San.
He would get involved in lots of activities thereby earning a second nickname “Bo Shoke” (One who gets his hands wet in things that are of no concern to him).
Brilliant and talented student
He would explain the formal lectures to his fellow students. The turn out to his “free tuition” was larger than that at the regular classes given by the sayas.
Institute of Economics to UCC
Joined Commerce Department at the Institute of Economics as Tutor.
When UCC was formed, it needed people with diverse skills. U Mya Thein and U Thein Oo transferred to UCC. They became Business Application Programmer / Analyst. They went for further studies in the United Kingdom.
Business Applications Manager
U Myo Min was the first Business Applications Manager.
I succeeded him.
U Mya Thein succeeded me.
Brilliant and Outspoken
Had a vast array of General Knowledge.
Read books on Religion, Medicine, and Engineering.
Taught at UCC and IE
Lectured at the International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University.
He was outspoken. During a visit to UCC, the ministers and deputy ministers were standing and waiting for U San Yu. He entered the room and shouted, “Sit down”. All complied. What a surprise!
Like Father, Like Son
One day his father came to UCC carrying a bunch of bananas. He asked U Tun Kywe, an army veteran serving as security, the office of Saya U Myo Min.
When he found out Saya was not much older than Bo Shoke, he went downstairs and then gave the bananas to U Tun Kywe.
Like father, like son.
Controller
It seemed like sayas and colleagues could not control him.
Finally, someone appeared. His sister-in-law was capable of controlling him.
EDUCATION B.S., Mining Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California, U.S.A. 1950
Honors: Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society. M.S., Mining
Engineering, Missouri School of Mines, University of Missouri, Rolla,
Missouri 1952.
EXPERIENCE 1953 – 1964 Service with the
Ministry of Mines, Govt of Burma. Entry as Asst. Inspector of Mines,
then promoted to Inspector, Chief Inspector, Director of Mines, and
Deputy Dir. General PMDC 1954 – 1955 As Visiting Lecturer taught Mining Courses at the BOC Engineering College, Rangoon University **
1971 – 1984 Service with United Nations ESCAP in Bangkok as Economic
Affairs Officer (P-4) and rising to Chief of Mineral Resources Section
(p-5).
Note: (**) In 1954, BOC Engineering College campus
was located south of the Rangoon University estate between Prome Hall
and the Teachers Training College on Prome Road. It consisted of modest
single storied buildings. In addition to degree courses in Civil,
Electrical and Mechanical engineering, Mining courses were offered for
the first time during that year. At Dean Sayagyi Tan Ba Hli’s
request, Ministry of Mines assigned me as part time Lecturer to teach
Mining Engineering courses. U Soon Sein was later transferred from the
Mines Department to the University and taught mining courses full time.
Warm regards, U Soe Khaw
Editor’s Note:
Saya U Soe Khaw passed away about two years ago at the tender age of 90+ He is a cousin of Sayama Sheila Saing (RIT English) and Dr. Harry Saing (ARAE Champion in 1958 and 1960).
Each count down refreshes my memory of the days I studied at RIT. I would like to share three which are dear to me.
We had to write a Burmese essay on “Khit Thit Ahloo” at one of Saya U Kyaw Hlaing’s classes. Most of us wrote accusingly about the pakhathana types in the cities contrasted against the purportedly more sincere ones in towns and villages. The winning essay was written on donating blood. I have since learnt a lifelong lesson and understanding of generosity.
On the lighter side of learning, I recall engineering drawing which was taught in the huts. We had to draw plans, elevations and side views of intricately shaped blocks. The concepts of hidden lines was explained using the analogy of an attractive girl wearing tight fitting and loose fitting attire.
What sticks most in my mind – my life – is Saya U Sein Shan’s introduction to calculus. He very simply stated that hair grows so we have it cut say every month. It still grows in a day but we hardly notice the growth. It must therefore grow every hour … every minute … every second. Let’s call this change dx and the time interval dt. So we have dx/dt which is fundamental to very small scale quantum physics and also to very large scale planetary systems. 30 years later this simple concept of dx/dt (x being any variable) I have come to realize, is also awareness attained by intense contemplation, concentration and meditation.
The training and education we received from all our Sayas and Sayamas at RIT is indeed second to none. I can say this with certainty because I have also studied at other universities.
Was asked to help with the “Burmese Conversation” course (e.g. for training in the US).
Pre-deceased by Ko Lynn Maung (elder son) and Khin Aye Thet (younger daughter).
Dr. Khin Nyo Thet (elder daughter, GBNF), Dr. Lynn Aung Thet (younger son) and grand children attended the funeral service.
Attendees include Daw Mu Mu Kin (spouse of Saya Allen Htay) Saya U Tin Htut Benny Tan Charlie and Diana Tseng Dr. Tin Wa.
Donations were given to Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA) for “Aye-Thet Scholarship” Fund that was founded 20+ years ago in memory of Khin Aye Thet to support the Summer Youth Dhamma Classes
It amazes us that books (and even a book chapter) can change a person’s life.
Salvatore Cioffi was working as a Chemist in the USA.
He was from a devout Catholic family, and his elder brother was a Priest.
He received a book present from his supervisor for Christmas.
One of the chapters was “Dhammapada“. After reading the chapter, Samvegha crept in. He quit his job and then went on pilgrimage to the places sacred to Buddhism.
In 1925, he was ordained in Burma as a Buddhist monk named “U Lokanatha“.
He published a booklet, “Why I became a Buddhist.” He wrote, “I became a Buddhist. My supervisor remained a Christian.”
My maternal grand mother offered a monastery for U Lokanatha in Bawdigone (Windermere, Rangoon).
U Lokanatha practiced Dhutanga.
He also preached and had Dhamma Dhuta missions to India and Ceylon
He gave dhamma talks in Mandalay and Maymyo. Dr. Soni was a principal supporter.
He paid respect to Myingyan Sun Lun Gu Kyaung Sayadaw. The event is described in “Sun Lun Sayadaw’s Biography“.
He corresponded with B. R. Ambedkar, the Indian Dalit (“untouchables”) leader.
HlaMin 