Dr. Soe Win (SPHS, Ch, Retired Rector of YUFL) stood First in Burma Father : Saya U Sein (SPHS) Uncle : Saya U Kyaw Sein (SPHS) Spouse : Sayama Daw May Saw Lwin (Ch) Sons : U Aung Mon and Dr. Nyi Thet Lwin
U Robert Sein (SPHS, Phy) stood Second Sister : Dr. Wendy Sein
Daw Myint Myint Tin (Pearl Ba Tin, MEHS) stood Third Spouse : Dr. Khin Maung Wint (“Sargalay”) Brother : U Myo Win (Melvyn)
ARAE Regatta in Calcutta in 1958
Dr. Harry Saing (Htut Saing, GBNF, Bow)
Pediatric Surgeon
Rangoon
Hong Kong
Multiple Sports Selection
RUBC Captain and Gold
Burma Hockey
Burma Cricket
Track and Field
Soccer
Passed away in Hong Kong
Tin Htoon (A60, Stroke)
The RUBC crew won the Venables Bowl for Coxless Pairs
Fledgling Sayas in 1958
Allen Htay (C58, GBNF)
Studied MS at Harvard University
Also attended courses at nearby MIT
Co-founder and President RIT Alumni International
“Brother, can you afford US$500” Article for SPZP-2000
U Myo Myint Sein (A58)
First batch of Architecture Graduates in Burma
Studied Masters at the University of Michigan
Retired as Professor and Head of Architecture Department
Dr. San Hla Aung (C58)
Had to wait one year after Matriculation, because he was under age.
Graduated at the Top of his class.
Joined the Civil Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer.
Studied MS at MIT.
Promoted to Lecturer.
After retirement, moved to USA.
Completed Doctorate at Tulane University, New Orleans
Retired as Professor of Practice
Served as Line Judge at RUBC Regattas
President, RIT Swimming
President, RIT Rowing
Wrote article about his student days for “RIT Alumni International Newsletter”
U Htin Paw (EE58, GBNF)
MS from Michigan
President, BEA
President, TBSA
U Ba Nyunt (EE58)
MS
Transferred to MOC
Spouse : Daw May Su (Phy)
Matriculation in 1959
Dr. Frankie Ohn (SPHS, Physics) stood First in Burma. Sold his company in Southern California. Brothers : U Tin Nyo, Dr. Tin Bo, Dr. Tin Mo, Dr. Tin Wa
Dr. Shewan Lee (SPHS, Chemistry) stood Second in Burma.
Dr. Than Nwe Aung (SPHS) stood Third in Burma.
Rocky (SPHS), younger brother of Koon Yin Chu, was Joint Fourth with U Oo Tha (Mathematics)
Fledgling Sayas in 1959
U Tin Hlaing (M59, GBNF)
Received MS from Purdue University
Head of Agricultural Engineering (Sub-department of Mechanical Engineering)
Managed Universities Hockey Team
Sadly he could not get access to a Dialysis Machine The Passport to have medical treatment abroad was delayed
U San Tun (M59)
Received MS from MIT
Head of Automobile Engineering (Sub-department of Mechanical Engineering)
Past President, BEA (predecessor of BAPS)
Took trip with Sayagyi U Aung Khin to China Host : Saya U Kyaw Myint (Auto64) working for UN
U Myo Kyi (EE59)
Most senior (with Dr. Ba Lwin) among the EE sayas that are alive
Dr. Ba Lwin (EE59)
Most senior (with U Myo Kyi) among the EE sayas that are alive
U Khin Maung Myint (ChE71) and Daw Mai Khin Khin Nyunt (Rosie, ChE71) were among those who graduated from RIT in 1971.
They shared the results published in Working People’s Daily
The top students include Khin Maung Chit (Civil) Ne Win (Mechanical) Myint Htay (Automobile) Ma Nwe (Agriculture) Tin Than (Electrical Power) Tin Win (Electrical Communications) Nwe Ni Wai (Chemical) Saw Thant (Mining) Win Myint (Petroleum Production) Nyan Tun U (Metallurgy) Saw Orson (Architecture) Aye Aye Myint (Textile)
This little book was given to me on 15/10/90, my last day in service. In this little book friends, colleagues, house surgeons and students wrote.
My House Surgeons and students of IM 2 gave me promises that they would remember me and my teachings and words said on that day. I take the book out often to read and reread what they wrote thinking again of each of them.
Most of them have become senior consultants, professors and many successful in business. And I rejoice with them of their achievements.
Only a handful have stayed in touch. But because of this little book I read, reread and and remember each of them. There now a tear on the edge of the book due to my often taking it out and rereading it again and again.
Just reminiscences of an old man living in the past remembering the times spent as a teacher.
Hope they still remember me and the promises given to me.
An Old Paulian is one who studied at SPHS (St. Paul’s High School).
An Old Paulian is also a B.O.B (Brothers’ Old Boys, alumnus of a De La Salle School).
Some Early Paulians
Some early Old Paulians include
ICS U Tin Tut (Minister / Diplomat)
U Ba Khin (First in Burma, Renowned Vipassana Teacher)
Dr. Ba Than (Rector, IM1)
Dr. Ba Han and Dr. Ba Maw
U Than Aung (Minister)
Some Paulians from 1957 – 1965
Dr. Tin Wa, U Sein Htoon, U Myint Khine (Norman), U Kyi Win (Eddie, GBNF) are some members from the Class of 1957.
Dr. Soe Win (First in Burma), U Robert Sein (Second in Burma), U Myo Min (UCC), U Khin Maung Tun (GBNF), U Myint Kyu Pe, Dr. Khin Maung Wint, U Tin Win (GBNF) are some members from the Class of 1958.
Dr. Frankie Ohn (First in Burma), U Nay Oke, U Thein Aung (Micky, GBNF), Dr. Myint Han, U Tin Hlaing are some members from the Class of 1959.
Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint, Dr. Myint Tun (Henry), U Thaung Lwin, U Myo Myint, U Than Htut, Dr. Saw Naing (Henry), Dr. Khin Zaw are some members from the Class of 1960.
Dr. Robin Ban (Kyaw Win, Second in Burma), Dr. Thein Tun, U Htun Aung Kyaw, U Sein Shwe are some members from the Class of 1961.
U Myint Thein, U Myint Soe, U Ohn Maung are some members from the Class of 1962.
Dr. Khin Maung U (First), Dr. Min Oo (Second), Dr. Myo San (Freddie, Third, GBNF), Dr. Nyunt Wai (Victor, 4th), Dr. Thein Wai (5th), U Hla Min (7th), Dr. Johnny Maung Maung (Aung Kyaw Zaw, 9th), U Maung Maung Kyi (11th), U Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, 13th, GBNF), Dr. Frank Gale (Khin Maung Zaw, 17th), Atom Hla, Dr. Htin Aung, Dr. Nyan Taw (Dicky), Dr. Myo Khin, Uzin Ukkamsa (Victor Aung Chaw), U Than Win, D S Saluja, U Myo Nyunt (Harry Kyaw) are some members from the Class of 1963.
Dr. Aung Win Chiong (3rd), Dr. Min Lwin (Maurice, 5th), U Aung Myint, U Maung Maung Gyi, U Hla Min (CO), U Khin Maung Maung (Alfred, GBNF) are some members from the Class of 1964.
Bernard Khaw (1st), Winston Sein Maung (2nd, GBNF), Dr. Paing Soe (Freddie, 3rd), Dr. Kyaw Min, U Myint Thin, U Myint Toe, Dr. Tin Maung Maung Than (Edward) are some members from the Class of 1965. They are the last batch of true Old Paulians.
Mini-gatherings
Some Classes have mini-gatherings.
The Class of 1965 and some from the Class of 1963 (e.g. Harry Kyaw and Dicky Taw) meet almost every month. During my visits to Yangon, Dr. Kyaw Min picked me up to attend their mini-gatherings. Ko Than Win took me to the soon offering (organized by Harry, Dicky and Atom) for Saya Uzin Beatson at a restaurant in the “Yin Pyin Daw”.
Donation Ceremony
Senior Old Paulians donated to some health workers (from DMR) working on COVID-19 projects (e.g. Swab Collection).
The photos were sent by Dr. Kyaw Min (Retired Deputy DG, DMR).
Ko Aung Myint (SPHS64) made educated guesses (e.g. U Nay Oke, Harry “R” Kyaw).
Ko Myint Toe texted me saying he was wearing a black coat in the second photo.
The Union Bank of Burma issued Burmese Currency notes backed by Gold Reserves.
The bills were signed by authorities (e.g. Sithu U Kaung, U San Lin).
One US dollar traded at 5 – 6 kyats, and one Sterling pound around 12 – 13 kyats.
Old Receipt
Old Receipt from 1979
The Old Receipt (for 146 Kyats and 50 Pyas) is a testament of the purchasing power in the 70s.
It was for a farewell dinner for Saya U Myo Win (M/Ag65) by 25 members of the RIT Automobile Club.
Decline in the value of theKyat
Three rounds of Demonetization, mismanagement, … saw a huge decline in the value of the Kyat.
Snap shots of the exchange rate :
1 Kyat = 4 (or more) Bahts (Early days)
1 Kyat = 1 Baht (Baht Taik Kyat Taik Khit)
4 (or more Kyats) = 1 Baht
Four decades ago, a Palmist friend told me that I would own 10 Lakhs. The top prize for the “Aung Bar Lay” Lottery was 1 Lakh. A professor’s monthly salary was K1300. A lecturer earned 800 – 1200 kyats.
A few years back, my friend had to pay 10 Lakhs for a visit to a hospital in Yangon.
Another friend had to pay 800+ Lakhs to a hospital in Singapore. Luckily, he had inherited a fortune from his parents.
Swam almost daily Even when he was visiting Singapore on business trips.
GBNF
Invitation to SPZP-2000
Saya was invited by his former students in the US and Singapore to attend SPZP-2000.
He gently declined the offer.
Told his students to sponsor EE saya who had not been to the US.
Said that he had been to the US for his studies. | He was a top student at the University of Michigan, USA.
With permission from Saya Allen Htay, we are printing the letter from Saya U Sein Win.
Saya’s Letter
Dear Allen & Ko San Hla Aung,
Long time no see!
Since I retired in 1993, I have been doing odd jobs. I was a mechanical and electrical supervisor for about 6 months at the FMI shopping center constructing job. Then after the construction phase, I retired, doing nothing, except to drive my youngest daughter to various tuition places.
For the last two years, I worked part-time again, 3 times a week, from 11:00 a.m to 5 p.m., as a consultant for the maintenance of mechanical and electrical works, as my youngest daughter finished her matriculation classes.
Since last month, I have another part-time jobs as consultant to a UPS selling company, working on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I am now in Singapore for a week, at the Liebert UPS (USA based Ohio Co.) Co., for servicing and repair of UPSs and am going back [on Tuesday] with one of the company men.
Since both my jobs are part-time jobs, and I am on company’s expense here, I do not have any leave privileges, etc. and I am sorry I can’t afford to go to USA.
My eldest daughter and my second daughter are now medical doctors. My youngest is now reading for her first year medical course. I am still living in the same old house near the Inya Lake.
I hope both of you are healthy as I am now a health buff and tried to stay in health but at this age nobody can say what will happen as I noticed, looking up obituaries of people around my age in the newspaper and see the names of old friends.
Yours, —- auld lang syne— Sein Win
Anecdote
Saya U Sein Win left his brand new spouse at a Zay (presumably Bogyoke Zay).
Saya went back to RIT, and had a long discussion with his students.
The students asked, “How is Sayagadaw?”
Saya’s reply : “Let’s end the discussion. It’s past time I should have picked her up at the Zay”.
Uzin Bobby Myo Tun (A69) wrote :
Classic example of ‘the absent-minded professor!’
U Aung Myint (UCC) wrote :
I heard about that from some of the students or from the Lab staffs while I was in EC lab: What I heard was a little different. What I heard was “He parked at Hledan Zay. His wife went for buying. He was waiting inside the car. Suddenly he got an idea of taking hair cut nearby instead of waiting for a long time. After hair cutting he forgot everything and drove the car alone. I don’t know if that is true or not.
HlaMin 