Executive Committee member of Burma Research Society.
The Myanmar Sar Community honored Sayagyi with a bust in December 2019. Daw Tin Tin Myaing (Brenda, Sayagyi’s daughter) attended the ceremony. Met her at the Winner Inn. Sad to learn that her spouse succumbed to COVID-19 in UK a few months ago.
In our middle school we had to study “Myanmar Thadda / Burmese Grammar” written by Sayagyi.
Sayagyi translated two early Sermons : Dhammacakkapavatana Sutta and Anatta Lekkhana Suttana into English. The three-language edition of the Suttas was published by U Tha Win.
Saya’s early students ICS U Sein Tin (Theikpan Maung Wa) U Thein Han (Zawgyi) U Wun (Minthuwun)
Dr. Htin Aung
Dr. Htin Aung
Principal of Rangoon College.
First native Rector of the University of Rangoon.
Per Dr. Yan Naing Lwin, Dr. Htin Aung accompanied Prime Minister U Nu to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1954. After retirement, Dr. Htin Aung was appointed “Amassador” to Ceylon.
Per Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint, his Ba Dwe was recalled back to Burma by the Foreign Office. One day, the then Number One asked Saya what he was doing in Burma and that he did not ask the Foreign Office to recall him. Saya went to UK to continue his research and writing.
Old alumni may have studied Saya’s books such as “Thirty Burmese Tales” and “Burmese Drama”.
Saya is a scholar, a prolific writer, a historian and a folklorist.
Saya’s siblings: ICS U Tin Tut, Dean of Law U Kyaw Myint, Chief Justice U Myint Thein, Kyauksar expert Daw Khin Mya Mu, Khit San poet Daw Khin Saw Mu, English lecturer Daw Tin Saw Mu
Early Burmese Scholars to the UK
Dr. Hla Myint (Economics), Dr. Tha Hla (Geology) and Dr. Maung Maung Kha (Meteorological Physics) in the UK about the same time.
They later became Professor and Head of Department in their disciplines. They retired as Rector of the University of Rangoon.
Dr. Hla Myint
Dr. Hla Myint continued as Researcher / Scholar / Administrator in UK.
Ther is an Economic Theory with Saya’s name.
Dr. Tha Hla
Dr. Tha Hla served as UN Advisor in several countries and settled in Thailand.
There are several anecdotes about Saya. Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt (M60) knows the details.
During his stay in Thailand (while waiting for a US visa), U Tin Maung Nyunt was recommended by Dr. Tha Hla to be a proof reader for the Nation newspaper.
Saya offered U Tin Maung Nyunt (and several other Burmese) his collection of Whiskey and drinks, but added, “Do not spoil Whiskey by adding water or soda. You can drink “Ah Yet”, but never let Ah Yet” drink you.”
When a minister protested the States Scholarship for Saya’s bright but left-leaning student, Saya did not back out. He pushed the nomination through during a period when the minister was away.
Saya calmly convinced the students and crowd (following the agitator Ajala) to disperse
Director Thar Du was not happy when Saya recommended some parts of the movie to be revised. Thar Du was surprised when Saya voted his movie for an Academy Award. Saya explained that the two cases needed different consideration.
Dr. Maung Maung Kha
Saya Kha and family
Shwe Ku May Hnin remembered Saya Kha’s smile when a student (from the Social and Reading Club) asked him, “Saya, will you continue the tradition of Di Tha Par Mauk Kha Saya giving away his beautiful daughters to brilliant students?”.
A member of this group remembered Saya Kha’s smile and forgiveness when he was inadvertently hit by a student (who had to take classes at Workers’ College and come to the Main Campus for practical sessions). The young sayas U Thein Aung (Micky) and U Thein Htut scolded the offender and his companions for not knowing Sayagyi.
Per Dr. Alvin Oak Soe Kha, Saya Kha is the longest serving Rector (known for his compassion).
U Yone Mo
After retirement from Burma Railways, U Yone Mo served as Dean of Engineering at BIT (Burma Institute of Technology)
Under the new Education System, he became the Rector of RIT (Rangoon Institute of Technology).
U Wynn Htain Oo (M72) remembers how his friends were having fun with the “Ye Punn”. Saya U Yone Mo saw them and said with a smile, “Young men, you can go to the University Swimming Pool or to the Inya Kan (Lake)”.
Saya Allen Htay (C58) told us that Sayagyi established the weekly “Yoke Shin” at the Assembly Hall.
Saya Dr. Aung Gyi (then Professor of Civil Engineering) remembered seeing a letter from U Yone Mo (Rector) sent to U Yone Mo (Parent of a son who happened to visit his gambling friends at the hostel). Saya told the Admin to stow away the letter.
Ko Zaw Min Nawaday knows Sayagyi and his spouse very well. Sayagyi and Dr. Aung Gyi were in May Myo during one summer. Sayagyi asked Dr. Aung Gyi and Ko Zaw Min to accompany him. They ate Khauk Swe. Sayagyi reminded them gently not to tell about his “Khauk Swe” appetite to Sayagadaw.
Historian
According to a Historian from Smithsonian, “There is no single correct history. There are often competing and contradicting histories.”
The duty of a historian is to present facts and not opinions.
It is up to the reader to read the historical documents critically and make his/her judgement.
Authenticity
During the Adhamma Era, sayas sayamas and students were forced to “Let Oak Chi” to visiting Taing Hmus and Higher.
One exception was Saya U Hla Shwe (Textile 69) who continued teaching saying, “This is my duty. I can only come when the class is done.”
When U Hla Shwe fell ill, a blogger recounted the episode, and several who did not know U Hla Shwe donated for his medical expenses.
Censorship
At one period, there was excessive censorship.
My story and translation “A Man of Infinite Valor” about Ananda Thuriya was censored. “Dhammata” poem was a taboo. The Higher Authorities did not like the line “One [person] must face destruction for another to prosper”.
No publication (e.g. poem) must refer to the “sun” and “sun set”.
I wrote computer articles for the Guardian. The articles had to be approved by a group of three Chief Editors (U Soe Myint, Chief Editor of Guardian and Chief Editors of two Myanmar newspapers).
With the “Pwint Linn” Era, several books and photos (which would not pass censorship) are available.
Htein Win (Dat Pone) had to wait several decades before he could publish two books : one about “U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khinn” and another about “8-8-88 Ah Yay Ah Khin”.
In the early days, there were three disciplines : Civil, Mechanical and Electrical. The courses were mainly taught by British and Indian sayas.
Early EE Sayas
Saya U Kyaw Tun (Class of 48) is an early EE saya. He is a saya of our sayas. His students include Saya U Sein Hlaing and Saya U Tin Swe. He served as President of the RIT EE Association and Patron of the Hlyat Sit Sar Saung Committee. “Doctor” Tin Aung Win wrote about Sayagyi for SPZP-2000.
Saya C Ping Lee (who studied in the US) joined Saya U Kyaw Tun. He later headed the Directorate of Technical Education and Vocational Training per H.E. U Than Aung (his teacher at SPHS). Dr. Win Aung (M62, iNEER) wrote about his father in “Count down to the Reunion” for SPZP-2000. He hosted a dinner at the first RIT Reunion in East Coast.
EE Department and Options
The EE department offered two options : EC (Electrical Communications) and EP (Electrical Power). It would take a long time before EC and EP would become separate departments. EC was later also called as EcE and Electronics [Engineering].
Senior EE Sayas
Saya U Sein Hlaing attended RU in 1946 (when it was reopened after three years of closure due to the war). He joined the EE department after graduation in 1952. He received MS from MIT. He taught EC classes. Saya retired as Professor and Head of EE. He passed away a couple of years after retirement.
Saya U Tin Swe joined RU in 1947. He was a member of the Prome Hall soccer team which won consecutive Inter-Hall tournament trophy. He is also a good tennis player. He joined the faculty in 1953. He received MS from the University of Michigan. He was a power user at UCC. He worked on EE programs with U Aung Kyaw Pe (EP69) and Dr. Sann Oo (EP67). He taught EP classes. He retired as Lecturer.
Saya U Sein Win received MS from the University of Michigan. He retired as Professor of EP. He served as Technical Advisor of UCC and Line Judge at RUBC regattas. He was President of RIT Rowing & RIT Swimming Associations. Saya is an absent-minded Professor (see Saya U Sein Win joke).
Saya U Htin Paw (EE58) received two Gold Medals. He received MS from the University of Michigan. He transferred to UBARI (his scholarship sponsor) and retired from Electrical Inspectorate. He served as President of BEA and TBSA.
Saya U Myo Kyi (EE59) and Saya Dr. Ba Lwin (EE59) are the most senior (among sayas that are alive and well).
Saya U Myo Kyi gave me two lists of EE sayas and sayamas : the seniors and the juniors.
Saya U Thein Lwin (GBNF) received MS from Lehigh University. He was President of the RIT Badminton Association. After retirement, he taught at Singapore Polytechnic. Saya and his spouse (Sayama Daw May Than Nwe) passed within a few months of each other.
Saya Dr. San Tint (EE61) retired as Professor of EC. He played on the RIT saya soccer team along with Saya U Soe Paing. He requested former students for a Book Drive.
Saya U Soe Paing received his BS and MS from Stanford University. He co-founded UCC with Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe, Saya U Myo Min and Saya U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF). He retired from UN. He was my mentor at UCC.
Saya Dr. Win Tin (EE63) served as Associate Dean at Assumption University.
Saya U Soe Min (EE63, GBNF) transferred to DCA.
Saya U Ba Myint (EE63) retired as Pro-Rector.
Saya U Khaing Oo (EE63) studied briefly at UCC before going to Japan on a scholarship.
Saya U Moe Aung (EE63) is a Laureate Poet. I wrote several posts about his literary and social activities (e.g Editor, Publisher, Chair of SPZP-2002 and SPZP-2010, Patron of SDYF and ARITA).
Saya U Sein Maung (EE63) and Saya U Tin Shwe (EP66, Uzin, GBNF) taught at Assumption University.
Miscellaneous
Saya U Ba Nyunt (EE58, MOC)
Saya L Tun Htun (Dr. Chris Lee, EE59, NASA, BASES)
Saya U Nyi Nyi (EE63, UK)
Sayama Daw Mya Mya Than (EP68, GBNF)
Saya U Tin Win (EE71, UCC, FRI)
H.E. U Aye Myint (EP72)
Saya U Ko Ko Kyi (EC72, Canada)
Sai Kham Pan (EP69, Badminton)
U Soe Myint Lwin (EP68, Soccer)
U Myo Myint (EC67, RUBC Gold in 1962)
U Thaung Lwin (EC66, Captain and RUBC Gold in 1963)
U Shwe Win, Mehm Ye Win and U Hla Min served as Secretary of RIT EE Association
Related articles / posts
There are several posts by and/or about EE sayas and alumni in the RIT Alumni International Newsletter, Hlyat Sit Sar Saung, Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung, my FB pages and my web site hlamin.com
They include
A sad and short clip : EE sayas
Saya U Htin Paw (EE58, GBNF)
Saya U Sein Win (GBNF)
Saya U Thein Lwin (GBNF)
Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC)
List of EE sayas (compiled by Saya U Myo Kyi (EE59)
He studied Physics. He joined UCC as Operator and later became CO (Chief Operator).
U Aung Myint (AM, Sonny, SPHS64, GBNF)
He studied Physics. He joined the Electrical Engineering Laboratory at RIT. He transferred to UCC Systems Division as Maintenance Technician. He became Maintenance Engineer. In response to the 33-Point Questionaire, he and some UCC personnel were relieved off their duties.He opened / taught PLC (Programming Logic Controller) courses.
He, U Ngwe Soe (Silver, Singapore) and U Tun Shwe had daily Zoom meetings. One morning, AM’s son joined the Zoom meeting to inform that his father had just passed away.
U Ngwe Soe
He joined UCC Systems Division as Maintenance Technician. He briefly did seafaring before settling in Singapore.
He worked for Seimen’s.
U Than Tun
He joined UCC Operations Division as Operator. His spouse (Daw Hla Hla Win) is GBNF.
He is currently in USA.
U Myint Oo
He joined UCC as Application Programmer.
U Myint Swe
He worked briefly as Computer Operator. He became involved in Application Programming, Teaching and Consulting. His spouse (Daw Nge Ma Ma Than) is GBNF.
U Thet Lwin
He worked briefly as Trainee Engineer in the UCC Systems Division.
He worked for PTC and a company in Thailand.
U Khin Maung Zaw
He worked briefly as Trainee Engineer in the UCC Systems Division.
He worked for companies in Singapore and USA. He retired from Microsoft.
Saya U Khin Aung Kyi stood 7th in Burma in the Matriculation of 1949 and won Collegiate Scholarship.
He was a Mechanical Engineering student at RU when he won States Scholarship to study BS and MS in Chemical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
RU offered early ChE courses with the help of contract sayas (mostly from India).
Upon his return, he served as Lecturer and Head of Department. He later became Professor.
He succeeded Dr. Aung Gyi as RIT Rector in 1977. He served until 1988.
U Khin Aung Kyi
He taught at Rengsit University in Bangkok.
He attended SPZP-2000 with the sponsorship of his former students.
SPZP-2000
He gave an interview for HMEE project.
Notes
Emma Myint wrote :
U Khin Aung Kyi & Emma Myint
Last time we met him he had Dementia. i asked his daughter’s name he said I feel I know the name. then I asked u know kin Mya than he said yes. u know Honey he said is it not the same person?
At one SYPZP he said in his speech that he calls his wife Honey. that’s why he’s healthy. at the end while going back Saya U Hla Myint Thein shouted, “am calling my wife Honey when I get home”.
He joined UCC as Computer Operator. He attended DAC.
He later had training in USA to study Computer Graphics and applications.
He taught Drawing and AutoCAD at ICST.
He retired as Pro-Rector of ICST.
Nickname
His nickname was Phone Gyi. He was a temporary monk several times, but did not become a permanent Phone Gyi.
He met his love Daw Yin Kywe who attended Computer Courses at UCC.
Sunlun
He volunteered at the Kaba Aye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung.
UCC Yahan Khan
His father U Thein Nyunt (GBNF, former Secretary of Religious Affairs) & the family members had supported Sayadaw U Vinaya and his meditation retreats from the early days.
One day, he visited the monastery twice. He forgot to bring his Garawa offerings and went back to pick them up.
He also visited his nephew and niece who had medical problems.
HlaMin 