I inform you all with saddened heart that one of our friends, Ko Kyaw Tint (Mining69)(Moscow byan), passed away in the morning of 8 September 2021 at the age of 74 of coronary heart disease. He had been suffering Parkinson’s disease since last four years ago and can’t maneuver properly. May his soul Rest In Peace. GBNF 110 .
The De La Salle Brothers belong to a Roman Catholic Religious Order.
In Burma, they founded
St. Patrick’s High School (Moulmein)
St. Paul’s High School (Rangoon)
St. Peter’s High School (Mandalay)
St. Albert’s High School (Maymyo)
St. Columban’s High School (Bhamo)
St. Joseph’s High School (Loikaw)
De La Salle School (Twante)
St. Paul’s High School celebrated its Centennial during our school days and the Sesquicentennial a few years back.
St. Paul’s High School used to have an Honor Roll. It disappeared after the nationalization. It was recovered by U Soe Nyunt (Taw Win Hnin Si, GBNF).
Ko Richard San Tint is credited for the following photo.
The students from St. Paul’s High School stood First in Matriculation examination for the years 1951 George Chapman 1952 Dr. Nyunt Tin 1954 Koon Yin Chu (Phillip) 1958 Dr. Soe Win 1959 Dr. Frankie Ohn (Hla Ngwe Tin) 1963 Dr. Khin Maung U 1965 Bernard Khaw
The Paulians also scored in the Top Five in several years. 1952 Top Two 1956 Joint Third 1958 Top Two 1959 Top Four 1960 6th 1961 2nd 1963 Top Five, 7th and 9th 1964 3rd and 5th 1965 Top three and 5th (two Paulians)
Hla Min stood 7th in Burma in the Matriculation of 1963
Dr. Nyan Taw wrote :
SPHS63 was the best performance in SPHS history having top 5 positions and top 7 positions of the 10 top positions for whole of Burma. We, Paulians are very proud !
During a period, students at the University of Rangoon attended Inter (A) for a year, but they did not have to take the examination.
They attended Inter (B) for a year.
They then took the examination for both courses.
Second Type
For a class (e.g. Inter (B)), a student has two chances to pass, because there was a “main” examination and a “supplementary” examination.
The first examination was usually held in March. Those who pass all subjects are eligible to apply for stipends and grants.
Those who pass the minimum (e.g. three subjects) have to re-take the remaining subjects in the supplementary examination, which was usually held in June.
Sayagyi U Ba Toke
Effect of Compart System
Saya joined the Student Strike and missed the main examination.
Took all subjects in the supplementary examination and passed.
Wanted to study engineering at the University of Rangoon, but he would need stipend or grant. Since he missed the main examination, he was not eligible to apply for stipend or grant.
His teachers persuaded him to study Mathematics in Mandalay University.
Received his Masters (thanks to his mentor) during the War.
Joined the University of Rangoon. Taught Mathematics to the engineering students.
Served as Professor of Mathematics at RASU before being promoted to Rector at MASU.
After a few years, he voluntarily asked to be transferred as Professor of Mathematics at RIT.
Life Journey
U Maung Maung Than (M79) donated a round-trip ticket for a saya from Myanmar to attend SPZP-2000. Several sayas and alumni sponsored Saya to attend SPZP-2000.
Saya is a Phwa Bet Taw of “University of Rangoon” and the “First RU Students’ Strike” in December 1920.
His life journey can be read in the book by Maung Thin Char (Saya Dr. Khin Maung Swe).
Saya recruited his students to join UCC. Some early students could not wait long for the UCC project to get established. A few left for overseas.
Won Collegiate Scholarship in 1956.
Won two Medals for I.Sc. (A) and (B) exams. Highest total score for both exams combined. Highest marks in Mathematics in I.Sc. examination. Saya Dr. Tin Win (M62) and another student were co-winners.
Received a scholarship to study BSEE and MSEE at Stanford University. Saya U Ko Ko Lay (UCC) received a scholarship to study BSCE and MSCE at Stanford University.
On their return journey to Burma by an ocean liner, Saya U Soe Paing and Saya U Ko Ko Lay were joined by Saya Allen Htay (C58) and Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt (M60) who had finished their graduate studies in the US. They spent the evenings playing Bridge. They became close friends.
Joined the EE Department as Assistant Lecturer. Helped Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe found UCC along with Saya U Myo Min and Saya U Ko Ko Lay.
Transferred to UCC as Systems Manager.
Did his M.Sc. (Computer Science) at the University of Southampton in the UK.
Retired after working as UN Consultant in several countries.
Wrote a brief bio for the SPZPs.
Described more details in his articles about his studies and work at UCC and beyond.
Saya U Soe Paing in Yangon
Saya’s writings and contributions
Student days at Rangoon University
RIT Saya Soccer Team
RIT-UCC Connection
Three sayas attending SPZP
“Computer Ah Sa UCC Ga” and articles can be read from SCRIB-D
With the help of Sayagyi U Ba Than and Saya U Thaw Kaung, Saya compiled artifacts at the Universities Central Library. Saya prepared a draft version for of HMEE-2012.
Saya revised the translation by U Ohn Khine (Section One in full, Section Two in Summary).
Saya hosted several gatherings for RIT-UCC alumni visiting Myanmar.
His younger siblings are Dr. Daw Win Hlaing (Ruby), Daw Myint Thwe (Betty), Dr. Myo Tint (GBNF), U Tin Htoon (A60), Saya U Myo Min (UCC),U Thaung Lwin (EC66) and Daw Cho Cho Hlaing.
Wedding ReceptionU Ba Than, Daw Mya Mya and Ye ThanU Ba Than, Lwin Mar Oo, Ye Than, Aung Myo Myint, Ei Khine
Spouse : Daw Mya Mya (GBNF)
Son : U Ye Than (Winner Inn)
Daughter-in-law : Daw Lwin Mar Oo
Grand children : Ko Aung Myo Myint and Ma Ei Khine
U Ba Than, Dr. Myo Tint, U Myo Min, U Thaung Lwin, U Tin Htoon, U Tin UWith son’s family
Brief Bio
Matriculated from St. John’s Diocesan Boys High School and won Collegiate Scholarship in 1947.
Gold Medal for placing first among the I.Sc. and all Intermediate students in 1948 and 1949.
Studied Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College, University of London.
Upon return to Burma, he joined the Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer.
As a requirement for promotion, he studied Masters at Imperial College, University of London.
Upon his return, he became Lecturer.
Succeeded Saya U Aung Khin as Professor and Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department.
Taught at RIT until retirement.
Per request from Saya Dr. Maung Maung Kha (then Interim Dean, Faculty of Engineering), he served as Advisor for the Engineering Library.
Taught “Strength of Materials” and “Mechanical Drawing” for most years, and “Engineering Mechanics” for a few years.
Early supporter of the HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) project
Hosted several HMEE meetings at Winner Inn (run by his son, daughter-in-law and grand children).
Provided precious photos from his albums for display at MES and for inclusion in the HMEE book.
Arranged with Saya U Thaw Kaung (former Chief Librarian of Rangoon University Central Library) to give access of the Library Archives to Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) and his team. Saya U Soe Paing and team scanned old magazines and documents. Saya U Soe Paing also prepared an initial summary of his findings and handed over to Saya U Aung Hla Tun and team.
Celebrated his birthdays by offering soon to the sayadaws at monasteries (e.g. Yaw Sayadaw’s Kyaung) and inviting his former colleagues and students to the soon kyway.
On October 2, 2008, the former students of Sayagyi U Ba Than (Retired Professor of Mechanical Engineering) was honored with a special Birthday and Garawa ceremony. It was special because it was a Thursday. Sayagyi was born on Thursday, October 2, 1930.
Per request from his grand children, he wrote memoirs and shared them with the attendees of birthday gathering.
Cousin Brother
My saya at RIT. Gave me rides to RIT in his white Zephyr. Many thought that he was my uncle.
He is my cousin. In fact, he is my Double First Cousin. His father is my mom’s older brother. Hid mother is my dad’s older sister.
Strict teacher. Never received hints or clues from him. Would not even know whether I did well in his subject until I received the official transcript.
Dio Classmates from 1941
Dr. Kyaw Aung and Bohmu Lynn Thein Maung were his classmates in 2nd Standard at Diocesan Boys High School.
U Ba Than, U Tin U (elder brother), Dr. Kyaw Aung and Bohmu Lynn Thein Maung would meet over a monthly lunch (usually at Winner Inn). They would take turns to host the event.
Classmates from 1941
Visit by Dr. San Hla Aung
Saya Dr. San Hla Aung, Saya U Tin Htut, Saya Mao Toon Siong and several other sayas would pay respect to Saya U Ba Than during their visits to Myanmar.
With Dr. San Hla Aung
Memoirs (excerpt)
Saya wrote his memoirs at the request of his grand son. The booklet was given to the attendees at Saya’s birthday in October 2008. Excerpts of Pages 3 – 5 (which described his school days) are shown below.
Excerpts from U Ba Than’s Memoirs
Soon Kyways
Ye Than (son) booked “Yar Thet Pan Annual Soon Kwyay” for his father Saya U Ba Than at Yaw Sayadaw Kyaung.
Saya would invite relatives, former colleagues and students to the Soon Kwyay.
Mementos
For the special Soon Kyway in October 2008, Maung Sein Win (Padeegone) wrote a “Garawa” poem.
Saya provided mementos to the attendees.
Memento from U Ba Than’s 78th birthdayMessage from U Ba Than
Gold Medal for Highest Score for Combined I.Sc. in 1949
Alumnus of Imperial College, London University
Retired Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Siblings : U Tin U, Dr. Daw “Ruby” Win Hlaing, Daw Myint Myint Thwe, Dr. Myo Tint, U Tin Htoon, U Myo Min, U Thaung Lwin, Daw Cho Cho Hlaing
Spouse : Daw Mya Mya (GBNF)
Son and Daughter-in-law : U Ye Than, Daw Lwin Mar Oo
Grandchildren : Ko Aung Myo Myint, Ma Ei Khine
Celebrated 90th Birthday on October 2, 2020
U Tin Htoon and Henry Kao compiled a Special “Photo Album Book”
Give back “Garawa Money” from Saya Pu Zaw Pwes to Charity
For many years, offered “Birthday Soon Dana” at Yaw Sayadaw’s Monastery and invited former colleagues and students to the Soon Kyway
Early supporter of HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) Project Held co-ordination meeting to kick off the Project Donated Class Photos (and more) for use in the HMEE-2012 Book
HlaMin 