It was a decision I made 50 years ago that resulted in an association with an institution that has developed from its incipient stage to a full-fledged Institute of Higher Learning. Of course the decision was not mine alone since youths in those days were required to follow the tradition of seeking the guidance and advice of parents, teachers and relatives. I was fortunate enough to have an uncle who was the Professor of Chemistry and gave me valuable advice. Besides, motivation was needed to go for a career, which required two more years of study beyond the B.A. or B.Sc. courses. At that time Burma was independent for just two years and we, the youth of the country, were imbued with a spirit of challenge and sacrifice. Being masters of our own destiny, we had a vision of a united country of fertile fields, humming factories and busy highways. So I chose to apply for admission to B.O.C. College. Actually the name of the college was B.O.C. College of Engineering and Mining with a Principal as its head. The last principal was Mr. Pendril Davies. At this stage I would like to beg the reader’s forgiveness if my recollections are in error and please feel free to correct me. 50 years is a long time. University of Rangoon subsequently took over the College and it became the Faculty of Engineering with a Dean as its head. Sayagyi U Tan Ba Hli was the dean in 1950.
The requirement for admission was that an applicant must have taken the combination — Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry — in the Intermediate of Science (I.Sc.) class and pass with an aggregate of 50%. There were just over 100 students in my First Year Engineering class, including those who signed up for the fast-track New Course in 1949 and absorbed into regular class when it was discontinued. All First and Second Year students have to take common courses, irrespective of whether one wants to go for Civil, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering. Those are the only disciplines in the Faculty. Only after passing the Second Year did we have a choice. Thus, I found myself in 1950 joining an institution which nurtured me intellectually as well as socially and helped me establish a common bond of friendship and loyalty with my fellow engineers and students, when I morphed from student to teacher.
Maung Sein Win (Padeegone) remembers Ko Win Myint Maung submitting articles and poems for Set Hmu Thadin Zin and joining the “Nay Moon Tei Group” organized by Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War)
Ko Win Myint Maung wrote short stories with the pen name Moe Khet.
Due to the policies of accepting only item under a pen name, he submitted a Kabyar with the pen name N Jar Thaing.
NJT entered the “Lone Chin Publishing” two years ahead of Maung Sein Win (Padeegone), but was two years late entering the “Magazine Circle“.
Both served on the Magazine Committees for Swel Daw Yeik Magazines for SPZP-2012, Shwe YaDu 2014 and SPZP-2016.
Saya U Moe Aung felt that N Jar Thaing was having some medical problems in 2014.
Saya sensed some seriousness when N Jar Thaing could not make it to the photo shoot in 2016.
Saya has posted photos about the mini-gatherings of the RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins for the period 2012 – 2016.
N Jar Thaing is GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten)
NJT, Saya and Ma Sandar SPZP 2012Swel Daw Yeik Magazine (2012)Magazine for Shwe YaDu (2014)201420162016
During our RIT days, most if not all Departments have Associations. The activities (especially fund raisers) vary.
Ko Win Thein (GBNF) co-founded Set Hmu Thadin Zin and Mech Engg Magazine.
Win Thein
Ko Aye Lwin (GBNF) served as Secretary of Mech Association and Secretary of the Inaugural RIT Annual Magazine.
Aye Lwin
Ko Shwe Win, Mehm Ye Win and Ko Hla Min served as Secretary of EE Association. Saya U Moe Aung was Chief Editor of Hlyat Sit Sar Saung. Ko Sann Oo, Ko Myo Myint and Ma Than Yi were Associate Editors.
RIT EE Aassociation
Ko Myo Khin and Ko Saw Lin (GBNF) served as Secretary of Civil Association. They displayed Wall Posters.
Badminton U Thein Lwin, Sai Kham Pan, Myint Sein, Bishnu Shahi …
Basketball U Thein Han, Soe Win, Tommy …
Chess Aung Than, Maung Maung, Thet Lwin …
Chinlon U Maung Maung Than, Tin Shein, Htin Aung …
Hiking & Mountaineering Win Lwin, Cho Aye, Bae Oo …
Hockey Dr. Tin Hlaing, Owen Khoo …
Rowing U Sein Win, Dr. San Hla Aung, U Tin Htut, Myo Myint, Than Htut, Thaung Lwin, Hla Min, Sein Myint, Win Naing, Chit Po Po, Htein Win, Aung Tun Oo, Wunna Sithu, Maung Tun, Kyin Tun …
Soccer Kyaw Htin, Soe Myint Lwin, Kyaw Sint, John Tint, Myo Nyunt, Khin Maung Lay …
Swimming U Sein Win, Dr. San Hla Aung, U Hla Myint, Htay Aung, Han Sein, Moe Hein, Sein Myint, Win Maung, Win Aung, Peter Pe, Wunna Sithu …
Table Tennis Saya Mao Toon Siong, Stan Liou, Maung Maung / Sin Gyi, Win Myint, Tin Myint, Nyunt Tin …
Tennis U Tu Myint, Soe Tha, Tun Kyi, Kyaw Nyunt, James Than …
Thaing U Tin Maung Nyunt, Tun Aung Gyaw, Min Din …
Track & Field U Num Kok, Aung Gyi Shwe, Maung Maung Htwe, Aung Khin, Sai Thein Maung, Khin Maung Lay, Nan Khaming, Lei Lei Chit, Khin Than Myint Tin …
In 2017, Saya U Aung Myaing (ChE72) requested his former sayas and colleagues to donate for the “Training Component” of the YTU Modernization Project. The projected expense was $3000.
U Aung Myaing
Sponsors and donors
Saya U Maung Maung (George, ChE66) donated $500 as seed money for the fund. Saya U Myat Thwin (ChE66) and Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt (M60) donated $500 each. Yap May Hoe (ChE67) donated $1000.
U Maung MaungU Myat ThwinU Tin Maung Nyunt
Other sayas and alumni in the US, Singapore and Myanmar donated in cash and kind.
Better late than never
It took some time to get the “Training Component” project by the higher authorities.
The project came to fruition in July 2018.
U Wynn Htain Oo (M72) posted photos about the tour to the selected libraries in Singapore.
In the old Education systems, only those who passed I.Sc. examination with science option (Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry) with 50 or more marks in those “major” subjects could apply for the engineering school.
The classes were called 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th (Final) year of engineering.
New Education System
In November 1964, under the then new Education System, three batches of students were admitted to RIT.
400+ students attended the first ever 1st BE
300+ students attended the first ever 2nd BE
about 200 students attended the first ever 3rd BE
RU Golden Jubilee
The Golden Jubilee of Rangoon University was celebrated in 1970. “Swel Daw Yiek Anyeint” and “Htee Yein” from RIT were attractions. The two items were organized by Saya U Saw Htun (“Saw Lu”, Head of the RIT Burmese Department).
Shwe YaDu
The Shwe YaDu of the New Education System was celebrated by
69ers (for the admission to the 2nd BE in 1964)
the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65
YTU with the support of Swel Daw Yeik Foundation and Alumni
Most members matriculated in 1952 and graduated with B.Sc.(Engg) in 1958.
Per request of Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (Director General of UBARI and Part-time saya at the Electrical Engineering Department, his son-in-law U Htay Aung (Victor, EC80) provided the Class Photo of EE58.
U Htay Aung is the nephew of Saya U Sein Hlaing (EE Professor)
Sayagyi U Ba Hli was the first native Dean of Engineering. He also taught Civil Engineering classes.
Saya U Kyaw Tun is an early Saya at the EE Department. He is a Saya of our sayas.
Saya U Tin Swe retired as Lecturer. In the early days, EE Department had a single professor. Many years later, EC (Electronics) and EP (Power) would become separate Departments with their own Professors.
U Maung Maung (UBARI) taught part time.
Mr. Redpath (UK) and Dr. Calder (USA) were non-Burmese sayas.
U Ba Than taught Mechanical Engineering subjects.
EE58
U Aye (M62) wrote : U Aung Pe (EE 58), 2nd row 4th from L. (Retired Lt. Col DI)
U Htin Paw (EE58, GBNF)
U Htin Paw
Won two Gold Medals at the RU Convocation in 1958.
Since the Endowment could not cover the rising cost of Gold, his family had to contribute K300 for the “true” Gold Medals.
Joined the Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer.
Studied for his Masters at the University of Michigan (under the UBARI scholarship).
Upon his return, he taught part time at the EE Department while working for UBARI
Transferred to the Electrical Inspectorate.
Moved to USA.
Past President of TBSA (Theravada Buddhist Society of America)
Co-founder and President of BEA (Burmese Engineers Association).
Son : Dr. Barry Paw (MD, Ph.D, GBNF)
Brother : U Tun Thein (A67)
Nephews : U Hla Thein (Robert, M72)
Wrote a series of articles for “RIT Alumni International Newsletter”
Saya U Ba Nyunt (EE58, GBNF)
EE sayas & alumni at SPZP-2000
Joined the Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer
Did further studies in the USA.
Upon return to Burma, Saya transferred to BOC/MOC.
Spouse : Daw May Su (Physics, GBNF)
In 2000, visited USA to see his daughter and grand child.
U Khin Maung Zaw : KMZ (EC76) Webmaster of first RIT website
Daw Mai Khin Nyunt : Rosie Gyi (ChE71) Editor, Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung
U Moe Aung : Saya (EE63) Tekkatho Moe War (Laureate Poet)
U Myint Pe : Cartoon Box (M72) Lu shwin daw Seik Kyee
U Nyunt Htay : Saya (Met73) Maung Nyunt Htay (Ah Htet Min Hla)
U Ohn Khine : Gaing Gyi (M70) Intake of 64 & 65; HMEE
U San Lin : Maung Lu Pay (M87) Norcal RITAA
Dr. Soe Thein : Saya (C75) Webmaster, Singapore SPZP
U Thein Htut : ex-UCC, Mdy (EC83) IT expert
U Thein Ngwe : Ko Thein (Tokyo) (ChE76) Co-founder, RITAJ
U Tin Aung Win : Oscar (M69) 69er, HIC
U Tin Lin : Saya (ChE72) Annotated Pon Tu; Singapore SPZP
U Tin Myint : Saya (M80) Posted artifacts
U Win Thein Zaw : Wai Lu (Min69) Took Optional Burmese
U Wynn Htain Oo : Mg Mar Ga (M72) Super Fundraiser
U Moe AungU Wynn Htain Oo and U Myint PeU Ohn Khine and Daw Mae Khin NyuntU Khin Maung ZawU Ko Ko KyiDr. Soe TheinU Myint PeU Wynn Htain OoU Aung MyaingU Tin Aung WinU San LinU Khin Maung Zaw
HlaMin 