Blog

Advisors

Dr. F Ba Hli (GBNF)

Dr. F. Ba Hli

He received Sc.D. (Doctor of Science) from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). At MIT, he helped “fresh” scholars including Saya Dr. Aung Gyi and Saya U Min Wun acclimatize with the environment and studies.

He served as DG (Director General) of UBARI (Union of Burma Applied Research Institute) and Advisor for the Ministry of National Planning. He was a supporter of UCC Project and served as a member of the Board of Directors and as an External Examiner for the Computer Science graduates.

Daw Myint Thwe (Saya’s spouse) is the sister of Saya U Tin U (C), Saya U Ba Than (M, GBNF), Dr. Daw Win Hlaing, Dr. Myo Tint (GBNF), U Tin Htoon (A60), Saya U Myo Min (UCC), Thaung Lwin (EC66) and Daw Cho Cho Hlaing.

Saya’s children Daw Tin Tin Hlaing and U Tha Hlaing (EC83) are UCC Alumni. U Htay Aung (EC80, spouse of Daw Tin Tin Hlaing and nephew of Saya U Sein Hlaing) and team “programmed” a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory) to print Burmese characters on the Cromemco System Three micro-computer. He worked on Burmese Word Processing for Wang Computers. He migrated to Australia. For the past few years, U Htay Aung came back to Yangon to volunteer as an interpreter for the “10-day Mediation Retreat for Foreign Yogis” at the Mahasi Sasana Yeik Tha.

During my visit to Sydney in 2006, Saya U Aung Zaw hosted a UCC reunion and mini-PZP (Pu Zaw Pwe) for Saya F Ba Hli and Saya Chit.

U Sein Win (GBNF)

U Sein Win

Saya U Sein Win (GBNF) is the younger brother of Dr. Tin U (Medical Superintendent, Rangoon Children’s Hospital) and Dr. Saw Lwin.

Saya served as Technical Advisor for UCC. Saya worked closely with U Win Htein (Purdue University, EE at PWD, GBNF) for the design and maintenance of the Electrical Systems (including Motor Alternator, Diesel Generator, Air conditioning) at UCC.

Saya was a top student at the University of Michigan. His friends jokingly called him “Khone Swa Khone Swa” referring to his brisk walking style.

Saya served as Lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering. When the EE Department was formally reorganized into EC (Electrical Communications, also known as EcE and Electronics Engineering) and EP (Electrical Power), Saya U Sein Win served as Professor of EP. Saya Dr. San Tint served as Professor of EC.

Grapevine says that Saya is an absent minded Professor. Saya married late. One day, Saya drove Sayagadaw to Bogyoke Market. He taught (or discussed with) his students for quite some time and almost forgot to pick up Sayagadaw. There are variations on this anecdote regarding the place (e.g. Hledan Zay).

Saya served as Line Judge at the RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club) Regattas. Saya managed the RIT Swimming and Water Polo team.

Saya stays fit by swimming regularly (even when he was visiting Singapore on a business trip).

Saya has a vast knowledge. Saya Dr. San Hla Aung (C58) remembers Saya U Sein Win discussing about Civil Engineering and other subjects.

U Win Htein (GBNF)

U Win Htein matriculated from SPHS in 1956 with Saya U Soe Paing and Saya U Ko Ko Lay.

They were selected as State Scholars to study in the USA. U Win Htein studied at Purdue University. Saya Paing and Saya Lay studied at Stanford University.

Upon his return, he joined PWD.

He was EE during our UCC days.

For the UCC project, U Win Htein and his team maintained the Electrical Systems (including Motor Alternator, Diesel Generator, Air conditioning) at UCC.

U Win Htein is the elder brother of U Myo Myint (EC67) and Daw Myint Myint Thein (Susan, FERD).

Dr. San Tint (GBNF)

Dr. San Tint

Saya Dr. San Tint (GBNF) graduated in 1961 and joined the EE (Electrical Engineering) Department at RIT. He later served as Professor of EC (Electrical Communications AKA Electronics Engineering).

Saya served as External Examiner at UCC.

He played on the RIT Saya Soccer team with U Soe Paing (EE), Dr. Tin Win (M), Dr. Aung Soe (C), U Aung Soe (Maths), U Tin Maung Nyunt (M) and Des Rodgers (English).

Saya suffered stroke and his right hand was paralyzed. He practiced writing with his left hand hoping that he will recover and continue teaching.

Saya spent four decades teaching and passing the torch to the younger generation.

His nephew U Hlaing Myint (UCC) was with Saya in Saya’s final days.

May 10, 2025
Toastmasters

Hla Min (DTM)

Hla Min (Triple Crown winner)

I joined Toastmasters International over a decade to hone my Public Speaking and Leadership skills.

I completed DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster). I also volunteered as Club Ambassador.

I was a member of five Toastmasters Clubs (not concurrently). Although all clubs follow the general guidelines, they tweak the meeting agenda.

My last club was founded by Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs. It is special in one aspect. It holds a mini “Pitch Practice” on the first meeting of every month and a full Pitch Practice on the middle month of every quarter. One has to state the problem, solution, the differentiators and finally ask for cooperation or funding (as appropriate). All in two minutes or less.

There were no Toastmasters clubs in Myanmar. There have been TEDx talks for three years or so.

In our younger days, there was a Rotary Club which had a public speaking component.

In a previous year, three women set the record by placing First, Second and Third in the “World Championship of Public Speaking”. It has been a decade since there was a woman Champion. The runner-up was from China. The winner and third place winner were from the USA.

In the past few years, the winners were from Asia and the Middle East.

Listening and evaluation are important in communications.

May 10, 2025
Tongue Twister

St. Paul’s

During our High School days, we had a visiting Brother. He told a story and asked us to repeat the tongue twister.

“A city, which was plagued with pickpockets, asked someone to tackle the problem. The problem went away. How and Why?

When he saw a pickpocket
pick the pocket of a man
he picked the pocket of the pickpocket
and put the pickings
in the pocket of the man
whose pocket the pickpocket had picked. “

Uzin Aung Chaw (Victor, C69) added :

When he saw the pickpocket picked the pocket, he picked the pocket of the pickpocket and repocket the pickings into the pocket whose pocket was picked by the pickpocket.

Ashin Pannagavesaka wrote :

The very first one I ever learnt was: She sells seashells on the seashore!
Another one from our primary school days was: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. So, if Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled 🌶 peppers, where is the peck of pickled peppers that Peter Piper picked?

May 10, 2025
Habit
Good and Bad Habits
- Good habits allow us to perform things in auto-pilot mode.
- Bad habits (e.g. addiction) are easy to develop, but difficult to quit.
  With patience and practice, we can modify and substitute the bad components in the habit with good ones. The triggers may remain the same, but good actions can yield satisfactory results.
My Experience

Hla Min

I spent a lot of time playing the Solitaire Card Games. I received a sense of gratification with the awards : Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond and Perfect.

I stopped playing Solitaire and spent more time writing and sharing my knowledge and experience via my Posts. I now receive a sense of gratification with the “kind words” by my readers.

Smoking
- My uncle smoke two packs of cigarettes every day.
  He successfully quit smoking partly due to his doctor’s advice and partly due to his determination to live a long, healthy life.
  He lived to his 80s.
  It could have been more if he did not have a fall. There was no immediate signs of danger, but he passed away a few days later.
- My teacher tried to quit smoking. His buddies and students offered him cigarettes to keep them company.
  He also tried the substitution method using Chewing Gums.
  He added one more addiction.
  It would take some time before he kicked both habits.
Habitual Kamma
- Habitual Kamma (e.g. meditating every day) is important.
- U Po Sa would recite “Mora Sutta” (Daung Min Payeik) before going for a daily morning walk along Inya Road with his close friends. Knowing U Po Sa’s habit, the kidnappers waited in the early morning and kidnapped him. U Po Sa got free.
  Some attributed U Po Sa’s release to Habitual Kamma (e.g. recital of the Mora Sutta).
Books
- “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey is a Best Seller.
- Covey also wrote another book on the Eighth Habit.
- “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg is another Best Seller.
  Duhigg points out where to “break” the cycle in a habit.
- Many books are available as e-Book and Audio book.
- If one just wants to have teasers or summaries before buying a book, one can subscribe to Blinkist.com
May 10, 2025
Fundamentals of Vipassana Meditation
- Primary Author : Mahasi Sayadaw
- Translator : Maung Tha Noe
- Editor : Sayadaw U Silananda
- Original Publisher : Dhammachakka Meditation Center, 1991
- Republished with other articles : Tathagata Meditation Center
Other articles included the book

(1) “Instructions to Meditation Practice” by Mahasi Sayadaw
(2) “Benefits of Walking Meditation” by Sayadaw U Silananda
(3) “Guidance for Yogis at Interview” by Sayadaw U Pandita
(4) “An Interview with Mahasi Sayadaw” by Thamanaykyaw, translated by U Hla Myint
May 10, 2025
Taya Oo
First Sermon
- “Taya Oo” means First Sermon.
- It is used to describe “Dhammacakkapavuthana Sutta” (Turning the wheel of Dhamma), which was given by the Buddha to his first five disciples.
75th Anniversary of Sayadaw U Silananda

U Silananda
- Sayadaw U Silanandabhivamsa wrote “Taya Oo” as a young bhikkhu.
- The book was reprinted for dhamma dana offering at Sayadaw’s 75th birthday.
Books / Talks / Classes
- There are many books on “Dhammacakkapavatta Sutta.”
- They include translations of the first sermon in Burmese/Myanmar and English, and expositions.
- Mahasi Sayadaw gave a series of dhamma talks on the Sutta and its relation to vipassana meditation.
- Saya U Aung Zaw (UCC) once e-mailed to me an English translation of the Sutta by Sayagyi U Pe Maung Tin.
- Several sayadaws such as Dhamma Beri Sayadaw have conducted dhamma classes on “Taya Oo”.
May 10, 2025
Burmese Publications
Golden Padauk and Durian
- Ko Henry Lim (Aung Myint) left RIT before graduation.
- Served as Chief Editor of the BAPS Newsletter.
- Also served as Associate Editor of the Commemorative Issue of RIT Alumni International Newsletter for SPZP-2000.
- Published bilingual Golden Padauk Magazine in the SF Bay Area.
- Doctors advised him to take a break while waiting for kidney transplant.
- Briefly published trilingual Durian Magazine.
Ahara
- Several years ago, I received some issues of Ahara Magazine that was published in Japan.
- Ko Kyaw Win helped with the publication before moving to the SF Bay Area.
- For some time, he moved back to Burma.
- Saw him at a Fund Raiser at Newark Pavilion.
Mandalay Gazette
- Ko Maung Maung Kyi was a swimmer and a medical doctor in his younger days in Burma.
- He founded Mandalay Gazette in Southern California with the help of his spouse and colleagues.
Myanmar Gazette
- Ko Kai (Thakin Kai Bwor) joined RIT in the 80s and saw three years of school closure due to Security Concerns.
- Graduated with Mechanical in the early 90s.
- Moved to Japan and settled in USA.
- Helped Mandalay Gazette.
- Later founded Myanmar Gazette with his spouse.
- The free distribution of the Gazette is supported in part by paid advertisements (doctors, dentists, insurance agents, realtors, …).
- The online version can be downloaded (e.g from SCRIB-D).
- A local TV station interviewed Ko Kai.
Not easy task
- It is not easy to publish and/or maintain Burmese newspaper, journal or magazine overseas.
May 10, 2025
Bawa Thin Pone Gyi
Book by U Ye Sint
- U Ye Sint taught Physics in Myanmar.
- He has an MBA.
- He served as a member of Executive Committee (EC), Board of Directors (BOD), Editorial Board for Dhammananda Newsletter and the publication “Homage to Sayadaw U Silananda”.
- He has published four books in Myanmar (by Seik Koo Cho Cho Press).
May 10, 2025
Non-Engg Sayas
English Department

Sao Kan Gyi
- Taught English at RIT
- Pen name : “Khemarat”
Joe Ba Maung
- National Tennis Champion in Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles
- Moved to Burma Railways
- Victim of the 8-8-88 purge
Miscellaneous
- Daw Khin Saw Tint
Mathematics Department

U Ba Toke
- Born : December 26, 1920
- Died : December 2, 2020
- Spouse : Daw Khin Ma Gyi (GBNF)
- Children : Betty, Ye Myint, Kitty (GBNF), Nellie, Pansy, Soe Win (GBNF), Pansy, Tammy, Debbie
- Attended SPZP-2000 in the USA and subsequent SPZPs in Singapore and Yangon as “Saya of Engineering Sayas”
U Sein Shan
- Head of RIT Mathematics Department
- Son : Thant Zin (Mech)
Obituary

U Sein Shan

Dr. Saw Tin
- Taught at RASU
- Transferred as Head of RIT Mathematics
- He and his spouse passed away within months of each other
Dr. Saw Tin

Miscellaneous
- Need info
Physics Department

Daw Nyein
- Retired as Head of RIT Physics Department
- Passed away at the tender age of 102
U Hlwan Moe
- Succeeded Daw Nyein as Head of the Department
- Spouse : Sayama Daw Emily Ba Aye
U Saw Hlaing
- First met Saya at Thu Ka Ka Yi Ah Thinn on Shwe Dagon Pagoda
- Last met Saya at the Ministry of Education
Daw May Than Nwe

Daw May Than Nwe and “Oldies in Singapore”
- First in Physics Honors Class of 1962
- Moved to Singapore
- Spouse : Saya U Thein Lwin
- Both passed away within a few months of each other
Miscellaneous
- Need info
Chemistry Department

Daw Than Than
- Moved to Canada
- Came back to Burma to have “better” medical treatment
- Spouse : Saya U Kyaw Tun
Miscellaneous
- Need info
Burmese Department

Miscellaneous
- Need info
May 10, 2025
Cartoons and Comics
Conventional wisdom
- Laughter is the best medicine
- It takes less nerves to smile than to frown
- A cartoon a day keeps the blues away
- Cartoons have no age boundaries
RIT Cartoon Box
- Started by Ko Myint Pe (M72) and team with the Patronage of Saya U Khin Maung Phone Ko (“Phone Ko”, C65) and Saya U Aung Myint (“Kyant Ba Hone”, Pet69)
- “Phone Ko” was known for his “Vietnam cartoon”
- “Kyant Ba Hone” superficially looked like “Nick Kelly”, but the contents are different.
- Maintained by three (or more) generations of Cartoon Boxers
- Cartoon Box was “ordered close” after 1988
- History is published in the Commemorative Issue of Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for SPZP-2012
- Collection of RIT Cartoons published in time for SPZP-2012
- Pamphlet of RIT Cartoons distributed at Shwe YaDu and SPZP-2016
- Some (e.g. “Aw Pi Kye”) became professional cartoonists
  Exhibited in Myanmar and beyond (e.g. Asian Cartoon Exhibition)
Early Cartoonists
- Shwe Ta Lay
- U Ba Gyan
- U Heng Soon
- U Aung Shein
- U Pe Thein
- U Than Kywe
- U Ba Htwe
- U Kyaw San (“Ka Sa”)
Published in Burmese and English newspapers, magazines and books.

The “Cartoon Festival” was held in U Ba Gyan Street (around Tazaung Daing).

Comics

During our times, we read
- Beano
- Dandy
- Topper
- Beezer
- Film Fun
- Joke and Humor books
  D. S. Saluja collected 200 books including Annual / Special Issues
U Myo Myint (M73)
- Designed covers for the RIT Annual Magazines and the commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Magazines.
- Expert in “Pon Tu” (Portrait) and “Oil Paintings”.
- Also draw cartoons. U Myint Pe (M72) has posted some of them.
- They remind me of three female friends who were fondly known as Half Size, Full Size and Double Size.
Miscellaneous
- Ko Win Thein (M67, GBNF) suggested to name RIT Main Gate as “U Lu Paw Gate”.
- Ko Myint Soe (C68, GBNF) and Ko Myint Thein (M69, GBNF) are fondly called Maung Kabar (or Kabar for short)
- About a decade ago, my spouse paid K10,000 for a copy of “old” cartoons published in the Rangoon Times.
  Some are political satire.
- In 1958, there was a rift between the two factions of AFPFL.
  Some cartoonists took sides and a “price war” started.
  The cartoons, which sold for 60 pyas, were then given away at bargain prices (any where between 10 and 50 pyas).
- We have seen private shops like Smart & Mookerdam gave way to the government owned stationery and book stores.
May 10, 2025