Studied Chemical Engineering and Mathematics in the USA.
Taught Engineering Mechanics in our 2nd BE class. Students love the free-body diagrams with half arrows.
Wore jeans and smoked quite a lot.
Quit smoking and wore taik pone. A dramatic change.
Taught ALGOL and some computer subjects in the planning phase of the UCC Project.
Students felt sad when they learned that their favorite saya was to be transferred to Pathein (Bassein) College.
As recounted by U Zaw Min Nawaday, there was a farewell party where U Tha Htay read the message in Burmese and U Khin Maung Win (Roland Thein) read the message (drafted by ZMN) in English.
Many years later, Saya served as External Examiner at UCC.
After retirement, Saya spent time in Myanmar and UK (with his daughter).
U Ohn Khine (M70) was able to give Garawa money of the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 64 to Saya, and took pictures.
Stipend may stand for Financial Aid. There may be terms (e.g. agree to work for a specified period after getting the degree).
In the 50’s, Military Stipends were given to eligible students studying Medicine and Engineering. The graduates join the Military as Commissioned Officers.
During our University days, Stipend holders receive 75 Kyats per month. The amount is the same as received by the Collegiate Scholarship winners. The net is 60 Kyats per month since the Tuition fees is 15 Kyats per month.
The stipend was sufficient even for students who have to live in hostels. The hostel fees was 57 Kyats.
Several US universities provide “Free Tuition” to eligible students. A few US universities provide Free Board and Lodging & Free Tuition to eligible students.
Dr. Yan Naing Lwin wrote :
When I started teaching at WIU in 1965, a few Burmese students started to arrive in Illinois. They were graduate students of RU, RIT & IM (Institute of Medicine).
They pursued their graduate study as GA (Graduate Teaching Assistant) or RA (Research Assistant). Their tuition was free & their stipends varied from $ 300/- to $ 600/- per month. Many hundreds have passed through WIU (Western Illinois University) & all of them are very successful. I think it was their previous background, their hard work, their ambitions, & camaraderie that existed among them!
Pat Tin-Win had the courage to request Sayagyi Dr. Ba Than (who was Medical Superintendent of the Japan Khit Say Yone Gyi, Rector of IM(1) and founder of the Zwe Ah Nyeint) to play Myamangiri on the harp, and allow the recording to be used for her friend Rosie to dance at the 1964 Chemistry Fresher Welcome.
Sayagyi complied.
Extracurricular Activities
Saing Waing
Those who chose to stay in hostels have fond memories of the various functions (e.g. by Thahaya and Sar Phutt Ah Thinn — Social and Reading Clubs), the Inter-Hall and Inter-Institute Sporting Events (e.g. at Aung San Stadium).
Per Daw Nyunt Nyunt Tin, she was a Day Scholar, but she spent a lot of time at Marlar Hall (known not just for beauties but for the excellent sports teams).
Some tried Rowing at the Rangoon University Boat Club (RUBC). The pioneer female rowers were from the Institute of Economics and RASU (partly because they are close to RUBC). They were later joined from other Institutes (e.g. RIT, IM(1), Education). RUBC was founded by Sir Arthur Eggar (Law Professor) in 1923. Details of RUBC can be found in the 90th Anniversary Issue (published in 2013). RUBC allowed female members in the mid 1960s. Pioneer female members were mostly from Institute of Economics (e.g. Ma Khin Mya), RASU (e.g. Jill Gaudoin /Aye) and some from other institutes.
Some remember the musical evenings and nights by Pho So Chins. Tekkatho Tun Naung (then a Dental College Student, Luyechun for the Summer Camp of 1965 at Inlay) would play mandolin in front of the Ladies’ Halls (e.g. Inya Hall). He would later co-found the Stereo Khit.
We took “Dhatu Beda” in the first ever HSF Only examination in 1962.
Ko Maung Maung Kyi (SPHS) scored the highest marks in Chemistry. He would later receive Dip Ing in Chemical Engineering (specializing in Pulp and Paper).
Chemistry (in English)
We took Chemistry in the first ever Matriculation Only examination in 1963.
Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS) scored a perfect 100 and stood first in Burma.
Grapevine says that the Physics examiners reluctantly took away a mark from Ko Khin Maung U’s perfect score. He ended up with 99 marks in Physics, 100 marks in Chemistry and 100 marks in Mathematics.
Pros and Cons
We were guinea pigs for the Education System.
We lost one year in the process, but learned some “Translation”.
Chemisty Sayas
Dr. Soe Win (SPHS 58)
Dr. Soe Win stood first in the Matriculation examination in 1958. He is the son of Saya Sein, our Burmese teacher in high school and the father of Ko Aung Mon. He took Chemistry Honors. He joined the Chemistry Department of Rangoon University. He retired as Rector of the YUFL (Yangon University of Foreign Languages).
Saya U Po Tha
Saya U Po Tha is the first native Professor of Chemistry at Rangoon University. He is the uncle of Saya U Aung Khin (retired Professor of Mechanical Engineering). Saya served as an Interim Dean of Engineering at Rangoon University.
Saya U Aung Khin
Saya U Aung Khin, cousin of Saya U Khin Maung Myint and uncle of Ko Wynn Myint Aung (EC76), was another early Professor.
Saya Mehm Thet San
Saya was a room mate of Dr. Yan Naing Lwin at UIUC (University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign). Saya served as DG of CSO, and Deputy Minister.
Saya Mehm Tin Mon
Saya is the father of Dr. Mi Sandar Mon (Mechanical Engineering Professor at YTU, GBNF). Saya served as Principal of Moulmein College. He was also Professor and Adviser at IMBTU. Saya wrote and taught “condensed” courses in Abhidhamma.
Saya Dr. Ko Gyi
I met Saya Dr. Ko Gyi when I attended the Head of Department meeting(s) as a representative from ICST.
The astronomers studied and mapped the space objects such as stars and comets first with the naked eye and then with the help of telescopes (optical, radio, …) . Before the advent of the communication satellites and GPS (Global Positioning System), seafarers had to rely on their knowledge of astronomy for navigation.
Edmund Halley is an Astronomer Royal known for the discovery of Halley’s comet. Mark Twain’s birth and death coincided with the two visits of Halley’s comet.
Greenwich is known for its observatory and the adoption of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). UCT (Universal Coordinated Time) is now preferred.
U Ba Min
U Ba Min (SPHS 56) joined the Mathematics Department. He studied for his MS in Astronomy in the US. He later resigned citing medical reasons when he was transferred to Myitkyina College. He opened a shop in Zay Gyo in Mandalay. One day, a group of Japanese visited his shop. They were surprised to learn that U Ba Min was a classmate of their Professor back in the US. They took a photo to show to their professor.
Other Sayas
Saya U Soe Min and Saya U Sein Win are some Mathematics sayas who taught Astronomy.
Sayagyi U Min Wun (Civil) is well versed in both Western and Eastern Astronomy.
The astronomers studied and mapped the space objects such as stars and comets first with the naked eye and then with the help of telescopes (optical, radio, …) . Before the advent of the communication satellites and GPS (Global Positioning System), seafarers had to rely on their knowledge of astronomy for navigation.
Edmund Halley is an Astronomer Royal known for the discovery of Halley’s comet. Mark Twain’s birth and death coincided with the two visits of Halley’s comet.
Greenwich is known for its observatory and the adoption of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). UCT (Universal Coordinated Time) is now preferred.
U Ba Min
U Ba Min (SPHS 56) joined the Mathematics Department. He studied for his MS in Astronomy in the US. He later resigned citing medical reasons when he was transferred to Myitkyina College. He opened a shop in Zay Gyo in Mandalay. One day, a group of Japanese visited his shop. They were surprised to learn that U Ba Min was a classmate of their Professor back in the US. They took a photo to show to their professor.
Other Sayas
Saya U Soe Min and Saya U Sein Win are some Mathematics sayas who taught Astronomy.
Sayagyi U Min Wun (Civil) is well versed in both Western and Eastern Astronomy.
Saya Allen Htay’s books [donated by Daw Mu Mu Khin]
Ko Maurice Chee’s books
Ko Victor Wong (King Wong)’s books
Talks
Ko Maurice Chee (Hla Myint Thein) PE system
Dr. L Sein Myint Fire codes and safety
Ko Dennis Chee (Thein Htun Aung) Traffic Control
ChE sayas Seminar
Sayas and Alumni
Saya Dr. Aung Gyi, Saya U Min Wun and Saya Dr. San Hla Aung (C58) Articles about RIT and Civil Engg
Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF) Founding member and President of RIT Alumni International, which hosted SPZP-2000 His article, “Brother, can you afford US $500?” led to five Golden Sponsors and many donors — large and small
Saya U Aung Khin, Saya U Ba Than and Saya U Maung Maung Win (M61) Memoirs
Saya U Khin Aung Kyi Interview about Chemical Engg
Saya U Myo Myint Sein and Saya Dr. Koung Nyunt (A67, GBNF) Articles about Architecture and Dept
Saya U Soe Khaw (GBNF) Brief history of Mining Engg
Saya U Thit (GBNF) Brief History of Metallurgy Dept
Saya U Myo Kyi (EE59) List of EE sayas
Saya U Aung Hla Tun (Met) Chief Editor, RIT Annual Magazines Leader, HMEE-2012 project Leader, HMEE-2018 project
Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) Compiled and wrote draft for HMEE-2012 project Wrote articles about RIT and UCC
Saya U Moe Aung (EE63) Chief Editor, RIT Annual Magazines Chief Editor, Hlyat Sit Sar Saung Chair, SPZP-2002 and SPZP-2010 Commemorative SDY Sar Saung for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010 Commemorative SDY Magazine for Shwe YaDu, SPZP-2016 articles and poems refresher courses at Electrical Inspectorate
69ers Monthly breakfast gathering at Taw Win Hnin Si (Royal Rose) Special events for 30th, 40th, GJ and 50th Anniversaries U Aung Min and team (69er Health Care Fund) U Shwe and team (EE69er Health Care Fund) U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee, M69) : Golden sponsor for SPZP-2000 and organizer of annual RIT-UCC Gatherings in New Jersey, USA
Class of 70 and 71 (aka Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65) Annual Acariya Pu Zaw Pwes Health care for sayas and selected classmates Monthly gathering at Sein Hlyan (reminder by U Khin Maung Than and U Soe Khine)
Sayama Daw Tin Tin Myint (Emma, ChE70) Co-founder of Dana Sri Lanka Co-founder of Triple Gems Publication Singapore Pon Chan Chan Group with Don Min U Yu Swan (M67)
U Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70) Multiple Golden Sponsor for SPZP Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayas CABA (Charitable Alliance of Burmese Americans) KFF (Kay Family Foundation)
U Yu Beng (Benny Tan, M70) Multiple Golden Sponsor for SPZP CABA
U Ohn Khine (M70) Volunteer for SPZP, SDYF, Shwe YaDu, HMEE-2012, HMEE-2108 Compiled Supplemental CD for HMEE book with U Hla Min (EC69) Translated Section 1 of HMEE book Summarized Section 2 of HMEE book
U Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70) Memories of RIT 64 – 70 (with “hnan phyu” by U Ohn Khine)
Daw Than Yi (EP70) Associate Editor of Hlyat Sit Sar Saung with Dr. San Oo (EP67) Wrote books and articles with the pen name “Maubin Ma Shwe Than”
U Soe Aung (M/Auto70) Secretary, RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thin
U Wynn Htain Oo (M72) Patron of RITAA Patron of SDYF Fund raising for SPZP, GJ, YTU Library Modernization M72 Gatherings
U Myint Pe (M72) Lu Shwin Daw “Seik Kyee” Revival of Cartoon Box Compilation of selected RIT Cartoons MES and YE
M73 Final year Hovercraft project H.E. U Khin Maung Cho, U Hla Win and team (supervised by Saya U Tu Myint)
U Myo Myint (M74) Pon Tus, Paintings and cartoons Donation from sales at Exhibit
H.E. U Win Khaing (M75) RUBC Gold Past President, MES Organizer for SPZP-2004 and SPZP-2012
U Than Po (M75) Piano, Pattala Composer and Zat Saya
Daw Mar Mar Yee (M75) Htee Yein (RU Golden Jubilee) Minthamee (SDY Ah Nyein) Vocals with paino accompaniment by U Tin Tun (M71)
U Tin Latt (M84) Blog of SDYF and RITAA
U Khin Maung Lwin (“Kyet Taw”) Class of 87 & 91, Golf
Nan Khin Nwe (M92, Intake of 83) Fund raiser for YTU Library Modernization, SPZP and other projects
Retirees in the San Franncisco Bay Area Monthly lunch gathering organized by Ko Maurice Chee (M75)
Oldies in Singapore monthly lunch or dinner Some regulars are now GBNF e.g. Saya U Thein Lwin Some are now having health problems e.g. Saya U Kyaw Sein Attendees usually include Saya U Tu Myint, Saya Dr. Tin Hlaing, U Tint Lwin (Daniel, M69), U Myint Thin (M71), U Nyan Win Shwe (M72), U Tin Aung Win (M73)
Brother Austin, Brother Xavier and Miss Hong Kong (Amelia Kyi) taught us English at St. Paul’s High School.
Relieving teachers include Saya Lewis and Saya Tims.
Intermediate College
Daw Tinsa Maw Naing and Daw Khin Kyi Kyi taught English in our last ever I.Sc(A) class at Leik Khone in 1963.
Daw Tin Sa Maw Naing
Dr. Ba Maw (Sayama’s father) was a Lecturer in English in the early days at Rangoon University and was Adipati during the World War.
Bo Yan Naing (Sayama’s spouse) was a member of Thirty Comrades.
For some time Daw Tinsa was kept under surveillance and/or jailed by the authorities.
Sayama later moved to US to spend time with her children.
Kinsa Maw Naing (Sayama’s daughter) and Ko Tha Aung were core organizers for RIT Alumni gatherings in Canada.
RIT
We joined 2nd BE in November 1964. We had to study nine subjects including English.
English Department
RIT English Department Daw Yin Yin Mya (Terry, former Beauty Queen) was Head of Department. She later moved to Australia.
Daw Sheila Saing (brother of Drs. Harry, Victor and Shirley) was Deputy Head of Department. She and Dr. Zin Aung later moved to Thailand.
After a screening test, I was assigned to Saya Desmond Rodger’s class. Saya prefers “Des”. His hobbies include Scrabble, Music and Soccer. He performed at BBS. Saya later moved to UK and Canada where he studied and/or taught “English as a Specialty Language”. He published two books in Canada. I was a proof reader for his book on Vocabulary. He wrote articles for our Newsletter. It has details of his colleagues and former students.
U Win Mra was Pole Vaulting Champion and Burma’s Elvis Presley. He and Saya Des performed at BBS. Saya was Ambassador to several countries and UN. He served as Chair of Myanmar Human Rights Commission. Ko Khin Maung Lay (Mutu) was a member.
U Khin and Saya Des organized the RIT Scrabble Club and contests. They won prizes at the Scrabble tournaments at Guardian and YMCA. U Khin kept Chambers Dictionary and Jones Pronunciation Dictionary – used to verify challenge in Scrabble games — on his desk. Saya moved to Taiwan. He wrote an article for our newsletter.
Joe Ba Maung (GBNF) was National Tennis Champion for Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles. He moved to Burma Railways. He was forced to retire after 8-8-88.
Sao Kan Gyi (Tony, GBNF) wrote columns with the pen name Khemarat. He and Saya Des organized the Debate between 1st BE and 2nd BE. Ahmed Soorma, Roland Thein (Khin Maung Win), Bobby Myo Tun, Walter Tan and Ko Zaw Min were some of the contestants.
U Kyaw Lwin Hla joined UNDP.
Naw Charity Sein U retired as Professor.
Daw Khin Saw Tint (Ann, GBNF) is a bilingual author. She was a great grandmother.
Daw Tin Tin Oo (Tony) joined her husband (who retired as Ambassador) on his foreign office assignments.
Daw Muriel and U Aung (Alfonso) moved to Thailand.
I may have missed some. Several more (e.g Daw Kin Kin Chit Maung) joined the department in later years.
U Ba Hli (Dean) Principal of GTI and Professor of Civil Engineering Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University Credited with “Twinning” of RU with prestigious US universities Three generations of Engineers
Saya U Ba Hli, Saya H Num Kok, Saya Allen Htay (C58)
Dr. Htin Aung (Interim Dean) Principal, Rangoon College Rector, Rangoon University Vice Chancellor, Rangoon University
Dr. Htin Aung
Dr. Maung Maung Kha (Interim Dean) Professor, Physics Department, Rangoon University Rector, Rangoon University Rector, RASU
Dr. Maung Maung Kha
U Po Tha (Interim Dean) Professor, Chemistry Department, Rangoon University Uncle of Saya U Aung Khin (M)
U Yone Moe (Rector) Dean, BIT Rector, RIT
U Yone Mo
U Maung Maung Than (Rector) Former Professor, Textile Engineering Passed away at Bahosi Hospital in Yangon, Myanmar in November 2012 Early beneficiary of the “Twinning Program” Chairman, RIT Sports Committee Hobbies : Chinlon and Music
We moved to BIT from Leik Khone in 1961 and attended our final year classes there. I resided at F-Hall, Room #1 during that year where U Aung Than (Mining) was our Hall Tutor.
I am not sure who the other hall tutors were. I suspect there might have been only two or three hall tutors then, and the other hall tutors might have been U Shwe Yi (Textile) and U San Tint (Electrical).
But I must admit I do not recall very well. Some of my good friends who might remember are Col. Myint Thein Lwin (M-62), (BEME, retired), Col. Hla Kyi (M-62), (BAF, retired) and U Maung Maung (C-62), (Irrigation Dept., retired), who also resided at the hostels.
Editor’s notes
Saya Dr. Tin Win is believed to be among the youngest members in the class of 62.
Saya also shared the gold medal with Saya U Soe Paing (EE) and another for gaining the most marks in Mathematics for combined I.Sc. classes.
HlaMin 