Blog

  • Win

    Video Broadcast

    Win – Lose

    In a two person zero sum game, there is usually a winner and a loser.

    In multiple person zero sum game, there is usually some winners and some losers.

    No Joint Winners

    One or more overtime periods may be necessary to break the tie in a basketball or ice hockey game.

    • In some competitions, there is a tie-breaker to ensure that there are no joint winners.
    • If two persons in the class end up lifting equal weights, the lighter person wins.
    • If two athletes clear the same height in High Jump or Pole Vault, the one with the lesser number of misses win.
    • If two soccer teams are tied at the end of regulation and also at the end of overtime, penalty kicks are taken to decide the winner.

    Win-Win

    There are Win-Win strategies.
    For example, by offering elite professional to work remotely, a company can built up a strong talent pool. The employees do not have to relocate from their preferred environment.

    Four Wins

    We may try out Four Wins strategy:

    • Win for oneself
    • Win for one’s family
    • Win for one’s work and/or company
    • Win for one’s community

    For example, one might join Toastmasters to improve one’s communication and leadership skills. One learns about the importance of listening, effective evaluation, role taking, and time management. Some Toastmasters ask their spouse and children to join Toastmasters. The skills can enable Four Wins.

    The Price of Winning

    One should look at the big picture. If one cares only for oneself and ignore the needs of others, a win for oneself might result in a loss for one’s family, company or community.

    The price of being a successful astronaut is high. One has to train extensively in places far from the family. From one report, only three (or so) of the 30 (or more) astronauts remained with their spouses after the arduous program.

  • Scholar Athletes

    Video Broadcast

    Rangoon University Soccer

    Saya Nyein (Coach)

    Many RU Selected also played for Burma

    • U Than Win
      Captain
      Director, SPED (Sports and Physical Education Department)
    • U Chan Tha
      Captain, Prome Hall
      Also RUBC Captain and Gold
    • Collegian Nay Win
      Won Best Player award
      Academy winner
    • U Tun Kyi and U Kenneth Shein
      Railways and Burma Team

    Related Posts in RU Centennial

    • U Aung Khin
      Scored the winning goal at Asian Games
    • U Ba Maung
      Sports Officer, RASU
    • U Gary Maung Maung
      Played for RU, SAMB and Burma

    RUBC Gold

    • U Thet Toe (C H Chan)
      Barrister-at-law
      Most Senior Past Captain (before his demise)
    • James Barrington (ICS)
      Permanent Representative to UN
      Ambassador
    • Dr. Ronald Lwin (San Lwin)
      Physician
    • Balwant Singh
      Commissioner of Pegu Division
      U.N. Security
    • U Tin U
      Part-time Lecturer, Civil
      Director of several companies
      Most Senior Past Captain
    • U Mg Mg Than Tun
      Navy Commander
      Ambassador
    • Dr. Pe Nyun
      Pediatric Surgeon
      Leader of team that operated on Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San (conjoined twins)
    • Dr. Pe Thein
      Professor
      Minister of Health and Education
    • Dr. Harry Saing (Htut Saing)
      Pediatric Surgeon
      Deputy Leader of team that operated on Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San
      ARAE Champion in 1958 and 1960
      Burma Selected in Hockey and Cricket
      Track and Field, Soccer and Rowing selection for Faculty of Medicine
    • U Tin Htoon
      Architect
      ARAE Champion in 1958 and 1960
      Silver medalist for Yachting in SEAP Games
      Compiler for 40th Anniversary and Chair for 90th Anniversary of RUBC

    Miscellaneous

    • Tin Htoon and Harry Saing won the Venables Bowl for Coxless Pairs at the 1958 ARAE Regatta in Calcutta
    • Tin Htoon, Harry Saing, Victor Htun Shein, Sunny Teng and Sein Htoon won the Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours at the 1960 ARAE Regatta in Colombo.
    • I served as Contributing Editor for the 90th Anniversary of RUBC.

    Related Posts

    • I wrote articles and broadcast videos on various sports
      (e.g. Badminton, Hockey, Table Tennis, Tennis)
    • Memories of RUBC
    • RU Athletes for 2nd SEAP Games in Rangoon in 1961
  • Silicon Valley

    Video Broadcast

    Several factors (e.g. Terman, Shockley) led to the birth of Silicon Valley.

    Terman

    Professor [later Dean] Frederick Terman joined Stanford University instead of the more established ones in the East (e.g. MIT) because of his health.

    He is known for

    • encouraging his students such as Hewlett, Packard and the Varian brothers to become entrepreneurs
    • leasing land owned by the University to the fledgling companies
    • making agreements with the companies to hire his students and/or send employees to attend courses at the University.

    The entrepreneurship (initiated by Professor Terman) lives on.

    HP, Yahoo, Google and several other companies were founded by Stanford alumni.

    Shockley

    William Shockley (Nobel Prize winner for co-inventing the transistor) moved to California and and set up “Shockley Labs”.

    He was brilliant but eccentric. He was not so good at nurturing his employees.

    The “Traitorous Eight (including Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore)” left the company to join Fairchild semiconductors.

    Noyce and Moore later co-founded Intel (Integrated Electronics) with Andy Grove

    Some Thoughts

    • In the early days of computing, manufacturers of magnetic devices (core memory, tapes, disks and drums) than silicon [dioxide based] devices.
    • Some said that “Magnetic Valley” might be a more appropriated name than “Silicon Valley”.
    • Harvard, MIT, and Cornell produced early computers (e.g. Mark I) and disciplines (e.g. Time sharing system, AI Lab, Computer Graphics, Machine Vision).
    • Their alumni also founded computer companies along Boston Route 66.
    • Could the East Coast have its Silicon Valley?
    • DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation) hosted the Boston Computer Museum.
    • Over the years, several cities and counties claim to be part of the Silicon Valley.
    • What defines the Culture of Silicon Valley?
      Start up / innovation?
      Moving around companies?
  • Swimming

    Video Broadcast

    Male Swimmers

    • Tin Maung Ni
    • Mya Thee
    • Maung Kyi
    • Aung Than
    • Nyunt Soe
    • Chit Soe
    • Oscar Thwin
    • Derek Lynsdale
    • Aye Kyaw
    • Willie Huie
    • Richard Yu Khin
    • Htay Aung
    • Nanda Kyaw Zwar

    Female Swimmers

    • Sally Soe
    • Mary Soe
    • Elizabeth Smythe
    • Marlar Swe
    • Polly Ba San (Polly Win)
    • Sylvia Thwin

    Divers

    • Thet Win
    • Philip Smythe
    • William Smythe

    Dr. Richard Yu Khin wrote :

    Swimmers trained by Mr. Matsuda in 1959 include Derek Lynsdale (backstroke), Aye Kyaw (Hla Yee Yee’s cousin) and Willie Huie (breast-stroke). A few years ago saw photo of Thet Win at Kokine Swimming Club, and Aung Than who is working as swim coach in Bangkok. Derek Lynsdale’s mother was a Lecturer at Rangoon University who moved to a university in East Africa subsequent to military coup in 1962. Aye Kyaw was Tin Maung Ni’s deputy in the Burma Navy.

  • Rowing

    Video Broadcast on October 4, 2020

    Rowing in Myanmar

    • Laung (7 paddlers of more)
    • Leg rowers (of Inlay)

    Rowing Clubs

    • Cambridge University
      Home club of Sir Arthur Eggar
    • RBC (Rangoon Boat Club)
      Exclusive for Europeans and Anglo-Burmese
    • RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club)
      Founded in 1923 by Sir Arthur Eggar (Law Professor, RU)
      Sir Arthur pledged one-third of his salary for the Clubs operation
      Sir Arthur donated a Challenge Cup (Pewter and brooches) for the Senior Novices
      U Nyo’ s donation to RU Estate helped build the RUBC Club House
      U Nyo donated a Challenge Cup (for the Inter-Club Eights)
    RUBC
    • Defense Services Rowing Club
      Initially from Burma Navy
    • Marine Youth (Ye Gyaung Lu Nge)

    Regattas

    • Rag Regatta
      One day event
      Finalists for the Novices race are seeded for Monsoon Regatta
    • Monsoon Regatta
    • Annual Regatta
    • Inter-Varsity
      e.g. CURC
    • ARAE
      e.g. Calcutta, Colombo
    • FEARA
      e.g. Hong Kong, Singapore

    Challenge Cups

    • President’s Challenge Cup
      For Inter-Club Coxed Eights
    • Prime Minister’s Challenge Cup
      For Inter-Club Coxed Fours

    Commemorative Publications

    • 40th Anniversary Issue (in 1963)
      Sithu U Tin
      U Po Zon
      U Tin Htoon
    • 90th Anniversary Issue (in 2013)
      U Tin Htoon (Chair)
      U Myo Myint (Vice Chair)
      U Htaik San (Henry Kao, Secretary)
      U Hla Min (Contributing Editor)
    • Sir Arthur Eggar’s Autobiography
      Reprint funded by selected Old Members

    Old Members

    Old members of RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club) are fondly known as Old Crocs (or Crocodiles).

    When RUBC was destroyed due to the ravages of war, the Old Crocs rebuilt the Club and provided physical, financial and spiritual support to the members to compete against the best from neighboring countries.

    During our younger days, there is an “Old Members Race” at the Monsoon and Annual Regattas. The contestants range from young Old Members to the iconic Past Champions.

    The Old Crocs have their mini-reunions where ever possible. They also share memories of the precious photos (e.g. of U Chan Tha, Jimmy Saw Lwin, …)

    U San Maung (GBNF)

    U San Maung (Gerald Sein, GBNF) is a Past Secretary and RUBC Gold. He is the elder brother of U Yan Shin (Hardy). He would find time from his work as Production Manager of “Amotha Yoke Shin”, and come down to RUBC to mentor the members (especially the aspiring Golds). He would mandate “fixed tub” practice for the members.

    Dr. Htut Saing (Harry, GBNF)

    Dr. Htut Saing (Harry Saing, GBNF) is Past Captain and Gold of RUBC.
    He was ARAE Champion twice :

    • the Venables Bowl for Coxless Pairs at the 1958 ARAE Regatta in Calcutta with U Tin Htoon (A60)
    • the Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours in the 1960 ARAE Regatta in Colombo with U Tin Htoon (A60), Sunny Teng (relocated to Canada), Victor Htun Shein (GBNF) and U Sein Htoon (M63, Cox)

    He usually rowed as Box on the RUBC crews. As an exception, he served as Timing Stroke and Coach for the RUBC Eights in 1962. U Win Kyi (RUBC Gold, son of Miss Hong Kong (Ms. Amelia Kyi) rowed as No. (7). There were seven new Golds in that crew : Myo Tin (William Hone), Htain Linn and Mehm Myo Thaung (Maurice) for the Stroke side, Myo Myint (EC67), Oung Kyaing and Thein Aung (Micky Tan) for the Bow side and Tin Aung (Victor Wu, Cox).

    Dr. Pe Nyun (Dick, Past Captain and Gold of RUBC) and Dr. Htut Saing (Harry) are Pediatric surgeons at the Rangoon Children Hospital. They are known for operating on Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San.

    Dr. Htut Saing continued working and teaching in Hong Kong. He became Patron of the Hong Kong Rowing and Sailing Club. He would fully support the RUBC crews competing in the FEARA Regatta in Hong Kong.

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is dr-thein-toe-dr.-harry-saing-1.jpg
    Dr. Thein Toe and Dr. Htut Saing

    Reunion

    U Tin U, U Maung Maung Than Tun, Saya U Tin Htut, Saya Dr. Than Nyunt (George), U Tin Htoon, Dr. Donald Chan, U Tun Shein (Willie), U Tun Aung (George), U Sein Htoon, Dr. Tin Wa, U Myo Myint, U Thura Thant Zin, U Htaik San (Henry), and several Old Crocs attended Regattas (especially the 90th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC).

    Most of them contributed articles, photos and financial support for printing the commemorative issue, and for reprinting Sir Aurthur Eggar’s biography.

    Sad to note that there was some disjoint between the really young members (who are busy with the competitions) and the really Old Members (especially who travel from abroad to attend the events).

    My Journey

    • Senior Novices Runner-up (in 1963)
      Myint Soe (Willie Soe Maung, Stroke, GBNF)
      Kyaw Wynn (3)
      Hla Min (2)
      Maung Maung Kyi (Bow)
      Myint Thein (Cox)
    • Honorary Treasurer (1964 – 65)
    • Vice Captain (1965 – 66)
    • Contributing Editor for 90th Anniversary Issue (in 2013)
      Prelude for each section
      Three articles
    • Donated for reprint of Sir Arthur’s Autobiography
    • Memories of RUBC
      Series in YUBC Old Members Facebook Group
  • Badminton

    Video Broadcast

    Game

    • Refinement of early games (e.g. Shuttlecock)
    • Started in India
    • Made popular by the British
    • Named after a place called Badminton, where the game flourished

    Players

    • Rudy Hartono (Indonesia)
    • Competitive players from Malaysia (especially Doubles)
    • Saya U Yu Khin (Dean, Chair, RU Sports Council)
    • Saya U Thein Lwin (EE, President, RIT Badminton)
    • Maung Hla (RU, 2nd SEAP Games)
    • Sagaing Kyi Nyunt (Burma, SEAP, Bronze in Asian Games)
    • Sai Kham Pan (2nd in Singles, 1st in Doubles, Burma Selected)
      Star of RIT team that won Inter-Institute Trophy
    • U Myint Kyi (RIT)
    • Bishnu Shahi (RIT)

    U Aye (M62) wrote :

    Myint Tun from Prome Hall ( 1958-59) was a third year B. Arch student. He was runners up in the National Championship, was a Burma selected player in Badminton. He later joined GE. He was one of my senior colleagues at Prome Hall. He was in room 94, while I was in room 108.

  • Information

    Information is data which is

    • accurate
    • precise
    • timely
    • and preferably concise.

    “Raw data” is processed to transform it into information.

    The processes typically include

    • validation / verification
    • collection
    • organization
    • analysis
    • summary
    • presentation

    Technical papers are subject to reviews.

    On the contrary, there are

    • misinformation
    • disinformation
    • fake news
    • deep fake videos
    • unreliable reports
    • rumors
      which can spread like viruses on the Internet and the Social Media.

    Red Ribbon Campaigns are not effective against authorities who do not treasure Metta (Unbounded love), Karuna (Compassion) and Mudita (Altruistic Joy).

    Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) is much more effective, but it requires the participants not to get distracted by fake news and false hopes.

    The tactics to dishearten people vary from

    • psychological warfare
    • turning the Internet on and off
    • forcing employees to resign
    • coercing people to sign false reports
    • brutal crushing of protestors
  • RU 8

    Posts include those by children and grandchildren of Sayas

    • Dr. Maung Maung Kha
    • U Ba Toke
    • U Hla Shwe
    • U Kyaw
    • U Aung Khin
    • Dr. Chit Swe
    • U Wun (Minthuwun)
    • Dr. Kyaw Thein
    • U San
      to name a few

    Photos

    In the early days, there were a handful of professional photographers. They had busy days and lots of income at the Graduation Ceremonies. Some (e.g Mg Mg Hnyutt) employed relatives and friends for the ad hoc assignments (shooting and developing films).

    The graduates and their families could only take photos with their own cameras outside the Convocation Hall.

    Some who forgot to buy (or chose not to buy) their graduation photos found them on Boards / Posters with “teasing” captions.

    Now, even children can take photos and videos with smart devices (phones, pads, …).

    They would smile when we talk about using Box Cameras, Yashica Mat and black and white film rolls (typically 12 and 24 prints). Many could not afford professional cameras with high quality lens and filters.

  • RU 7

    Sad News

    • Thet Shay Sayama Daw Khin Kyi Kyi (Physics) passed away at the age of 100.
    • She is the beloved spouse of U Thein Pe Myint (Author, Politician).
    • Her son U Han Tha Myint (EC70) was a Senior Engineer at PTC.
      He was a victim of 8-8-88.
    • Her daughter Daw Kyi Tha Myint is a Physics sayama.
    • There are several posts / condolence pages for Sayama.

    Alumni News

    • Thamankyar Ko Myint (Aung Myint, Mining 70)
    • has shared his old songs (e.g Pei Byote) for his friends on the Internet.
    • Per request, he provided three songs for use in the Yar Pyie broadcasts.
    • He is busy with assignments (e.g dubbing) without the help of some members his recording team.

    VIDEOS

    • In time for the Tekkatho Yar Pyay, I managed to make 100+ Daily Educational Broadcasts.
    • The latest i a video on SCHOLAR ATHLETES
    • Broadcast : #103 November 27, 2020
    RU Soccer
    • Saya Nyein (Coach)
    • Many played for Burma
    • U Than Win
      Captain
      Director, SPED
    • U Chan Tha
      Captain, Prome Hall Soccer
      Burma Selected
      Also RUBC Captain and Gold
    • Collegian Nay Win
      Won Best Player award
      Academy winner
    • U Tun Kyi and U Kenneth Shein
      Teams mates of Collegian Nay Win
      Played for Railways and Burma

    Posts on RU and Burma Soccer

    • U Aung Khin
      Scored winning goal for Burma in Asian Games
    • U Ba Maung
      Sports Officer
      Played for RU amd Burma
    • U Gary Maung Maung
      Played for Customs and Burma

    RUBC Gold

    • U Thet Toe (C H Chan)
      Advocate
      Most Senior Past Captain (before his demise)
    • James Barrington (ICS)
      Permanent Representative to UN
      Ambassador
    • Dr. Ronald Lwin (San Lwin)
      Physician
    • Balwant Singh
      Commissioner of Pegu Division
      U.N. Security
    • U Tin U
      Part-time Lecturer, Civil Engineering
      Director of several companies
      Most Senior Past Captain
    • U Mg Mg Than Tun
      Navy Commander
      Ambassador
      Oldest Past Captain (a few months older than U Tin U)
    • Dr. Pe Nyun
      Pediatric Surgeon
      Leader of team that operated on Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San (conjoined twins)
    • Dr. Pe Thein
      Professor
      Minister of Health and Education
    • Dr. Harry Saing (Htut Saing)
      Pediatric Surgeon
      Deputy Leader of team that operated on Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San
      ARAE Champion in 1958 and 1960
      Burma Selected in Hockey and Cricket
      rack and Field, Soccer and Rowing selection for Faculty of Medicine
    • U Tin Htoon
      Architect
      ARAE Champion in 1958 and 1960
      Silver medalist for Yachting in SEAP Games
      Compiler for 40th and Chair of 90th Anniversary of RUBC Magazines
    • Tin Htoon and Harry Saing won the Venables Bowl for Coxless Pairs at the 1958 ARAE Regatta in Calcutta
    • Tin Htoon, Harry Saing, Victor Htun Shein, Sunny Teng and Sein Htoon won the Willingdon Trophy for Coxed Fours at the 1960 ARAE Regatta in Colombo.

    Miscellaneous

    • I served as Contributing Editor for the 90th Anniversary of RUBC.
    • I wrote articles and broadcast videos on various sports.
    • RU Athletes for 2nd SEAP Games in Rangoon in 1961
  • Childhood

    School

    I did not cherish going to school at an early age. It was not fun to use slate.
    All that changed when a caring Karen Christian Teacher named “Teacher Kywe” magically transformed me into a dutiful student with an inquiring mind.
    I later did well in academics. I won the Collegiate Scholarship in 1963.
    I was selected Luyechun (Outstanding Student) from the Rangoon Institute of Technology in the Summer of 1965.

    Kha Lay Ah Thinn

    Some time back, my cousin sister said, “I still have the paper with the song that you wrote for Kha Lay Ah Thinn.”
    When we were young, there was no Internet or TV. The Burma Broadcasting Service (BBS) would broadcast for specified hours in the morning, afternoon, evening and night.
    We spend a lot of time outdoors. One hangout was the corner in our uncle’s compound.
    Someone came up with the idea that we should form a “Kha Lay Ah Thinn”. I was chosen to be the “Okkahta” (President). I am not a composer, but that did not prevent me from trying out a “Theme Song”. The music and lyrics were not spectacular, but I would have earned a nod for moving out of my comfort zone.
    We did not have fund. Our uncles, aunts and elder cousins decided to help with the fund raiser. There was the renowned “Bu Thee Gyaw & Ah Chin”. It may be a sign that I would become an organizer.

    Myees

    With Myees

    The elder Myee is in Fourth Grade. Her hobbies include Reading, Writing, Swimming, Gymnastics and Music.
    The younger Myee is in First Grade. His hobbies include Video Games, Kung Fu, Soccer, Swimming and Music.
    They have lots of books, educational kits and toys. They enjoy their weekends by visiting libraries, zoos, play grounds, gyms, and children museums. They like TV, You Tube and taking photos.