Blog

  • Names — A

    by Hla Min

    Updated : 8th October 2026

    Aung

    Dr. Aung Gyi
    • Aung
    • Aung Aung
    • Aung Aung Cho
    • Aung Aung Thein
    • Aung Ba
    • Aung Ban
    • Aung Bu
    • Aung Chan
    • Aung Chaw
    • Aung Chein
    • Aung Din
    • Aung Gyi — See Post
    • Aung Hla
    • Aung Jed
    • Aung Khin — See Post
    • Aung Khin Myint
    • Aung Kyaw
    • Aung Kyaw Min
    • Aung Kyaw Myint — See Post
    • Aung Kyaw Nyein
    • Aung Kyaw Nyunt
    • Aung Kyaw Win
    • Aung Kyee Myint
    • Aung Kyi
    • Aung Lin
    • Aung Lwin
    • Aung Min — See Post
    • Aung Min Gaung
    • Aung Moung — See Post
    • Aung Myaing
    • Aung Myin
    • Aung Myint
    • Aung Myint Maung
    • Aung Nyunt
    • Aung Pe
    • Aung Pe Nyunt
    • Aung San — See Post
    • Aung San Oo
    • Aung San Suu Kyi
    • Aung Sein
    • Aung Shein
    • Aung Shwe
    • Aung Sint
    • Aung Soe
    • Aung Swe
    • Aung Than
    • Aung Thin
    • Aung Tin
    • Aung Tin Oo
    • Aung Way
    • Aung Win
    • Aung Zaw — See Post
    • Aung Zaw Maung
    • Aung Zaw Myint
    • Aung Zay
    • Aung Zeya
    • Aung Zeyar Myint

    Aye

    Aye Lwin
    • Aye
    • Aye Aung
    • Aye Aye
    • Aye Aye Khin
    • Aye Aye Kyaw Zin
    • Aye Aye Sein
    • Aye Aye Thein
    • Aye Aye Thin
    • Aye Chan May
    • Aye Kyaw
    • Aye Lwin
    • Aye Maung
    • Aye Maung Han
    • Aye Maung Than
    • Aye May
    • Aye Min
    • Aung Min — See Post
    • Aye Nu
    • Aye Nyein
    • Aye Nyein Oo
    • Aye Nyunt Kyi
    • Aye Pe
    • Aye San
    • Aye Saung
    • Aye Sein
    • Aye Than
    • Aye Thaung
    • Aye Thaw
    • Aye Thein
    • Aye Thida
    • Aye Win
    • Aye Win Hlaing
    • Aye Zaw
    • Aye Zaw Win
  • U Nyo Win ဦးညိုဝင်း

    by Hla Min

    Update : 6th October 2026

    U Nyo Win (2nd from Left)

    Education and Work

    • Joined the Mechanical Engineering Department in 1965
    • Moved to USA
    • Received PhD from UC Berkeley
    • Worked for Hewlett Packard, Agilent and several US companies before moving to Taiwan to work there.
    • After retirement, Saya spent time in California and Taiwan.

    Activities

    • Past President, BAPS
    • Founding Member, RIT Alumni International
    • Co-chair, Steering Committee for SPZP-2000
    • Proposed “U Nyo Win Act“.
      If there are less than the guaranteed number of attendees at SPZP-2000, the core organizers will chip in the costs. Thanks in part to the five Golden Sponsors of SPZP-2000, the Act did not need to be enforced.
    • Wrote about SPZP-2000 in the Post Reunion series.
    • Founding Member, NorCal RITAA
    • Served as BOD (Board of Director).

    BAPS

    • Past President, BAPS
    • Editor, BAPS Newsletter

    Honoring U Nyo Win, Ko Benny and Ko Henry

    by Hla Min

    On November 9, 2000, there was a special dinner at Ming’s seafood restaurant in Sunset, San Francisco to honor Saya U Nyo Win (M65), out-going president of BAPS and to welcome Ko Benny Tan (M70), the in-coming president. There were 30+ attendees. Saya U Nyo Win was presented a plaque in recognition of his leadership and services to BAPS.

    A plaque was also awarded to Henry Lim (RIT Alumni) for his services as Editor of the BAPS newsletter. It grew from a 4 pager to a 20 pager.

    BEA to BAPS

    The first ever RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP did not happen out of the blue. One of the first seeds was sown with the founding of Burmese Engineers Association (BEA). The presidents Saya U Htin Paw (EE58), Saya U San Tun (M59) and Saya U KC Chiu (ChE63) — with the able support of Daw Khin Hta Yee (Lily Win, T72) — organized mini-reunions and reunions in the Bay Area. At the welcome party for Saya U Aung Khin, the idea of merging BEA with a younger association BASTS to become BAPS (Burmese American Professional Society) was proposed and overwhelmingly approved.

    BAPS Picnic to RIT Alumni International

    At one of the BAPS picnics, several EC members — Saya Allen Htay, Saya U Nyo Win, Saya KC Chiu, Saya U Maung Maung, Ko Benny Tan, Ko Maurice Chee, — held an impromptu meeting with me and asked how they could support Ko Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ) and me regarding the ex-rit web site in general and other activities [such as Grand Reunion] in general.

    Later, at Ko Benny’s house, the Bay Area Alumni Group was formed. The rest is history.

    Prez for two terms

    According to the bye-laws of BAPS, a President can serve for at most two terms. Saya U Nyo Win served two terms. Saya also chaired the meetings by the Organizing Committee of the RIT Reunion and SPZP. His colorful meeting minutes are enjoyable to read.

    He is an outstanding writer and an excellent speech giver. Saya wears two hats: BAPS for the Bay Area activities and RIT Alumni International for activities related to his alma mater world-wide. Our kudos to you, Saya.

    After Dinner

    We went to Ko Aye Tun (Anthony Ng, M76)’s house, which is within walking distance from the restaurant. A preview of the raw / semi-edited copy of the video taken at the RIT Reunion dinner and SPZP took place. The 2+ hour footage caught several viewers by surprise. The “Waing gyi putt putt du way way” dance — started by Diana (Myint Myint Sein, M70) and Richard Chao (Htin Aung, M70) — was joined by Saya U Khin Aung Kyi, Saya U Min Wun, and several alums.

    It was close to two o’clock in the morning when I got back home.


    RIT Alumni International

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is bay-area-alumni.jpg
    • Founding Member
    • Core Organizer, SPZP-2000
    • Wrote “Appreciation of SPZP-2000” for Post Reunion

    Article for Post Reunion (SPZP-2000)

    by U Nyo Win

    SPZP-2000 Organizers
    SPZP-2000 Orgsnizers

    After the Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pu (SPZP), I feel like most of us still excited but completely deflated. I just have enough energy left to think about it and talk about it, but not enough to write about it. But with Ko Hla Min’s call for the end of the post reunion article at number 36, I want to catch this last chance to write a few words before the close of the book, so to say.

    First, as the one of the co-chairmen of the Steering Committee, I’d like to add a few words to U Myat Htoo’s article on the apology and thanks to the all the sayagyis, sayas, and fellow alumni. We’d planned and tried to make the Reunion and SPZP a success. I agree with U Myat Htoo that there were areas of deficiencies that we overlooked and were unable to cover. Let me mention a few that we could have done better to run the program more smoothly. It may also be helpful hindsight to pass on to 2002 reunion team.

    The reception area was too crowded. We expected 300 plus people would be converging on to the narrow aisle at about 5 O’clock. We tried to arrange two tables in parallel to allow more people to check-in, sign the book, receive the gifts and be directed to the appropriate tables. The crowd was larger than expected. Our seating plan didn’t help. It was designed to group people according to their requests of having close friends together. Unfortunately, the attendees’ names were not listed in alphabetical order with table number assigned. It was very time consuming to locate the table number for the guest. This resulted in people congregating in the check-in area in spite of the ushers’ effort to help.

    We under estimated the time for picture taking. It turned out it was the most exciting event. We had group photos of every combination one could imagine. Getting everyone to follow the program for the number of pictures taken was not possible. It ended up a half hour photo session was three times longer. The good thing was, everyone liked it and everyone wanted it. In order to keep the program moving in a reasonable time, our MC U Myat Htoo had to exercise some crowd control. I hope everyone share U Myat Htoo’s difficulty for so doing.

    The program was overloaded. Our program called for speeches from sayagyis, sayas, and the alums; opportunity for the audience to contribute to fun, entertainments, singing and jokes. Everyone appeared to be so happy and excited. All of us had so much to talk about, so much fun to have and so much joy to share that hardly anyone could concentrate and follow the program allocated time. But, isn’t that the expectation everyone had of the reunion and SPZP?

    We did not allocate sufficient time to meet and thank everybody. Of course, it was not easy to walk around and talk to everybody throughout the event. Again, in hindsight, one possibility would have been to have Organizing Committee representatives go around the tables during dinner time to meet and thank everybody.

    I want to reiterate, like everyone else, that this great event was a resounding success in spite of a few glitches. The success was due to the support given to the event from all those who attended and from those who were unable to attend but whole-heartedly supporting and encouraging us. The success was due to those who generously donated to the SPZP Fund so that we could make the best use of it for the event. The success was due to those who helped out with the event, and most of all, due to the hard working Executive Committee members under the leadership of Co-chairmen Benny Tan and Maurice Chee.

    I would like to give a couple of examples of how dedicated the two co-chairs, Benny and Maurice, were. In the morning on the day of the Reunion, I was at Benny’s house. Benny showed me the 25-foot RIT Reunion and SPZP banner undergoing the final touch. I learned from Benny that the contractor was unable to deliver the banner on time as promised. But we must have it for the great event! Benny, with the help of his nephew, decided to make one themselves just the night before the Grand Reunion. They bought the canvas, the paint, and the brush; they designed the RIT logo and the characters; they rolled up their sleeves and succeeded in finishing the banner in time for the great event.

    In the afternoon when I was at the Embassy Suite making the final arrangement for the arrival of the guests, I got a call from Maurice. He told me that he would be a little late coming to the hotel. I learned from him that, not being able to get a print shop to do the job on time and as desired, he was printing the name tags for the guests with his own computer.

    This very special event brought us excitement and great emotion. We shared the joy and the happy moment. But I would think that the feelings of each of us must be different and unique. For me, at time I felt that I was back in the good old days of teaching at RIT. I saw Rector Dr. Aung Gyi, Mechanical Engineering Department Head Saya U Aung Khin, Chemical Engineering Department Head [and Rector] U Khin Aung Kyi, Saya U Nam Kock, other sayas, colleagues and students. At time I felt that I was still one of the students attending the classes.

    My most memorable year at RIT was actually the first and the only BIT year, 1962. We had very few students in First Year. In fact, there weren’t that many engineering students altogether at BIT that year. Among my contemporaries were U Kyaw Aye (Shakoor), who is still in Burma and U Hla Myint (Charlie), who is now in Australia. We were the lucky ones who survived First Year Heat Engine taught by Saya U Aung Khin. I can assure you for those who’d never taken Heat Engine from Saya U Aung Khin how low the yield was from that class. Decades later, in the mid of this great reunion, seeing all the sayagyis, former colleagues, former students and new RIT graduates whom I had never met, I felt like I was in a dream.

    Now that the great event is over, we are looking forward to meeting again in Singapore, Year 2002. I agree with Saya U Aung Khin, and let me quote from his article, that “we keep up with the changing situation in our home country regarding secondary technical education and decide on how inclusive we should be so that continuity can be maintained by embracing an expanding fraternity of engineers.” We all witnessed the group with exceptional talent gathering at the night of the reunion. Benny Tan in his article suggested the idea of harnessing the brainpower and energy of the group. I would think that the Year 2000 reunion was reminiscing of the past and sharing of the present, the Year 2002 reunion should in large part be the bridging of the present and the future. As to how, let’s start tapping on our talent pool now.

    Nyo Win
    Fremont, California December 3, 2000

    NorCal RITAA

    U Nyo Win at NorCal RITAA Meeting
    • Founding Member
    • Member, BOD (Board of Directors)
  • RU Notes — ရန်ကုန်တက္ကသိုလ် မှတ်စု

    RU Notes — ရန်ကုန်တက္ကသိုလ် မှတ်စု

    by Hla Min

    Updated : 8th October 2026

    Allograph

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is inscription-1928.jpg
    Inscription (1928)
    • 26 set of letters in the English alphabet
    • 26 Upper Case letters A – Z
    • 26 Lower Case letters a – z
    • The corresponding letters from the Upper Case and Lower Case are known as Allographs. e.g. A and a
    • Many English words were derived from Latin which had 23 letters.
    • In Old English, the letters V and U are allographs.
    • The early Printing presses use the letter V (instead of U, e.g. VNIVERSITY as in the Inscription shown). Based on context, the V is pronounced as U.
    • The letter W is written in some old languages as UU or VV and is pronounced as “Double U”.
    • Some stone inscriptions from Rangoon University has FOVNDATION & VNIVERSITY. They stand for FOUNDATION & UNIVERSITY (since U and V are allographs).

    Dark Days

    • There were many Dark Days in the History of Burma.
    • 7th July 1962 saw indiscriminate shooting at the student protesters. The official tally was 17 dead. Ko Aung Khin was hit by a stray bullet as he was returning home in Windermere Road from RUBC.
    • 8th July 1962 saw the revered RU Student Union Building demolished. The two highest ranking officials said that they did not give the orders. Some people reported hearing strange sounds and seeing strange images in or near the residence halls (e.g. Mandalay Hall). Some believe that there might be ghosts.
    • In 1963, there were pamphlets & Sar Saungs commemorating the anniversary of 7th July. The higher authorities gave ultimatum to the hostel students to leave. All classes except those from the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Engineering were closed. The final examinations were held locally (e.g. at State High Schools). The schools were reopened in November 1964 under a new Education System.
    • In mid-1960s, Nationalization and Demonetization crippled the “Rice Bowl of Asia”.
    • The use of the ILA system and the 3 NRC rule created a Tier System among the Once Equal Disciplines. A sayagyi told his students, “If all of you go to medical and engineering, there will be not enough talent left to cover other important fields.”
    • There were some exceptions. Min Oo (in 1963) and Zaw Win (a few years later) stood Second in the whole of Burma in the Matric exam. They both chose to study Maths & received Doctorates from Germany. Dr. Min Oo retired from McMasters University in Canada. He earlier taught in Germany and in the USA as visiting professor. Dr. Zaw Win is GBNF.
    • “Burmese Way to Socialism (Despotism, Nepotism)” created Second & Third Class Citizens. Shortage of rice (unheard of in the “Rice Bowl of Asia”) caused unease. The problem was redirected to create a riot known as “Tayoke Bama Ah Yay Ah Khinn”.
    • “U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khin” in 1974 can be read in a book with rare photos. Htein Win Sar Pay has published books about the two Ah Yay Ah Khinn. Ko Khin Maung Zaw mailed me a copy of “U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khinn”. At the 5th Irrawaddy Literary Festival, Ko Htein Win gave me a copy of the 8-8-88 Ah Yay Ah Khinn.
    U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khin
    • There were several more closure of the schools. Many students lost three precious years of their lives (1988, 1989 and 1990). There were no clases, exams and Convocation for three years. The 1st BE Intake of 1983 graduated in 1992. Those who failed the 6th BE in 1987 had to repeat in 1991.
    Dr. Tin Aung
    • In August 1988, Dr. Tin Aung (Physics) and U Tun Aung Chain (History) were in the USA as members of the Burmese Education Delegation. Dr. Tin Aung was elected in abstentia as a Patron of the “Sayas and Sayamas from All Universities & Institutes”. Upon his return to Burma, he was forced to resign. Some time back, Dr. Tin Aung had to replace the pacemaker. His former students from Myanmar & Overseas donated for his health expenses.
  • U Min Wun ဦးမင်းဝန်

    U Min Wun ဦးမင်းဝန်

    by Hla Min

    Updated : 8th October 2026

    U Min Wun

    Brief Bio

    Professor Emeritus & Head of Civil Engineering at Rangoon Institute of Technology

    Nativity

    Born, brought up, and schooled in Taungdwingyi, Magwe Division, Myanmar, by my parents Saw Boon Koke (aka) U Win Myint and Daw Kyin Toke.

    Family

    Named as Maung Kyit Ing, the eldest son of six, three younger brothers (two Medical Doctors and one Head Master of State High School) and two younger sisters (one Medical Doctor and one Director of Education).

    Married to Daw Khin Myint Myint.

    Have two sons (Nicholas, a Medical Doctor and Daniel, a Computer Analyst) and one daughter (Penthea, a Medical Doctor), and three grand daughters.

    Residence

    Currently living with my spouse at 5947 Loma Avenue, Temple City, California 91780-1924, U.S.A.

    Academic Career

    • School Leaving Certificate from Taungdwingyi State High School and Matriculated, 1948
    • University of Rangoon: Intermediate of Science, 1950
    • B.O.C. College: 1st Year B.Sc. Engineering, 1951
    • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): BS (Civil Engineering), 1955
    • Cornell University: MS (Civil Engineering) with Major in Geodesy and Photogrammetry, 1956

    Employment History

    • Hycons Engineering Inc., Pasadena, California, 1957
    • Faculty of Engineering, University of Rangoon, 1957-1961
    • Colombo Plan Professor, University College, London, 1974-1975
    • Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT), once also known as Burma Institute of Technology (BIT), Department of Civil Engineering, 1961-1988

    Accomplishments

    • Professor & Head of Department of Civil Engineering, more than 31 years of service as educator and administrator at RIT, (1957-1988)
    • Director of Regional Colleges Development Project (Burmese Counterpart to Foreign Experts) (1978-1982), helped establish 20 Regional Colleges all over Burma
    • Chairman of Civil Engineering Construction Cooperative (CECC) (1976-1982), created job opportunity and On-the-Job-Training (OJT) for RIT and University Graduates, a Consultant Firm engaging the expertise of Faculty and Laboratory Staffs
    • Consultant Member of the Myanmar National Calendar Advisory Committee (1972-1988), helped revise and update Traditional Calendar Computation and Compilation Methods
    • Member of the Advisory Committee for Restoration of Bagan (1975-1988), helped strengthen Bagan Monuments (Stupas & Pagodas) and establish Photogrammetric Resources for rapid and precise mapping of Bagan Monuments.

    Editor’s notes

    • Saya taught “Surveying” in my 2nd B.E. course in 1964 – 65
    • He is an expert in both Western & Eastern Astronomy, Western & Eastern Astrology.
    • He was Vice President, BARB
    • He served on the “Myanmar Calendar Advisory Board” for many years.
    • He wrote an article, which complements/augments Kogyi Koung’s narrative of the “Kyaikhtiyo ကျိုက်ထီးရိုးProject”.
    • He also wrote about “Bagan restoration” and “Civil Engineering Department”.
    • He retired from Caltrans when he was about 80 years young.
    • He passed away in Southern California.

    Memories

    • Attended SPZP-2000 & gave speech
    Welcome Dinner for SPZP-2000
    • Alumni mostly from SoCal meet annually for Lunch gathering with Saya. Dr. San Lin invited us to one gathering.
    Lunch gathering
    • Dr. Aung Soe led the practical for Saya’s course on Surveying.
    Saya 3
    U Min Wun
    Lunch gathering in Southern California
  • Talk — Ted, TED & TEDx

    Talk — Ted, TED & TEDx

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Video Broadcast on September 26, 2020

    Ted

    • could be a given name, e.g
      Ted Mya Maung (Toe Nyunt, Thamankyar, Shwe Gaung Byaung)
    • Nickname for Edward, e.g
      Ted Heath (former British Prime Minister)
    • Some prefer Teddy, e.g Teddy Gyaw, Teddy Thaung, Teddy Mya Bu
    • Nickname for Theodore, e.g
      Teddy Roosevelt (former US President)

    TED

    • Technology, Entertainment & Design
    • First conference in 1984
    • Annual conference since 1990
    • 18 minute (limit for TED talks)
    • Details can be found in TED.com

    TEDx

    • Independently organized conferences
    • Need to apply license from TED
    • Attach location
      TEDxInyaLake
      TEDxYangon
    TEDx InyaLake

    Miscellaneous

    • TED & TEDx talks on You Tube
    • TED ED for educational videos
    • U Nay Oke’s talk about two pioneer Myanmar Poets
      Saya U Wun (Minthuwun) and Daw Khin Saw Mu
    • Diverse topics
  • Talk — Tarot

    Talk — Tarot

    by Hla Min

    Updated : 8th October 2026

    Video Broadcast on October 2, 2020

    Background

    • Associated with Gypsy fortune tellers
    • Some thought Tarot started in Asia
    • One may study Tarot cards for fun, e.g. don’t be scared if the reading says that “your house is going to be damaged”; or be happy if the reading says that “a new family member is on the way”
    • Some may study and practice Tarot cards for profit, e.g. professional reader/advisor
    • There are websites & publications for Tarot
    • I used to have a Tarot deck and a book. It covered a brief history, the meaning of each card, and several spreads for Tarot readings.

    Tarot Deck

    • It consists of 78 cards
    • 22 cards belong to the Major Arcana
    • 56 cards belong to the Minor Arcana
    • The two Arcanas supposedly indicate long term versus short term events & whether an event is in control versus uncontrollable

    Major Arcana

    • 22 cards
    • Include Fool, Lovers, High Priest, High Priestess, Emperor, Empress, Hermit, Sun, Moon, Stars, Tower, Chariot, Tower, Strength, Judgement …

    Minor Arcana

    • 4 suits
    • Each suit has 14 cards : One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Page, Jack (Knight), Queen, King
    • Total of 56 cards in the Minor Arcana

    Styles

    • The Tarot Decks come in different styles.
    • The suits may be named differently in the decks, but the underlying concepts hold.

    Options

    • Straight up
    • Reversal
    • Significator
    • Beginners usually use the “Straight up” option (where a card may be good or bad).
    • With experience, one might try “Allow Reversals” (where every card has two meanings : one for upright & another for reversed).
    • One might also try “Consider Significators”.

    Spreads

    • After shuffling the deck, one lays our a selected number of cards in a pattern.
    • One card only : Decision making for a specified problem
    • Three Card Spread : used to interpret the Past, Present & Future.
    • Celtic Cross places 7 cards in the form of a cross. The cards represent problem, influence (positive & negative) and likely outcome (and suggestion).
    • Others
      Vary with the Practitioner

    YouTube Channel

    Channel to view my videos
  • Talk — Law ဥပဒေ

    Talk — Law ဥပဒေ

    by Hla Min

    Updated : 8th October 2026

    Video Broadcast

    • When Rangoon University was established in December 1920, it had the Department of Law.
    • U May Aung served as the first Professor.

    U May Aung

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is u-may-aung.jpg
    U May Aung
    • U May Aung (Barrister-at-law, LL.D) served as Professor of Law from 1920 -1922.
    • Rakkhine national
    • Later became Home Minister
    • Father of Daw Mya Sein (Scholar)

    Sir Arthur Eggar

    Sir Arthur Eggar
    • Law Professor (1923 – 1937)
    • Earlier : Lecturer in the Maths Department at Rangoon College, and Legal Advisor in the Middle East
    • Founded Rangoon University Boat Club in 1923. Elected as Life President.
    • Pledged a third of his salary for the operation of RUBC.
    • Wrote autobiography (in three installments) for the Guardian Magazine in the mid 50s.
    Autobiography
    • Several Old Members including me reprinted his autobiography for the 90th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC. YUBC OMA has copies of Sir Arthur Eggar’s autobiography.

    Dr. Ba Han

    Dr. Ba Han
    • Alumnus of Sorbonne University
    • Law Professor for two terms : (1937 – 1942) and (1946 – 1950).
    • Rangoon University was closed for a period during the war.
    • Complied a dictionary.
    Dictionary
    • Dr. Ba Maw (Adipati) is his brother. He earlier was English Lecturer at Rangoon University.
    • Both brothers attended De La Salle Schools.

    U Kyaw Myint

    U Kyaw Myint
    • Stood first in Burma in Matric with distinctions in all subjects from Central. He was selected by Mr. Matthew Hunter (Principal of Rangoon College) to take the Entrance exam of Calcutta University to study Medicine. He requested the Principal that he wanted to pay last respect to his mother. The Principal warned that he would be expelled if he did not take the entrance exam. He attended his mother’s last journey and was expelled from the College. Worse still, his father threatened to disown him. The Kan So Kan Kaung story of U Kyaw Myint can be read in a series of blogs by his son Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint and re-printed in my web site hlamin.com
    • Served as Professor of Law and Dean of the Faculty of Law from 1950 – 1958.
    • Earlier served as Justice of High Court and Supreme Court, Head of the Tribunal that tried Galon U Saw and co-founder of a political party with Dr. Ba Maw. He later founded his law firm.
    • Has an elder brother (ICS U Tin Tut), two younger brothers (U Myint Thein & Dr. Htin Aung), and three younger sisters (Daw Khin Mya Mu, Daw Khin Saw Mu & Daw Tin Saw Mu).
    • According to Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint, his father had full confidence in his students (e.g. Guardian U Sein Win, Sao Hso Holm, U Mya Thein).

    Law Professors (for the later periods)

    • U Myint (1958 – 1961)
    • U Aung Khine (1961 – 1964)
    • U Hla Aung (1965 – 1971)
    • U Tin Ohn (1971 – 1986)
    • U Tin Aung Aye (1986 – 1994)
    • Daw Than Nwe (1994 – 2007)
    • Dr. Daw Khin Mar Yi (2007 – 2018)

    Law Degrees

    • In the early days, BL (Bachelor Law) was studied as a post-graduate degree (e.g. after B.A. or B.Sc.)
    • Several student politicians enrolled in the program to preserve their eligibility as RU students.
    • Under the new Education System, LL.B was established.
    • It was a five year study after Matriculation.

    Related posts in RU Centennial

    • First batch of LL.B graduates
    • Several other batches
    • Sayamas known for their beauty and teaching.
    • Dr. Maung Maung Kha’s daughter Daw May Thi Ka was a sayama at the Law Department before she moved to the USA. She was a core organizer and coordinator for the groups raised fund for Saya Kha’s Centennial.
    • Some practitioners of Law took exams for HGP and RL.

    YouTube Channel

    @hmin3664

    Channel to view my videos
  • Luyechun လူရည်ချွန်

    Luyechun လူရည်ချွန်

    by Hla Min

    Updated : 8th October 2026

    Program

    Hla Min
    • Luyechun stands for Outstanding Student.
    • The initial Luyechun program ran from 1964 to 1988.

    1964

    • Luyechun Program was established in 1964.
    • Eligible students from 7th Standard to 10th Standard were chosen to attend the Ngapali Luyechun Camp.
    • 1964 Luyechuns include Ko Win Aung (TTC), Ko Oak Soe Kha (MEHS), Ma Pwint Than (Loikaw), Ko Aung Myint (Mandalay), and Ma Mie Mie Khine (Akyab).

    1965

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is rit-64.jpg
    RIT

    Luyechun Program was extended in 1965 for eligible students from Universities and Institutes. There were three Camps

    • Inlay Camp for high school and university students
    • Ngapali Camp for middle school students
    • Combined Camp in Rangoon

    I was selected as RIT Luyechun for the Inlay Camp along with Ko Sein Shwe, Ko Zaw Min and Ma Khin Than Myint Tin (Margaret).

    Ko Kyaw Sein Koe (Victor Koe, GBNF), Ma Anita Aye Pe, Ko Khin Maung U & Ma Than Than Tin (Cherry Hlaing) were selected for IM(1).

    Ko Tun Naung (GBNF, BDS), Ko Soe Aung & Ko Thein Win (IM2), Ko Min Oo (Maths), Ko Ye Myint & Ma Khin Aye Than (Chemistry), Ko Myint Thein & Ko Soe Lwin (Physics), and Ko Tin Hlaing (Lay Dwin Thar Saw Chit, Burmese) were some who were selected for their disciplines.

    Those from Matriculation include Ko Win Myint (later Bogyoke), Ko Aung Win (later RIT Saya), Uttam Singh (later NASA) and Ma Pwint Than (later EPC). They joined RIT.

    Others include :
    Ko Aung Shwe (brother of Tekkatho Phone Naing), Ko Than Sit (GBNF, Liver Foundation), Ko Aung Kyaw Nyunt (GBNF), Ko Aung Myint, Ko Thein Lwin, Nelson Kaw & Ko Kyaw Myint.

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    Multiple Luyechun

    • Several students (e.g. Dr. Khin Maung U, Dr. Thynn Thynn Lynn, Daw Mie Mie Khine) were selected Luyechun multiple times.

    Staff Sayas

    • Some sayas from Universities and High Schools were chosen to manage the Luyechuns. e.g. U Aung Gyi (MASU), Daw Po (RASU), Dr. May May Yi (GBNF, IM2)
    • Ko Min Oo (SPHS63, Maths) was selected Luyechun in 1965 and later as a Staff Saya.

    Guest Speaker

    • Saya U Thein Han (Zawgyi), Saya Dr. Nyi Nyi & U Thu Ta (Meteorology) were Guest Speakers at the Inlay Luyechun Camp.
    • Saya U Kyaw Myint (DHE) & I were Guest Speakers at the Nagapali Lu Ye Chun Camp in 1988.

    Status

    • Luyehun project ended in 1988.
    • Several years back, an Association was formed for Luyechuns from 1964 to 1988.
    • The 7th Annual General Meeting was held online in January 2021.
  • Deans & Rectors

    Deans & Rectors

    by Hla Min

    Updated : 8th October 2026

    Deans မဟာဌာနမှူး

    • Rangoon University had Deans for the Faculties.
    • U Ba Hli was the first native Dean of Engineering

    U Ba Hli

    U Ba Hli
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    U Ba Hli 2
    • First native Dean to head the Faculty of Engineering of Rangoon University
    • Transferred to the Faculty of Engineering, RU from GTI (Government Technical Institute) where he was Principal and Professor of Civil Engineering
    • Credited for the “Twinning Program” between the Faculty of Engineering, RU and the prestigious universities in the USA
    • Per request from U Aung Khin (retired Professor & Head of Mechanical Engineering), Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (EE) — the only son — wrote about his beloved father for the commemorative issue of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” for SPZP-2000. It has been re-posted in the newsletter updates and in the RIT Alumni Facebook Pages. Sayagyi passed away in his house on U Wisara Road in Rangoon.
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    Tribute to U Ba Hli
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    Tribute

    Interim Deans

    • Dr. Htin Aung
    • Dr. Maung Maung Kha
    • Dr. Tha Hla
    • U Po Tha

    Dr. Htin Aung

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    Dr. Htin Aung
    • Principal, Rangoon College
    • Rector, Rangoon University
    • Vice Chancellor, Rangoon University
    • Interim Dean, Faculty of Engineering
    • Burmese Ambassador to Ceylon
    • Folklorist / Historian

    Dr. Maung Maung Kha

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    Dr. Maung Maung Kha and family
    • Doctorate in Meteorological Physics from Imperial College, London University
    • Professor & Head of Physics Department at Rangoon University
    • Interim Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University
    • Longest tenured Rector
    • Rector of Rangoon University
    • Rector of RASU
    • Rector of University of Distance Learning
    • Plays the violin well
    • Accompanied U Ba Kyi (Artist, translator/composer of songs”) singing “Hne Yauk Hte Nay Chin De” in Burmese and English
    • Passed away in Yangon in 2005.
    • Centennial celebrations for his birthday were held in 2015.

    Early Rectors

    • Dr. Htin Aung (RU)
    • Dr. Hla Myint (RU)
    • Dr. Tha Hla (RU)
    • U Kar (RU)
    • Dr. Maung Maung Kha (RU, RASU)
    • U Yone Mo (RIT)
    • Dr. Aung Gyi (RIT)
    • U Khin Aung Kyi (RIT)
    • U Maung Maung Than (RIT)

    U Yone Mo

    U Yone Mo
    • Retired Chief Engineer, Burma Railways
    • In 1961, the Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University moved to Gyogone and had a new name Burma Institute of Technology (BIT).
    • Appointed Dean of Engineering at the BIT Gyogone Campus
    • Under the new Education System, BIT became an autonomous Institute with the name Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT). He became the Rector.
    • Proponent of taking power naps
    • U Wynn Htain Oo (M72) remembers how his friends were having fun with the “Ye Punn ရေပန်း” (Water Foundation). Saya saw them, but did not scold them. He said with a smile, “Young men, you can go to the University Swimming Pool or to the Inya Kan ကန် (Lake)”.
    • Established the weekly “Yoke Shin ရုပ်ရှင်” at the Assembly Hall.
    • Dr. Aung Gyi (Professor of Civil Engineering) remembered seeing a letter from U Yone Mo (Rector) sent to U Yone Mo (Parent of a son who happened to visit his gambling friends at the hostel). Dr. Aung Gyi told the Admin to stow away the letter.
    • Ko Zaw Min Nawaday knows Sayagyi & his spouse (Daw Elizabeth Yone Mo, High Ranking Nurse at RGH and a close friend of Daw Khin May Than) very well. Sayagyi and Dr. Aung Gyi were in May Myo during one summer. Sayagyi asked Dr. Aung Gyi and Ko Zaw Min to accompany him.
      They ate Khauk Swe. Sayagyi reminded them not to tell about his “Khauk Swe” appetite to Sayagadaw.

    Dr. Aung Gyi

    Dr. Aung Gyi
    • Succeeded U Yone Mo as Rector
    • Rector (1971 – 1977)
    • See Posts
    • Memories of Dr. Aung Gyi
    • Speech at SPZP-2000
    • Coconut Episode

    U Khin Aung Kyi

    U Khin Aung Kyi
    • Stood 7th in Burma in the Matriculation of 1949
    • He did his B S and M S at MIT
    • Professor of Chemical Engineering at RIT
    • Succeeded Dr. Aung Gyi as Rector
    • Taught at Rengsit University in Bangkok, Thailand
    • Provided interview for HMEE-2012 Project

    U Maung Maung Than

    U Maung Maung Than
    • BS in Textile Engineering from Clemson University and MS from Lowell University
    • Professor & Head of Textile Engineering Department, RIT
    • Rector, YIT
    • DG, DHE
    • Chair, RIT Sports Council
    • Hobbies : Chinlon, Music
    • Helped establish Engineering at Defense Services Academy

    Dr. Henry Cho Tun (Myint Tun) wrote:

    I’m going to add a few things about Saya U Mg Mg Than. I’m very close to him and the family and the son is my student. We are all golfers and both of them are very good. Saya MM Than is as good as Saya Soe Paing and plays with clubs that are custom made for him. Hope the following would be useful additions. Thank you

    • He did his B S at Clemson and M S at Lowell.
    • He joined BIT in 1957 as lecturer -Head of Textile Engineering Department at BOC college
    • 1964 was appointed Professor at RIT
    • Served as Rector, 1990-1992
    • Director General of The Department of Higher Education 1992-1994 and retired
    • Served as Director of Studies at DSTA (Defense Services Technical Academy)

    Posts

    • Administrators
    • Convocation
    • From BIT to YTU
    • Rangoon University
    • Three Events in December 1920
  • Time

    Time

    by Hla Min

    Updated : 8th October 2026

    Clock at Gyogone Campus

    AM, PM & Military Time

    • AM stands for Ante Meridian.
    • PM stands for Post Meridian.
    • A day consists of 12 hours for AM, and 12 hours for PM.
    • Some missed schedules (e.g. flights) due to the AM/PM confusion.
    • Military time uses the 24 hour notation.

    Daylight Savings Time (DST)

    • Some countries implement DST.
    • In the US, some states do not implement DST.
    • “Spring Forward. Fall Back” has some advantages in the early days.
    • Legislation changes have moved the start and end dates for DST.
    • Some say that DST does not save energy, and the laws should be repealed.

    Clocks in ancient times

    • The ancient Burmese Kingdom once employed the 60-hour day using the “water” clock. Day time can range from 24 to 32 hours. Ditto for Evening & Night time.
    • Some early civilizations use the Sun Dial.

    General

    • The use of atomic clocks has to be supplemented by smart algorithms for idiosyncrasies introduced by DST, Leap second (to name a few).
    • Depending on the culture, the Day of Week may start on a Sunday or a Monday.
    • There are numerous software libraries dealing with Calendars, Dates, Times and Holidays.

    U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) wrote :

    DST in US, especially at the Spring time when the clock moves an hour ahead (Spring Forward), always have some good stories. Some years back we used to have a large group of people playing soccer on Sunday early mornings, as is called pickup games. It never failed to see people showed up late, forgot to reset the clock, every year. Thank God! The change was on Sundays, or else there would be more interesting work-related stories.

    Microsoft Windows have those dates usually baked into the system, as a result when the DST was extended 2008, they had to release a patch to fix the issue.

    A bill (a law) to make “DST/Daylight Saving Time” permanent so as not to readjust the clocks twice a year, was approved by the US Congress’s upper chamber, the Senate in March this year. https://www.reuters.com/…/us-senate-approves-bill-that…/.

    Unfortunately, Congress’s lower chamber, the House of Representatives, so far fails to pick it up for vote. As a result, the law is in limbo now.

    It will only become law only after the President of the US of A sign it after the House of Representatives approve it.

    Just a small technicality…

    Posts

    • Clocks
    • Calendars
    • Time Management