U Tin U (C) RUBC Captain BS from Oregon State, MS from Yale Part-time Lecturer in Civil Engineering Director of selected companies RGC Captain
Dr. Pe Nyun (GBNF) RUBC Captain Pediatric Surgeon Leader of team that operated the conjoined Twins : Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San Moved to Canada
Dr. Pe Thein (GBNF) RUBC Gold Professor Minister of Health and Education
U Sein Hlaing (EE52, GBNF) MS from MIT Professor
U Tin U
Matriculation in 1947
U Ba Than (M) RUBC Green Highest score in Intermediate classes Combined BS and MS from Imperial College, University of London Professor
Dr. Myint Soe Highest score for Intermediate of Arts / Social Science President, Burma Club (in Singapore) Lawyer
U Tin Swe (EE53, GBNF) Prome Hall Soccer Team MS from Michigan Retired as Lecturer
Dr. Chit Swe (GBNF) Mathematics from Mandalay University B.Sc. (Special) from Imperial College, University of London MS from Glasgow Ph.D. in Mathematical Statistics from Liverpool Founder / Director, UCC Rector, RASU Supervised Research Students in Thailand and Australia
U Tin U (C) RUBC Captain BS from Oregon State, MS from Yale Part-time Lecturer in Civil Engineering Director of selected companies RGC Captain
Dr. Pe Nyun (GBNF) RUBC Captain Pediatric Surgeon Leader of team that operated the conjoined Twins : Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San Moved to Canada
Dr. Pe Thein (GBNF) RUBC Gold Professor Minister of Health and Education
U Sein Hlaing (EE52, GBNF) MS from MIT Professor
U Tin U
Matriculation in 1947
U Ba Than (M) RUBC Green Highest score in Intermediate classes Combined BS and MS from Imperial College, University of London Professor
Dr. Myint Soe Highest score for Intermediate of Arts / Social Science President, Burma Club (in Singapore) Lawyer
U Tin Swe (EE53, GBNF) Prome Hall Soccer Team MS from Michigan Retired as Lecturer
Dr. Chit Swe (GBNF) Mathematics from Mandalay University B.Sc. (Special) from Imperial College, University of London MS from Glasgow Ph.D. in Mathematical Statistics from Liverpool Founder / Director, UCC Rector, RASU Supervised Research Students in Thailand and Australia
Before 1958, there were no female engineering students. The first female student Ms. S Begum studied Architecture, but she left for India before graduation.
In the early 1960’s, there were a handful of female engineering students. In 1961, five female students graduated : Tin Tin Ohn (T61, GBNF), Julie Han (T61, GBNF), Yin Yin Kyi (T61, moved to Australia), Mi Mi Lay (T61) and Pauline Reynolds (ChE61, moved to Thailand).
Pauline Reynolds
In November 1964, there were about 100. Several stayed at G-Hall (which was formerly assigned to young sayas.)
Thazin Hall became the second hostel for female students.
In the past few years, part of the A – E Block now houses young female students. It was a topic for Ko Myint Pe’s cartoon.
Nan Khin Nwe
Nan Khin Nwe
She is from the 83 Intake. Since the schools were closed for three years, she graduated in 1992. Many alumni lost three years of their precious lives.
She volunteered as a Fund Raiser for SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016. She then became a major Fund Raiser for (a) RITAA (including YTU Library Modernization) (b) SDYF (c) Intake of 83 (including provision of equipment and medicine for cancer patients)
Nan Khin Nwe
She helped with the selection for Scholarships awarded by NorCal RITAA. In the group photo she stood in the back row along with the seven young recipients. To her surprise and delight, Nan Khin Nwe was mistaken by some viewers as a young YTU student.
She compiled Kabyars and some prose for the Second G-Hall Thu Reunion.
G-Hall Thu Reunions
The first G-Hall Reunion was held on 28th January 2018. The backdrops were providedby Khin Maung Kyi and the photos were taken by Eric Foo.
The second G-Hall Reunion was held on 24th November 2018. There was lots of food and fun. Posters displayed short stories and poems written by G-Hall Thu’s and their admirers.
Second G-Hall Thu Reunion
The Second G-Hall Thu Reunion is not only for G-Hall Thu but friends and admirers.
In response to Nan Khin Nwe’s request, several G-Hall Thu and some admirers submitted poems and short stories to be displayed (and possibly distributed as mementos) at the Reunion.
Despite the jokes and cartoons about “Pone Ma Lar Yoke Soe Gyan Daw Myo”, many G-Hall residents are “Madee Chaw”.
Over a dozen — including a couple of males — have composed poems about G-Hall. Some prefer to ink their feelings as prose.
Khine Khine Win
Young RIT alumni in Singapore (including Khine Khine Win) are trying their best to help their alma mater.
Many alumni feel sad about the decline of the Education System in Myanmar and about the attempt by the Adhamma regime to destroy the Swel Daw Bins and the indomitable RIT (Swel Daw Yeik) Spirit.
Our alma mater may not rank high in the academic world, but the tradition and culture (e.g. SPZPs, paying back the metta and cetana of the mentors) remain.
Vedana stands for feeling. There are pleasant feelings, unpleasant feelings, and not-pleasant & not-unpleasant (probably neutral) feelings.
U San Lin (Maung Lu Pay, M87)
U San Lin (Maung Lu Pay, M87) has consolidated the postings by Nan Khin Nwe and me.
Editor’s Notes :
RIT has produced Ah Nu Pyinnya Shins in general, and Laureate Poets (such as Tekkatho Moe War, Maung Sein Win [Padeegone]) in particular.
We appreciate the excellent Kabyars from the G-Hall Thu Myar. They can
be displayed as wall posters, flyers and may be even booklets at the
forthcoming G-Hall Reunion.
G-Hall Thu
G => Gorgeous girls (at their prime) – H => Highly intelligent and creative (decades after graduation) A => Ambitious, articulate L => Lively rebuttals to the jokers and cartoonists L => Love me dearly OR “Beware, our T-square”
T => Talented poets H => Home of the Belles U => Union of five Balas : Kaya, Nyana, Bawga, Meikta, Caritta
Tazaungdaing
Thanks to sayas and alumni for sharing the photos from the G-Hall Tazaungdaing.
Saya is the son of Saya Kar, who served as Minister of Education in the Caretaker Government.
He joined the Department of Mathematics as Tutor. He went for further studies in UK. Upon his return, he was promoted to Lecturer.
He succeeded Saya Dr. Chit Swe as Director of UCC.
During his tenure, DCS (Department of Computer Science) was established with Saya U Ko Ko Lay as Professor and Saya U Tun Aung Gyaw as Associate Professor.
In 1987, ICST (Institute of Computer Science and Technology) was established with Saya as Rector.
There were four Departments :
Hardware Technology
Software Technology
Information Systems
Computational Mathematics
U Ko Ko Lay was Professor and Head of Information Systems. U Tun Aung Gyaw was Associate Professor and Head of Hardware Technology. U Hla Min was Associate Professor and Head of Software Technology.
Bachelor degree courses in CS and CT were given. In the first batch, there were 30 CS and 15 CT students.
Saya continued to implement the Vision and Mission set by the UCC Founders, and managed to go further.
Saya did not live long enough to see 26 batches (from ICST and UCSY) host the 5th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe on January 14, 2018.
Dr. Kyaw Thein (GBNF)
Dr. Kyaw Thein succeeded Dr. Tin Maung as ICST Rector. He is also known as Saya Thein.
Saya Thein told the attendees of the 5th Acariya Pu Zaw that I (U Hla Min) was Generation Zero, Bo Htay (Dr. Maung Maung Htay) was Generation One, and he was Generation Two.
Saya was a fledgling tutor in the Mathematics Department in 1963. He was a top student in his Honors Class (1958 – 1962). He held Tutorial for the topics taught by Saya U Khin Zaw, Saya Choudry and Sayama Daw Khin Ma Ma in our I.Sc.(A) class at Leik Khone in 1963.
I was top of I.Sc. (A) and joined the first ever 2nd BE class at RIT in Gyogone.
We crossed our paths again when U Tun Aung Gyaw, U Soe Win and I drove down to Southampton University to see Saya U Soe Paing and U Aung Zaw.
Saya was doing his Ph.D. Saya is an expert on Differentiable Manifold (and related topics).
Saya and U Aung Zaw joined us to see Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral, and a Safari.
As Saya Chit’s assistant and general hand, I worked on several projects (e.g. High School Mathematics, Children’s Treasury of Knowledge) with the Mathematics sayas.
Saya became Principal of Sittwe College.
Saya succeeded Dr. Tin Maung as Rector of ICST.
Dr. Pyke Tin
Dr. Pyke Tin succeeded Dr. Kyaw Thein as ICST Rector. He is also known as Saya Pyke.
Saya’s name literally “remain on a net”. Saya’s mother had a few miscarriages. When Saya was conceived, his mother wanted to make sure that Saya would be born safe and sound. She performed a Yadaya requiring someone close to her hold a net and catch Saya.
He received his Ph.D from Monash University, Australia. He is an expert on Stochastic Processes and related topics. He served as Reviewer for research papers.
I had the opportunity to audit the “Linear Programming” course by Saya and learn his teaching style.
I also worked with Saya and others (Dr. Khin Maung Win, U Sein Min and U Soe Nyunt) on the “new” High School Mathematics Project.
Several from the Class of 69 : U Hla Min (EC) U Chit Po Po (M, GBNF) U Tin Nwe (“Cowboy”, C, GBNF) Uzin Aung Chaw (Victor, C) U Ngwe Tun (C) U Than Win (M) U Khin Maung Bo (Alan, EP) U Min Thaw (Gilbert, EP, GBNF) U Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, EC, GBNF) U Than Htay (M) D S Saluja (left for Thailand)
Several from the Class of 70 : U La Min (EP) U Hla Min (“Pauk Si:, EP, GBNF) U Han Kyu Pe (A)
Several from the Class of 71 : U Myint Thin (M) U Myint Toe (M) U Myo Lwin (Stanley, M) U Bo Bo Oo (Oscar, M) U Wunna Sithu (EC)
…
OtherAlumni
George Chapman (First in 1951)
Dr. Nyunt Tin (FRCP, First in 1952)
Dr. Harry Wang (Physics, Joint Third in 1956)
Dr. Tin Wa (1957)
Robert Sein (Second in 1958)
U Khin Maung Tun (1958)
U Myint Kyu Pe (1958)
U Tin Win (1958)
Dr. Frankie Ohn (Physics, First in 1959)
U Thein Aung (Micky Tan, 1959)
U Aung San Oo (1959)
Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint (Sixth in 1960)
Dr. Min Lwin (1960)
Dr. Nyan Win (1960)
Dr. Than Toe (1960)
Dr. Kyaw Win (Robin Ban, Second in 1961)
Natrajan (1961)
U Myint Thein (1962)
Dr. Khin Maung U (First in 1963)
Dr. Min Oo (Maths, Second in 1963)
Dr. Myo San (Freddie Ba San, Third in 1963)
Dr. Nyunt Wai (Victor Nyunt, Fourth in 1963)
Dr. Thein Wai (Fifth in 1963)
Dr. Aung Kyaw Zaw (Johnny Maung Maung, Ninth in 1963)
Dr. Khin Maung Zaw (Frank Gale, Seventeenth in 1963)
There were Three Presidents in the Union of Burma.
Sao Shwe Thaik served as the first President of the Union of Burma. Burma gained Independence on January 4, 1948. He was succeeded by Dr. Ba U and Mahn Win Maung.
Coup d’etat took place on March 2, 1962 before Sama Duwa Sinwa Naung could take office.
Sao Shwe Thaik’s son (Mie Mie Thaik) passed away during the Coup.
Prime Minister of the Union of Burma
U Nu
There were five Prime Ministers in the Union of Burma. U Nu (formerly known as Thakin Nu) was Prime Minister three times.
U Nu served as the first Prime Minister of the Union of Burma.
He was also the Third Prime Minister (after a Sabbatical in which Dawei U Ba Swe served as Second Prime Minister)
Bo Ne Win became the Fourth Prime Minister after the Soft Coup in 1958.
U Nu became the Fifth and Last Prime Minister before the fateful Coup d’etat on March 2, 1962.
Medical doctor to study medicine in the West
Dr. Shaw Loo was the first doctor to study medicine in the USA.
Compilers of the English-Burmese Dictionary
Mekkhaya Mintha (Prince) & Mr. Lane translated Dr. Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary into Burmese.
Judson
Subsequent Lexicographers include Dr. Judson, U Tun Nyein, Dr. Ba Han and U Ohn Pe (Tet Toe).
Science and Technology Author
Yaw Mingyi U Pho Hlaing was the first Burmese author to write about Science and Technology.
Ahmyotha Kaw Leik (National College) Graduate
U Razak was the first to graduate from Ah Myo ThaKaw Leik.
Served as Principal of the Ah Myo Tha Kyaung (National School) in Mandalay.
Minister of Education in Bogyoke Aung San’s Cabinet.
Assassinated on July 19, 1947.
Engineer
Phan Chet Wun U Shwe Oh was the first Burmese engineer.
Political prisoner
Sayadaw U Ottama was the first Political Prisoner (Prisoner of Conscience) in Burma. “U Ottama Pan Chan” is a park named in his honor.
Sayadaw U Wisara was another famous Political Prisoner. “U Wisara Kyauk Taing” was erected in his honor.
Social Service Performer
Phwa Oo Zun (Mandalay native) was the first Burmese female to perform Social Service for the public.
Established the Home for the Aged.
Details can be found in Ludu Daw Ah Mar’s book “Mandalay Thar & Mandalay Thu”.
Actor
U Nyi Pu was the First leading male actor in a Burmese movie.
Siblings : Daw Khin Myint, A1 U Tin Nwe, U Maung Maung Soe (U Tin Pe) and A1 U Tin Maung
The siblings and their extended families founded several film companies.
U Nyi Pu founded Maha Weikzahto Film. The “Thamankyaw” movie was shot and produced at U Nyi Pu’s studio. A1 Than Htut and A1 Thein Htut directed the movie based on the script by Than Win (T70). Actors : Toe Nyunt, Ko Myint (Aung Myint, Min71) and Sai Wunna.
Producer and director
London Art U Ohn Maung founded a company to produce Burmese films
Served as Director.
Best Male Actor
Kyaw Soe won the inaugural award for Best Male Actor.
The awards were known as “Shwe Sin Yoke Su”.
The winners prefix their names with “Academy”.
Best Female Actor
Kyi Kyi Htay won the inaugural award for the Best Female Actor.
Won the award several more times.
Best Child Actor
Aung Tun Lay won the inaugural award for the Best Child Actor.
Best Male Supporting Actor
U Kyauk Lone (U Aung Gyi) won the inaugural award for the Best Male Supporting Actor.
Son : Sway Tin (Kyauk Pyar)
Best Female Supporting Actor
Daw May Nwe won the inaugural award for the Best Female Supporting Actor.
Best Director
U Thu Kha won the inaugural award for the Best Director.
Also wrote, acted and sang.
My translation “Still So Young” of U Thu Kha’s short story was published in the Sunday Supplement of Working People’s Daily. I received K50 for the translation. U Thu Kha received an honorarium of K50 for his short story.
Overseas Tour by Saing Saya
Sein Beda was the first Saing Saya to perform overseas.
Novelist
James Hla Kyaw wrote the first Burmese novel “Maung Yin Maung Ma Mae Ma”.
Female journalist
Independent Daw San was the first Burmese female Journalist.
Lecturer at RU English Department
Dr. Ba Maw was the first Burmese lecturer at the Department of English at the University of Rangoon.
Later became Adhipati during the Japanese Occupation.
Principal
U Pe Maung Tin
U Pe Maung Tin was the first Principal of the University of Rangoon.
Professor of Oriental Studies (including Pali).
Proposed to have a separate Department for Burmese.
Three outstanding students — ICS U Sein Tin (Theikpan Maung Wa), U Thein Han (Zawgyi) and U Wun (Minthuwun) — founded the “Khit San Sar Pay” movement.
Rector
Dr. Htin Aung
Dr. Htin Aung was the First native Rector of the University of Rangoon
Vice-Chancellor, RU
Ambassador to Ceylon
Author, Historian, Folklorist
Stereo Khit (Era)
Tekkatho Tun Naung (BDS, Luyechun) was the first vocalist of the Stereo Khit (Era).
Others include Accordion Ohn Kyaw and Min Min Latt.
Former performers of BBS Local Talent and Variety Show also became professionals.
Aerial acrobat
Mee Bone Byan U Kyaw Yin was the first aerial acrobat to perform stunts from a Hot Air Balloon.
He was featured in a text book that we studied in Middle School.
Son : Cartoonist U Kyaw San [Ka Sa]
Robotics
U Kyi constructed the first robot.
Roving Troupe
Great Po Sein founded the first Nei Hlei Zat Tha Bin (roving troupe for performing plays).
Sons : Kenneth Sein and Thet Thet Sein also performed
Chief Justice of High Court
Dr. Mya Sir Bu studied in France and Germany
Served as the first Burmese Chief Justice of High Court.
Atomic Energy Commission
Dr. Tin Hlaing founded the Department of Atomic Energy
Served as the first Director General.
Cartoonist
U Ba Galay (U Shwe Ta Lay) was the first Burmese Cartoonist.
History Commission
Sithu U Kaung served as the first President of Burmese History Commission.
Children : U Thaw Kaung, Dr. Yee May Kaung and Daw Kyi May Kaung.
The History Commission was later merged with the Burmese Language Commission.
Computer Systems and Applications
Dr Chit Swe is the Computer Pioneer in Burma.
Saya founded the Universities’ Computer Center (UCC) with the help of Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Myo Min and Saya U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF) and served as the Founding Director
Saya established the academic and training courses at UCC with the help of Professor Dr. Harry D. Huskey (Past ACM President) and visiting professors from US, UK and Europe.
Enabled the academic courses at UCC to have degrees conferred by the Department of Mathematics at Rector of Rangoon Arts and Science University.
Became Rector of RASU. He never lost his passion about UCC and the dissemination of Computer Science and Applications.
Dr. Chit Swe was succeeded as Director of UCC by Dr. Tin Maung (Mathematics Lecturer at RASU).
During Dr. Tin Maung’s tenure, the Department of Computer Science (DCS) and the Institute of Computer Science and Technology (ICST) were established.
U Tun Aung Gyaw (EC69) and I were members of “Generation Zero” at UCC. We taught at UCC, DCS and ICST.
President of Burma Students’ Union (Ba Ka Tha)
U Raschid (also known as M. A. Raschid) served as the first President of Ba Ka Tha (All Burma Students’ Union). He was also President of Ta Ka Tha (Rangoon University Students’ Union)
Served as a Minister in the AFPFL Government.
Son : Saya Bilal Raschid (Architecture)
Checkers
Chit Oo Nyo, a prolific writer, wrote the first book on how to play “Kyar” (Checkers).
Distinguished Social Service
Hajeema Pyinmana Daw Pu was the first female to win Lu Hmu Htoo Chun Su Pathama Sint (First Class for Distinguished Social Service).
Donated for the founding of some hospitals.
Son-in-law : Saya U Ba Than Haq (Retired Professor of Geology and Pro-Rector of RASU)
Florence Nightingale Award
Major Daw Khin Ohn Mya was the first recipient of the Florence Nightingale Award [for outstanding Nursing].
Pen name : Mya Marlar
Body Donor
U Win Myint (Mandalay) was the first Burmese to donate his body.
United Nations Secretary General
U Thant succeeded Daj Hammerjold as UNSG (United Nations Secretary General).
He was the Third UNSG and the First Asian UNSG
Served two terms
Passed away in 1974
“U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khin” (In December 1974) is a sad event in the history of Burma.
Nobel Laureate
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was the first Burmese to receive the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.
Most Entries in Myanmar were compiled by Minthuwun (U Wun)
Retired Professor of Burmese at Rangoon University
Head of the RU Translation Department
Compiler of the Myanmar Abhidan (Burmese Dictionary)
Co-compiler of the Japanese-Burmese Dictionary
Visiting Professor of Burmese at Osaka University at the invitation of Professor Harada (“Chit Mann Nwe”)
Co-founder of “Khit San Sar Pay” with U Thein Han (Zawgyi) and ICS U Sein Tin (Theikpan Maung Wa)
Laureate Poet
Children : Edgar Wun (U Nyan Soe), Peter Wun (U Htin Kyaw, former President of Myanmar) and Rosalind Wun (Daw Htar Cho)
Verse from a popular song: “Hna yauk hte nay gin de“
U Ba Kyi
Translation by the late Sayagyi U Ba Kyi [Institute of Education]:
Darling Only two we will live dear On the high crest Of the Mount Everest And the Sahara Desert Driest without water To the North Pole May be freezing cold Where the sun will never never grow With all my heart and soul Only two darling We will go
Saya translated the verse while invigilating.
Dr. Maung Maung Kha
Saya Dr. Maung Maung Kha used to accompany Saya U Ba Kyi’s vocals with his violin at the functions (mostly at Rangoon University Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thin”)
Artist
Saya is an internationally renowned artist.
He took sabbath before drawing paintings for “Illustrated History of Buddhism” written by Mahagandayone Sayadaw Ashin Janakabhivamsa.
HlaMin 