Bogyoke Aung San 1Bogyoke Aung San 2Bogyoke Aung San 3
Attended Rangoon University and received B.A.
Took Law classes for a year before deciding to engage full time in politics.
Active in the RU Student Union. Served in various capacities (e.g. Secretary in his early days).
Chief Editor of Oway Magazine Expelled for not disclosing the author of “Hell Hound At Large”. His expulsion led to the RU Students’ Strike.
Hell Hound At Large
Translated “Invictus” for Oway Magazine. Reprinted in the RU Golden Jubilee Magazine.
Translation of Invictus
Brutally shot by assassins on 19th July, 1947.
19 July
Bo Aung Kyaw
Bo Aung Kyaw
Victim of the police brutality.
He was posthumously named “Bo Aung Kyaw”.
Sparks Street was renamed “Bo Aung Kyaw Street”.
The following is an article which was first published by Naganiand reprinted in Oway Magazine.
Bo Aung Kyaw
Ba Maung (Sports Officer)
Ba Maung
Under the then new Education System, Sports Officers were appointed for the various Universities and Institutes.
He was Soccer Selected for Burma. Sports Officer for RASU.
Other sports officers included U Thet Win (Diving) for the Institute of Economics and U Maung Maung (Soccer) for Rangoon Institute of Technology.
Badminton
RIT Badminton 1RIT Badminton 2
Saya U Yone Moe (Rector, GBNF)
Saya U Maung Maung Than (Chair, RIT Sports Council, GBNF)
Saya U Thein Lwin (President, RIT Badminton, GBNF)
Sai Kham Pan (Burma Selected, EP69), Ko Myint Sein (M69), Bishnu Shahi (EE69er) and team won the Inter-Institute Trophy
Sai Kham Pan
Sai Kham Pan was Burma Champion in Men’s Doubles and No. (2) in Men’s Singles behind Kyi Nyunt
Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ) wrote :
There was another national-level badminton player from Textile, couple – if not more, junior to me. He also ran marathons. Unfortunately his name escaped me at this time. We used to hang out together at Sports Officer Ko Maung Maung’s office in those days.
Bagyee Wai Soe & Bagyi Kan Thein
Bagyee Wai Zoe Bagyi Kan Thein
Recreation Center hosted several indoor sports events.
There was a shop that sold post cards and paintings (e.g. by Bagyee Wai Soe)
There was a barber shop opened by Bagyee Kan Thein (an employee of the RU Students Union Building)
B.Com
Bachelor degree offered by the Department of Commerce
The department was under the Faculty of Social Science, which became the Institute of Economics in 1964.
The RU Centennial Pages had photos of Commerce grads.
B Com 1B Com 2
BIT Social and Reading Club
BIT Social and Reading Club
Saya U San Tun (M59) won Gold Medal and joined the Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer. He received Masters from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in the USA.
Upon his return, he was promoted to Lecturer. Taught at BIT (Burma Institute of Technology) in the Gyogone Campus.
Served as Hall Tutor and as a member of the BIT Social and Reading Club.
Botany
The following is a Badge for the Botany Department at the University of Rangoon.
Botany Badge
Burmese-English Dictionary
Judson’s Burmese-English Dictionary
Reverend Judson and team compiled two dictionaries : Burmese- English Dictionary English-Burmese Dictionary
They also translated the Bible into Burmese
Burmese Calendar
Burmese Calendar
Wrote about the Burmese Calendar in the BAPS (Burmese American Professional Society) Newsletter, where I served as Contributing Editor.
Posted enhanced versions of the article in “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” and my web site hlamin.com
Benny Tan (Yu Beng, M70)
Benny and Angelina Tan
Received the “Let Phount Tat Thar” (Sharpshooter) award twice at UTC (University Training Corps).
After graduating with Mechanical Engineering in 1970, he moved to the USA.
Masters from University of California at Berkeley.
Had successful careers as a Professional Engineer and as an Entrepreneur.
After handing over Tan Enterprise to his son, he is enjoying world wide travel (when granted permission by his six grand children).
Founding member of RIT Alumni International which hosted the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in San Francisco in October 2000. Designed the SPZP-2000 Banner and Mementos.
Multiple Golden Sponsor of SPZPs along with Ko Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70, GBNF).
His spouse Angelina was his personal Xerographic copier in his RIT days.
The First Rangoon University Students’ Strike took place on December 5, 1920 to protest the limitations of the Rangoon University Act of 1920.
The movement led to the establishment of Amyotha Kyaung (National School) and Amyotha Kaw Leik (National College).
The Burmese date — 10th Waning Day of Tazaung Mon Month in Burmese Era 1282 — is used for the Celebration of Ah Myo Tha Aung Pwe Nay.
There is a difference of 638 years in the Gregorian and Burmese Calendars. Note that the Gregorian New Year falls on January 1, while the Burmese New Year falls around April 17. A correction is needed for the period January 1 to April 17.
To convert from AD to BE, subtract 638. e.g. 1920 – 638 = 1282
To convert from BE to AD, add 638. e.g. 1282 + 638 = 1920
A commemorative stamp for the Golden Jubilee of Amyotha Aung Pwe Nay is shown below.
Ah Myo Tha Nay Golden Jubilee Stamp
Aung San
He was born on February 13, 1915.
His Zartar name (per his natal horoscope) was Htain Lin.
His formal name is Aung San (which rhymes with Aung Than : name of his elder brother).
Bogyoke Aung San led a Burmese delegation to London in 1947. He signed the Aung San – Atlee Agreement (Sar Choke).
He was assassinated on July 19, 1947 along with Ministers (Thakin Mya, Deedok U Ba Cho, Mahn Ba Khaing, Mongpawn Sawbwa Sao San Htun, U Ba Win U Razak), ICS U Ohn Maung and Yebaw Ko Dway.
Centennial Celebrations were held in 2015. I wrote “A-U-N-G S-A-N” for the Centennial Celebration held in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Bogyoke Aung San in London, 1947
Australia in 2016
In 2016, I visited Sydney, Australia to attend three gatherings : RIT Alumni, UCC Alumni, De La Salle Schools Alumni (mostly Paulians)
The Annual Dinner of Myanmar Engineers (mostly RIT alumni) was organized by Saya U Hla Myint (M65), Saya U Myo Win (M65) and the Executive Committee and members of MEAA (U “Henry” Thet Tun, U Sein Win and U Wint Khin Zaw). The attendees included Sayagyi D. Freddie Ba Hli (National Advisor for the Ministry of Planning, former DG of UBARI, GBNF). Sayas and sayamas who could not attend include U Thit (Metallurgy), U Maung Maung Win (M61) and Daw Yin Yin Mya (English). The spouses of several alumni are medical doctors.
Gathering in Australia (2016)
Saya U Aung Zaw (UCC, CSO, ABAC, GBNF) and Ma Kyawt hosted a UCC Pu Zaw Pwe for Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe (Founder of UCC, Pioneer of Computer Education and Application in Burma, GBNF) and Sayagyi Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (Board Member of UCC Project, GBNF).
Saya Dr. Thann Naing (Bonnie Kywe, SPHS 66, Geology 70) hosted a lunch gathering in the Olympic Park for the alumni of De La Salle Schools (e.g. St. Paul’s, St. Peter’s, St. Albert’s) in Burma. Attendees included Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint (SPHS6) who flew in from Brisbane, Ko Myo Lwin (Stanley Saw, SPHS65, M71, New Zealand). The entertainer was U Pantra (Moe Ma Ka Sydney, Pattla expert).
All Mechanical Gatherings
The first gathering was held in 2016. The Master of Ceremonies were U Hla Win and Daw Mar Mar Yee.
Annual gatherings were held in subsequent years.
The following is the invitation for the gathering in 2018 held at Dolphin Restaurant.
All Mech Gathering Invitation 2018
The Gathering for 2019 was moved to a restaurant in Pyithu Yin Pyin near Shwe Dagon Pagoda. Attendees paid respect to Thet Kyee Sayas and Engineers (80+ years young).
Allen Htay (C58, GBNF)
He joined the Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering in 1958 as an Assistant Lecturer.
Masters from Harvard University
Upon return to Burma, he was promoted to Lecturer.
Also studied in Netherlands.
Worked for UN project in Bangladesh.
Moved to USA.
Leader of the San Francisco Bay Area Alumni Group and President of RIT Alumni International.
Core organizer for SPZP-2000 (First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe) in San Francisco, California in October 2000.
His article “Brother, can you spare US $500?” led to five Golden Sponsors and many donors — large and small.
He retired twice, but came out of retirement because his former students offered him jobs. He passed away while working for CalTrans (California Transportation).
In his memory, his spouse Daw Mu Mu Kin donated Saya’s books to YTU Library. She also provided financial aid to eligible YTU students.
Saya Allen Htay
Aung Moung (M73, GBNF)
U Ba Than (former Professor of Mechanical Engineering) suffered a great loss when Ko Aung Moung passed away.
Ko Aung Moung was a core volunteer for SPZPs, HMEE project, and several RIT-related activities.
He also volunteered for several monasteries. Many monks offered to come by themselves to the Final Journey at Yay Way.
Aung Moung
Aw Pi Kyeh
“RIT Cartoon Box” was founded by U Myint Pe (M72) with Saya U Khin Maung Phone Ko (“Phone Ko”, C65) and Saya U Aung Myint (“Kyant Ba Hone”, Pet 79) as Patrons.
Four (or more) generations of Cartoonists ran “RIT Cartoon Box”.
The Box was closed after 8-8-88.
A popular cartoonist was “Mann Bei”. He served as Secretary of RIT Cartoonists Association. Gained fame as “Aw Pi Kyeh”. Became President of Myanmar Cartoonists Association.
During his tour to USA, I met him twice : once in Northern California (at the beginning of his trip) and once in Southern California (at the end of the trip).
Aw Pi Kyeh 1Aw Pi Kyeh 2
Autographs
There were at least two sets of autographs in the RU Centennial Facebook Group.
One posted by Hazel Kyaw Zaw (about her mother Daw Chit Swe’s autograph)
Another posted by Audrey Than (about her role models including UNSG U Thant)
Aung Pyie (Khin Maung Myint, Writer)
For RU Centennial, there were posts about some notable Burmese / Myanmar authors, poets, academicians and politicians.
U Hla Moe (Dawei) was Cox of the Senior Novices Winning Crew : U Than Soe (M63, RUBC Gold), U Yin Maung, U Chit Swe and Dr. Byron Law Yone (GBNF).
U Ba Than (Fitness Teacher, Palmistry Expert) warned him (who was planning a trip home before coming back to Rangoon to become a temporary monk) of an impending danger.
He replied, “I had an accident that left scars on my face. It is safe to go on the Schooner owned by my father”.
The Schooner sunk at sea. A rescue ship eventually saved three crew members, who reported that U Hla Moe was helping others before they lost sight of him.
There are about 3000 articles in my web site hlamin.com
It is difficult if not impossible to revise all the articles.
Note that the events described here mostly cover my journey as a University Student.
Other events (e.g. 1946 to 1970s) are covered in other Posts. I have honored Outstanding Matriculates (e.g. f1951 to 1965) in other Posts.
1963
Guinea Pigs
We took the Matriculation Only examination in 1963.
SPHS63Hla Min (7th Place)
Paulians took 5 places among the Top Five, 7 places among the Top Ten, and 10 places among the Top Twenty.
Khin Maung U (1st)
Min Oo (2nd)
Myo San (3rd, GBNF)
Nyunt Wai (4th)
Thein Wai (5th)
Hla Min (7th)
Johnny Maung Maung (Aung Kyaw Zaw, 9th)
Maung Maung Kyi (11th, GBNF)
Aung Thu Yein (13th, GBNF)
Frank Gale (Khin Maung Zaw, 17th)
We attended the last ever I.Sc.(A) class at Leik Khone.
Following the “Anniversary of 7th July, 1962” events, the major parts of Rangion and Mandalay Universities were closed for an unspecified period.
Engineering and Medical Classes were spared at that time.
Subsequently, those who were only one year senior to us in High School graduated 2.5 years ahead of us (the Guinea Pigs of the Education Systems).
RUBC
We joined Rangoon University Boat Club.
Our Paulians Crew was Runners-up for Senior Novices. Maung Maung Kyi (Bow, GBNF) Hla Min (2) Kyaw Wynn (3) Willie Soe Maung (Myint Soe, Stroke, GBNF) Myint Thein (Cox, GBNF)
We were awarded Full Green.
Maung Maung KyiKyaw Wynn (2nd from Left)
40th AnniversaryGathering
President Sithu U Tin, Vice President U Po Zon and U Tin Htoon (A60) compiled the Souvenir Magazine for the 40th Anniversary of the Founding of RUBC.
Due to Security Concerns, the 40th Anniversary Annual Regatta was cancelled.
Sithu U Tin and the Patrons decided to hold the “40th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC” at a hotel in Kandawgyi.
RUBC 40th Anniversary
Burma Institute of Technology
My elder brother and several of my sayas graduated from the Burma Institute of Technology (BIT) in 1963.
They were from the second batch of BIT.
The degree conferred was B.Sc. (Engg).
1964
Education System
The New Education System was implemented in November, 1964.
Most Faculties of the University of Rangoon became autonomous Institutes with their own Rectors.
The Youth Affairs Department implemented Luyechun (Outstanding Students) Program in the Summer of 1964. Eligible students from 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Standards were chosen to attend the Ngapali Shwe Wah Gyaing Camp in the Summer of 1964.
Rangoon Institute of Technology
RIT Student
In November 1964, three batches of students entered RIT (Rangoon Institute of Technology).
400+ were admitted to the first ever 1st BE using the controversial Intelligence Level Aggregate (ILA). Ko Zaw Min was admitted as Roll Number One. Tommy Shwe (GBNF), Cho Aye (GBNF), Peter Pe (GBNF) and Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, GBNF) were among the top students.
300+ who had passed the last ever I.Sc.(A) examination were chosen by merit to attend the first ever 2nd BE. I was admitted as Roll Number One. Taing Oke, Kenny Wong, Tun Aung Gyaw, Tin Tun (GBNF) and Thein Swe (GBNF) were among the top students.
About 200 students who had passed the last ever I.Sc.(B) examination were admitted to the 3rd BE (formerly 1st year Engineering). Tun Aung (Jeffrey, GBNF) was a top student.
RUBC
Elected as Honorary Treasurer of RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club). I had to report to Professor William Paw (President of RUBC).
I was the last Executive Committee member to be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
Served as Vice Captain the following year.
The higher authorities prevented me from becoming RUBC Captain by discarding the Bye Laws and using their ad-hoc rules (e.g. selecting instead of electing Captain)
Note : My affection for Rowing & RUBC did not wither. I served as Contributing Editor for the RUBC 90th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine.
RUBC Souvenir Magazine
Matriculation
Cherry Hlaing (Than Than Tin, St. John’s Convent) and Lyn Aung Thet (MEHS) had the Joint Highest Marks.
Based on ILA, Cherry would be admitted as Roll Number One to IM(1). She would be selected Luyechun for the Inlay Camp in the summer of 1965. Her grand father U Hoke Sein and her father U Saw Hlaing were also First in Burma. Her two children would also be First in Family. The record of five family members (spanning four generations) standing First in Burma is an enviable record that will not be broken.
Lyn Aung Thet (MEHS64) had four distinctions and the same raw score, but his performance in Burmese gave him a lower ILA than Cherry. He is a Scholar Athlete with proficiency in Swimming, Water Polo, Tennis and Chess. He was selected Luyechun in a subsequent year.
Aung Win Chiong (SPHS64) has the next best raw score. He had a perfect ILA score and was admitted to IM(2) as Roll Number One.
Maurice Hla Kyi (Min Lwin, SPHS64) had the 5th highest marks. He was admitted to IM(2) as Roll Number Two.
Maurice & Aung Win
1965 – 1969
Matriculationin 1965
Bernard Khaw (SPHS65) had four distinctions (with 80+ marks in English) and stood First in Burma. Due to the revised policy (e.g. 3 NRC requirement), he could not apply for professional courses. He majored in Chemistry before moving to USA. He retired as a Chemical Engineer and Pastor.
Bernard (Center)
Aung Myint (SPHS65) had the second best raw marks. He and his twin brother Maung Aye moved to USA and pursued Ph.D
Winston Sein Maung (SPHS65, GBNF) had the third best raw marks.
Cherry Than Tin had the fourth best raw marks. She was admitted as Roll No (1) to MC (2).
Yi Thwe (SPHS65, GBNF) was admitted as Roll No (1) to MC (1).
Paing Soe (Freddie, SPHS65) had same marks as Yi Thwe. He was admitted as Roll No (2) to MC (1).
Forty four Paulians were admitted to MC in 1965. They are from the Last Batch of True Paulians.
After Nationalization, St. Paul’s High School was renamed as No. (6) Botathaung State High School.
Nationalization
The consequences of the Coup d’etat include
Disappearance of Democracy
Nationalization of industry and schools
Indiscriminate demonetization
Increased censorship
With every turmoil (effecting “National Security”), the universities, institutes and schools were suspended.
After the schools were nationalized, St. Paul’s High School became No. (6) Botathaung State High School. Some Brothers left Burma. A few indigenous Brothers remained in Ady Road. Brother Joseph was ordained as Father Joseph.
Luyechun
The program was extended to include Universitites and Institutes in the Summer of 1965.
I attended the Inlay Khaung Daing Lu Ye Camp in the summer of 1965 along with U Sein Shwe, Daw Khin Than Myint Tin and U Zaw Min Nawaday.
LYC 1LYC 2
MC(1) sent Cherry Hlaing, Khin Maung U, Anita Aye Pe and Kyaw Sein Koe (Victor, GBNF).
RIT
There were eight engineering departments
Architecture
Chemical
Civil
Electrical
Mechanical
Metallurgy
Mining
Textile
Most departments have associations. The RIT Mechanical Engineering Association was active. U Win Thein (M67, GBNF) was a Prime Mover. He co-founded Set Hmu Thadinzin and Mechanical Magazine. He co-organized activities.
The RIT Sports Council was headed by Saya U Maung Maung Than (GBNF). U Maung Maung (Burma Selected in soccer) was Sports Officer. The associations for the various sports was headed by a saya.
Several RIT students were Burma Selected. They include Sai Kham Pan (Badminton) and Htay Aung (Swimming and Water Polo).
Htay Aung
Saya Mao Toon Siong (former Burma Champion) was National Coach for Table Tennis. He also coached the RIT team which won the Inter-Institute Championship.
Saya Mao
Electrical Sayas
EE Sayas
In those days, the Electrical Engineering was headed by Saya U Sein Hlaing (Professor and Head).
The senior sayas included U Kyaw Tun (saya of our sayas), U Tin Swe and U Sein Win. All are now GBNF.
There were about 20 sayas. Five were on deputation for further studies abroad.
I wrote “A Sad and Short Clip : EE Sayas” for SPZP-2010. Sayas U Thein Lwin and U Nyi Nyi have since passed away.
EC and EP
There were two options : EC (Electrical Communications) and EP (Electrical Power). Per advice in the industry, only a quarter of the students were accepted for EC.
There were 80+ EE students in the beginning. Tin Tin (Anne) was the lone female EE student.
At the end, there were 40+ EE students left.
EE69ers
The EP students outnumbered the EC students 3 by 1. Several bright students played safe by choosing EP (which provided a job guarantee).
We studied EC (Electrical Communications). Twelve of us graduated in 1969.
Four EC69ers — Kyaw Soe, Aung Thu Yein, Chit Tin and Oo Kyaw Hla — are now GBNF.
A few years later, EC became Electronics Engineering.
A few decades later, Electronics Engineering and Electrical Power became full-fledged departments.
Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) wrote :
AFAIK, EC was the hardest and strictest discipline at the RIT in those days as we’ve been told. Some even asked us why we had to go there. Of course, I am not going to mention the easiest discipline there, but we joked like, “they had 109 students and 110 passed the exam”. I do not mean any disrespect to Sayas and friends from other majors!! At times, it made us wonder why were we there for god’s sake. CRAZY TIMES!!! Indeed.
Volunteer
I served as
Treasurer & Vice Captain of RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club)
Class Representative, Joint Secretary & Secretary of RITEE (Rangoon Institute of Technology Electrical Engineering Association)
Member of Committee for “Hlyat Sit Sar Saung”
Editor of the Bulletin published by RIT English Association
Member of UTC, Rowing, Scrabble, and Chess Assocations /Clubs
Free lance writer (articles, poems, translations) My poem “Men on the Moon” was sent to NASA by USIS, and it was published in the Guardian newspaper in July 1969
HlaMin 