by Hla Min
Updated : 4th October 2026
Broadcast on November 10, 2020
Naming conventions
Disciplines
Astronomy
Biology
Chemistry
Towns / Cities
Roads / Streets
Examinations / Awards
Blog
-
Talk — Name 7
Hla Min Talks on YouTube -
Talk — Name 8
by Hla Min
Updated : 4th October 2026
Broadcast on November 11, 2020
Computer names
ENIAC
EDSAC
EDVACCompany names
IBM
ICL
Cisco
Apple
GoogleProduct names
iPod
iPad
iPhoneMiscellaneous
April
May
JuneAryu အာယု
Wunna ဝဏ္ဏ
Thukha သုခ
Bala ဗလKan ကံ
Nyan ဥာဏ်
Viriya ဝီရိယTalks on YouTube -
GBNF
by Hla Min
Updated : 3rd October 2026
The following are some of our sayas, colleagues, classmates and schoolmates who are Gone But Not Forgotten.
Additional information can be found in Related Posts.
RIT Sayas
Sayagyi U Ba Than (M)
U Ba Than 
Ba Than Saya retired as Professor and Head of Mechanical Engineering Department at RIT. He passed away soon after his 94th birthday.
Sayagyi H Num Kok (C)
Saya H Num Kok He was a saya of our sayas. He passed away at the tender age of 98 in Oregon, USA.
He was President of RIT Track & Field. He was Line Judge at RUBC Regattas.
Saya U Tin Swe (EE53)
U Tin Swe He played soccer for the Prome Hall team which won the Inter-Hall Trophy for two consecutive years.
He was a Power User at UCC. He and his former students Dr. San Oo (EP67) and Ko Aung Kyaw Pe (EP69) developed programs for Electrical Power Systems.
Saya Allen Htay (C58)
Donation 1 
He a founding member and President of RIT Alumni International, which hosted SPZP-2000. Saya’s books were donated to YTU Library by Daw Mu Mu Kin. In saya’s memory, several YTU students have been provided scholarships (with the coordination of NorCal RITAA and volunteers from RITAA).
Saya Dr. Win Thein (C58)
Win Thein Saya retired as Professor and Head of Civil Engineering.
In Saya’s memory, his sister has donated to selected Charities and Organizations.
Saya Dr. San Tint (EE61)
Dr. San Tint visiting Seattle He taught at BIT, RIT and YTU. He retired as Professor of Electronic Engineering. He attended SPZP-2000 and took trips to Seattle and New York to have mini-reunion with former students.
Saya U Tin Shwe (EP66)
U Tin Shwe He taught at RIT and Assumption University in Bangkok. After retirement, he became a monk. He passed away in Yangon. He is remembered in “To the Shwe Duo” poem.
Dr. Chan Nyein (M67)
Dr. Chan Nyein He is retired Minsister of Education.
Saya U Myat Htoo (C68)
U Myat Htoo Saya U Myint Soe (C68)
- Need photo
Saya U Ohn Maung (ChE68)
U Ohn Maung Saya U Aung Myint (Pet69)
Ko Kyant He drew “Kyant Ba Hone”. He was President of RIT Cartoonists. He also published educational books.
Saya U Hla Shwe (T69)
Hla Shwe He retired as Associate Professor. He passed away in Yangon. He is remembered in “To the Shwe Duo” poem.
Saya U Aye Win Kyaw (C70)
U Aye Win Kyaw & Madan Chand He passed away in Pyin Oo Lwin. He earlier lost his son due to a faulty water heater system at the medical clinic (where U Aye Win Kyaw was being treated). It was a double tragedy for the family. He taught astronomy and astrology at MARB.
Saya Madan Chand (C70)
He was 2nd in his class. He joined the Faculty. He moved to USA. He passed away in Illinois.
Saya Dr. Saw Tin (RIT Maths)
Dr. Saw Tin RIT Alumni
Aung Moung (M73)
At Winner Inn 
Last Journey of U Aung Moung Sayagyi U Ba Than lost his “right arm man” U Aung Moung (M73) in early January, 2018.
Whenever Sayagyi asked for U Aung Moung’s help, he will be at Winner Inn as fast as time and schedule permit.
I met him last year at Winner Inn. He was visiting Sayagyi U Ba Than as well as Daw Win Mar, younger sister of his childhood friend.
U Aung Moung was active in RIT-related activities and in his neighborhood monasteries. The monks voluntarily offered to take part at his final journey at Yae Wae. Actions speak louder than words.
Saya U Tun Shwe, Saya U Lin, Saya U Nyunt Htay, U Han Sein, U Tin Tun Aung, U Than Po, U Kyaw Kyaw and several alumni attended the last journey at Ye Way Crematorium/Cemetery.
U Myint Lwin / Henry Chee (C63)
U Myint Lwin He was from the Class of 61. He took sabbatical to get married. He is a good vocalist. He passed away in California, USA.
Saw Lin (C71)
U Saw Lin He had several medical problems, but he was active as a core organizer of SPZP-2012.
Win Khaing (M75)
Win Khaing Old Paulians
SPHS 
SPHS Aung Khin, Aung Kyi, Aung Thu Yein, Aye Ngwe, Edwin David, Khin Maung Bo, Maung Maung Kyi, Richard Lim and several others are GBNF.
Aung Thwin, Dr. (SPHS63)
Dr. Aung Thwin He was a member of SPHS Hiking and Mountaineering team. He was Timing Stroke of IM(2) crew at RUBC.
He was a successful OG. He passed away in Southern California. He is the brother of Dr. Khin Khin Thwin (Carmen) and Daw Yee Yee Thwin (Jasmine).
SPHS63 Section A
Of the former classmates who attended Kyaw Wynn’s birthday gathering at Aung Thu Kha အောင်သုခစားသောက်ဆိုင်, five have passed away.
Aye Ngwe, Khin Mg Bo, Uzin Aung Chaw, Aung Kyi & Tin Tun Aye Ngwe (Edwin Ngwe, SPHS63)
He wore nice Soccer Shoes even for Friendly Match against Section B. He passed away in Yangon.
Aung Kyi (Arthur Kyi, SPHS63)
He ride a Motorcycle to school. He passed away in Yangon.
Khin Mg Bo (Allan Saw Mg, SPHS63, EP69)
He was a Seafarer. He passed away in Yangon.
Tin Tun (Phone Gyi, SPHS63, M69)
He was Joint Secretary of RIT Thaing Association. He taught Naval Architecture. He passed away in Yangon.
Uzin Aung Chaw (Victor, SPHS63, C69)
He became a monk after retirement. He resided first at Sagaing Hills စစ်ကိုင်း and later at Thone Gwa သုံးခွ in the Irrawaddy Delta.
SPHS64
CO Hla Min (L T Gwan, Pauk Si, SPHS64)
CO Hla Min He was Chief Operator at UCC. He passed away at an early age (in his mid 30s).
Myint Sein (Bobby, SPHS64)
U Myint Sein He is an alumnus of Private Primary Boundary Road School (PPBRS), St. Paul’s High School (SPHS) and the Institute of Economics. He is Past Principal of BARB (Burma Astro Research Bureau), Visiting Lecturer at the Institute of Indigenous Medicine (in Mandalay) and Founder of Idea Astrology.
Aung Myint (Sonny, SPHS64)
He joined RIT EE as Lab Technician. He transferred to UCC as Maintainence Technician. He was promoted to Maintenance Engineer. He lost his job after filling in the 1988-related questionnaire. He gave private tuition on PLA. He passed away at his breakfast table.
Three SPHS & UCC alumni — CO U Hla Min (Pauk Si), U Maung Maung Gyi (Henry Than Htay) and U Aung Myint (Sonny) — are GBNF.
Mg Mg Gyi / Henry Than Htay (SPHS64)
He joined UCC as Operator. He succeeded Ko Pauk Si as Chief Operator.
Sayadaw U Wara / Win Paing (SPHS64, ChE70)
Sayadaw U Wara He became a monk after taking his final exam. He served as Taik Oke Sayadaw at Kaba Aye Sunlun Gu Kyaung. He succeeded Sayadaw U Vinaya.
RIT 69ers
Myint Thein (Kabar, M69)
U Myint Thein (Kabar) He was a core organizer of the 69ers. He had medical checkup in Singapore and India, but he passed away in Yangon due to his deteriorating health. He is fondly known as Maung Kabar (a famous cartoon character of our younger days).
Chit Tin (Bo Chit, EC69)
Kabar and Chit Tin U Chit Tin graduated in 1969 with EC (Electrical Communications). He is the third member of the group to pass away. The other two are U Kyaw Soe (EC69) and U Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, EC69).
Oo Kyaw Hla (EC69)
He passed away in Canada. He is the fourth EC69er to pass away.
Sai Aik Yee (EC69+)
He took Sabbatical. He is the fifth EC69er to pass away.
Mehm Ye Win (EC69)
He was Secretary of RIT EE Association. He is the sixth EC69er to pass away.
Khin Mg Myint / Shatstri (69er)
Shastri and mostly 69ers He received the nickname due to resemblance to the Indian Prime Minister.
Win Naing (Dicky Tan, M69)
Win Naing (Dicky) He passed away in Singapore. He represented RIT in Rowing.
Tin Myint (John Lee, M69)
Tin Myint (John) He passed away in Union City, California, USA. He represented RIT in Table Tennis. He was selected RIT Luyechun for 4th BE.
Myint Sein (M69)
Myint Sein 
Myint Sein (M69) Win Khaing (M75)
Related Posts
- GBNF — Alumni
- GBNF — by Calendar Year
- GBNF — by Class
- GBNF — General
- GBNF — Sayas
- Talk — GBNF
-
Talk — Name 9
by Hla Min
Updated : 3rd October 2026
Broadcast on November 12, 2020
Gold / Golden
- Gold Reserve (to back Currency)
- Gold Medal (First prize)
- Golden Fleece (Mythology)
- Golden State (California)
- Golden Gate (Heaven, Bridge)
- Golden Treasury (Poems)
- Golden Boot (Top Scorer, World Cup)
- Golden Ball (Goalkeeper, World Cup)
- Golden Ball (Best player, Soccer)
- Golden Glove (Boxing)
- Golden Glove (Baseball)
- Golden Touch (Midas)
- Golden Goose / Egg (Fairy tale)
- RUBC Gold (Club Selection)
- Golden Sponsor (Saya Pu Zaw Pwe)
- Life time Gold (Bridge …)
University
Usually has constituent Colleges
Early universities in Europe and UK
- Oxford University
- Cambridge University
- London University
- …
Universities in the USA
- State sponsored
- City sponsored
- Private Universities
- Stanford
- Harvard
- Yale
- …
Rangoon University
- Rangoon College
- Judson College
- (later) Mandalay College — became Mandalay University
Institute
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Engineering & Technology
- later — many disciplines
- Economics
- Computer Science
Indian Institute of Technology
- Five (or so) campuses
Asian Institute of Technology
- Several Burmese are alumni
Burma Institute of Technology
- Faculty of Engineering, RU moved to Gyogone Campus in 1961 – 62
- Became Rangoon Institute of Technology (with own Rector) in November 1964
- YIT : due to renaming of Rangoon with Yangon
- YTU : Yangon Technology University
Institute of Computer Science and Technology
ICST/UCSY Pu Zaw Pwe - Successor of UCC, Rangoon and DCS
- Started offering B.Sc in Computer Science and Computer Technology
- Evolved into UCSY (University of Computer Studies, Yangon)
Talks on YouTube -
Talk — Name 10
by Hla Min
Updated : 3rd October 2026
Broadcast on November 13, 2020
NASA
Mercury Project : One astronaut
Gemini Project : Two astronauts
Apollo Project : Three astronautsSpace Shuttle
Sky Lab
Nobel Prize
Chemistry
Physics
Medicine
Literature
PeaceOther Disciplines
(Nobel Prize for) Economics
ACM Turing Award
Field’s Medal (for Mathematics)
Miscellaneous
Changes in Naming Systems
Cinema / Movies
Comics / Cartoons
Ah Nu Pyinnya
Talks on YouTube -
Talk — October
by Hla Min
Updated : 3rd October 2026
Broadcast on October 5, 2020
Calendar
- 8th month in the old Roman Calendar. Oct stands for 8.
- 10th month in the later Calendars
- It has 31 days.
World Teachers’ Day
- Also known as “International Teacher’s Day
- October 5
- Celebrated annually since 1994
- Some countries may honor teachers on a different date
Saya U Ba Than’s birthday
U Ba Than - October 2
- For more than a decade, Sayagyi invited his former colleagues and students to the annual Birthday Soon Kyway at Tipitaka Yaw Sayadaw’s Kyaung
- The mini-gathering was put on hold due to the pandemic. There were Zoom sessions organized by his nephew.
- Sayagyi received Photo Album / Book compiled by his brother U Tin Htoon (A60) and U Htaik San (Henry Kao, M81). Due the pandemic, the USPS (United States Postal Service) failed to deliver the book and returned it to the sender (U Tin Htoon). Saya U Tin Htut (M60) offered to send the book by DHL. Sayagyi was extremely happy to receive the present from his three former students. He has read the book several times.
Miscellaneous
- Halloween : Trick or Treat
- Pumpkin Festival in Half Moon Bay
- Ocktoberfest
- “October” Revolution
- Occasional : Thadinkyut & Phaungdaw-u Festival
Poem - Occasional : Diwali / Deepavali
- October 1 : Dr. Aung Gyi’s birthday; U Myo Myint Sein’s birthday
Dr. Aung Gyi -
Table Tennis — Table Tennis
by Hla Min
Updated : 3rd October 2026
Video Broadcast on December 21, 2020
Game
- Players
Singles : Men, Women
Doubles : Men, Women, Mixed Team - Styles
Hand shake
Pen Grip - Points
21 points (early period) : Best of 5 games (typical)
11 points (later period) : Best of 7 games - Tournaments
World Championship
Olympics
Asian Games
SEAP / SEA Games
National
Inter-Institute
RIT - Miscellaneous
Also known as “Ping Pong”
Ping Pong Diplomacy (credited to Henry Kissinger)
Pong (Early Computer Game)
Ping Pong Tables (available at Recreation Center and many homes)
Other RIT selection : Tin Myint (M69, GBNF, 4th Year Luyechun), Nyunt Tin (M70)
RIT Table Tennis team
which won the Inter-Institute Championship
Team Coach
Saya Mao Toon Siong (M62)
Saya Mao - Represented Burma in International Competitions
(SEAP, Asian Games and World Championship) - Retired Burma National Coach
Players
- U Maung Maung – C67
(aka Chin Kaung Hook – extremely good in Chess)
Win Myint & Stan - U Win Myint – E67 (aka Hin Lok Kung)
Retired engineer, San Francisco Bay Area - Stan Liou – M67
Former Chair, Board of Directors, NorCal RITAA - U Myat Lwin – Ch67 (GBNF)
- Players
-
Talk — Kyay Zuu ကျေးဇူး
by Hla Min
Updated : 3rd October 2026
ကျေးဇူး
Video Broadcast on January 19, 2021
- I am indebted to Thin Saya သင်ဆရာ, Myin Saya မြင်ဆရာ and Kyar Saya ကြားဆရာ
- They taught me all I knew.
- I would like to thank my mentors who directly or indirectly taught me Communication (Oral and Written) and Languages (English, Burmese, …)
- Last but not the least, a zillion thanks to my “Let Oo Sayas” (လက်ဦးဆရာ my beloved parents).
My Parents Studying Languages
Studying English
I had to read / study
- Tom Thumb’s Essays
- A Student’s Companion
- Oxford English Dictionary (OED — various sizes and editions)
- Chamber’s Dictionary (used in Scrabble tournaments)
- Rhyming Dictionary
- Word Power / Vocabulary in [six weeks, 21 days, …]
- Idioms (book present from my cousin uncle U “Eric” Than Lwin)
- They helped me improve my writing and communication skills.
- Thanks to all the authors, who are my implicit teachers.
- Still learning (especially during the “Shelter at Home” due to the COVID-19 Pandemic)
- Listen to the daily offering by Blinkist.com
- Listen and/or read Merriam Webster’s wotd (word of the day) pod cast
Miscellaneous
- See posts on “Myanmar Sar“
- See posts on “Pali“
- See posts on “Languages“
Studying Computers
Dr. Chit Swe (GBNF)
Dr. Chit Swe - Sayagyi was my mentor at UCC.
- He invited over renowned computer scientists [led by Professor Harry D. Huskey, Pioneer in Computer Hardware, Software and Teaching] and mathematicians [e.g. Professor Frank Harary, Expert in Graph Theory] to Rangoon to hold seminars and to design courses in computer science and applications.
Michael Stonebraker (then at UC Berkeley) gave a short course on Ingres (an early Relational Data Base Management System) at UCC. A few years back, he won the prestigious “ACM Turing Award” (which is considered as the equivalent of Nobel Prize in Computing). - He taught us to use CPM/PERT (Critical Path Method/Programme Evaluation and Review Technique) for the various projects.
- Saya asked me to assist in several of his projects.
To name a few,
I was a translator/ reviewer for CTK (Children’s Treasury of Knowledge)
I served as an editor for “High School Mathematics”
I was a member of TOSS (Team Of System Specialists)
- Saya passed away in November 2019, but his Legacy as Pioneer for Computer Systems, Application and Education in Burma will last forever.
Sydney 2006 U Soe Paing (EE, UCC)
U Soe Paing - Saya was my mentor at RIT and UCC.
- Together with Saya U Myo Min and Saya U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF), they taught degree and diploma courses in computer science, and also conducted courses in computer programming, computer orientation, to name a few.
- The sayas asked me to be their assistant.
- Saya U Soe Paing also allowed Saya U Aung Zaw and me to co-author texts, guides and manuals used at UCC.
Publications
- Guardian
Thanks to U Soe Myint (Chief Editor) - Working People’s Daily (WPD)
Thanks to U Ko Lay (Chief Editor) and Daw Khin Swe Hla (Editor) - Forward magazine
Thanks to Bohmu Ba Thaw (Maung Thaw Ka, Chief Editor) and U Sein Hla (Editor) - Pan magazine
Burmese publication - Veda magazine
Published by BARB - Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung
Commemorative Issues for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010 in Singapore
Thanks to Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) - Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
Commemorative Issues for SPZP-2012 and Shwe YaDu (2014)
Thanks to Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) - RUBC magazine
Commemorate issue for 90th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC - BAPS Newsletter
Contributing Editor - Dhammananda Newsletter
Contributing Editor - Paying Homage to Sayadaw U Silananda
Contributing Editor - Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife
Contributor to the Burmese American section - National Foreign Languages Center
Language Expert for the Burmese Language Project (Reading and Listening Comprehension) - RIT Alumni International Newsletter
Contributing Editor for 21 years - hlamin.com
3000+ articles - Facebook
Owner, Admin or Moderator of selected Facebook Groups - Video Broadcasts
Archived in Facebook and my You Tube Channel
Volunteering
I gained experience by volunteering as
- Several organizations in Myanmar and USA
- EC, Joint Secretary and Secretary of RIT EE Association
- Contributing Editor of RIT English Newsletter
- Treasurer and Vice Captain of RUBC
- Translator / Interpreter at Meditation Retreats
- Organizer, SPZP-2000
- Coordinator, World wide SPZPs in Singapore and Myanmar
- Docent at the Computer History Museum (at Mountain View, California
- Contributing Editor of the materials taught at the Summer Dhamma Camp at Dhammananda Vihara (at Half Moon Bay
- Area Governor, Club Coach, Contest Chair, Test Speaker, Club Ambassador at Toastmasters International
- Editor of several publications by Sayadaws (e.g. U Jotalankara) and friends (e.g. U Aung Zaw)
- Language expert at National Language Center
- Administrator and/or Moderator of selected Facebook Pages
- Owner and content creator of selected web sites (e.g. hlamin.com)
Parents and Ancestors
Last but not the least, my heartfelt thanks to my beloved parents and their philanthropic forebears for instilling me the passion to help humanity in general and to my alma mater. They believed that “Any thing that’s worth doing is worth doing well.”
Pay Back
- My beloved spouse told me that I should pay back to my alma mater, mentors and my beloved land.
- She reminded me that I should take care of my health to enjoy quality time with our Life Savers : Chit Sa Noe ချစ်စနိုး and Po Lone ဖိုးလုံး
- I had paid back to my alma mater RIT where I studied from 1964 – 1969 by volunteering as Messenger and Organizer for 21 years. e.g. For SPZP-2000, I wrote 64 “Countdown to the Reunion” and 36 “Post_Reunion”.
- In 2018, I wrote “Memories of UCC” . I wrote a Summary for the magazine to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ICST.
- To commemorate the 19th anniversary (in April 2018) for “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” and the 45th wedding anniversary (in June 2018), I wrote several hundred posts covering a variety of topics.
- Since then, I have completed 3000+ posts. I have revised most of them with the feedback provided by my readers (including Dr. Khin Maung U, Dr. Nyunt Wai (Victor), Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint, U Khin Maung Zaw).
- In April/May 2019, I celebrated 20th Anniversary as Founder-Editor of RIT Alumni International Newsletter
- In November 2019, I was invited as a Panelist to the 5th ILF (Irrawaddy Literary Festival) held in Mandalay.
- In December 2019, I attended the SPZP and Reunion Dinner of RIT 69er’s Golden Jubilee of graduation.
- I was invited to attend the 6th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of ICST / UCSY and the Annual mini-gathering of UCC Alumni.
- In January 2020, I was invited as a Special Guest for the 2020 PSA (Public Speakers’ Association) Tour to six cities in Upper Myanmar.
- I am adding / revising posts for hlamin.com and share some of them via Facebook pages (e.g. Life Long Learning, RIT Updates, RU Centennial) and my You Tube Channel.
- I am a Dreamer.
I believe, “If one can dream, others will fulfill.”
Youtube Posts
- Garawa
- Parents
- Publications
- RIT
- SPZP
- UCC
-
Peter — My Friend Khin Tun
by Dr. Aung Jee (USA)
Updated : 3rd October 2026
Peter 1 My Friend Khin Tun (Peter), My friend since college day one, he is a dedicated kind hearted neuro rehab consultant in the UK. He is a brilliant analytical thinker of renown and beloved husband and father of two also brilliant young men. Memories of our friendship flood my mind.
We were in second MB when the workers riots rocked the city of Rangoon, we two were about the only ones left in the anatomy dissection room. Most students had not come that day and those who did had left. We two were doggedly dissecting into a cadaveric skull from the roof of the middle ear cavity to expose the three ossicles inside the middle ear. Khin Tun was lead dissection and he wasn’t going to stop till done. Our tutor had told us to leave and we were carrying on, we were about 19 then. We finally finished and I could finally convince him it was time. We left from Leik Khone dissection halls via the back on to a gravel road in the back leading to Inya Road. It was the short cut from Prome road to Inya road. Near the Inya road entrance my dad’s batman U Htar Pei was waiting with the family car. He had surmised that I would take the back road to Inya Road and stay off the main roads. He sighed a relief and took us home, we dropped Khin Tun at his family home in Windermere on the way. Throughout this Khin Tun was reciting the merits of the ossicles of the ear. I wondered if this was his way of dealing with stressful situations. He is an exceptionally bright individual, interested in knowledge only for the propagation of more knowledge for practical solutions, never for academic accolades or distinctions, one that I truly believe that was never interested in prizes or glory or renown, just a purist thirst for knowledge to solve problems.
Thus, we would finish medical school with only those close friends knowing how brilliant and knowledgeable he really is. After our House surgeon period we took up an assignment to collect data on Maternal and Childhealth in Upper Burma Townships, We spent the month of summer driving all over the dry midlands of ah nyar and collecting data in Magwe, Taung Dwin Gyee and Kyaut Ba Daung per project of our mentor Saya Johnny, interviewing auxiliary midwives, Community Health Workers and collecting answered questionnaires. We borrowed a land rover from the Agricultural department and he navigated and planned while I drove, talking all the time of friends, college and future hopes and plans.
I was to join the army after the trip and he would continue in Maternal and Childcare research projects while opening a private clinic. We ended the trip at Kyaut Ba Daung where Nwe and her Final Part One PSM group were staying for their community health project. We would spend a joyous night and half day there exploring Mt Popa and singing in front of the barracks well into the deep starry night in front of a bonfire. Afterwards we would leave, I would immediately join my unit in the army and Khin Htun would finish writing up the report. We spent many a night on makeshift cots or on the floor in closed high schools talking of anything under the sky eating at roadside restaurants along the road. Young restless and full of plans for the future that was roaring towards us at a fast pace. We had plans to go abroad for further training but never did we guess we would be leaving Burma to settle in foreign lands.
About a year later I would be attending Young Officers Course in Mhawbi and Khin Tun together with Pe Thet Khin was in a research project in Hlegu, Maternal and Childcare under our mentor Saya Johnny. I was on weekend free days and had taken a commercial line car to Hlegu where they were. Basically hung on to the back of a pickup with the spare till I got to the car gate. I had bought some roast duck and roast pork for them from a Chinese restaurant in Mhawbi. Also, brought a bottle of army rum for drinks. Khin Tun does not drink but loves roast duck and pork. Before dinner the three of us walked over to their private clinic in Hlegu, a little rented room and foyer with an examining table and desk with waterbath etc. A medium size closet for drug and medical paraphernalia. A few patients later two young ladies came walking into the clinic for a consultation and treatment. One was the friend cum chaperone as was traditional in a gossip prone rural setting and the other was a pretty young teacher with a rash on her hand. My friend Peter Khin Tun was immediately attentive as her youth and beauty captivated him. He proceeded to examine the rash, most likely an allergic eczema from some chemical, like it would earn him a Nobel prize in medicine if he were to cure it. The interest seemed pretty mutual to me and PTK who looked on with slight smiles. He asked for a second opinion and we agreed with him and I left a tube of steroid cream from my night bag for her. PTK the schemer made sure Peter would get all credit by telling the fair young teacher that it was a present from Bo Gyi Aung Gyi since his wife didn’t need it anymore. It was his way of ensuring Peter was a lone contender though Nwe and I had not married yet. There was really no need as it was love at first sight for both of them. The rest is history with two brilliant young men for sons.
Winmar would tell the encounter in her own sweet way. There were three young doctors at the clinic, One tall fair handsome one , of course Peter, one slim one with a mischievous knowing twinkle, you have to remember this was PTK two hundred pounds ago, and presumed single heavily tanned short haired officer, ruggedly handsome, I added the last bit, laugh if you want. We would joke about it anytime we met with Winmar looking on with her sweet gentle smile.
I remember a wonderful time when we met again in UK. My family and I were visiting UK and Peter and his had settled down in UK after taking the MRCP exams. The exams were a breeze and he finished in record time. Myself, Aung Hpyoe, Ernie and Min Zaw aung and Peter were taking a hike into Epping forest. Taking pictures with our new found hobby in cameras. We persuaded peter to come along with us before lunch promising him a Bariyani lunch and a cold drink at the pub. I also promised I would carry extra cold water and all the cold pop fizz he could drink under the English summer sun. It was a most happy time taking pictures together ribbing each other with old escapades of youth, old girlfriends failed courtships etc. Talking ill of all those not present with renewed gusto and guffaws. We had some drinks at a pub and went home to Aye Aye Yee’s home for a sumptuous lunch hosted by her and Ko Min Zaw Aung. Khin Tun ever thoughtful had brought some fresh coconut which we prepared and have young coconut with sweet juice. Photos from that gathering are the some of the most treasured memories we have.
A few years back we met again in Rangoon when we both were there to see our parents. Our parents homes are about a mile from each other, my mother’s home in Golden Valley and his parents home in Windermere road. One morning we made plans and I walked over to his house at 0530. By the time I got there found Peter making fried rice on a wok, in the kitchen. He’s a first class cook. We had a plate each fast and walked over to Shwedagon pagoda hill about two miles walk , it was still dark when we got to the base of the hill , the flower stall owners were still sorting lotus blooms at the base of the hill before carrying the bunches up for vending to the early worshipers. We walked up the Zaung Dan and did the rounds of family members birth day corners, and Peter showed me the various parts his family had donated. I said a prayer in my mothers corner and my father’s favorite Bayan tree sate. After watching the beautiful Rangoon sunrise from the hillside we walked down the East Zaung Dan to YeTarShay road street market. At the base of the hill we found our friend Ko Aung Khin waiting for us beside his brand new Nissan crossover. He does not like rising too early but was willing to wait for us at the base. We had built up an appetite for a second breakfast by that time. We walked to MyaungMya Daw Cho for MontHingar, there we three had breakfast and paid for the two monks and thelashin eating there as a good deed for the day. Afterwards Ko Aung Khin aka Zaw Zaw The Phyu would drive us home, we stopped first at my house and my two friends graciously said hello to my mom and sat down for a chat.
Going back many decades of friendship there was much to say and reminiscence while laughing heartily all the time. Time flies and we vowed to do do it again. He and Winmar also found the time and effort to attend my daughters wedding Swun Kywe at Mahasi in Rangoon from their busy schedule. He would also visit my mom even when I’m not there in Rangoon.
True friends always there for you. I pray very hard Peter, you had so much more to contribute to the world, your daily meditation must have given you much mental strength you are surly now in a higher realm, please the world was a better place with you in it.
We miss you my friend, my regards to Uncle Tin U, Winmar, Min Ko and Ye Lay, stay in touch we are all family.
Peter 2 -
Dr. Chit Swe ချစ်ဆွေ
by Hla Min
Updated : October 2026
Dr. Chit Swe in Sydney, Australia - Graduate of Mandalay University, Imperial College, Liverpool & Glasgow
- Founder & Director, Universities’ Computer Center
- Professor, RASU Maths
- Rector, RASU
- Advisor for Burmese postgrad students in Bangkok and Sydney
With two youngest sons Swe Latt & Chit Khin
DCS 1 Saya’s Family
DCS 2 Computer Pioneer in Burma
DCS 3 Former Rector, RASU
DCS 4 Yahan Khan at UCC
DCS 5 UCC Alumni in Sydney
DCS 6 Obituary
DCS 7 Last Journey
Castlebrook Memorial Park Crematorium
Time : 12 – 2 PM (Australia AEDT)
Location : 712 – 746 Windsor Road
Rouse Hill NSW 2155
(Opposite Rouse Hill Shopping Center)
Web site: https://www. castlebrook.com.au
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