Wrote about the SPZP-2000 experience in the Post Reunion series.
U Myat Htoo (Right)NorCal RITAA
Founding member of NorCal RITAA.
Chair of BOD (Board of Directors).
One of the hosts for NorCal RITAA meetings. He would invite the attendees to take a boat ride on the nearby man-made lake. Would also arrange a karaoke session.
Past President of Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA)
President of Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA) for a decade. Led the procession for the scattering of ashes of Sayadaw U Silananda into the San Francisco Bay near the Golden Gate Bridge.
Lost Neikan RIT
Wrote a parody on “Pyauk Sone Nay Thaw Neikban Bon” (the song by Sai Kham Leik and Sai Htee Saing).
LA Reunion
Played the Ukelele and sang the song described above at the 2015 Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles.
Ukelele
Donation
Donated Life Vests to 20 teachers in the town of Paletwa in Chin Special Division, Myanmar.
The teachers risked their lives daily crossing Kaladan river to teach children on the other side of the town.
One teacher was killed in a boat mishap in surging waters during heavy rains. A life jacket would have saved her life.
Golden Jubilee
On May 20, 2018, the BOD (Board of Directors) and EC (Executive Committee) members of NorCal RITAA threw a surprise party to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of U Myat Htoo (C68, Chair of BOD) and Daw Hnin Maung Maung (Ma Ku, “Nyima Lay”).
According to Saya, he was the youngest in his family and wanted a younger sibling (preferably a sister).
He found an innocent 9 year old neighbor (and family friend).
Matriculated from St. Albert’s High School, Maymyo in 1964.
Had a very high ILA (Intelligence Level Aggregate)
Admitted to the first ever 1st BE as Roll Number One.
Selected RIT Luyechun for the 1965 Summer Camp at Inlay.
His outspoken remarks about the Camp drew the ire of higher authorities.
Graduated with Electrical Power in 1970.
After working in the industry, he moved to the USA.
Studied Electronics in the USA
Added “Nawaday” to his name.
Shared his memories of RIT to the Google group of “the Combined Intake of 1st BE for 1964 and 1965”.
Ko Ohn Khine (M70)
Ohn Khine
Matriculated from St. Peter’s High School, Mandalay in 1964.
Took a combination of Science and Arts subjects
Had good ILA score to be admitted to RIT.
Graduated with Mechanical Engineering in 1970
Worked for Heavy Industries Corporation
Created and maintained the the Google group of “the Combined Intake of 1st BE for 1964 and 1965”.
Volunteer for SPZP-2012, SPZP-2016, HMEE-2012, HMEE-2018, Swel Daw Yeik Foundation and several RIT-related activities.
Gave me rides during my visits to Yangon.
Co-author
Filled the “missing pieces” in Ko Zaw Min’s accounts.
Ko Hla Min (EC69)
Hla Min
Matriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1963.
Stood 7th in the whole of Burma
Received Collegiate Scholarship
Top in the Science Option of I.Sc.(A) examination
Admitted to the first ever 2nd BE in November 1964 as Roll Number One.
Selected Luyechun for the Inlay Khaung Daing Camp in the Summer of 1965
Graduated with Electrical Communications in 1969.
Started the “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” in 1989 and have maintained it for 26 years.
Administrator or Moderator of selected Facebook pages.
Own web site hlamin.com
Had the honor to edit the draft version of “Memories by Ko Zaw Min Nawaday & Ko Ohn Khine” which was first posted as Google Docs for the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65.
Published the edited document as a series of articles in “RIT Alumni International Newsletter and Updates”.
Introduction
Intakes in 1964
There were three intakes at the Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT) when the new education system started in 1964. Eligible students were admitted to the 1st BE, 2nd BE and 3rd BE classes. They are also known as
Class of ’70 (1st BE Intake in 1964) Matriculates were admitted using the ILA
Class of ’69 (2nd BE Intake in 1964) Those who had passed I.Sc.(A) with Science Option were admitted in order of merit
Class of ’68 (3rd BE Intake in 1964) Those who had passed I.Sc.(B) with Science Option were admitted in order of merit
The RIT Rector was U Yone Mo and the Registrar was U Soe Thein.
The Class of ’70
It comprised of the first year intake students in 1964. There were 494 registered students, of which 67 were female. Most graduated in 1970. Some took sabbatical for a year or two. A few left RIT before graduation. The GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten) reached 138 at the end of May 2025.
Matriculates entered the first ever 1st BE classes. ILA (Intelligence Level Aggregate) was used for the vetting of applicants. In the system, a score of 1 to 20 was assigned to map the marks for each subject. The ILA score (rather than the raw marks) was used to determine the eligibility of the students admitted to an institute.
Under the old education system, matriculates had to attend I.Sc. (A) classes. There were restrictions on the subjects taken at Inter classes to be eligible for Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, etc. For example, one must pass the I.Sc. with at least 50 marks in Maths, Physics and Chemistry to attend the 1st Year Engineering Classes (3rd BE in the new system).
Under the new education system, there were no restrictions on the subjects taken in Matric exam. As such, many students who passed Matric with combined Science and Arts subjects and even those with pure Arts subjects were able to attend RIT. For example, Ko Ohn Khine passed the Matric exam with an odd combination of Maths, Chemistry and Geography.
SPHS classmate in Std VIIIA, IXA and XA. He was among the youngest, but also the brightest.
We were in different sections in the lower classes.
VIII AMin Oo (Seated left)
Matric Exam in 1963
SPHS had five students in the Top Five, seven in the Top Ten, and ten in the Top Twenty.
All received Collegiate Scholarships with a monthly stipend of 75 Kyats (net 60 Kyats after the school fees).
Min Oo stood 2nd in Burma. He chose to study Maths.
Language expert
Grapevine says that he was reading a German book before entering the hall to take the Matric exam
Scored distinctions in English, Maths, Physics & Chemistry
Mathematics Genius
A Tuition Saya challenged his students. “Ask your teachers to solve the problem. I will give you free tuition if you can provide the correct answer.” One student asked Min Oo, who was playing cards. Min Oo scribbled the answer during the card game. The Tuition Saya was unhappy; he broke his promise to give the student free tuition.
U Aung Sein (Retired Associate Professor of Maths) saw Min Oo get out of the Tutorial classes after a few minutes and yet had perfect score. Saya decided to give challenging questions for a Tutorial. Min Oo took longer time than the easier Tutorials, but most of the other students could not get a passing grade.
Luyechun Student & Staff
Selected Tekkatho Luyechun in the summer of 1965. We attended Inlay Khaung Daing Camp.
Inlay Luyechun (Min Oo — Seated Right)
He joined RASU Maths Dept. He was chosen as Staff for the Tekkatho Luyechun camp.
As a multiple Luyechun from IM(1), Ko Khin Maung U was present at two camps with Min Oo. Ko KMU remembers Min Oo with a cigar trying to look like a Saya.
Career
Two doctorates in Maths from Germany
Professor Emeritus, McMasters University in Canada; Voluntarily retired in 2015.
Was Visiting Professor in selected US Universities.
Micro-reunion
After retirement, he visited Silicon Valley frequently to see his daughter.
A few years back, we had a lunch gathering in the SF Bay Area.
Dr. Nyan Taw (SPHS63) wrote :
Yes – Min Oo is the brightest. Proud to be his class mate. SPHS VIA group photo Min Oo also Khin Mg U sitting.
Ivan Lee (M69) invited us — U Aung Myint (Saya, M69), U Sein Tin (Omega, M69) and I — to get together at his house in New Jersey preferably in May-June of 2015.
U Aung Myint & U Sein Tin had visited him on previous occasions. They could not make it to the 2015 mini-reunion.
Fred
Frederick Thetgyi (M69) joined the 2015 mini-reunion.
He drove most of the 1800+ mile trip. Ivan provided his Mercedes & gas.
Except for the rare occasion where his batteries went out (and had to be replaced), Fred took pictures at the mini-reunion and the trip.
He would appear only in a fraction of the photos, when someone else (Ivan, a waiter, or a stranger) offered to take the photo.
Memories
The photos can be grouped by location
New Jersey
NJ
Host: Ivan
Other hosts : Saya U Soe Paing & Daw Saw Yu Tint
Niagara Falls
Niagara
On the way to Canada
Taken on both the US side and the Canada side
Windsor, Canada
WindsorWindsor 2
Host : Sayagyi U Aung Khin
Toronto, Canada
Brief sight seeing
Ottawa, Canada
DAG
Host : Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi & Daw Emma
Quick trip to Thousand Islands
Massachusetts
TAG
Host : Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw (EC 69) & Daw Khin Maw Maw
Visit MIT & Harvard University
Connecticut
Conn 1Conn 3
Host : U Toung (EC69) and Daw Khin Myint
Visit Yale University
Ate at Pizza place frequented by the young Bill Clinton
Chose his name to be Aung San to rhyme with that of his elder brother Aung Than.
Aung San
Non-de-plume during the “Thirty Comrades” days was Bo Teza.
Editor of Oway Magazine published by RUSU
Aung San 2
Translated “Invictus”.
Translation
Was assassinated on July 19, 1947
Spouse : Daw Khin Kyi
Children : Aung San Oo, Aung San Lin (GBNF), Aung San Suu Kyi
Centennial in 2015
I wrote the following in 2015 for the Centennial Celebration ရာပြည့် of his birthday.
AUNG SAN (Feb 12, 1915 – July 19, 1947)
AUNG
A — Architect of Burma’s Independence; Signed the Aung San – Atlee Agreement. It led to the Nu — Atlee Agreement that gave Independence.
U — University Student Leader; Served as Chief Editor of the OwayMagazine. Refused to name the author of “Hell Hound Turned Loose”. Was expelled, resulting in the 1938 Universities Student Strike. Translated “Invictus”.
N — National Unity & Solidarity Proponent; Organized the Panlong Agreement / Pinlon Sar Choke Agreement was signed on February 12, 1947. February 12 is celebrated as Pyi Daung Su Nay / Union Day
G — Gone but not forgotten; General, who promised to step down after Independence. Gunned down at the tender age of 32.
SAN
S — Showed leadership & personal sacrifice; Wore torn uniforms. Ate Pebyoke ပဲပြုတ် and Nanbya နံပြား
A — Anti Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL); ဖဆပလ Co-founder
N — National Planning Advocate; Displayed Nationalism and Patriotism by deeds and not words.
Aung Lwin : Academy award winner, Director, Script writer and Actor
Aung Lwin (C70) : Secretary of RIT Rowing Association
Aye Lwin
Aye Lwin (M69, GBNF) : Secretary of the RIT Mechanical Engineering Association; Secretary of RIT Annual Magazine; Attended 2015 Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
Ba Lwin (Myoma) : Headmaster; Chief Boy Scout of Burma; Ambassador to Ceylon
Dr. Ba Lwin
Ba Lwin, Dr. (EE59) : He and U Myo Kyi (EE59) are the senior sayas (by seniority) at the EE Department
Lwin Aung, Dr. (A59) : Former Professor & Head of Architecture Department; Retired as Pro-Rector of YTU; Monk for several years
Dr. Lwin Aung
Lwin Mar Oo : Winner Inn, W Bistro
Lwin Swe, Bo (EE61) : Great Grandfather
Bo Lwin Swe
Lwin Oo : Dhamma friend
Maung Lwin : Former MI Chief and Ambassador to Germany.
Maung Lwin : Minister; Father of Toe Lwin & Soe Lwin
Maung Lwin : Minister; Founding member of NLD; Father of Su Su Lwin
Maung Lwin (Dawei) : Owned a schooner. Hla Moe (Han Shein), his second son, perished when the schooner sank.
“Maung Mae Thit Lwin Kyo So Pwe” : Welcome party for freshers
Mya Lwin
Myat Lwin
Min Lwin, Dr. (SPHS60) : Orthopedic Surgeon
Min Lwin (2nd from Right)
Min Lwin (Maurice Hla Kyi, SPHS64) : Fifth in Burma in Matric. Admitted as Roll No. (2) to IM(2)
U Myint Lwin (Standing)
Myint Lwin (Charlie, UCC) : Burma Judo Champion; German Diploma from IFL
Myint Lwin Thein, Dr. : His department offered DAG (Diploma in Applied Geology) courses.
Myo Lwin : RUBC
Myo Lwin : RIT, GTI Saya
Myo Lwin : Dhamma friend & organizer
Myo Lwin : Entrepreneur
Pyin Oo Lwin : Maymyo
San Lwin, Dr. (Ronald Lwin, GBNF) : RUBC Gold; Cardiologist
Saw Lwin : Director General at the Department of Higher Education
Saw Lwin : He and Su Su have three daughters: Hazel, Olive and May
Sein Lwin (GBNF) : Professor of Zoology
Sein Lwin (Raymond Ba Phyu, GBNF) : Vocalist. Perished in an air plane crash
Soe Lwin, Dr. : Dhamma teacher
Soe Lwin (EC66) : Railways
Soe Lwin : Physics, Luyechun
U Soe Myint Lwin
Soe Myint Lwin (EC68, GBNF) : Burma Selected in Soccer
Than Lwin (Eric Lwin, GBNF) : Economics Lecturer; Librarian at the Faculty of Social Science
Thaung Lwin (EC66) : RUBC Past Captain & Gold
Thein Lwin (EE, GBNF) : Saya at RIT & Singapore Poly; President of RIT Badminton Association
Thein Lwin (M71) : Phyu
Thet Lwin, Dr. : Statistics Saya
Thet Lwin : Registrar, RIT; Director, DHE
Thet Lwin (Henry, EC72)
Thet Lwin (EE, UCC)
Tin Maung Lwin (RUBC) : Brother of U Tin Maung Latt
Tin Maung Lwin (Kenneth Lwin, RUBC)
Tin Maung Lwin (TBSA)
Tin May Lwin (UCC, DCS, ICST)
Tint Lwin (Daniel, M69) : Retired as Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering from NTU; Attended SPZPs and took part in the Entertainment Program as a vocalist. Plays guitar with Albert Kyaw Min & Robert Win Boh at the 69er gatherings.
Wai Lwin (RIT)
Wai Wai Lwin (Emma Lwin, TBSA)
Win Lwin (M69) : Secretary of the RIT Hiking & Mountaineering Association. Climbed Mount Victoria with students from other Universities & Institutes.
Thura Thant Zin : RUBC Gold; RU Hockey; Past President, BASES; Organizer, 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
Thura
Phyo Wai Win : RUBC Gold; RU Hockey
All Uni Hockey
Electrical
Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ) : RU Hockey; RIT Rowing; ex-UCC; RIT Alumni International; SPZP-2000 Organizer; Designed & implemented First ex-rit web site; Microsoft alum
Khin Maung Zaw visiting San Francisco
Myat Thein (Adam Khan) : RIT Rowing; RU Hockey
Wynn Myint Aung (GBNF) : ex-UCC; Aerospace / Federal Aviation
Most took Engineering courses after passing I.Sc.(B) in 1963 & graduated with BE in 1967.
Electrical
U Myo Myint (EC)
RUBC Gold
Member of Engineering Crew that won Inter-Institute Eights.
Retired from PPIC
Vice Chair of the Magazine Committee for RUBC 90th Anniversary Issue
Submitted Photos for HMEE Project
U Win Myint (EC)
Member of RIT Table Tennis team that won the Inter-Institute Trophy
Moved to California, USA
Daw Yi Yi Aung (EC)
RIT EE Association
Spouse : U Win Kyaing (M, GBNF)
Nancy Hla Aung (EC, GBNF)
Director, Ya Tha Cho
Attended 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
Maywaddy Tun Tun (EP)
Spouse : U Sein Shwe (M67)
Chein Hoke (EC)
Also known as Kyaw Naing
U Soe Tha (EC)
RIT Tennis
RIT EE Association
PTC
Minister
Dr. Sann Oo (EP)
Editor, Hlyat Sit Sar Saung
EPC
Owner, East and West Parami Hospital
Dr. Thein Tun (EP)
Old Paulian
EPC
U Ye Win (EP, GBNF)
Secretary, Hlyat Sit Sar Saung Publication
EE67
Photo : U Myo Myint (EC67)
Aung Than
Henry Khoo
Hla Aung
Khin Naing / Cheng Hoke
Ko Ko Gyi
Kyaw Win
Maung Maung
Myint Kyaw (GBNF)
Myint Myint Than / Nancy Hla Aung (GBNF)
Myo Myint
San Oo, Dr.
Soe Tha
Thein Tun, Dr.
Win Myint
Yi Yi Aung
Mechanical
U Win Thein (M, GBNF)
Founded Set Hmu Thadin Zin.
VP, RIT Mechanical Association
Co-founded Mechanical Magazine
Helped organize gatherings & trips (e.g for Ah Nu Pyinnya Shin).
Founder : Ya Tha Cho
U Than Htut (M)
Than Htut
RUBC Gold
Treasurer / Secretary at RUBC
Member of Engineering Crew that won Inter-Institute Eights
Retired from HIC
Provided a list of M67
Stan Liou (M)
Stan
Member of RIT Table Tennis team that won the Inter-Institute Trophy.
Moved to California, USA
Founding member, NorCal RITAA. Served as Chair, BOD
U Kyaw Oo (M, GBNF)
Pianist
Rowing
Moved to USA
U Win Kyaing (M, GBNF)
Rowing
Spouse : Daw Yi Yi Aung (EC67)
U Sein Shwe (M)
Sein Shwe (Standing 3rd from Right)
Old Paulian
RIT Luyechun in Summer 1965
Spouse : Maywaddy Tun Tun (EP67)
U Tun Kyi (M, GBNF)
RIT Tennis : Doubles with U Soe Tha (EC)
Dr. Chan Nyein (M, GBNF)
Obituary
Saya
Doctorate from Imperial College, London University
Minister
U Tin Myint (M, GBNF)
David
David Ko
Sittang Paper Mill
Moved to California, USA
Entrepreneur
Golden Sponsor of SPZP-2000
Sponsor for SPZP-2012
U Tin Maung Oo (M, GBNF)
Tin Mg Oo (Right)
Saya
Assistant Workshop Superintendent
Moved to California, USA
U Aung Myint (M, GBNF)
Helped U Win Thein with “Set Hmu Thadin Zin” & Mechanical Engineering Magazine.
Worked for UNICEF before moving to USA.
Passed away in November, 2017.
“Ah Yone Soon” in his memory was offered by the family members, relatives & friends to resident monks at Mudita Shwe Kyaung, Hayward, California on December 3, 2017.
U Sein Yaung (M)
Moved to California
Architecture
Dr. Koung Nyunt (A, GBNF)
Saya
Doctorate from Japan
Secretary, RIT Photography Association
Pen name: Kogyi Koung
Wrote articles for RIT Alumni Newsletter
Organizer, RIT Alumni in New Zealand
Daw Khin Khin Kyu (Ann, A)
Moved to California, USA
Brother : U Thein Han (Maths, Burma Selected in Basketball)
U Tun Thein (A)
Moved to California, USA
Brother : U Htin Paw (EE58, GBNF)
U Kyaw Thein (A)
Saya
U Win Myint (A)
Spouse: Daw Pyi Aye, A66)
Chemical
U Htun Aung Kyaw (ChE)
Old Paulian
Saya
Moved to Thailand & East Coast of USA
Provided ChE Class Photos
U Myat Lwin (ChE, GBNF)
Member of RIT Table Trnnis team that won the Inter-Institute Trophy
Civil
U Maung Maung (C)
Member of RIT Table Tennis team that won the Inter-Institute Trophy
HlaMin 