Children : Myo Nyunt (SPHS), San San Kyaw (UCC), …
U Kyaw
Dr. U Win
Attended UCC courses
Doctorate from USA
Water Resources
GIS
Dr. U Win
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) wrote :
U Kyaw – father of Daw San San Kyaw, ex-UCC.
Dr. U Win – first met him when he attended six-month class at UCC. We frequently hang out at the canteens at RASU. Rekindle our friendship here in US, talked to him on the logins several times, yet to meet him face-to-face, hopefully some day soon.
Updates
There are several posts about Geography sayas & students in the RU Centennial FB group
Mr. Salvitore was working as a Chemist in the USA.
Received a book as Christmas present from his supervisor. A chapter was “Dhammapada”. After reading it, Samvega (sense of urgency) crept in.
Quit his job. Left for Burma to be ordained as a Buddhist monk. Became “U Lokanatha”.
Wrote “I became a Buddhist. My supervisor remained a Christian.”
Was from a devout Catholic family. Elder brother was a Priest.
My paternal grand mother offered a monastery for U Lokanatha in Bawdigone (Windermere), Rangoon.
Practiced Dhutanga. Preached & took Dhamma Dhuta missions to India and Ceylon.
Passed away in Maymyo in 1966.
Ashin Ananda
(Latvian monk)
Fled Communist Rule
Rev. Friedrich V. Lustig’s mentor was the Buddhist Archbishop of Latvia and Lithuania. When the Communists invaded their country, they sought refuge in Burma. The government provided them a monastery in the “Ah Le Pyit Sa Yan” of Shwe Dagon Pagoda.
Moke Seit
Known as “Moke Seit Phone Gyi” for his beard. Came for alms to our parent’s house in Windermere Road.
After his mentor’s demise, he became Buddhist Archbishop of Latvia & Lithuania.
Ashin Ananda
Shaved his beard
Ordained as a Theravada monk with the title “Ashin Ananda”
Laureate Poet & Translator. Wrote poems in English. Translated selected Burmese poems into English.
In July 1969, he gave my poem “Men on the Moon” to Mr. Hall (USIS) to be forwarded to Apollo 11 astronauts. Gave a copy to the Guardian newspaper for publication.
Men on the Moon
U Thilawuntha (Mon Sayadaw)
Built pagodas worldwide
Mon Sayada
Dat Paung Zon Aung Min Gaung Sayadaw U Thilawunta (fondly known as “Mon Sayadaw”) built pagodas in Burma/Myanmar, USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and several other countries.
In the ’50s, Sayadaw visited the United Nations and U Thant. He built the first Burmese pagoda in the Allegheny mountains near New York.
First pagoda in USA
During his visit to California, Sayadaw would spend time with his devotees such as Russell Wolfe (Santa Cruz) and U Aung Myint (Donald, Milpitas).
Sayadaw U Zeya
Monastery in Las Vegas
Las Vegas has some monasteries including Thai monasteries supported by members of the Royal Family.
Sayadaw resided at a Thai monastery and rose up in the ranks. Gave dhamma talks in Thai, English & Burmese. Several devotees offered him a monastery.
In May 2013, several dhamma friends in the Bay Area rented a van to attend “Htee Tin Pwe” of the pagoda inside U Zeya’s monastery compound.
Donated for two Nagas at the Las Vegas Monastery in memory of our parents and in-laws.
Engineers & Architects
Dr. Lwin Aung (A59)
Dr. Lwin Aung
Entered monk-hood after retirement
Was Professor of Architecture and Pro-Rector of YTU
Volunteered as a Consulting Architect for the construction of dhamma buildings
Due to health, he left monk-hood after several vassa.
U Bo Gyi (A59)
U Bo Gyi
Founded “Architect Incorporated” with U Tin Htoon (A60) & U Aung Kyee Myint (A60)
Later joined PWD along with his partners
Designed Mausoleum for Daw Khin Kyi, and was shunned by the higher authorities.
Hobbies : music (piano) and modeling (sculpture)
He is now GBNF.
U Han Nyo (Met60)
He helped conduct meditation retreats in Southern California and Mexico.
U Myo Tun (A69)
U Myo Tun
Ashin Pannagavesaka
Won prizes for essays under the name “Errol Than Tun”
Made dhamma duta mission to Vietnam
Was Dhamma Librarian for Moulmein Pa Auk Tawya Monastery
Edited Pa Auk Sayadaw’s books
Taught English to Dhammacariya Sayadaws
U Aung Chaw (C69, SPHS63)
U Aung Chaw
Ashin Ukkamsa
Resided in Sagaing
Later moved to the Irrawaddy Delta region
Met him in 2018 when he came to Yangon. Attended some breakfast gatherings by the 69ers. Kyaw Win (SPHS63) offered soon to Sayadaw at Shwe Ba Htamin Saing, and also offered Nawakamma.
U Wara (Win Paing, ChE70, SPHS64)
U Wara
Younger brother of Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC)
Entered monkhood after the Final Year ChE exam
Chief Resident Sayadaw, KabaAye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung
Was Taik Oke Sayadaw for Sayadaw U Vinaya
He is now GBNF
U Jotika (EE73)
Prolific writer and an outstanding Dhamma Lecturer
Spent vasa at Taung Pu Lu Kaba Aye monastery in Boulder Creek
Revisited US about a decade ago
Frequently visited Singapore and other neighboring countries
Ashin Pannobhasa (M91)
Met him in SF Bay Area with his mentor (Sayadaw from Myanmar).
Born in April 1966 Thursday (2nd Waning day of Kason 1328 BE) in Pyapon, Irrawaddy Division.
After finishing his Mechanical Engineering degree from Yangon (Rangoon) Institute of Technology he received higher ordination as a Bhikkhu or a monk at the age of 24 in the Ordination Hall, Pyapon Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha under the preceptor of Venerable U Vannita, Pyapon Mahasi Sayadaw, Pyapon Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha on 27th July 1991.
Chief Resident Monk at a monastery in Seattle, Washington
A summary was published in the Magazine for the 30th Anniversary of the founding of ICST.
Founders
Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe founded Universities’ Computer Center with the help of Saya U Soe Paing, Saya U Myo Min, and Saya U Ko Ko Lay
They led TOSS (Team Of System Specialists), which assisted the computerization of government departments and organizations.
Dr. Chit Swe
Dr. Chit Swe
My mentor at UCC
Alumnus of Mandalay University; Imperial College, London University; University of Glasgow; University of Liverpool
Head of Maths Department at the Institute of Economics when he proposed the UCC project
Became Professor of Maths at RASU and Founder-Director of UCC
Retired as Rector of RASU
Continued teaching and supervising research in Thailand and Australia.
Passed away in Sydney Australia in late 2019.
Obituary
U Soe Paing
U Soe Paing
My mentor at RIT & UCC
Matriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1956. He stood 13th in the whole of Burma and won Collegiate Scholarship
In the RU Convocation in 1958, he won two medals: one for highest score for combined I.Sc. (A) and I.Sc.(B), and another for joint highest score for Mathematics in combined I.Sc.(A) and I.Sc.(B).
While attending classes at the Faculty of Engineering, he was awarded a Government Scholarship to study BSEE and MSEE at Stanford University.
In 1964, he joined EE Department at RIT as Assistant Lecturer.
Helped with the UCC Project. In April 1971, Saya transferred to UCC as Manager of Systems Division.
M.Sc. (CS) from University of Southampton, UK
Wrote “Computer Ah Sa UCC Ga” in a computer magazine in Myanmar. It was re-posted in “Mandalay Gazette”
Retired from UN after working on UN projects in several countries.
In July 2020, he gave an interview to MASTAA.
U Myo Min
U Myo Min
Matriculated as a top student from SPHS in 1958.
Won a Gold medal in 1960 for standing first among the I.Com students.
Won another Gold medal in 1962 for standing first among the B.Com (Accounting) students.
Chartered Account
Worked for IBM UK
Returned to Burma
Joined UCC as Manager of Applications
Masters in System Engineering from the University of Lancaster, UK
Later worked in Singapore and USA
U Ko Ko Lay
U Ko Ko Lay
Classmate of U Soe Paing at SPHS and Stanford University.
While attending classes at the Faculty of Engineering, he was awarded a Government Scholarship to study BSCE and MSCE at Stanford University.
Joined PWD as an assistant engineer.
Dr. Chit Swe & U Soe Paing recruited him to help with the UCC project.
In April 1971, Saya transferred to UCC as Manager of Operations Division
Masters in System Engineering from the University of Lancaster, UK
Later served as Manager for Scientific Applications at UCC, Professor of Computer Science at DCS, and Professor of Information Systems at ICST.
Helped Civil Engg grads from Myanmar get internship and/or job in Japan
In 2017, Saya and Daw Mya Nwe (Winsome, C73) donated K100 Lakhs to the YTU Modernization Project.
Donation
He had a Stroke.
Praying for a speedy recovery.
Dr. Myo Khin wrote :
Dear U Hla Min, Thank you very much for your kind and favorable phrases for my donation to the RIT library. This is the token of my feeling to my home university. Up till now I have helped around 50 grads from RIT and other TUs in Myanmar with respectable engineering jobs in Japan. Moreover this is totally free of any charges or obligations. Only one request I made is “please try hard and prove yourself” and this will lead to the next recruitment for your juniors back in Myanmar.
Updates
After treatment & rehab, he recovered from the Stroke reported in the post.
President : Sayagyi U Ba Hli (Dean of Engineering, University of Rangoon, GBNF)
Honorary Secretary : Saya U Soon Sein (Professor, Mining, GBNF)
Honorary Treasurer : Saya U Tin U (Part time Lecturer, Civil)
U Tin U
U Tin U at SPZP-2012
Highlights
Matriculated from St. John’s Dio in 1946.
Attended Rangoon University before going for studies in the USA.
Represented RUBC in the Independence Day Regatta at Kandawgyi in 1948 along with Dr. Pe Nyun, Dr. Pe Thein and Khin Maung Wint (Bobby).
1948 Independence Day Regatta
Received BCSE from the University of Oregon and MCSE from Yale University.
Upon his return to Burma, he worked in the industry and taught part-time at the Civil Engineering department.
Past Captain of Rangoon Golf Club
Oldest & Most Senior Past Captain of RUBC
Three Losses
Lost his spouse Dr. Daw Khin Kyi Nyunt in November 2019
Lost his elder son Dr. Khin Tun (Peter) in April 2020
Lost his son-in-law U Tin Tun in May 2020
U Tin U & Family U Tin U 3
U Ba Than
U Ba Than
Highlights
Matriculated from St. John’s Dio in 1947, and won the Collegiate Scholarship.
In 1949, he won Gold Medal for scoring highest marks in the Intermediate of Science exam.
RUBC Full Green
Studied Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College, London University
Joined Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer
As a requirement for promotion, he did Masters at Imperial College.
Retired as Professor of Mechanical Engineering.
Mech Engg Sayas
Saya is an early supporter of the HMEE-2012 project. Donated his photo albums. Cooperated with U Thaw Kaung to allow U Soe Paing & team to access the archives of Rangoon University Central Library.
Birthdays
Celebrations
Birthday Soon Kyway
Before the pandemic, he invited colleagues and former students to his Birthday Soon Kyway at Yaw Sayadaw’s Monastery.
U Tin Htoon (A60, younger brother) compiled a Photo Album for Saya’s 90th Birthday
U Ba Than
Donated all of the Garawa Money to various social & religious associations.
Passed away peacefully after his 94th birthday.
U Ba Than & Daw Mya MyaU Ba Than & Family
Updates
Four of the nine siblings are members of the 90+ Club like their mother.
U Tin U (eldest) passed away on Aug 19, 2025 — a few weeks after his 96th birthday. He was the most senior Past Captain of RUBC. He was also the oldest Yale University alumni from Burma.
U Ba Than (2nd oldest) passed away after his 94th birthday.
Dr. Daw Win Hlaing (Ruby, 3rd) celebrated her 93rd birthday on Aug 31, 2025.
Daw Myint Thwe (Betty, 4th) passed away two months before her 91st birthday.
Clinical Reviewer and Senior Medical Officer at U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Assistant Professor and Physician at Johns Hopkins University
Associate Professor, Physician at Hahnemann University Hospital
Head, Clinical Research Division at Department of Medical Research, Ministry of Health
Clinical demonstrator at Institute of Medicine 1, Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma)
Demonstrator, Dept. of Pharmacology at Institute of Medicine 1, Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma)
Highlights
Matric 1963
SPHS63OPA DinnerRoll of Honor
Matriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1963. Stood First in Burma with 100 marks in Maths & Chemistry and 99 points (after a point deduction in review) in Physics. He had Distinction in English in HSF, Matric and I.Sc.(A).
IM(1)
Stood First in every class.
Multiple Luyechun
Postgrad
Due to policy changes for sending State Scholars, he had to do M.Sc. (Med Sc)
Received MD from UNSW.
Completed Fellowships
Activities
Writes KMU Medical Research Reports
Gawpaka at a monastery in Maryland
Wrote and translated articles on Dhamma
Interpreter for Dhamma Talks & Meditation Retreat. Compiled & edited an early version of Abdhidhamma by Dr. Nandamalabhivansa.
Abhidhamma
His spouse Dr. Nyunt Nyunt Wai (Amy) was also a top student in Matric & IM(1). She did DCH.
They have a son and two daughters. Nilar (eldest) is a medical doctor in the USA.
KMU, NNW & young Nilar
Feedback
Dr. Nyan Taw wrote : Our batch Khin Maung U (SPHS 63) to be proud of !
Eddie Shein wrote : Proud of you, Dr. Khin Maung U. I always remember your very good signs of ambitions and success lines on your palms.
Wai Aung wrote : I am proud of you Ko Khin Maung U. You are a genius. Glad you made it to the top.
Ye Htut wrote : Sayar U is my teacher- mentor who was just like a swan who laid a golden egg daily for me when I worked under him at RGH and DMR in 1970s. I never had a day that I did not learn a new lesson or knowledge from him when we were together.
Dr. Khin Maung U wrote : Thank you Johnny (U Hla Min) for your kind portrayal, and to all who commented with support and friendship. I am so fortunate to have good friends throughout St. Paul’s HS and Medical School and also during post-graduate clinical work, and to have good students during my teaching years in IM (1), all of whom helped and supported me in many ways. With some time available in my retirement, I came upon an idea. As a service to medical education in Myanmar, I would post recently published medical articles (not readily available in Myanmar) that friends and colleagues in the medical profession may find useful or applicable to medical care or public health of people in Myanmar. In all these medical posts, I preceded with a simplified summary of the medical journal article so that non-medical persons who read these posts can also understand and be able to apply for their own health care. I hope this activity will provide useful medical or educational information to all who read my medical posts.
Mayrose Wong wrote : Wonderful and Genius Doctor, truly and caring classmate, doing meritorious deeds for Dhamma and Sanghas. He is Awesome.
Eiei Tan wrote : Could not agree more, my dear friend May Rose. We are all extremely proud to be his classmates. He certainly is awesome & ingenious !!!
Kyaw Myint Malia wrote : You make all of us Burmese proud. I was fortunate to meet you again while you were preparing for your MD at the University of NSW where I was an Anatomy tutor. You are my kalyana-mitra truly. Regards to Amy.
Tin Tin Hla wrote : Proud of you and your family.
Kyi Maung wrote: How genius you are ko kmu. I’m always proud of u. I used to tell others that I’m from ko Khin Maung U ‘s batch.
Tin Myint wrote : Proud of you Ko U. You stood Whole of Burma 1st in Matriculation from St Pauls High School.
Ngwe Tun wrote : On behalf of old Paulians, l am proud of you Ko Khin Maung U.
HlaMin 