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  • Farewell to Dr. Khin Nyo Thet

    Farewell to Dr. Khin Nyo Thet

    by Hla Min, U Osadha & Thor Aye

    Update : July 2025

    Summer Dhamma School
    Dr. Khin Nyo Thet
    Dr. Lyn Swe Aye, Dr. Khin Nyo Thet, Mimi Thabyay and Thor

    Farewell Dhamma Talk for co-founder of Aye-Thet Scholarship

    by Ashin Osadha

    အေး+သက်မိခင်ကြီးအတွက် နောက်ဆုံး နှုတ်ဆက်တရား

    မနေ့က မနက်ပိုင်းမှာ မကျန်းမာတာ ကြာပြီဖြစ်တဲ့ ဒကာမကြီး ဒေါက်တာ ဒေါ်ခင်ညိုသက်ဆီ သွားပြီး ပရိတ်ရွတ်ပါတယ်။ ပြီးခဲ့တဲ့ ၂-ရက်လောက်က တယ်လို့ ပင့်ထားတာပါ။ ဒကာမကြီးနဲ့ ကျုပ်က ပုဂ္ဂိုလ်ရေး ရင်းနှီးမှုရှိသလို သူသိချင်တဲ့ တရားတွေကိုလဲ မေးလေ့ရှိပါတယ်။

    တကယ်တော့ ဒေါက်တာလင်းဆွေအေးနဲ့ ‌ဒေါက်တာ ဒေါ်ခင်ညိုသက်တို့ လင်မယားက ကျုပ်အမေရိကားရောက်ပြီး သိပ်မကြာခင်မှာ စတင် ရင်းနှီးခွင့် ရခဲ့ပါတယ်။ အကြောင်းကတော့ ကျုပ်က နွေရာသီမှာ ကလေးတွေ စာသင်ပေးလို့ပါ။

    ဆရာတော် ဦးသီလာနန္ဒက ၁၉၇၉-မှာ အမေရိကားကို ရောက်ပါတယ်။ ရောက်ခါစမှာ ဆရာတော်က လူကြီးတွေအတွက်ပဲ တရားဟော, တရားပြ လုပ်နိုင်ပါတယ်။ ကလေးတွေကို မသင်နိုင်သေးပါဘူး။ ဒီတော့ မြန်မာမိသားစုတွေက မွေးတဲ့ ကလေး တွေဟာ ဗုဒ္ဓဘာသာနဲ့ ဝေးကုန်ပါတယ်။ ဒီကလေးတွေ အနာဂတ်မှာ ဘာသာတရားနဲ့ ဝေးသွားမှာကို သူတို့ ဇနီးမောင်နှံက စိုးရိမ်မိကြပါတယ်။ ဒါနဲ့ သူတို့က “အေး+သက်ဖေါင်ဒေးရှင်း”ဆိုပြီး တည်ထောင်ကာ ငွေများမ,တည် လှုဒါန်းခဲ့ပါတယ်။ အဲသလို အေး+သက်ဖေါင်ဒေးရှင်းကို စတင်တည်ထောင်သူမို့ “အေး+သက်မိခင်ကြီး”လို့ ခေါ်လိုက်တာပါ။ သူတို့တည်ထောင် ခဲ့တဲ့ နွေရာသီ ဗုဒ္ဓဘာသာ သင်တန်းကိုတော့ ၁၉၉၁-ခုနှစ်မှာ စတင်ခဲ့ပါတယ်။ ဒါက သမိုင်းကြောင်းလေး စပ်မိလို့ ပြောလိုက် တာပါ။

    နေမကောင်းတာ ကြာပြီဆိုတော့ ဒကာမကြီးဟာ အိပ်ရာပေါ်မှာ လဲနေလိမ့်မယ်လို့ ထင်ခဲ့တာပါ။ အိမ်ရောက်တော့ ဧည့်ခန်းမှာ မျက်နှာကြည်ကြည်လင်လင်နဲ့ ထိုင်နေတာ တွေ့ရလို့ ကျုပ် အံ့သြသွားတယ်။ တကယ်တော့ ဒကာမကြီးက ကင်ဆာရောဂါ ၃-ကြိမ် ဖြစ်ထားတာပါ။ ဒါကြောင့် ကျုပ်နဲ့တွေ့တိုင်း “တပည့်တော်က သေရွာပြန်ဘုရာ့”လို့ အမြဲတမ်း ပြောပါတယ်။ အဲ… ဒါပေမဲ့ အခုတခါတော့ သူ့ကိုယ်သူလဲ သိနေသလိုပဲဗျ။ ဘေးနားက သူ့သားသမီးတွေကလဲ မျက်နှာ မကောင်းကြဘူး။ ကြိုသိနေပုံပါဘဲ။ အနည်းငယ် စကားပြောပြီးတော့ သီလပေးကာ ဗောဇ္စျင်သုတ်နဲ့ ပရိတ်တော်များ ရွတ်ဖတ်ပေးပါတယ်။ ပြီးတော့ အချိန်အခါနဲ့ သင့်တော်မဲ့ နကုလပိတာ ဒကာကြီးကို ဘုရားဟောတဲ့ “ကိုယ်သာ နာစေ, စိတ် မနာစေနဲ့”ဆိုတဲ့ တရားလေးကို အကျယ်ချဲ့ပြီး ဟောပေးပါတယ်။ အခုချိန်ဟာ လက်ရှိဘဝခန္ဓာလဲ မတွယ်တာအောင်, နာကျင်မှုကြောင့်လဲ ဒေါသမဖြစ်အောင် တရားနှလုံးသွင်းတတ်ဖို့ လိုကြောင်း၊ တွယ်တာမှု တဏှာနဲ့ အလိုမကျမှု ဒေါမနဿက လွတ်အောင် နှလုံးသွင်းနိုင်ရင် စိတ်ဟာ အစွန်းနှစ်ဖက်က လွတ်မြောက်သွားကြောင်း၊ ဒါကိုပဲ မဇ္စျိမပဋိပဒါကျင့်စဉ်ဟု ခေါ်ကြောင်း၊ မဇ္စျိမကျင့်စဉ်ဆိုတာမဂ္ဂင်လမ်းပင်ဖြစ်ကြောင်း၊ မဂ္ဂင်လမ်းဆိုတာ ချုပ်ငြိမ်းမှု နိရောဓကို ဦးတည်နေကြောင်း… စသဖြင့် တရားရေအေးနဲ့ သောကအပူတွေ တခဏလောက်ပဲ ငြိမ်းစေတော့ဆိုပြီး ဟောပြပေးလိုက်ပါတယ်။

    တရားနာပြီး သူကိုယ်တိုင် ရေစက်ချ, အမျှဝေပါတယ်။ မြတ်စွာဘုရားက နကုလပိတာ ဒကာကြီးကို တရားတိုလေး ဟောလိုက်တုန်းကလဲ ဒကာကြီးဟာ စိတ်တွေ ပေါ့ပါး သွက်လက်ပြီး မျက်နှာတွေ ကြည်လင်တောက်ပ လာပါသတဲ့။ အဲသလိုပါဘဲ။ ဒကာမကြီးလဲ သူလုပ်ချင်တာလေးကိုလဲ လုပ်လိုက်ရပြီ၊ သူတွေ့ချင်တဲ့ သူနဲ့လဲ တွေ့လိုက်ရပြီ။ သူ့အတွက် အားဆေးတစ်ခွက် ဖြစ်စေမဲ့ တရားလေးလဲ နာလိုက်ရပြီ။ အဲဒါကြောင့်ပဲ စိတ်ရဲ့ ဖိစီးမှုတွေကနေ လွတ်မြောက်ကာ, ကိုယ်ရဲ့ နာကျင်မှုတွေလဲ တဒင်္ဂ ချုပ်ငြိမ်းနေပုံ ရပါတယ်။ တရားဟောပြီးတော့ သူ့မျက်နှာဟာ တိမ်စင်လပမာ သိသိသာသာ ကြည်လင်လာတာကို သတိထားလိုက် မိပါတယ်။ တရားဟောပြီးတော့ သူ့ကို အားပေး, နှုတ်ဆက်ခါ ကျောင်းကို ပြန်လာခဲ့ပါတယ်။

    အဲ…. ဒါပေမဲ့၊ အခု နှုတ်ဆက်လိုက်တာဟာ ကျုပ်အတွက် နောက်ဆုံး နှုတ်ဆက်လိုက်ခြင်း ဆိုတာကိုတော့ မသိလိုက်မိဘူးဗျ။ သူ့ကို လာရောက်အားပေးကြတဲ့ ထဲမှာ ကျုပ်ဟာ နောက်ဆုံးလူတစ်ယောက် ဖြစ်နေလိမ့်မယ် ဆိုတာကိုလဲ မစဉ်းစားမိ ဘူးဗျ။ သူတွေ့ချင်တဲ့ သူ….
    သူလုပ်ချင်တဲ့ အလှု….
    သူနာချင်တဲ့ တရား…
    ဒါလေးတွေကို သူကိုယ်တိုင် လုပ်ခွင့်ရလိုက်ပြီ ဆိုတော့ စိတ်လျှော့လိုက်ပုံ ပေါက်ပါတယ်။

    ညနေခင်းဘက်ရောက်တော့ ဒကာကြီး ဒေါက်တာလင်းဆွေအေးဆီက ဖုန်းဆက်လာတယ်… “အရှင်ဘုရား ပြန်ကြွပြီး သိပ်မကြာခင် နေ့လည်ခင်းမှာတော့ ဒကာမကြီး ငြိမ်သက်စွာနဲ့ ဆုံးသွားပါပြီ ဘုရား”လို့ ဖုန်းဆက်လာပါတယ်။

    ဒကာမကြီးအတွက် နောက်ဆုံး နှုတ်ဆက်တရားလေး ကျေးဇူး ဆပ်လိုက်ရလို့ ကျုပ်တော့ အတော်လေး ကျေနပ်မိပါတယ်။ သူလဲ ဒီကုသိုလ်စိတ်ကြောင့်ပဲ ကောင်းမွန်ရာ သုဂတိဘုံမှာ ရှိနေလိမ့်မယ်လို့ ယုံကြည်မိပါသဗျ။ဓမ္မာနန္ဒကျောင်းမှာ အေး+သက်ဖေါင်း‌ဒေးရှင်းကို စတင်တည်ထောင်ခဲ့တဲ့ ဒကာမကြီး ဒေါက်တာ ဒေါ်ခင်ညိုသက်, မြင့်မြတ်တဲ့ဘဝမှာ ဆက်လက်ကာ သာသနာ ပြုနိုင်ပါစေ…

    အရှင်သြသဓ
    မေလ ၄-ရက်၊ ၂၀၂၁-ခုနှစ်။

    Summer Dhamma School

    Condolences from TBSA

    Dear Aye Family,

    On behalf of TBSA, please allow me to offer our condolences to you and your family on the passing of our inspirational woman, founder of Aye-Thet Scholarship Program, Dr. Khin Nyo Thet.

    I was privileged to meet her occasionally and had a great time socializing with her. She was an amazing woman. Not only she was admired by me but many other people. Every time I met her, she offered me positive energy with encouraging words, her willpower with positive energy was way above many of us. Most importantly, she was a wonderful mom who can see the benefit of youth learning Theravada Buddhism is vital to our USA-born kids.

    Thank you! Ma Ma Nyo. Thank you!

    Many words I can add about her endlessly. I will miss her dearly.Please allow us to send you all our condolences, along with the best memories and sharing of our good deeds to her. May she rest in a better stage of being…

    May she be on the path of Nirvana…
    We share all our merit dedicated to her.
    Sadhu…Sadhu…Sadhu….

    With best regards,
    Daniel Bomya (U Thein Swe, President of TBSA)

    Sad News

    Dr. Khin Nyo Thet passed away peacefully, at her home in the San Francisco Bay Area, surrounded by her husband, Dr. Lyn Swe Aye, and her children, Mimi Thabyay Aye and Thor Wynn Aye, on May 3rd, 2021.

    Born in Rangoon, Burma on Sept. 17, 1946 to Dr. Kyaw Thet and Daw Khin Khin Gyi, she is survived by her brother, Dr. Lyn Aung Thet – (Dr Khin Mae Hla) and predeceased by her elder brother, Lyn Maung Thet, and younger sister, Khin Aye Thet.

    She grew up and was educated in Rangoon, with an interlude in the USA while her parents completed their postgraduate studies at Yale. She graduated from the Institute of Medicine II, Rangoon, and immigrated to the USA, where she specialized in Pediatrics.

    She established a private medical practice in San Jose, California where over several decades, she enjoyed nurturing relationships with generations of patients. Fearless, honest, warm and generous, as a teenager she sang in a girl group on the radio, and she loved to light up the dance floor. She took up competitive tennis, and later pickle ball, leading her teams on to victory. She also loved hosting bridge and mahjong groups.

    She helped many people, both professionally and privately. With her husband, she founded the Aye-Thet Scholarship Fund which sponsors an annual summer camp for children, focusing on Buddhism and Meditation at the Dhammananda Theravada Monastery in Half Moon Bay, California.

    Given current size limitations on gatherings, a family-only service will be held at Skylawn Cemetery in San Mateo. A memorial service may be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the

    Theravada Buddhist Society of America
    (Aye-Thet Scholarship Fund),
    17450 S. Cabrillo Hwy.
    Half Moon Bay,
    CA 94019

    Tribute by Thor Wynn Aye

    **Khin Nyo Thet passed away peacefully, surrounded by her husband, Lyn Swe Aye and her children Mimi Thabyay Aye and Thor Wynn Aye on May 3rd, 2021 in Foster City, California.**

    We’re coming to the end now. We’ve said our I love you’s and have started saying our goodbyes, or if you like, our farewells and until-next-times.

    But while I have you, let me say thank you for all your love, attention, lessons learned and patience along the way. Thank you for fighting all these long years to stay alive.

    Cancer three times in one life? It just doesn’t seem fair. And well it’s not.

    You’re a good person who has spent her life in the service of others. A caretaker and healer of our youth, as a pediatrician. A dedicated, dutiful daughter who sacrificed to care for her mother, no matter the cost. A leader and the center of our Burmese community, helping recent immigrants find work, help, housing and most importantly a connection to their community. You were the mom on the block that gave all my friends hugs, kisses, meals, rides and love. Everybody loved you. And how could they not? We were so lucky to have you.

    You’re the most important person in my life. I cannot imagine a world, my world without you.

    But in the same breath, I see how much pain and suffering you’ve already endured. I can see your energy draining and see that the things that once brought you happiness, are now belabored and joyless.

    I’ll miss your brutally honest feedback, your big warm hugs, your delicious cooking but more than anything, I’ll miss your Unconditional love. No matter what I did, where we were or how long we’d been apart, I knew you’d be thinking about me and missing me too. You’d always support and love me, with no strings attached. I’ve been so blessed to have you in my life.

    But Mom, if you’re ready to go. I’m ready to let you.

    I’ll miss you every day for the rest of my life. Go in peace and with our love and blessings.

    You’ll always be in my heart. I love you.

    Birthday Celebration for Dr. Lyn Aung Thet

    March 16, 2021
    By Dr. Khin Mae Hla

    Ma Ma Shirley and Ko Robert brought home cooked gourmet dinner to Ko Swe Aye and Ma Nyo’s house for Lyn Aung’s birthday celebration: yummy whole duck roast, French onion soup, ravioli pasta, steamed crab, shrimp scampi, and chocolate cake from the famous Ettores bakery.

    After this most scrumptious lunch we all went to Bayshore park for a stroll and did some bird watching along the shore of the bay. The tide was up so not as many shorebirds were seen like on the previous evening we went by ourselves when there were so many feeding in the flats at low tide.

    My favorite love duet was sung by Ko Swe Aye and Ma Nyo.

    From Dr. Lyn Swe Aye

    Thank you to all our friends for your unfailing support through the hard times, your kind words and condolences. Friday, when we laid our beloved Nyo to rest, was a sunny day. We had a quiet ceremony. In her life, she found joy and gave joy. Now, peace.

    Messages

    Desiree Tin :

    Lynston, You are such a wonderful husband and so Nyo Nyo found joy and give joy. I’m sure she is resting in peace at a higher abode now. Sharing the merits of the good deeds on her behalf.

    Bo Zaw Win :

    Thadu Thadu Thadu

    Yasmin Vanya :

    My thoughts and prayers with you all during this sad time. Her kindness, generosity and beautiful smile will never be forgotten! Please take care Ko Swe Aye.

    Peggy Nut :

    Thank you to you, Mi Mi and Thor for the tireless care, love, etc you all provided through hard times. It was a joy to see Ma Ma Nyo smiling on the family trips. She is an exceptional human being for all that she did in her life. Everyone will remember MMN and miss her. We are glad that Mi Mi and Thor are living in same State to comfort you. Plus all your wonderful friends are in California are reachable.

    Thethar M Thwe :

    My warm thoughts are with you Uncle Swe Aye, MiMi and Thor, as you are passing through this difficult time. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.

    Yin Mar :

    Please take good care of yourself Uncle Aye. It has been a tough week for you. Auntie is an exceptional person and she will be missed by many. May her spirit rest in peace and may she be somewhere in this universe or at a “Kaung Ya Bone Yauk Ba Ze”. My thoughts and good wishes to you and your family.

    Alison Hong Freeman :

    Nyo was a special woman! We loved spending time with her. Sending our love to you, Mimi and Thor.

    Mra Tun :

    May she Rest In Peace.

    Richard Myint :

    Our thoughts and prayers have been with you and your family for the past week or so. Life will go on. Stay strong!

    Winsome Tun :

    She gave so much love and joy to family and friends close to her and she deserve peace in a higher abode. Thiri and I donated to the nunnery as well as to 25 old folks living on my Mingaladon estate, rice, oil, milk packets, cookies for Ma Ma yesterday. We already miss her dearly. I would like you, Thapyae and Thor to know that You can count on us whenever you need anything. Please treat us as part of your family.

    Ye Hla :

    Just as family and friends joyfully welcome home, loved one returns afar, their own good deeds welcome those that have performed them as they go from this life to the next! Dhammapada 220

    She used to follow my post on Dhamma
    Birth and rebirth endless rounds, seeking in vain I hastened on find who framed this edifice Birth incessantly! What a misery
    အနေဂဇာတင်ဂါထာ

    Than Than Hman :

    My heartfelt condolences to Ko Swe Aye, Thor n Thabyay. May God bless you all with peace and comfort.

    Marshall Moran :

    Lyn, so sorry for your loss.

    Sherlie Bwa :

    Please take good care of yourself, Ko Swe Aye. We will get-together. We all love you.

    Lay Khine :

    No words can describe how sorry I am for your loss.
    Pleas Accept my Deepest Sympathy.

    Alvin Oak Soe Kha :

    Ma Ma Nyo will be very sadly missed. May Ma Nyo Rest in Peace. Full respect from me, Ko Swe Aye for being a dutiful, loving and supportive husband to Ma Nyo throughout the years.

    Cynthia Tin :

    Ma Nyo had meaningful life. Have no words how much I’m sad. Also no words to say how much I thank both of you.

    Merrylin Zaw-Mon :

    You are so right. She was a very special person that emanated joy and shared it with everyone. That’s why she was loved by many and will be forever missed. I am so grateful I got to spend precious time with you and her. It was a precious gift she left me with. Thinking of you and hope to see you in the near future.

    Ye Gaung :

    Our deepest condolences and thoughts are with you all for your loss! She was our big sister to our family and will be in our memory forever. May she R.I.P.!

    Yi Yi Myint Rossiter :

    Rest in Peace my dear Ma Nyo. I will miss you forever.

    Connie Wu :

    My condolences to you and your family, she was a warrior and will be missed!!

    Aung-Win Chiong :

    Dear KSA, Mimi and Thor, we’re thinking and praying for you all. Ma Nyo was a positive, wonderful and lovely person. Nice to see that you all are so close and caring towards one another. We shall always remember the great times we had at your home, singing, dancing filled with laughter and great foods. Love Winnie and Lam Peng

    Updates

    HLN
    • Ko Swe Aye and Ma Nyo helped with “Htay Lwin Nyo’s Last Journey”.
    • Ko Swe Aye and Ma Nyo established “Aye Thet Scholarship”. The program grew to 150+ students attending the Summer Dhamma Camp at Dhammanda Vihara, Half Moon Bay. Ko Swe Aye and Thor have given Guest Lectures at the Camp.
  • HIC Alumni

    HIC Alumni

    by Hla Min & Tin Aung Win

    Update : July 2025

    Zoom Meeting

    • U Myint Thein Lwin (M62)
    • U Than Htut (M67, RUBC Gold)
    • U Tin Aung Win (M69)
    • U Ohn Khine (M70)
    • U Ye Myint (EP72)
    Zoom Participants

    Gatherings

    • Before the pandemic, some HIC Alumni had lunch gatherings

    Updates

    • U Aye (M62) — retired from FAO; provided feedback & info for my posts
    • U Thein Aung (M72) — moved to Singapore; wrote episodes for “Once upon a time at RIT”
    • U Kyaw Myint (EP72) — founded “Good Morning Bakery”; donated food at selected RIT Gatherings
    • U Khin Maung Cho (M73) — Retd. Minister
    • U Sann Tun Ni — founded “Sunny Sushi” in Las Vegas; Gawpaka at LV monastery
  • Poem — Our Unity

    Poem — Our Unity

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    Poem

    Poem for WPD

    • My poem was published in Working People’s Daily for Pyidaung Su Nayပြည်ထောင်စုနေ့ (Union Day). It was written as a dream.
    • Hlaing Phyo is my pen name
    • Received 15 kyats for my poem

    WPD Editors

    Chief Editor

    • G Ko Lay (RUBC Gold, GBNF) was Chief Editor of WPD. His spouse is Sayama Daw Nyunt Nyunt Win (Physics, Registrar of RASU).
    • First Chief Editor of WPD was U Khin Maung Latt (father of Saya Dr. Khin Maung Win,  grandfather of Maung Yit & Junior Win).
    U Khin Maung Latt
    • He was succeeded by U Than Saw (grandfather of KMZ’s spouse).

    Assistant Editor

    • Daw Khin Swe Hla was Assistant Editor in charge of Supplements. She was founder of “Daw Lay’s Circle” at Guardian.
    • U Soe Myint moved to Guardian and later became Chief Editor.

    Posts

    • Hla Min’s Writings
    • Kabyar & Translation
    • News & Newspapers
    • Poetry
    • Rhyme
  • Koung Nyunt (A67)

    Koung Nyunt (A67)

    by Hla Min & Kogyi Koung

    Update : July 2025

    Highlights

    Dr. Koung Nyunt
    • Secretary, RIT Photography Association
    • Pen name : Kogyi Koung
    • Doctorate from Japan. Found his love life “Moe Moe”.
    • Due to immigration laws in Myanmar & Japan, the family decided to move to Auckland, New Zealand.
    • Organizer for RIT events in New Zealand.
    • Wrote articles for RIT Alumni International Newsletter

    Articles

    • Two Forgotten Songs from RIT. One is a favorite of Saya U Tha Tun (Head of Department).
      Another is about Ma Ma Q & her fans (sayas and alumni).
    • Photo essay on Kyaik Hti Yo Development. Saya U Min Wun wrote a supplement article for the Project.
    • Letter to Thagyar Min to second his favorable opinion on Naw Louisa Benson (Miss Burma & movie actress).
    • About some paintings
    • Quoted Reverend F Lutvig (Ashin Ananda, Laureate Poet) in his articles.

    Contact

    • He passed away, but Moe Moe kept contact with Daw Phyu Phyu Latt (Christine, A70) and other alumni in Australia.

    (1) Forgotten Songs of RIT

    by Kogyi Koung

    First Song

    It was one afternoon in the early May of 1963. Someone was singing a prewar semi-classic song from the second floor of RIT main building. In 1963, RIT buildings were relatively new and that semi-classic song caused a little bit of discomfort for the freshmen [equivalent to 3rd BE] located on the first floor. The song continued as,
    (. hmain: njou. njou. sain: lou. je . njou pja ji hmaung che . to: dan: kalei: nanbei: ga swe . e:di jwa be: kwe…)

    The meaning is: Dull and gloomy cloud override at the horizon; Indistinct brown and dim bluish vision of a wood jetting out from that end is my village … *Note: The title of the song is ‘Htamin: mjein mjein sa: me’ i.e., “ထမင်းမြိန်မြိန်စားမယ် Enjoying the meal with relish”. The duet song was first performed by prewar famous singers Ou’ O: Ba Thaung and Sein Party. Later many other singers have rendered their own versions of the song.

    We saw an old man singing the song while he was painting watercolor on a huge art paper. He was painting the landscape described in the song. Amazingly the picture was full of life and the song was telling the story. Everybody stopped in front of his office on the second floor and looking with wonder and singing with him.

    After a while we asked him, “Sayagyi, who are you and which department do you belong to?”
    He replied, “I am U Tha Tun, Head of the Department of Architecture”. Oh, my God! How stupid that we, the freshmen of Architecture, don’t even know the head of our department. As time passed, we learned more about ‘The Great U Tha Tun’.

    When we became senior students, U Tha Tun’s health deteriorated so much that Saya U Myo Myint Sein (Raymond, A58) stepped up as a ‘Kagemusha’ [Japanese for “shadow-warrior”]. UMMS, as acting head, took care of everything about the department. Young and energetic Saya UMMS found that it was not easy to steer the department as Captain of Architecture’s Flag Ship. There were lots of problems for a relatively young department in RIT.

    One such problem occurred during our final year. Two of the most experienced Sayas of architecture left the department and went abroad [for enhancing their careers]. They were (a) Saya U Sein Maung (with elegant moustache) has long experience in Rangoon City Development Corporation. He taught each and every detail of the development of Rangoon. (b) Saya M.B. Raschid (son of U Raschid, minister of many affairs under Prime Minister U Nu). He taught with all his professional experience and perfect pronunciation of King’s Burmese with ‘zagaboun စကားပုံ’ proverbs. Sometimes he corrected our broken Burmese.

    Saya UMMS, Head of the department, not only had lost his right and left hand men, but also there was a danger that the notorious Koung Nyunt and Kyaw Thein (both A67) might not finish their Architecture degrees.

    After a long struggle, Saya UMMS stabilized the flagship of Architecture and its direction. A pioneer of the Architecture of RIT, Professor U Myo Myint Sein handed over the headship to Dr. Maung Kyaw in early 80’s. In the late 80’s Dr. Lwin Aung (A59) took over.

    Second Song

    For creative and original works, Architects cannot design during the office hours. It is also true [to a lesser degree] for the students of architecture. During the lectures and tutorial hours we [as students] have to follow what they have taught. After school hours [mostly after 4 or 5 pm], we start to create and test our design ideas. Note that for other students and staff of RIT, such periods are the pleasure and relaxation time.

    There were only a few girls in Architecture, but the one in our studio is especially alluring beauty and glamorous face. She was so popular that she became known as the queen of the student-architects. We called her Ma Ma Q.

    Most of the evenings many senior students and young eligible bachelors and/or sayas visit our studio. Some stay late into the evenings. At that time we sang a song named ‘Saga: ta’ kathou’ i.e., Language University, by Khin Yu May.

    Because in the song, one part said ‘dage lar te. Ko Ko. kwe ja hmar ba lou lou’ i.e., really coming Ko Ko, out of sight he is sth in the air.

    Ma Ma Q didn’t know the meaning, but the visiting Ko Kos were annoyed by our song. They politely requested us to stop singing. At that time the notorious KN and KT asked ‘hse’ kjei:’ i.e., extortion money about 2-3 kyats from the Ko Kos and went to U Chit tea shop. This continued for days and weeks.

    When the Ko Kos are not visiting our studio, we sang the following song, instead of Ma Ma Q. i.e., Third Song. (Note. Extract from Shwe Kyi: nyo song by Daw Ngwe Myaing)
    ‘Diga nei. nya hpjin. lar ma te. so: joun ya hmar lar: akou Kja.ma ne. ne: te. Shwe kyi: nyo Shwe kyi: nyo Shwe kyi: nyo’
    “To-night coming you said so, may I believe Ako.. Near the blessed golden crow, golden crow, golden crow…”

    (2) Article (Sept/Nov 2000)

    With all of those excellent works and flying colours for Saya Pu Zaw Pwe, your organizing committee is a living history of RIT. Our Sayas, Sayamas and Saya-Gyis have contributed their unlimited knowledge to affect and benefit our lives. Many of our Sayas and colleagues have sent their thanksgiving letters to your web site.

    I feel guilty in staying quietly at a corner of the Southern Hemisphere. Actually I am busy, because of my article ‘Wanna Migrate to New Zealand, 3/15/00’ that you published on the ex-rit web site. After that article, I got many inquires/contacts by e-mail and direct phone calls, especially from SE Asia. In July there are 133 migrants and in September 28 migrants are now in Auckland, and expecting another over 50 in November 2000. All speak the common language “Burmese” with their own native accents. Now I know our Sayas and colleagues speak “King’s Burmese” in RIT.

    I would like to honor my Sayas with a poem from our forefathers-cum-engineers how they had built a city.


    Title: ‘SHWE PYI GYI’ (Golden Capital City)

    Sweet sound of drums and silver bells
    Coming from the Palace
    Can be heard reverberating in the air
    And I can see the palace roofs,
    The graduated turrets and buildings
    Encompassed by haze.
    And, my dear girl, I can still faintly see
    The silhouettes of a high pagoda
    Reaching nearly to the clouds
    And of super-imposed roofs (i.e., pyathat)
    Oh my dear, don’t you hear
    A melodious sound of small bells
    Coming from the golden monastery?
    Our golden capital city must be near.
    (By U Ku: 1827-1895 Translated by Rev. Friedrich V. Lustig)

    Dear Sayas and colleagues,

    We see not only the Panoramic Photo of golden capital city of our ancient time, but can hear the sound-scape with audio-visual scene. Silhouettes effect of high pagoda in the haze has shown the air perspective of city skyline. We try to sketch the imaginary scene of ancient city in the architectural studios of RIT in the middle of 60’s. The discussion topic of ‘Ancient City Skyline’ is not only interested by the architectural students, but also from various students of other departments from RIT.

    This is the starting point to form the ‘RIT Photographic Club’. According to my diary, first general meeting was chaired by Saya U Myo Myint Sein on Saturday, 1 May 1965 at the Department of Architecture. The general meeting selected Professor U Myo Myint Sein as President of RIT Photographic Club and the author as the secretary.

    After forming the executive committee, the club took part in various activities and many outstanding photographers from the club took major prizes from Burma Photographic Society and Myawadi Magazine. e.g., Ko San Aung, M74 is the owner of the famous ‘Photo Lab USA’, (i.e., initials for U San Aung) in Yangon is originally from this club. Kjei: zu: tin: bar-de, many thanks for my Sayas and colleagues

    Koung Nyunt (Auckland, New Zealand).

    (3) Letter to Tha-gyar-min

    by Kogyi Koung

    Date: Thursday, 14 April 2011 (3:40pm. Thin-gyan Akya-ne.)
    P.O. Box; Top of the never used RIT water tower
    Ashe. Jo. Koun (East Gyogone): RIT Compound, Insein, Rangoon, Burma

    Dear Your Majesty the Sovereign of Tawadein dha တာဝတိံသာ

    As from the beginning of 1960’s our RIT is like the last paradise on earth, with all enjoyments, teachings, preaching, learning, playing sports and friendship never sails away. Kogyi Koung recollects the stories at the time of 60’s RIT and retold the fairy-tales to our Bushido-Burmans at gatherings in Auckland, NZ. However, the young generations of Maha Bandoola do not believe the stories, and they whispered by themselves that Kogyi Koung is now ‘Yin yin galay Yuu-nay-pyi-de’ ယဉ်ယဉ်ကလေး ရူးနေ ပြီတဲ့

    Your Majesty the Tha-gyar-min-gyi please take this message to Tawadein dha and explain to my late Sayas and colleagues there, that my stories are not fabricated.

    I have the evidences. For example, I have sent a message to RIT alumni update (February 6, 2010) as follows,

    Dear U Hla Min,

    It is sad news for our elder brothers at RIT, especially those who reside at E and F block during the beginning of 60’s.

    A term called “Ma-pyo: mashi.ja ne he.” မပြောမရှိကြနဲ့ဟေ့ was coined at that time. When I visited my elder brother [U Than Soe, M63] at E block (when I was at Leik-khone I.Sc). I heard somebody shout “Ma-pyo: mashi.ja ne he.” Then I looked outside. Everybody lined up at corridor and they were looking at a far side on top of the entrance hall that is attached to a two story house.

    I could not believe my eyes. She was a beauty queen, who had Miss Burma two times excising physical training on the porch. I noted down in my diary and the rallying cry “Ma-pyo: mashi.ja ne he.” She is Naw Louisa Benson Craig. Now she has left our brothers’ heart at age 69.

    Yours etc. (“Ma-pyo: mashi.ja ne he.”)

    When I retold that story here at Auckland, everybody laughed like ‘Wa:lone kwe:aung ye kya de”. I said it is not a joke. I have evidence.

    Also, Kogyi Koung explained about the following, written by Maung Maung Hla, a Karen pastor in Rangoon who was close to Naw Louisa during her youth, remembered her aloud : “She had a little mole on her cheek and she had a kind heart. She was also a very good singer.”

    This statement has no evidence.

    However, Tha-gyar-min-gyi if you find Naw Louisa at Tawadein dha, please ask if what I wrote is true?

    (4) Architecture Students and Staff

    I have an old group photo taken about the end of 1963, and all the known information are printed. Inside the brackets are where about of the person [at the time of the post].

    Top of the photo:

    Department of Architecture
    Rangoon Institute of Technology
    1963 ~ 64

    Bottom of the photo:

    Front row, L to R

    • Jim Lim (3rd. Year) [?]
    • Ma Khin Khin Kyu (Ann, 1st.Year) [San Francisco, California, US]
    • U Myo Myint Sein B.Arch (Rgn) M. Arch (Mch) [Los Angeles, California, US]
    • U Tha Tun B.Sc, F.R.I.B.A. (Fellowship of Royal Institute of British Architects), A.A. Dip (Lond.), A.M.T.P.I.(Associate Member of Town Planning Institute), F.I.B.A., Head of Department [Deceased on 13 September 1974]
    • U Yone Mo B.Sc (Hon) Rgn, B.Sc (Engg)Lond, A.C.G.I, A.M.I. Mech.E, A.M.I.Loco.E, Principal [Deceased]
    • Mr. S. Ozhegov, Cand. Of Arch, Master of Fine Arts, UZBEK, U.S.S.R [Moscow]
    • Miss Rosalind Maung (Ma Pyi Aye, 2nd Year) [Rangoon]
    • Htin Myaing (Ben, 2nd Year) [New York, US]

    2nd. Row, L to R

    • Tun Thein (1st Year) [Los Angeles, California, US]
    • Tin Aung (2nd Year) [Melbourne, Australia]
    • Yaco B.E. Mayet (3rd Year) [?]
    • Than Tun (3rd Year) [Rangoon]
    • Sonny Chin (2nd Year) [?]
    • Hla Thein (1st Year) [New York, US]
    • E. I. Jeewa (3rd Year) [?]
    • Aung Pa Win (1st Year) [Chicago, Illinois, US]

    Back Row, L to R

    • Aung Kyaw Min (3rd Year) [Rangoon]
    • M. (Ku?) hlgh (2nd Year) [?]
    • Than Htike (3rd Year) [Warsaw, Poland]
    • William Chen (2nd Year) [?]
    • C. E. Munnee (1st Year) [?]
    • Koung Nyunt (1st Year) [Auckland, New Zealand, GBNF]
    • Kyaw Thein (1st Year) [Deceased 22 April 2001]

    Absentees:

    • Win Myint (1st Year) [Rangoon]
    • Win Naing (1st Year) [?]

    Note:

    1st Year B. Arch, 10 students (8 passed and 2 failed)
    2nd Year B. Arch, 5 students (3 passed and 2 failed)
    3rd Year B. Arch, 6 students (3 passed and 3 failed)
    Several Architecture students failed in of a subject from other departments. There was no moderation. If one gets 49% or less of the grade, the student has to repeat all subjects next year.

    Editor’s Note

    I cannot find the photo mentioned by Kogyi Koung.

    The early sayas and sayamas of the Architecture Department include :

    • U Thar Tun (GBNF)
    • Pi-thu-kar Kyaw Min (GBNF)
    • U Myo Myint Sein (USA)
    • U Bilal Raschid (USA)
    • Dr. Maung Kyaw (GBNF)
    • Dr. Lwin Aung (Retired as Pro-Rector)
    • Artist/Bagyee Aung Soe
    • U Maung Maung
    • U Sein Maung (Stanley Ba Pe)
    • U Maung Maung Phone Myint
    • Dr. Koung Nyunt (GBNF)
    • U Hla Than (Retired as Rector)
    • Daw Min Thet Mon (Pamela Myo Min, Retired Professor)
    • Daw Swe Swe Aye
    • U Maung Hlaing
    • Sai Yee Leik (GBNF)

    Posts

    • Architecture
    • By Saya U Myo Myint Sein
    • By U Tin Htoon
    • By U Thet Win
    • U Bo Gyi
    • U Kin Maung Yin
  • 69ers — Sept 2018

    69ers — Sept 2018

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    Status (2018)

    • Junior 69ers are 71 years old.
    • Senior 69ers are 75+ years old.
    • Many 69ers have children, grand children and even great grandchildren.
    • Myint Maung (EP69) and Nyi Hla Nge (retired Dy. Minister, C69) are eligible bachelors.
    • GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten) list stands at 85.
    • Aging and sickness have hit several 69ers.

    Myint Soe (M69)

    • Fell down about 10 days ago at his flat
    • Admitted to Hospital for 4 days to undergo 7 stitches, head scanning etc.
    • Back at home & taking rest.

    Harry Tin Htut (M69)

    • Pen name : Mon Yu”
    • Young at heart. Stays fit by doing exercises (e.g. Tai Chi) & singing songs.
    • Many were awed to know that he recently turned 77.

    Ivan Lee (M69)

    Ivan
    Ivy
    • Aka Khin Maung Oo
    • Golden Sponsor of SPZP-2000 and SPZP-2007
    • Major Donor to 69er Health Care Fund
    • Hosted Annual RIT-UCC Gathering at his house in NJ
    • Life time Platinum at Bridge (card game).
    • PEs from NY (New York State) and NJ (New Jersey).
    • Had a private company
    • Recently celebrated his 76th birthday with 11 family members (two daughters, two son-in-laws, six grand children) and invited guests
    • Has donated in memory of his spouse Ivy Lee.
    • Organized two trips — in July 2015 and June 2018 — to Canada to visit Saya U Aung Khin in Windsor and Saya Dr. Aung Gyi in Napean
    Saya U Aung Khin
    Saya Dr. Aung Gyi

    Updates (2025)

    • Several 69ers are now Octogenarians.
    • The GBNF list has 137 members.
    GBNF
    • Ivan co-founded MASTAA and served as CEO
    • 69ers celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Graduation in 2019
    • About twenty 69ers succumbed to Covid

    Posts

    • 69ers
    • Anniversaries & Celebrations
    • GBNF
    • Health Care Funds
    • Memories of a 69er
  • Name — Myint Thein

    Name — Myint Thein

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    Myint Thein (David, M69)

    David 2
    David 3
    David 4
    • Matriculated from St. Columban’s High School, Bhamo
    • His crew at RUBC comprised of Win Naing (Dicky, Cox, GBNF), Sein Tun, Fred Thetgyi and Mehm Aye Chan (Ohn Maung)
    • Celebrated 40+ Wedding Anniversaries

    David Myint Thein wrote : Great memories. Thank you so much for posting. Actually, crews have to follow the instructions of their cox, but, as we were same batch and close friends, we ignored Dicky’s voice and shouted back at him, especially Sein Tun. Ha, ha, but we were so happy to go to the Rangoon University Boat Club and rowing with our great cox, Dicky.

    Myint Thein (Maung Kabar, M69)

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 69ers-2003.jpg
    Kabar (Front : Second from Left)
    Kabar in Singapore
    Kabar’s Last Journey
    • Organizer for 69er activities
    • Had medical exam in Singapore and India. To decide on treatment plans
    • Passed away in Yangon

    Myint Thein (CJ)

    • Chief Justice, Union of Burma
    • Ambassador to China
    • Author / Translator; Pen name: MMT
    • Spouse: Daw Phwa Hmee (first Burmese Female Barrister at Law)
    • Siblings : U Tin Tut, U Kyaw Myint, Dr. Htin Aung, Daw Khin Mya Mu, Daw Khin Saw Mu, Daw Tin Saw Mu
    • GBNF

    Myint Thein (Dio)

    • Classmate of Dr. Thein Hlyne
    • Forestry
    • Siblings : Dr. Tin Win (M62), Rosie (Chem); Pansy
    • GBNF

    Myint Thein (SPHS62)

    • B.Com
    • RUBC — Cox of our Novice crew
    • MOC
    • Brothers: Win Htein (GBNF), Myo Myint, Ba Han
    • GBNF

    Myint Thein, Dr. (M73)

    • Doctorate from Georgia Tech
    • Pen name: Ba Thein Atlanta; Wrote articles for RIT Alumni International Newsletter and SPZP

    Myint Thein (M74)

    • Aka Michael
    • SPHS68
    • Singapore
    • Wrote an article for RIT Alumni International Newsletter
    • Provided GBNF list for the Class of 74

    Myint Thein (C74)

    • Aka Soon Hoe
    • Recording Studio in Burma
    • Moved to USA
    • Donated equipment & services to selected monasteries and associations
    • Spouse : Cynthia Hoe

    Myint Thein, Dr. (Chem)

    • First Burmese Scholar to study Nuclear Chemistry in the USA
    • Spouse : Sayama Daw Khin Khin Aye

    Myint Thein, Dr.

    • High School Luyechun
    • B.Ed
    • Secretary, Maths Curriculum
    • Graduate studies in Australia and USA

    Myint Thein, Dr. (Phy)

    • Doctorate from UK

    Myint Thein (Geology 74)

    • Author
    • Pen name: Maung Kyay Yay

    Myint Thein (M86)

    • Dauk Char

    Myint Thein (Chem)

    • Boxing
    • Rowing

    Myint Thein (Phy)

    • Bando

    Myint Thein (Trade)

    • UCC User

    Myint Thein (EPC)

    • UCC User

    Myint Thein (Cartoon)

    • San Shwe Myint Cartoon

    Posts

    • M (Names)
    • Myint (Names)
    • T (Names)
    • Thein (Names)
  • Messenger

    Messenger

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    RIT Community

    • Served as a messenger for the RIT & Engineering Community for 26 years.

    Newsletter

    Newsletter
    • RIT Alumni International Newsletter was started in April 1999. Served as Chief Editor. In the early days, many RIT sayas and alumni provided articles, news & photos.
    Messenger 2

    RIT website

    Maurice, HM, KMZ, Benny
    • U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) designed & implemented ex-rit.org website.
    • I served as Editor and Content Provider of the website.
    • Several hundred accessed the first RIT website.
    • The website played an important part for planning and implementing First RIT Grand Reunion & Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP-2000) held in San Francisco, California, USA in October 2000.
    • Some traveled from Burma, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Australia & New Zealand to attend SPZP-2000.
    SPZP-2000

    Membership

    • Founding member, RIT Alumni International
    • Founding member, NorCal RITAA
    • Life member, RITAA
    • Life member, BAPS
    • Life member, RUBC
    • Member, HMEE Project
    • Former Docent, Computer History Museum
    • Former member, ACM & SF Bay Area Chapter
    • Former member, IEEE (CS)
    NorCal RITAA

    Sharing News

    • Able to share news — good, sad and bad.
    • Jara and Byadi have caused a decline in health of sayas and alumni. Marana has claimed the lives of several especially during the pandemic.
    • Some sayas and alumni are Gone But Not Forgotten. The GBNF list for 69ers has 137 members.
    • With the event of social media, the number of RIT related pages grew. There are many silent readers and few active contributors.

    Fact Checking

    • Being a messenger is not easy.
    • When an alumni asked me to relay the demise of U Ne Win Myint (Victor Win, ChE66), I double checked before posting the news. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Even then, someone who is near & dear to Jean (Mrs. Victor) claimed that Ko Victor was hospitalized, but had not passed away. The claim confused some alumni before the sad news was confirmed & details of the last journey were published.
    Victor (Center)
    • When Dr. Tin Hlaing, former Principal of Maritime Studies, passed away in Singapore, an alumni posted Condolence message in the Facebook pages to the family of Saya Dr. Tin Hlaing (M63). Saya became a Tone Kyaw.
    Dr. Tin Hlaing
    • There are fact checking websites. They have reports about Urban Myths & Legends.

    Concerns

    • Some sayas & alumni want privacy. They do not want news of their visits or failing health to be relayed. We have to respect their concerns.
    • There are many posts by sayas, alumni & friends. The posts may be public, restricted or private. We have to be careful before sharing or re-posting them.
    • Most people do not have the time & energy to read long posts. A post should have an interesting & informative message.
    • As my mentors said, “The message is usually much more important than the messenger.”

    Thanks

    • The RIT Spirit is alive and well.
    • Kudos to sayas, alumni, sponsors, donors, volunteers & well wishers.

    Updates

    • I belong to various circles.
    • I have posted about them in my FB pages and website.
  • University Days (1963 – 69)

    University Days (1963 – 69)

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    Hla Min (Lifelong Learner)
    • 2500+ articles in my web site hlamin.com
    • Difficult to revise all articles
    • Events described here cover my journey as a University Student
    • Other events (e.g. 1946 to 1970s, Top Matriculates) are covered elsewhere

    1963

    • Took Matric Only exam in May
    • Most exams were held in March
    SPHS63
    Hla Min (7th Place)

    Collegiate Scholarship

    • Paulians had 5 in the Top Five, 7 in the Top Ten, and 10 in the Top Twenty
    • Khin Maung U (1st in Burma)
    • Min Oo (2nd)
    • Myo San (Freddie Ba San, 3rd, GBNF)
    • Nyunt Wai (Victor Nyunt, 4th)
    • Thein Wai (5th)
    • Hla Min (7th)
    • Johnny Maung Maung (Aung Kyaw Zaw, 9th)
    • Maung Maung Kyi (11th, GBNF)
    • Aung Thu Yein (Brownie Way, 13th, GBNF)
    • Frank Gale (Khin Maung Zaw, 17th)

    Leik Khone

    • Attended last ever I.Sc.(A) class at Leik Khone.
    • Following the “Anniversary of 7th July, 1962” events, most classes at Rangoon & Mandalay Universities were closed for an unspecified period.
    • Engineering & Medical Classes were spared at that time.
    • As a result, those who were a year senior in High School graduated 2.5 years ahead of us (Guinea Pigs of the Education Systems).

    RUBC

    • Joined Rangoon University Boat Club.
    • Paulian Crew was Runner-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 Kyi
    Kyaw Wynn (2nd from Left)

    40th Anniversary Gathering

    • President Sithu U Tin, VP U Po Zon & U Tin Htoon compiled 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 & the Patrons decided to hold the “40th Anniversary Dinner of the founding of RUBC” at Orient Hotel in Kandawgyi
    RUBC 40th Anniversary

    Burma Institute of Technology

    • My elder brother and several sayas graduated from BIT in 1963.
    • They were from the second batch of BIT.
    • The degree conferred was B.Sc. (Engg).

    1964

    Education System

    • New Education System was implemented in November 1964.
    • Most Faculties of the Rangoon University became Institutes with their own Rectors.
    • Youth Affairs Department implemented Luyechun (လူရည်ချွန်) Program in the Summer of 1964. Eligible students from 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th Standards were chosen to attend 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 Intelligence Level Aggregate (ILA). Zaw Min was admitted as Roll Number One. Tommy Shwe (GBNF), Cho Aye (GBNF), Peter Pe (GBNF) & Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, GBNF) were among the top students.
    • 300+ who had passed the last ever I.Sc.(A) exam 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) & Thein Swe (GBNF) were among the top students.
    • About 200 students who had passed the last ever I.Sc.(B) exam were admitted to the 3rd BE. Tun Aung (Jeffrey, GBNF) was a top student.

    RUBC

    • Elected Honorary Treasurer
    • Had to report to Professor William Paw (President)
    • Last Executive Committee member to be elected at the Annual General Meeting
    • Served as Vice Captain the following year
    • 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)
    • My affection for Rowing & RUBC did not wither. I served as Contributing Editor for the RUBC 90th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine in 2013
    RUBC Souvenir Magazine

    Matriculation

    • Cherry Hlaing (Than Than Tin, St. John’s Convent) and Lyn Aung Thet (MEHS) had Joint Highest Marks.
    • Based on ILA, Cherry was admitted as Roll Number One to IM(1). Was selected Luyechun in summer of 1965. Grandfather U Hoke Sein & father U Saw Hlaing were First in Burma.
    • Lyn Aung Thet had four distinctions and joint Highest Marks. He had lower ILA than Cherry. Scholar Athlete who excelled in Swimming, Water Polo, Tennis & Chess. Was Luyechun in a later year.
    • Aung Win Chiong (SPHS64) has the next best raw score. Had perfect ILA score. Admitted to IM(2) as Roll Number One.
    • Maurice Hla Kyi (Min Lwin, SPHS64) had the 5th highest marks. Admitted to IM(2) as Roll Number Two.
    Maurice & Aung Win

    1965 – 1969

    Matriculation in 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.
      Majored in Chemistry before moving to USA. Retired as a Chemical Engineer & Pastor.
    Bernard (Center)
    • Maung Aye (SPHS65) had second best raw marks. He and his twin brother moved to USA
    • Winston Sein Maung (SPHS65, GBNF) had third best raw marks
    • Cherry Than Tin had fourth best raw marks. She was admitted as Roll No (1) to MC (2)
    • Yi Thwe (SPHS65, GBNF) had 5th best raw marks. Admitted as Roll No (1) to MC (1)
    • Paing Soe (Freddie, SPHS65) had same marks as Yi Thwe.
      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.

    Nationalization

    Consequences of Coup d’etat include

    • End of Democracy
    • Nationalization of industry & schools
    • Indiscriminate demonetization
    • Increased censorship
    • With every turmoil (effecting “National Security”), the universities, institutes and schools were suspended.

    SPHS

    • The schools were nationalized on April 1, 1965.
    • 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

    • Program was extended to include Universitites & Institutes in Summer of 1965
    • I attended Inlay Khaung Daing Lu Ye Camp in the summer of 1965 along with Ko Sein Shwe, Khin Than Myint Tin and Zaw Min
    LYC 1
    LYC 2
    • MC(1) sent Cherry Hlaing, Khin Maung U, Anita Aye Pe and Kyaw Sein Koe (Victor, GBNF).

    RIT

    Eight engineering departments

    • Architecture
    • Chemical
    • Civil
    • Electrical
    • Mechanical
    • Metallurgical
    • Mining
    • Textile

    Most departments have associations. The RIT Mechanical Engineering Association was active. Ko Win Thein (M67, GBNF) was a Prime Mover. He co-founded Set Hmu Thadinzin & Mechanical Magazine. He organized activities.

    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 were headed by sayas.

    Several RIT students were Burma Selected. They include Sai Kham Pan (Badminton) and Htay Aung (Water Polo).

    Htay Aung

    Saya Mao Toon Siong (former Burma Champion) was National Coach for Table Tennis. He also coached RIT team which won the Inter-Institute Championship.

    Saya Mao

    Electrical Sayas

    EE Sayas
    • Electrical Engineering was headed by Saya U Sein Hlaing (Professor & Head).
    • Senior sayas included U Kyaw Tun (saya of our sayas), U Tin Swe & 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 from the industry, only a quarter of students were accepted for EC.

    • 80+ EE students in 3rd BE.
    • 40+ EE students graduated in 1969
    EE69ers
    • EP students outnumbered 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.
    • Five EC69ers — Kyaw Soe, Aung Thu Yein, Chit Tin, Oo Kyaw Hla & Sai Aik Yee — are now GBNF.
    • Several 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
    Men on the Moon

    Updates

    • Some joined the Faculty. Some worked in the Industry. A few worked for private or family business. Some moved overseas.
    • Danny suggested to have a Class Reunion. It was realized as 30th Anniversary of Graduation & Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe in 1999.
    • I started “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” in April 1999. It partially helped to have SPZP-2000.
    SPZP-2000 Orgsnizers
    • 69er Health Care Fund was established. Ko Aung Min is current Chair. He and his team maintain the finances & activities.
    GBNF List
    • 69ers hold monthly Breakfast Gatherings (except during the pandemic). They have major Reunions in 1999, 2009, 2014 and 2019.
    40th Anniversary (2009)
    Golden Jubilee of Admission (2014)
    50th Anniversary (2019)

    Awards

    • Received Alumni Appreciation Awards in October 2000, August 2016 and September 2016.
    • Received Distinguished Toastmaster in 2017
    Award 1
    Award 2
    DTM 1
    DTM 2
  • A Life to Remember

    A Life to Remember

    by Hla Min & Oxford Sayadaw

    Update : July 2025

    Dr. Peter Khin Tun (MRCP)

    • Passed away in UK on April 13, 2020 at the age of 62.
    Peter
    • Early victim of Covid-19 & Lax rules of the Health System
    • Four years as Associate Dean at Oxford University
    Dr. Peter Khin Tun and Ma Win Mar
    • Daw Win Mar (spouse) recovered after two weeks of treatment at the hospital.
    • Two sons : Min Ko (Michael) & Ye Aung (William)
    At Min Ko’s wedding
    • Michael presented the case to TV & Newspapers. William prepared the Obituary and also sang at Peter’s service.

    From Oxford Sayadaw

    Dakagyi Dr Peter Khin Tun,

    From now on, it will not be my priority to remember that you lived 62 years, but rather how many thousands of life you have touched and nurtured. People are remembered for what they did for others, not how long they live. Ultimately, it is your exemplary selfless service to the many that will be inscribed in many hearts. Since we came to know each other in London in 1996, you have watched proudly your two boys grow up and achieve some standing of their own. As you always wished, I will take care of them spiritually so they can serve many souls as you have. Have a good rebirth.

    With metta,

    Oxford Sayadaw

    Updates

    • Peter’s demise prompted changes in the Health System.
    • Peter did not live long enough to see the daughters of Min Ko.
  • Saw Lin (C71)

    Saw Lin (C71)

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    2012

    March

    • Visited Yangon to meet with some organizers of SPZP-2012 (to be held in December, 2012).
    • U Saw Lin hosted a dinner at Feel Restaurant.
    Dinner

    Attendees

    • U Ohn Khine (M70)
    • Saya U Aung (C70)
    • U Khin Maung Myint & Rosie Mai Khin Nyunt (both ChE71)
    • Gift — RIT Cartoons
    RIT Cartoons

    December

    • Gave me a ride to attend SPZP Preparation meeting
    • Hosted a light dinner on the way back. Mentioned that he had dietary restrictions due to his medical condition
    • He wore multiple hats at SPZP-2012

    Brief Bio

    RIT

    • Past Secretary, RIT Civil Engineering Association
    • Graduated with Civil Engineering in 1971

    Experience

    • MD ကြေးနီစီမံကိန်း
    • MES EC
    • Publisher of MES Technical Publications

    SPZP-2012

    • Several roles
    • Chief Editor, Commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
    • Reprinted limited copies for 23 RIT Annual Magazines
    • Chair of Logistics, Security & Entertainment Committees
    U Saw Lin
    • Had medical treatment — Transplant and Visits to ICU
    • Passed away in July 2014.
    • Khamee Khamet of U Win Thein Zaw (Min69).

    Memories

    • With Saya Dr. San Hla Aung
    With Saya Dr. San Hla Aung
    • With Saya U Moe Aung
    With Saya Moe
    • Civil Engg Gathering
    Civil Gathering
    • Past Secretaries of RIT Civil Engg Association — Ko Ko Gyi, Saw Lin, Myo Khin, Hla Myint Thein
    Civil Engg Secretaries

    Posts

    • Cartoons & Cartoonists
    • Civil Engineering
    • RIT Annual Magazine
    • SPZP-2012
    • Swel Daw Yeik Magazine