Blog

Young at heart
by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Belles

Former Models

Some are Mae Daw မယ်တော်
- Daw Than Yi (Maubin Ma Shwe Than) : Author, Publisher, Editor for Hlyat Sit Sar Saung
- Daw Khin Myat Swe : Spouse & supporter of Tekkatho Moe War
- Daw Mai Khin Nyunt (Rosie Gyi) : Editor of Swel Daw Yeik magazine
- Daw Tin Myint Oo (Rosie Tin Maung) : Bilingual author, Vocalist
- Daw Cho Cho Tin (Ma Sandar) : National Literary Award, Lifetime Achievement Award
Memories

Rosie Tin Maung

Rosie Gyi

Ma Than Yi

Ma Sandar
June 17, 2025
Awards & Presents
by Hla Min

Updates : June 2025

Awards
- Collegiate Scholarship (1963)
- Luyechun (1965)
- Appreciation (October 2000)
- Appreciation (August 2016)
- Appreciation (September 2016)
- Distinguished Toastmaster (2017)
August 2016

Birthday Soon Kway

Award 1
- Maurice Chee (M75) organized a Birthday Soon Kyway at Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay in August 2016.
- He prepared electronic & hard copy of the birthday wishes.
- Another set was for attendees, who had not sent wishes by e-mail.
- Thanks to the sayas, colleagues and friends for a memorable gathering.
Appreciation from Sayas and Alumni in US and Canada

Award 2
- Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi could not attend the soonkyway, but he requested Ko Maurice to donate a food dish for him & his family. Sayagyi’s message was read by Ko Maurice.
- Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) presented the appreciation award at Half Moon Bay soonkwyay and gathering (August 2016).
September 2016

Alumni Appreciation Award from NorCalRITAA

Award 3

The award was signed by
- Saya U Myat Htoo (C68, Chair, BOD)
- Gordon Kaung (M83, President)
- U Thaung Nyunt (M87, Secretary)
Award 4

Saya U Myat Htoo presented the award to me at the NorCal RITAA Annual Dinner, 2016.

From SPHS in 1963

Collegiate Scholarship winners from SPHS in 1963

There were five Paulians in the Top Five, seven in the Top Ten, and ten in the Top Twenty.

SPHS63

7th in Burma
- Khin Maung U (Retired from FDA, USA) – 1st
- Min Oo (Retired Maths Professor from McMasters University, Canada) – 2nd
- Myo San (Freddie, Surgeon, GBNF) – 3rd
- Nyunt Wai (Victor, Professor, IM & Malaysia) – 4th
- Thein Wai (Migrated to USA after graduation) – 5th
- Hla Min (Lifelong Learner, Retired Software Engineer) – 7th
- Aung Kyaw Zaw (Cardiologist) – 9th
- Maung Maung Kyi (Dip Ing, Retiree in Wales, GBNF) – 11th
- Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, EC69, GBNF) – 13th
- Khin Maung Zaw (Frank, Retired Doctor in UK) – 17th
- Three are GBNF
Luyechun

Summer of 1965
- Attended Inlay Khaung Daing Camp
LYC

LYC 1

LYC 2

From Toastmasters International

Awards

Toastmasters

DTM 1
- CC (Competent Communicator)
- ACB (Advanced Communicator Bronze)
- ACS (Advanced Communicator Silver)
- ACG (Advanced Communicator Gold)
- CL (Competent Leader)
- ALB (Advanced Leader Bronze)
- ALS (Advanced Leader Silver)
- DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster)
- Triple Crown
DTM 2

I served as
- Club Officer
- Area Governor
- Club Coach
- Contest Chair
- Ambassador
- Guest Speaker
- Test Speaker
- Team Builder (for Excellent Leadership)
From my Life Savers

Coffee mug with photos

Coffee Mug

My beloved grandchildren gave me a present for Grand Father’s Day.

Drawings

On several occasions

Book Presents

For editing and proof reading

I edited or proof-read books by
- Sayadaws (U Silananda, U Jotalankara)
U Jotalankara
- Sayas (Saya Des Rodgers)
- Friends (Saya U Aung Zaw)
Dhamma & Bawa
- They provided me copies of their books.
From colleagues and friends

I also received copies from others. They include
- “Myanmar in my life-time”
  Book by BBS U Khin Zaw
  air mailed from Australia by U Wint Khin Zaw
Book by K
- Book honoring Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint
  air mailed from Australia by Dr. TOKM
Book by TOKM

Dhamma Q&A
- Centennial for U Khin Maung Latt & Daw Khin Myo Chit
  Two books given by Junior Win, twin sister of Maung Yit
- Books by U Ye Sint (former Editor of Dhammanda Newsletter)
  His works
  Pathan Dethana (Dhamma Dana by his siblings)
- U Kesala (Chief Resident monk, Alodaw Pyie Monastery in Arizona)
  Dhamma Q&A
  Several other books
- “Nga Doh Khit Ka Tekkatho”
  Book by Shwe Ku May Hnin
  Given to me at the San Francisco Bay Area Talk
Book by Shwe Ku May Hnin
- Books by Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War)
  Collection of Poems
  Collection of Articles
Book by Tekkatho Moe War
- Book by Saya U Nyunt Htay
  Collection of Swel Daw Poems
Book by RIT Poets
- Books by Nyan Oo Maung
  Currently known as “Mudita Shwe Kyaung” Sayadaw U Nyanika
- Books by various sayadaws in the Bay Area & beyond
  U Dhammapiya
  U Gosita
  Dhamma Bheri Sayadaw
  Aung San Tat Oo Sayadaw
  Thamanay Kyaw
- Books by Dr. San Oo, Daw Than Yi & family
- “Yahandar and Poke Ko Htoo Myar”
  Book by Dhammacariya U Htay Hlaing
  (in the 80’s for translating several of his “Dhamma Duta” articles)
- Books by Sayawun Tin Shwe
  Given by his daughter Tyn Tyn Aye during her UCC studies
- U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ) mailed me two books that he bought in Myanmar.
  U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khin
  Collection Bagan poems (by Zawgyi, translated by Ah May Thar).
- Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt believes in a “revolving library”. Gave me several books that he enjoyed reading.
- 8-8-88
  Book by Dat Pone Htein Win
  Given at 5th ILF in Mandalay
- Books by Members of Professional Spakers Association (PSA)
  Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing
  Kaythri Kyaw
  …
Magazines

Editor for “90th Anniversary Issue of the Founding of RUBC” (2013)

Wrote poems and articles for
- RIT Alumni International Newsletter (for SPZP-2000)
- “Swel Daw Yeik Sarsaung” for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010
- “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for Shwe YaDu”
U Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled the CD supplement for HMEE-2012.

CDs

Received raw and formal CDs and DVDs for the various RIT Gatherings.
June 17, 2025
Luyechun
by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Program
- Luyechun stands for Outstanding Student.
- The initial Luyechun program ran from 1964 to 1988.
1964
- Luyechun Program was established in 1964.
- Eligible students from 7th Standard to 10th Standard were chosen to attend the Ngapali Luyechun Camp.
- 1964 Luyechuns include Ko Win Aung (TTC), Ko Oke Soe Kha (MEHS), Ma Pwint Than (Loikaw), Ko Aung Myint (Mandalay), and Ma Mie Mie Khine (Akyab).
1965

Luyechun Program was extended in 1965 for eligible students from Universities and Institutes. There were three Camps
- Inlay Camp for high school and university students
- Ngapali Camp for middle school students
- Combined Camp in Rangoon
I was selected as RIT Luyechun for the Inlay Camp along with Ko Sein Shwe, Ko Zaw Min and Ma Khin Than Myint Tin (Margaret).

Ko Kyaw Sein Koe (Victor Koe, GBNF), Ma Anita Aye Pe, Ko Khin Maung U & Ma Than Than Tin (Cherry Hlaing) were selected for IM(1).

Ko Tun Naung (GBNF, BDS), Ko Soe Aung & Ko Thein Win (IM2), Ko Min Oo (Maths), Ko Ye Myint & Ma Khin Aye Than (Chemistry), Ko Myint Thein & Ko Soe Lwin (Physics), and Ko Tin Hlaing (Lay Dwin Thar Saw Chit, Burmese) were some who were selected for their disciplines.

Those from Matriculation include Ko Win Myint (later Bogyoke), Ko Aung Win (later RIT Saya), Uttam Singh (later NASA) and Ma Pwint Than (later EPC). They joined RIT.

Others include :
Ko Aung Shwe (brother of Tekkatho Phone Naing), Ko Than Sit (GBNF, Liver Foundation), Ko Aung Kyaw Nyunt (GBNF), Ko Aung Myint, Ko Thein Lwin, Nelson Kaw & Ko Kyaw Myint.

Multiple Luyechun
- Several students (e.g. Dr. Khin Maung U, Dr. Thynn Thynn Lynn, Daw Mie Mie Khine) were selected Luyechun multiple times.
Staff Sayas
- Some sayas from Universities and High Schools were chosen to manage the Luyechuns. e.g. U Aung Gyi (MASU), Daw Po (RASU), Dr. May May Yi (GBNF, IM2)
- Ko Min Oo (SPHS63, Maths) was selected Luyechun in 1965 and later as a Staff Saya.
Guest Speaker
- Saya U Thein Han (Zawgyi), Saya Dr. Nyi Nyi & U Thu Ta (Meteorology) were Guest Speakers at the Inlay Luyechun Camp.
- Saya U Kyaw Myint (DHE) & I were Guest Speakers at the Nagapali Lu Ye Chun Camp in 1988.
Status
- Luyehun project ended in 1988.
- Several years back, an Association was formed for Luyechuns from 1964 to 1988.
- The 7th Annual General Meeting was held online in January 2021.
June 16, 2025
March 13
by Hla Min

Updated: June 2025

1988

Phone Maw
- It was a sad and dark day.
- It was a milestone in the struggle to restore democracy in our beloved land.
- Phone Maw was struck by a stray bullet. He passed away.
Soon Kyaw invitation

Celebrations
- March 13 is observed as “Burma Human Rights Day” (e.g. in the City of Berkeley).
- March 13 is known as “Phone Maw & Soe Naing” Nay.
- Soon offerings are made in their memory.
2016
- RITAA was formed on March 13, 2016
2018
- A huge vinyl with the RITAA Logo was made available on March 13, 2018. Thanks to Ko Eric Foo for the photo and Mech Ko Lay for the vinyl copy.
June 16, 2025
UCC, DCS & ICST
by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Dr. Tin Maung

Dr. Tin Maung
- Son of Saya Kar (Education Minister in the Care Taker Government; RU Rector)
- Joined Maths Department as Tutor
- Went for further studies in UK.
- Upon his return, he was promoted to Lecturer.
- Later received doctorate from Queen Mary’s College.
- Succeeded Dr. Chit Swe as Director of UCC.
- During his tenure, DCS (Department of Computer Science) was established.
  U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF) served as Professor. U Tun Aung Gyaw served as Associate Professor. I was Senior Lecturer.
ICST
- In 1987, ICST (Institute of Computer Science and Technology) was established with Dr. Tin Maung as Rector.
- There were four Departments :
  Information Technology (with U Ko Ko Lay as Professor & Head)
  Hardware Technology (with U Tun Aung Gyaw as Associate Professor & Head)
  Software Technology (with U Hla Min as Associate Professor & Head)
  Computational Mathematics (to be taught by sayas from UCC and RU Maths)
- Bachelor degree courses in CS and CT were given.
- In the first batch, there were 30 CS and 15 CT students.
  Two later became Rectors.
Events
- 40th Anniversary of UCC was celebrated at MICT Park in 2011. Saya Dr. Tin Maung’s spouse and daughter attended the gathering. Saya is GBNF.
- Due to resources, Acariya Pu Zaw Pwes were not held annually.
- The 4th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe took place in 2011.
- 26 batches (from ICST and UCSY) hosted the 5th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe on January 14, 2018. Saw Yaing Naing gave me a ride.
ICST PZP
- The 6th Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe took place in December 2019. Daw Mar Mar Soe gave me a ride.
ICST PZP
June 16, 2025
Center for Burmese Studies at NIU
by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

NIU

Photo by Saya Dr. Yan Naing Lwin

Jan 19, 1987 · Center for Burma Studies at Northern Illinois University at “DeKalb”- The Center will have its formal opening on July 29 and 30, 1987. Richard Cooler, the Director of the new Center, will send out the detailed announcement !

I have arranged the key note address by U Nu, the first Prime Minister of Burma for the opening ceremony. U Nu also gave a summer class in “Buddhism” prior to the opening ceremony.

Here is a picture that I took of the group as we toured the Lake Shore one day.

You will notice U Nu (First and Last Prime Minister of the Union of Burma), late Professor Than Tun (History, Visiting Scholar in residence) & Mrs. Than Tun. Also, Burmese Lecturer Saya U Kyaw Hlaing. Dr. Cynthia Htaik is just behind U Nu. I still have some hair on my head! The Standard Oil Building can be seen in the back ground.

Standard Oil Building (Chicago), Illinois, is now known as the Aon Center.

Editor’s Notes
- Dr. Yan Naing Lwin is Emeritus Professor and Chair of the Physics Department at Western Illinois University (WIU).
- U Saw Tun is Head of the Burmese Department at Northern Illinois University (NIU).
- U Kyaw Hlaing lives in Southern California.
June 16, 2025
Law
by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Video Broadcast
- When Rangoon University was established in December 1920, it had the Department of Law.
- U May Aung served as the first Professor.
U May Aung

U May Aung
- U May Aung (Barrister-at-law, LL.D) served as Professor of Law from 1920 -1922.
- Rakkhine national
- Later became Home Minister
- Father of Daw Mya Sein (Scholar).
Sir Arthur Eggar

Sir Arthur Eggar
- Law Professor (1923 – 1937)
- Earlier : Lecturer in the Maths Department at Rangoon College, and Legal Advisor in the Middle East
- Founded Rangoon University Boat Club in 1923. Elected as Life President.
- Pledged a third of his salary for the operation of RUBC.
- Wrote autobiography (in three installments) for the Guardian Magazine in the mid 50s.
Autobiography
- Several Old Members including me reprinted his autobiography for the 90th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC. YUBC OMA has copies of Sir Arthur Eggar’s autobiography.
Dr. Ba Han

Dr. Ba Han
- Alumnus of Sorbonne University
- Law Professor for two terms : (1937 – 1942) and (1946 – 1950).
- Rangoon University was closed for a period during the war.
- Complied a dictionary.
Dictionary
- Dr. Ba Maw (Adipati) is his brother. He earlier was English Lecturer at Rangoon University.
- Both brothers attended De La Salle Schools.
U Kyaw Myint

U Kyaw Myint
- Stood first in Burma in Matric with distinctions in all subjects from Central. He was selected by Mr. Matthew Hunter (Principal of Rangoon College) to take the Entrance exam of Calcutta University to study Medicine. He requested the Principal that he wanted to pay last respect to his mother. The Principal warned that he would be expelled if he did not take the entrance exam. He attended his mother’s last journey and was expelled from the College. Worse still, his father threatened to disown him. The Kan So Kan Kaung story of U Kyaw Myint can be read in a series of blogs by his son Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint and re-printed in my web site hlamin.com
- Served as Professor of Law and Dean of the Faculty of Law from 1950 – 1958.
- Earlier served as Justice of High Court and Supreme Court, Head of the Tribunal that tried Galon U Saw and co-founder of a political party with Dr. Ba Maw. He later founded his law firm.
- Has an elder brother (ICS U Tin Tut), two younger brothers (U Myint Thein & Dr. Htin Aung), and three younger sisters (Daw Khin Mya Mu, Daw Khin Saw Mu & Daw Tin Saw Mu).
- According to Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint, his father had full confidence in his students (e.g. Guardian U Sein Win, Sao Hso Holm, U Mya Thein).
Law Professors (for the later periods)
- U Myint (1958 – 1961)
- U Aung Khine (1961 – 1964)
- U Hla Aung (1965 – 1971)
- U Tin Ohn (1971 – 1986)
- U Tin Aung Aye (1986 – 1994)
- Daw Than Nwe (1994 – 2007)
- Dr. Daw Khin Mar Yi (2007 – 2018)
Law Degrees
- In the early days, BL (Bachelor Law) was studied as a post-graduate degree (e.g. after B.A. or B.Sc.)
- Several student politicians enrolled in the program to preserve their eligibility as RU students.
- Under the new Education System, LL.B was established.
- It was a five year study after Matriculation.
Related posts in RU Centennial
- First batch of LL.B graduates
- Several other batches
- Sayamas known for their beauty and teaching.
- Dr. Maung Maung Kha’s daughter Daw May Thi Ka was a sayama at the Law Department before she moved to the USA. She was a core organizer and coordinator for the groups raised fund for Saya Kha’s Centennial.
- Some practitioners of Law took exams for HGP and RL.
YouTube Channel

@hmin3664

Channel to view my videos
June 16, 2025
Tarot
by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Video Broadcast on October 2, 2020

Background
- Associated with Gypsy fortune tellers
- Some thought Tarot started in Asia
- One may study Tarot cards for fun, e.g. don’t be scared if the reading says that “your house is going to be damaged”; or be happy if the reading says that “a new family member is on the way”
- Some may study and practice Tarot cards for profit, e.g. professional reader/advisor
- There are websites & publications for Tarot
- I used to have a Tarot deck and a book. It covered a brief history, the meaning of each card, and several spreads for Tarot readings.
Tarot Deck
- It consists of 78 cards
- 22 cards belong to the Major Arcana
- 56 cards belong to the Minor Arcana
- The two Arcanas supposedly indicate long term versus short term events & whether an event is in control versus uncontrollable
Major Arcana
- 22 cards
- Include Fool, Lovers, High Priest, High Priestess, Emperor, Empress, Hermit, Sun, Moon, Stars, Tower, Chariot, Tower, Strength, Judgement …
Minor Arcana
- 4 suits
- Each suit has 14 cards : One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Page, Jack (Knight), Queen, King
- Total of 56 cards in the Minor Arcana
Styles
- The Tarot Decks come in different styles.
- The suits may be named differently in the decks, but the underlying concepts hold.
Options
- Beginners usually use the “Straight up” option (where a card may be good or bad).
- With experience, one might try “Allow Reversals” (where every card has two meanings : one for upright & another for reversed).
- One might also try “Consider Significators”.
Spreads
- After shuffling the deck, one lays our a selected number of cards in a pattern.
- One card only : Decision making for a specified problem
- Three Card Spread : used to interpret the Past, Present & Future.
- Celtic Cross places 7 cards in the form of a cross. The cards represent problem, influence (positive & negative) and likely outcome (and suggestion).
- Others
  Vary with the Practitioner
Options
- Straight up
- Reversal
- Significator
YouTube Channel

Channel to view my videos
June 16, 2025
Ted, TED & TEDx
by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Video Broadcast on September 26, 2020

Ted
- could be a given name, e.g
  Ted Mya Maung (Toe Nyunt, Thamankyar, Shwe Gaung Byaung)
- Nickname for Edward, e.g
  Ted Heath (former British Prime Minister)
- Some prefer Teddy, e.g Teddy Gyaw, Teddy Thaung, Teddy Mya Bu
- Nickname for Theodore, e.g
  Teddy Roosevelt (former US President)
TED
- Technology, Entertainment & Design
- First conference in 1984
- Annual conference since 1990
- 18 minute (limit for TED talks)
- Details can be found in TED.com
TEDx
- Independently organized conferences
- Need to apply license from TED
- Attach location
  TEDxInyaLake
  TEDxYangon
TEDx InyaLake

Miscellaneous
- TED & TEDx talks on You Tube
- TED ED for educational videos
- U Nay Oke’s talk about two pioneer Myanmar Poets
  Saya U Wun (Minthuwun) and Daw Khin Saw Mu
- Diverse topics
June 16, 2025
Dr. Tin Win
by Myint Thin & Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Dr. Tin Win & Lily (Two rightmost)

Dr. Tin Win, son of U Kwet Kaw and Daw Hla Yi, was a Maths Gold Medalist in 1958 I.Sc. Exams. He stood first in 1962 batch of B.Sc. Mech. Eng. graduates. After working at Mandalay Brewery and Distillery for a year, he joined RIT as an Assistant Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering Department in 1963. He left for Melbourne University, Australia, in 1966 and obtained the doctorate degree in 1971. In 1972, he was promoted to Lecturer and worked at RIT till 1977 when he left for USA.

After working six months at Gardner Denver in Dallas, Texas, he joined Brown & Root (Halliburton Company) in Houston and became Head of Mechanical and Piping Department in 1988. Since 1992, he has been working as a Project Manager, currently in Subsea Engineering Division of Brown & Root Energy Services Business Unit.

He married Lily (Khin Htar Yee, T72) in 1984, and both of them will be attending the RIT Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe.

Updates (by Hla Min)
- Saya is Past President of BASES
- Was interviewed by Mandalay Gazette
- Ran the Los Angeles Marathon to raise fund for SPZP-2007
- Core organizer for 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
- Ma Rosie, his sister, worked for RIT Chemistry department from 1965 to 1976
- Penny, another sister, is from the class of 70
- Lily was Founding member & Secretary of BEA (in Northern California) before she moved to Texas
- After retirement, he and Lily relocated to Los Angeles (Southern California).
- Lily’s sister is from the class of A73.
Myint Thin (Standing rrightmost)
- Myint Thin (M71, GBNF) is a multiple RIT Luyechun. He rowed for RIT. He sponsored Sayagyi U Ba Than to SPZP-2007 in Singapore. He worked in Singapore and Malaysia.
June 16, 2025