HlaMin

Blog

  • Aging

    Aging

    by Hla Min

    Updated : September 2026

    Senior

    I felt uncomfortable to be addressed as “Ah Ba”, “Pho Pho” and to be offered assistance (e.g. wheelchair).

    I now feel OK to use wheelchair at air ports and to have people assist me when I climb up & down hill slopes. I had a couple of bike rides on dirt roads.

    I enjoy senior discounts for trains, buses & restaurants.

    I hope that my mental faculties will remain sharp and strong.

    Jara (old age) caught even the sport stars like Sayagyi U Ba Toke.

    Sayagyi U Ba Toke

    Phwa Bet Taw

    Saya is a Phwa Bet Taw of Rangoon University and the first Rangoon University Students’ Strike in December 1920.

    SPZP-2000

    SPZP-2000

    In 2000, Theingi (Saya’s youngest daughter) conveyed us Saya’s wishes to attend SPZP-2000. U Maung Maung Than (M79, Texas) had donated a round trip ticket. Several sayas & alumni donated expenses. Details can be found in “Count down to the Reunion” articles.

    Birthdays

    Saya 2

    He celebrates his birthdays with his children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren.

    Saya‘s birthday

    Longevity

    Saya gave a speech in SPZP-2007 about “Longevity”. He visited a house in USSR where the 80+ year old host explained about the noise up stairs. “Don’t worry. It’s my 100+ year old uncle quarelling with his fourth wife. They will make amends.”

    Garawa

    During my visits to Yangon, I paid respect to Saya.

    U Ohn Khine (M70) gave me a ride in 2012. Saya gave us autographed book. We enjoyed Sayagyi’s accounts. He was a football star, a leader of the Burma Olympic Delegation, and an excellent teacher. Up to his early 80s, he could walk to the Shwe Dagon pagoda with his friends. In his 90s, Sayagyi lost some mobility, eye sight and hearing, but he was determined to attend SPZPs.

    Book

    In 2016, Saya’s son U Ye Myint and daughter Daw Thynn Thynn (Pansy) made arrangements to give us rides to and back from Saya’s house.

    U Ba Toke

    In 2018, I called Ma Theingi and asked about Sayagyi. She mentioned that Sayagyi is healthy but because he had lost most teeth, she has to listen carefully to grasp his message.

    Saya passed away on December 2, 2020. It was the day after RI U Centennial. It was a few days short of his Centennial Birthday on December 26.

    U Ba Toke 2
    U Ba Toke 3
    U Ba Toke 5
  • Alumni

    Alumni

    by Hla Min

    Updated : September 2026

    Usage

    • There were four Latin terms for “old student” — based on gender (male, female) and number (single, multiple)
    • Currently, Alumni is used to cover all four terms

    Scope

    • I belong to various circles: PPBRS, SPHS, RU, RIT, UCC, DCS, ICST
    • In this post, we will cover RIT Alumni.

    Engineering Alumni

    I use “RIT” to represent not only my alma mater Rangoon Institute of Technology, but all Engineering Colleges and Institutes which precede and succeed RIT.

    Many alumni are active in the following:

    • HMEE
    • SDYF (Swel Daw Yeik Foundation)
    • RITAA (RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association)
    • NorCal RITAA (in the US)
    • MES
    • MEC

    Paying Respect

    • Paying respect to Sayas is a tradition that is unique to Myanmar.
    • The tradition is alive and well.
    • The term Saya Pu Zaw Pwe is preferred to Saya Ga Daw Pwe (which has religious connotation). SPZP allows alumni who profess different beliefs to pay respect to their mentors.
    • There have been seven world wide SPZPs (Saya Pu Zaw Pwe) : SPZP-2000 (US);
      SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 & SPZP-2010 (Singapore);
      SPZP-2004, SPZP-2012 & SPZP-2016 (Yangon)
    • I was fortunate to be a Core Organizer for SPZP-2000 and a Coordinator for the remaining SPZPs.
    SPZP-2000

    History

    • “History of Myanmar Engineering Education” Book was published in 2012.
    • The project’s initiators included Saya U Soe Paing, Sayagyi U Ba Than and several sayas and alumni. (See Acknowledgement in the Book)
    • Saya U Aung Hla Tun and team compiled the book.
    • Ko Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled the CD Supplement for the HMEE-2012 book
    • The draft for the first two sections were prepared by Saya U Soe Paing and team.
    • Ko Ohn Khine translated Section 1 and summarized Section 2. The translations have been revised by Saya U Soe Paing.
    • Saya U Aung Hla Tun gave the copyright to RITAA.
    • HMEE-2018 was headed by Saya U Aung Hla Tun. His demise affected the progress of the project.

    YTU Library Modernization Project

    A decent Library is a requirement of the accreditation of YTU by Asean (and beyond).

    Donations — large and small — came in. Thanks to U Wynn Htain Oo (M72), Ma Nan Khin Nwe (83 Intake) and team.

    The donors include

    • U Khin Maung Tun (T78)
    • Dr. Myo Khin (C70) and Daw Mya Nwe (C73)
    • Daw Myint Myint (C69)
    • Saya U Tin Htut (M60)
    • James Shwe (M76) and Annette Shwe (A75)
    • NorCal RITAA
    • Alumni from Singapore, Australia and New Zealand

    Archive

    • The Library could have a section to help remember our beloved alma mater, our sayas and alumni activities.
    • Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi endorsed Ko Benny Tan’s proposal to archive the mementos.
    • We requested alumni (esp. class representatives) to record gatherings / activities.

    Health Care Funds

    • Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayas and Sayamas
    • Eye examination and assistance Fund provided by U Khin Maung Tun
    • The balance of both funds had been handed over to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
    • Other funds include 69er HCF, EE69er HCF, and those administered by the classes and groups (e.g. Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65) mn

    Saya Allen Htay (C58)

    • Leader of the San Francisco Bay Area Alumni Group
    • Co-founded “RIT Alumni International” which hosted SPZP-2000 and served as President.
    • His article “Brother, can you spare US $500?” is a classic.
    • Daw Mu Mu Khin hosted a lunch in memory of Saya on December 31, 2017.
    • In memory of Saya Allen, Daw Mu Mu Kin donated Saya’s books to the YTU library.
      Also sponsored scholarships for eligible YTU students.
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is allen-htay-1.jpg
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is allen-htay-2.jpg

    Golden Sponsors

    • U Thaung Sein (Steeve, EC70, GBNF)
    • U Benny Tan (M70)
    • U Khin Maung Oo (Ivan Lee, M69)
    • U Tin Myint (David Ko, M67, GBNF)
    • U Maung Maung Than (M79)
    • The five Golden sponsors and other donors made sure U Nyo Win’s Act (requiring the organizers to chip in if SPZP-2000 will not have the minimum number of attendees) will not be needed.

    2019

    • Completed two decades as Chief Editor of RIT Alumni International Newsletter
    • Compiled posts for the Golden Jubilee of 69ers
      Attended both events on December 14, 2019

    2020

    • Broadcast educational videos

    2021 – Present

    • The pandemic caused the demise of several sayas and alumni. Eighteen 69ers succumbed to Covid.
    • Due to restrictions, I managed to make only short trips (to Singapore, Thailand and Laos).
    • I am writing and revising posts in hlamin.com
    • Request help to transform into digital and/or printed books for posterity

    Resources

    • RIT related Facebook pages
    • RIT related Google groups
    • hlamin.com

    Update

    • The majority of alumni reside in Myanmar.
    • USA had RIT Alumni International which hosted SPZP-2000. It was succeeded by NorCal RITAA. The alumni also served as President and EC in professional organizations such as BEA, BAPS, BASES and MASTAA.
    • The Alumni in Singapore helped with SPZP-2002, 2007 and 2010.
    • The Alumni in Australia participate in activities by the Myanmar Australian Engineering Association.
    • RITAJ (in Japan) is inactive.
  • Gatherings

    Gatherings

    by Hla Min

    Updated : September 2026

    RIT Alumni International

    • Founded by SF Bay Area Group led by Saya Allen Htay
    • First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP-2000) in October 2000.
    SPZP-2000
    • Welcome Sayas visiting Northern California
    At Seafood Restaurant
    • Tenth Anniversary of the Founding of RIT Alumni International
    USA 2
    USA 3
    • Celebrations (Birthday, Wedding Anniversary, Retirement, Appreciation …)
    USA 1

    Gathering hosted by Steeve Kay (EC70)

    • Steeve is a Multiple Golden Sponsor of Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP)
    • In 2011, he hosted a gathering in Southern California to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of his arrival in USA.
    • Benny Tan (M70), Ko Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70) and Ko Htin Aung (Richard, M70) are his former classmates.
    • Steeve thanked Henry Khoo (EC67) for picking him up at the SF International airport upon his arrival to the USA.
    • Dr. Chris Lee, Dr. Zaw Tun and Sam Chin (ChE62, who worked at Unilever) were active in the Burmese American Associations in Southern California.
    • Steeve requested me not to retire, but to re-tire (stay active with worthwhile projects).
    USA 4

    Saya Pu Zaw Pwe

    • SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010 in Singapore
    SPZP-2007
    • SPZP-2002, SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016 in Yangon
    SPZP-2012

    Other Gatherings

    • Discipline wide Gatherings (e.g All-Mechanical)
    All Mech Gathering
    • Celebrations (e.g Shwe YaDu in 2014)
    Shwe YaDu
    • Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles in 2015
    LA 2015
    • Class Gatherings
    Present from 69er Gathering
    69er Cap
    • Mini-gatherings
    • Micro-gatherings

  • Daw Myint Thwe ဒေါ်မြင့်သွယ်

    by Hla Min

    Updated : September 2026

    • She passed away peacefully in Sydney, Australia.
    Daw Myint Thwe (Center)

    Spouse

    • Saya Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (GBNF)
    • Sc. D in EE from MIT
    • Director General, UBARI
    • Advisor, Ministry of National Planning
    • Member, UCC Advisory Board
    Daw Myint Thwe (Seated 3rd from Right)

    Siblings

    • Saya U Tin U (C, GBNF)
    • Saya U Ba Than (M, GBNF)
    • Dr. Daw Win Hlaing (Ruby, GBNF)
    • Daw Myint Thwe (Betty, GBNF)
    • Dr. Myo Tint (GBNF)
    • U Tin Htoon (A60)
    • Saya U Myo Min (UCC)
    • U Thaung Lwin (EC66)
    • Daw Cho Cho Hlaing
    Daw Myint Thwe (Seated 2nd from Right)

    Children

    Daw Myint Thwe (Seated Center)
    • Ma Tin Tin Hlaing (UCC) & Ko Htay Aung (EC80, UCC)
    • Ko Tha Hlaing (EC83, UCC)
    • Min Thet Tun (GBNF)
    Daw Myint Thwe (2nd row; 3rd from Left)

    Service

    • Daw Mya Mya Win (Alison, Classmate, BBS, UN) gave a eulogy. Her eldest son Aung Ngwe Tun / Glenn attended M.Sc (CS) along with Tin Tin Hlaing
    Betty 1
    Betty 2
    Betty 3
    Betty 4
    Betty 5

    Birthday

    • On July 19, 1947 her birthday party was paused when Sirens blasted (signaling the demise of Bogyoke Aung San and his ministers)
    • Birthday cards were prepared by her brother U Tin Htoon

  • Months — May

    by Hla Min

    Updated : September 2026

    Background

    • 3rd month of the old Roman Calendar
    • 5th month of the Gregorian Calendar.
    • Has 31 days

    Events

    May 1

    • May Day in some countries

    May 5

    • Cinco de Mayo
    • Holiday in Mexico
    • Celebrated by Mexican Americans

    Second Sunday in May

    • Mother’s Day (in the USA)

    Miscellaneous

    • April flowers bring May flowers (Saying)

    SPHS (May 1963)

    • The Matriculation Only examination was held in May 1963
    • In the previous years, the examination was for High School Final and Matriculation (combined). Those who matriculated are eligible to study at the university.
    • SPHS students were outstanding in the Matriculation of 1963.
      There were five in the Top Five, seven in the Top Ten and ten in the Top Twenty. The following were awarded Collegiate Scholarship.
      Khin Maung U (First)
      Min Oo (Second)
      Myo San (Freddie, Third, GBNF)
      Nyunt Wai (Victor, Fourth)
      Thein Wai (Fifth)
      Hla Min (Seventh)
      Aung Kyaw Zaw (Johnny, Ninth)
      Maung Maung Kyi (Eleventh, GBNF),
      Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, Thirteenth, GBNF)
      Khin Maung Zaw (Frank, Seventeenth)
    Top Matriculates from SPHS63
  • Months — July

    Months — July

    by Hla Min

    Update : September 2026

    Background

    • Fifth month in the old Roman Calendar, and it had 30 days. The month was given an extra day and renamed in honor of Julius Caesar.
    • Seventh month in the Gregorian Calendar.

    My father’s birthday

    My beloved father
    My parents
    • Born on 1st July.
    • Passed away in his 80s.

    Men on the Moon

    • Apollo 11 Mission
    • Eagle (Lunar Module) landed in Tranquility Bay on the Moon on July 20, 1969.
    • Neil Armstrong (Mission Commander) was the first to land on the moon.
    • Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin (Lunar Module Pilot) was the second to land on the moon.
    • Michael Collins (Command Module Pilot) circled the Moon and waited for his crew mates to return from the Moon.
    • I wrote a poem “Men on the Moon”. A copy was sent by Mr. Hall (Information Officer, USIA) to NASA. The poem was published in the Guardian.
    Men on the Moon

    US Independence

    • 4th of July

    Martyrs’ Day

    • July 19, 1947
    • Bogyoke Aung San, six ministers, a Secretary and a bodyguard were assassinated.
    Translation of Invictus
    Aung San

    Nine Arzanis were gunned down on July 19, 1947. Eight perished that day. One succumbed a day later.

    Arzanis
    • Bogyoke Aung San passed away at the tender age of 32
      Children : U Aung San Oo, Aung San Lin (GBNF), Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
    • Thakin Mya. : Considered as Deputy Prime Minister
    • Deedoke U Ba Cho : Minister, Journalist ; Grand children : Dr. Khin Hla Cho, Daw Khin Myint Cho
    • Mahn Ba Khaing : Transported Bogyoke (saved & brought by Marie Hla Taw) back; Daughter : Sayama Daw Myint Myint Khaing
    • Mong Pawn Sawbwa Sao San Htun : passed away in the hospital on July 20, 1947; has a hospital named after him; Son Sao Hso Holm
    • U Ba Win : Bogyoke’s elder brother; Son Dr. Sein Win
    • U Razak : Nominated by monks; Former Principal of National School; Sons U Tin Myint & U Hla Kyi
    • ICS U Ohn Maung : Dy. Secy; Was asked to report on behalf of his minister; Sons U Tin Maung Thein, Francis & Dr. Min Min
    • Yebaw Maung Htwe : U Razak’s bodyguard

    There are books (e.g. “Who killed Aung San?”, Eliminate the Elite” by Kin Oung) and documentaries (e.g. “Who really killed Aung San?” by BBC program) about the fateful event.

    Eliminate the Elite

    Dark days in July 1962

    • According to the newspapers, 17 died on July 7, 1962.
    • Ko Aung Khin was stuck by a stray bullet as he was returning from RUBC to his home in Windermere Road. He was listed as the 17th victim.
    • Anniversary celebration of 7th July in 1963 ended with the closure of Universities with the exception of the Faculties of Medical and Engineering.
    • The revered Student Union was demolished on July 8, 1962.

    Posts

    • Calendar
    • Days & Months
    • Events
  • YTU Library Modernization

    YTU Library Modernization

    by Hla Min

    Updated : September 2026

    • Requirements for accreditation of YTU (Yangon Technological University) include an excellent library.
    • Donations poured in from alumni all over the world for the YTU Library Modernization Project.
    • The following lists some Donations from USA.

    BASES & Friends

    • BASES was founded by Saya U Tin Htut (M60), U Tin Htway (M59), U Tun Tin / David and supporters
    • Several RIT Sayas and Alumni served as President and EC of BASES.

    Saya Dr. Tin Win (M62) & Daw Khin Htar Yee (Lily, T72)

    Dr. Tin Win
    Khin Hta Yee (Lily)
    • Dr. Tin Win was youngest & among the Brightest of his Class
    • In 1958, won Gold Medal for Joint Highest Maths Marks in combined I.Sc
    • After graduation, worked briefly in industry before joining Mech Engg Dept.
    • Taught us “Strength of Materials” (sequel to Sayagyi U Ba Than’s course)
    • Received Doctorate from Melbourne University
    • Moved to USA.
    • Worked for several companies (including Brown & Root in Texas)
    • Past President & Advisor of BASES
    • Interviewed by Myanmar Gazette (Southern California)
    • Ran LA Marathon to raise fund for SPZP-2007
    • Organized the 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
    • Lily was Founding Member & Secretary of BEA (Burmese/Bay-Area Engineering Association)
    • Saya & Lily were core organizers of 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles (along with Saya U Tin Htut, U Thura Thant Zin and U Khin Maung Lay)
    • They donated $2500 for the YTU Library Modernization Project

    Saya U Tin Htut (M60)

    U Tin Htut
    • Visiting lecturers from the Faculty of Social Science (later Institute of Economics) taught “Industrial Management”.
    • First Engineering Saya to teach “Industrial Management”
    • Past Captain & Gold of RUBC
    • Founded BASES with U Tin Htway (M59) and David Tun Tin (GBNF)
    • Donated twice — K100 Lakhs first & again K1000 — for YTU Library
    Donation

    David Tun Tin (GBNF)

    • Was States Scholar in the USA
    • Went back to Burma & worked for some time before migrating to the USA
    • Founded BASES with Saya U Tin Htut and U Tin Htway
    • Donated $1000 to YTU Library

    James Shwe (M76) & Annette Shwe (A75)

    James & Annette
    • Earlier donated towards the expenses of HVAC Design and Implementation.
    • Donated again $500 for YTU Library.
    • Helped several alumni by offering internship/job at their company.
    • Provided scholarship for eligible university students in Myanmar.
    Donation

    U Khin Maung Lay (Henry, T68)

    • Secretary of RIT Track & Field
    • Represented RIT in Track & Field, Soccer and Rowing.
    • Past President & Advisor, BASES
    • Master of Ceremonies for BASES & 2015 LA Reunion
    • Enjoys singing in Burmese, English & Chinese
    • Helped several alumni by offering internship/job at his company
    • Donated $1000 to YTU Library
    Donation

    U Tin Nwe (C68)

    • Past President of BASES
    • Donated $1000 to YTU Library
    Donation

    Daw Htay Htay Than (EC93) & U Saw Win Aung (C87)

    • Sarina forwarded my e-mail about SPZP-2000 to Steeve Kay, (EC70, her family friend). Steeve contacted his friend Benny Tan (M70) & offered to be the first Golden Sponsor of SPZP-2000.
    • Sarina and U Saw Win Aung donated $300 to YTU Library.

    U Min Lwin (M62)

    • Classmate of Saya Dr. Tin Win
    • Donated $1000 to YTU Library
    Donation

    U Kyaw Sein (Auto68)

    • Mechanical Engineering Department had two sub-departments: Automobile Engineering & Agricultural Engineering.
    • U Kyaw Sein donated $1000 to YTU Library.
    Donation

    Daw May Nwe Yee (Rosie)

    • Younger sister of Saya Dr. Tin Win (M62)
    • Faculty member of RIT Chemistry Department
    • Donated $100 to YTU Library
    Donation

    Daw Myo Myat Myint (Penny, M70)

    • Younger sister of Saya Dr. Tin Win and Sayama Rosie
    • Donated $100 to YTU Library
    Donation

    U Sonny Kyi (79 Intake)

    LA Gathering in 2015
    • EC member of BASES
    • Volunteer for 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
    Donation

    U Myint Aung

    • Responded to Saya Dr. Tin Win’s request for helping YTU
    • Donated $150 to YTU Library
    Donation

    Other Donations

    Via NorCal RITAA

    U Thein Tun Aung (Dennis, EP76)

    • Donated $500 to YTU Library (via U Wynn Htain Oo).
    • Donated $500 to NorCal RITAA for the YTU Library Modernization Project.

    Via MASTAA

    Fred Thetgyi (M69)

    • Donated $200 to YTU Library
    Donations

    U Maung Maung (C60)

    • He donated $100 to YTU Library.

    Posts

    • Accreditation
    • BASES
    • NorCal RITAA
    • Signboard
    • RIT Alumni Association
    • Roll of Honor
    • Training Component
    • YTU Library Modernization
  • Months — December

    Months — December

    by Hla Min

    Updated : September 2026

    Background

    • Dec means Ten. December is the 10th month of the old Roman Calendar.
    • December is the 12th and last month of the Gregorian Calendar.
    • Has 31 days
    • December 31st is celebrated as New Year’s Eve

    December 1920

    Dec 1, 1920

    • Rangoon University was established with Rangoon College & Judson College as affiliates.
    • Golden Jubilee in 1970; Diamond Jubilee in 1995; Centennial in 2020.

    Dec 5, 1920

    • First RU Students’ Strike to protest the 1920 RU Act.
    • The anniversaries use the Burmese Calendar.

    Dec 26, 1920

    U Ba Toke
    • Saya U Ba Toke was born. He is a Phwa Bet Taw of Rangoon University and the first RU Students’ Strike.
    • Saya passed away on Dec 2, 2020 (the day following the RU Centennial and a few days short of his Centennial Birthday.)

    Dec 1974

    U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khinn

    • Dark moment in the history of Burma
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img_20190926_0001.jpg
    U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khin

    Apollo 8

    • Orbited the Moon in December 1968
    • Astronauts : Frank Borman, James Lovell, Bill Anders

    December 25

    • Christmas Eve on Dec 24
    • Christmas on Dec 25

    December 26

    • Saya U Ba Toke was born in 1920. He passed away on Dec 2, 2020 a few days before his Centennial birthday

    December 31

    • New Year’s Eve

    SEAP Games

    • Burma hosted the 2nd SEAP Games in December, 1961
    2nd SEAP Games
    • Burma hosted the 5th SEAP Games in December, 1969
    5th SEAP Games
    Poem

    Birthdays

    Several birthdays in December among my relatives & friends. They include

    • Beloved spouse : Dec 30
    • Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt : Dec 30
    • Saya Allen Htay (GBNF) : Dec 31
    • Elder sister
    • Cousin
    • Uncle (GBNF)
    • Classmates : Maung Maung Kyi (Wales, GBNF) and Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, GBNF).

    U Tin Maung Nyunt

    U Tin Maung Nyunt
    • Saya usually celebrates his birthday performing meritorious deeds.
    • Before his current medical condition, he observed Eight Precepts.
    • Practices Vipassana Meditation
    • He is a day older than Saya Allen Htay.

    My Beloved Spouse

    My spouse (in her younger days)
    • Supported my volunteer activities for nearly five decades.
    • I completed 26 years as Founder & Editor of “RIT Alumni Newsletter Updates”.
    2015 in Los Angeles
    • We attended several RIT gatherings : SPZP-2000, SPZP-2012, SPZP-2016 & 69er Golden Jubilee in Yangon; RIT & UCC Gatherings in Australia & Singapore; and many gatherings in the USA.
    SPZP-2016
    • Attended 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles held at the Knott Berry Farms, and a special gathering at iNapa Winery.
    iNapa Winery
    • She is a Caring Spouse, a Dutiful Mother & a Loving Grandmother. She asked me to take care of my health and minimize use of phone & computer.
    Myee
    • She loves to sing and dance at the gatherings. I am an amateur musician who plays instruments (piano, key board, guitar, harmonica) by ear.
    NorCal RITAA

    Here’s my birthday wish:

    May you be blessed with Good Health, Abundant Wealth, Unbounded Love, Peace, Calm, Tranquility … for many more years to come.

    June 1973

    Events in December

    Saya U Ba Toke
    • December 1, 1920 : Under the RU Act of 1920, Rangoon University was established with Rangoon College & Judson College as constituent colleges.
    • RU Golden Jubilee in 1970 : I was member of the “Zay Nay Yar Cha Htar Yay” committee
    • RU Diamond Jubilee in 1995 : BARB produced documentary for “Rangoon University Sports”
    • RU Centennial in 2020 :
      I was Moderator of the RU Centennial Facebook group
    • December 26, 1920 : Saya U Ba Toke’s birthday. His life story is published in the book by Tekkatho Maung Thin Char (Dr. Khin Maung Swe, GBNF).
      Saya passed away on December 2, 2020 a few days before his Centennial Birthday
    • December 5, 1920 : First RU Students’ Strike — Caused amendments to the RU Act.
      Led to the establishment of Amyothar Kyaung (National School) & Amyothat Kawleik (College). Amyothar Aung Bwe Nay (National Day) is celebrated using the Burmese date
    • December 1961 : Second SEAP Games — Hosted in Rangoon;
      Burma dominated in Track & Field, Swimming & Volleyball. About 20 athletes from RU represented Burma in the Games (See photo by Dr. Richard Yu Khin)
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is university-athletes.jpg
    RU students who represented Burma in the 2nd SEAP Games in 1961
    • Dec 1969 : Fifth SEAP Games in Rangoon
    Opening ceremony for 5th SEAP Games in 1969
  • New Year

    New Year

    by Hla Min

    Updated : September 2026

    Hla Min

    Universal

    • January 1 is usually accepted as “New Year’s Day”.
    • Some countries celebrate it as a holiday.
    • December 31 is “New Year’s Eve”.
    • Some sing “Auld Lang Syne” to usher in the New Year.

    Old Calendars

    • The old Roman Calendar has only 10 months starting with March
      So, March signified the New Year
    • Some civilizations celebrate Vernal equinox or First Day of Spring
      e.g. Persian New Year
      So, the New Year will fall around 20th – 22nd March

    Lunar New Year

    • Falls around end of January or beginning of February
    • Celebrated by Chinese and Vietnamese

    Luni-solar New Year

    • Falls in mid-April
    • Celebrated by Burmese / Myanmar, Thai, Cambodia, Laos
    • Burmese New Year follows Thingyan (which means change)
      Maha Thingyan means Great Change (from one year to the next).
      Cula Thingyan means Small Change (from one month/yathi to another month/yathi)
    • 3 or 4 days of Thingyan (also known as Water Throwing Festival)

    Miscellaneous

    • New Year of the indigenous people
      e.g. Karen New Year
  • Gatherings — UCC & ICST

    Gatherings — UCC & ICST

    by Hla Min

    Updated : September 2026

    • UCC evolved into DCS, ICST and UCSY
    • Saya U Soe Paing co-founded UCC. He hosted Lunch and Dinner gatherings at his house.
    • There have been UCC gatherings at MICT Park, Singapore, Australia and UCC.

    Saya U Soe Paing’s house

    Saya U Soe Paing’s house
    • Saya U Soe Paing hosted gatherings (usually dinner meeting) at his house. Sayagadaw Daw Saw Yu Tint (T69) was my class mate. She also attended CPC course.
    • U Thein Oo, Daw Tin May Lwin and several others help organize the gatherings.
    • U Thein Oo, U Htin Kyaw, Aung Aung and several others provided transportation to or from Saya’s house.

    40th Anniversary

    • There was fun and laughter at UCC’s 40th Anniversary Gathering.
    • Saya Dr. Tin Maung was represented by his spouse (now GBNF) and daughter.
    • Several UCC alumni are now GBNF. Recent GBNF include Ko Soe Myint Gyi, U Maung Maung Lay, Ko Maung Maung Gyi and Ko Aung Myint

    ICST SPZP

    • In January 14, 2018, I attended the 5th UCSY Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe as “Generation Zero” representative and the “Most Senior” (not by age). Several attendees started their studies and/or careers at UCC.
    • Saw Yan Naing, son of Dr. Saw Naing (Wesley, SPHS59), gave me a ride to the Pu Zaw Pwe. He is a nephew of Dr Myo Khin (C) and a cousin of Soe Lin Maung (UCC).

    Gatherings in USA

    • Dr. Rafiul Ahad, Ko Khin Zaw,, Ko Aung Myint Oo & Ma Thida Khin, Ko Sein Myint & Sao Mon Sint (Cindy) hosted UCC gatherings (especially to welcome and alumni visiting US).
    • Ivan Lee (M69) hosts an annual joint gathering for UCC and RIT sayas and alumni at his home in New Jersey. He later co-founded MASTAA and served as its inaugural CEO.

    Gatherings in Singapore

    • My early hosts include Ko Win Latt and Ko Ngwe Soe.
    • Ko Tin Aung Win, Ko Zaw Tun and Pale Shein organized buffet gatherings.
    • Ko Aung Aung & Ma Kyin Mya are regulars at the gatherings and at the Soon Kyway at Singapore Chan Myei Yeik Tha.
    • Some UCC have moved to Thailand and Myanmar.

    Gatherings in Australia

    Sydney
    • Saya U Aung Zaw (GBNF), Ko Sein Myint Maung & Khin Aye Mu, Ko Htay Aung & Tin Tin Hlaing organized the gatherings. I met Thandar Htwe and Khin May Thet.
    • Ko Sein Tin created a short music video during my visit to Oz in 2006.