Anagram Making new words and phrases from the given word e.g. North, South, East and West can be transformed into Thorn, Shout, Seat and Stew
Jumbled Words Feature of a newspaper column
Scrabble
Scrabble
Scrabble is a board game.
A game can be played by two to four players.
There are a specified number of tiles.
Each tile holds a letter worth one to ten points, or a “blank” (similar to a “joker” or a “wild card” in card games).
Rules
The word must appear in the official set of dictionaries (e.g. Chamber’s Dictionary, Jone’s Pronouncing Dictionary).
A player can challenge the validity of a word. He or she will forfeit a turn if the challenge is unsuccessful.
A bonus of 50 points is given for a word formed with all seven tiles. e.g. MAJESTY
In some contests, adding “s” to a singular to make it plural is disallowed.
Scrabble Tournaments
In our younger days, Scrabble tournaments were held by
Guardian Newspaper P. (Paul) Aung Khin (Editor, “Dawlay’s Circle”) was a host. There was a “Tiger” Scrabble team with U Tin Shwe, U Ba U and their friend. One of the Tigers joined Saya Des Rodgers to play Doubles.
RIT Scrabble Club Saya Des and Saya U Khin were hosts.
YMCA Known for the Chess Champions (e.g. Saya Dawson). Hosted Scrabble tournaments.
Saya Des Rodgers won several trophies. Most of the English sayas (e.g. U Khin) and sayamas (e.g. Daw Toni) played Scrabble along with the students such as Ko Myo Tun (Bobby) and Ko Khin Maung Win (Roland). Civil Engineering sayas (e.g. U Tin Win) also frequent the English Department for Scrabble sessions and tournaments.
Saya U Khin has Chamber’s Dictionary and Jone’s Pronouncing Dictionary on his desk for use in the challenges.
Update of RIT Scrabble Players
Saya Des moved to UK and then Canada.
Saya U Khin moved to Taiwan.
Sayama Toni joined her husband U Nyi Than (who retired as Ambassador). After his demise, Sayama moved back to Yangon. She attends and/or host gatherings (sumptuous food and Scrabble) in Yangon.
Bobby is now Ashin Pannagavesaka (Former Dhamma Librarian, Pa Auk Tawya monastery in Mawlamyine). Bobby mentioned that Paul requested him to be a judge at the Guardian Scrabble tournaments, so he could not participate.
Roland retired after working for an Embassy in Yangon.
HMEE-2012 Lead Author : Saya U Aung Hla Tun (National Literary Award Winner) U Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled the CD Supplement
Beginning of Engineering Courses at Rangoon University
BOC College of Engineering and Mining
Faculty of Engineering
Leik Khone
Burma Institute of Technology (BIT)
Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT)
Yangon Institute of Technology (YIT)
Yangon Technological University (YTU)
Changes in Education Systems and Names
Early supporters of the Project
Sayagyi U Ba Than
Saya U Thaw Kaung
Saya U Soe Paing (my mentor at RIT and UCC).
Saya U Soe Paing’s post on March 5, 2011
I went to the University Central Library (UCL) on Tuesday and managed to get scanned photos from the Eng Student Annual Magazines for the academic years 51-52, 52-53, 56-57 and 60-61. Photos include photos of Sayas and students of that year. From these when can know about the Sayas at that year. We can also identify the students at that year.
Saya U Sein Hlaing (Professor of Electrical Engineering) was a final year student in 1951-52 and became an A/L (Assistant Lecturer) starting 1952-53.
Saya U Tin Swe (Lecturer, EE Department) was a student in 1951-52 and 52-53. He was a member of the Eng Student Union and the victorious Prome Hall football team.
Ex-Burma Selected Footballer U Chan Tha (Chief Engineer, Roads, Rangoon Municipal) was the Captain of the football team.
U Khin Si, husband of RIT Finance Officer Daw Yin Yin Htway and part time lecturer Textile, and his brother U Tin Si were also members of that victorious team. The brothers were also outstanding tennis players and excelled at the Doubles event. Their partnership won RU as well as national championships.
The 1956-57 magazine contains photos when the new Leik Khone Engineering Buildings were inaugurated in 1956 Nov by HE U Ba Swe, Prime Minister at that time.
In the 1952-53 magazine I found out that Mr. Robert Hole (ex-EE, Highways, PWD,PWC,CC; uncle of Percy Maung Maung and uncle Bobby to me) was the English editor. I called Uncle Bobby and requested him to write something about his engineering student days, his teachers and fellow students. He agreed and asked for about three weeks time.
I need to go back and to the UCL to get more info from the RIT handbook 1966-67 and photos from the Hlyat Sit Sar Saung.
Saya U Ba Than (Professor of Mechanical Engineering) has donated some of his Engineering College photos to the MES library and I need to go there to check up on the photos.
Best wishes SP (Saya U Soe Paing)
Editor’s notes
An academic usually spans two years. To save space and time, I had loosely used the end year instead of the start year and end year. Using that notation, Saya U Sein Hlaing is from the Class of 52; Saya U Tin Swe and U Chan Tha are from the Class of 53; U Aw Taik Maw is from the Class of 54.
In the early days, there were no Instructors (but only Assistant Lecturers) for the Faculty of Engineering. They are Gazetted officers.
Some of our sayas (Saya Dr. Aung Gyi, Saya U Min Wun, Saya U Maung Maung Than, Saya U Khin Aung Kyi, Saya U Aung Khin, Saya U Thit, Saya U Thein Lwin, Saya U Soe Paing) applied for “States Scholar” before graduation.
Some (Saya Allen Htay, Saya Dr San Hla Aung, Saya U Htin Paw, Saya Dr. Ba Lwin, Saya U San Tun, Saya U Tin Hlaing) joined the faculty and were selected to do post-graduate studies.
Grapevine says that the Halls would aggressively seek outstanding athletes (footballers,…)
U Chan Tha is also Past Captain and Gold of RUBC Gold. He attended RUBC Regattas (including the 90th Anniversary of the Founding of RUBC). I was a contributing editor for the commemorative issue.
Ko Percy Maung Maung and his younger brother Ko Hugh Maung Maung are old crocs. Ko Percy is a class mate of Saya U Soe Paing at SPHS (St. Paul’s High School) and Stanford University.
Ma Gilmore Hole, daughter of Mr. Robert Hole, was a sayama at UCC, DCS and ICST. Due to declining health (and some loss of memory), Mr. Robert Hole could not fulfill his promise to write about RUESU and the olden days.
Saya Dr. Yan Naing Lwin (Emeritus Professor of Physics at Western Illinois University) e-mailed me a copy of the “Burmese state scholars in ’54”. The list was published in one of my early updates. The list includes Saya U Sein Hlaing, Saya U Tin Swe, …
Ko Benny Tan (M 70) used to have two copies of the “RIT Handbook”. One was loaned indefinitely by an alumni. I published the list of permanent and part-time sayas and sayamas from that handbook in one of early “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” updates.
Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War, EE) may have old copies of “Hlyat Sit Sar Saung”, RIT Annual Magazines, commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saungs for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010, commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Magazines for Shwe YaDu and SPZP-2016. Saya served as Chief Editor and/or Publisher for the above mentioned publications.
Saya Charlie Kaw (Tex, GBNF) is believed to have brought along with him the projects of his final year students when he migrated to the USA.
“History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar” was published in time for SPZP-2012. Due to resource constraints, there were inadvertent errors and missing names/captions for the photos. Ko Ohn Khine (M70) translated Section 1 and summarized Section 2 in English. The translations were provided in the companion CD compiled by Ko Ohn Khine and yours truly.
Saya U Aung Hla Tun (Met, National Literary Award winner) headed the team (see attached photo). Saya feels that the younger generation could/should “correct” the book and enhance it.
Some Early Authors and Poets Minby Sayadaw U Awbatha Kyee The Lay Htutt Sayadaw Ananda Thuriya Shin Maha Rathta Thara Shin Maha Thilawuntha Pho Thudaw U Min and Lu U Min U Kyin Oo U Pone Nya …
Burmese Language Commission Bogyi (later Bohmu Ba Thaung) Thesis on Early Sarsodaws Retired Colonel U San Lwin Compiler, Lexicographer
Khit San Khit San Sar Pay co-founders : students of U Pe Maung Tin ICS U Sein Tin (Theikpan Maung Wa) U Thein Han (Zawgyi) U Wun (Minthuwun) Khit San Kabyar Published by Saya U Pe Maung Tin and students
Sagar Sagar Lein Mar Aung Myint Yar (Speaking) Sar Pay Beik Man Sagar Pone (Proverbs) Early : Series by High School Sayamagyi Burmese Proverbs (by Saya Dr. Hla Phay, Professor, SOAS) Later : Book (by Myanmar Sar Ah Phwe) Sagar Pariye Collection by Dr. Nyunt Wai (SPHS63)
Jataka Tales Tay Za Thu Nay Ma Bu San Nar Wi Way (Zat Tasw Gyi) Some are available as Audio Books from https; //www.facebook.com/listenersheaven (Ko Myint Htwe and Team)
Media Radio Programs (Plays …) Newspapers (Columnists …) Magazines (Poems, Short stories, Novels …) Later : TV Broadcasts, Internet
Infant (C), (B) and (A) in PPBRS Known as LKG, MKG and HKG in other schools Basics of Myanmar Language (Reading, Writing, Recitation)
Primary School Daung Phutt Sar (Peacock Reader)
Middle School Myanmar Thadda (Grammar by Saya U Pe Maung Tin) Selected Prose Selected Kabyar
High School Prescribed Texts (Prose, Kabyar, Pya Zat, Spelling …) Essays
Formal and Informal Learning Prize : Translation of Aesop’s Fables (by Min Yu Way and Ngwe Tar Yi) Texts and References of older brother and sisters (Zi Nat Hta Pa Ka Tha Ni, Lu Du Aung Than, Pyidaung Su Pan Daing, Pyi Daw Tha Kha Yee, Kabyar Pan Kone …) Fiction and Non-fiction Magazines Cartoons, Comics Protective Verses Myanmar Swel Sone Kyan
It is an Order in the Catholic Church founded by John Baptist De La Salle. A Brother has to take three vows:
Chasity
Loyalty
Poverty
The mission of the Brothers is to promote education.
De La Salle Schools in Burma
St. Patrick’s High School (Moulmein)
St. Paul’s High School (Rangoon)
St. Paul’s
St. Peter’s High School (Mandalay)
St. Albert’s High School (Maymyo)
St. Joseph’s High School (Loikaw)
St. Columban’s High School (Bhamo)
De La Salle School (Twante)
SomeSt. Pat Alumni
H.E. Dr. Mehm Thet San
Ko Ko Gyi (Tenessarim, Customs, Burma)
M Singh (RU Soccer)
U Aye (M62, BIT and RU Volleyball)
Jimmy Sein (Tint Swe , C55) Prome Hall/RU (Soccer)
Pway Ain(Htay Aung) RU (Soccer)
U Win Naing (George Hoke Wan) Stood fourth in Burma in Matriculation 1953.
Peter Shein (GBNF) Stood Tenth in Burma in Matriculation 1953
U Maung Maung (M54) Outstanding student 1953-54 Gold Medalist, first in his class of M54. FAO Project Manager
B Singh (RU Soccer)
U Soe Myint RU Soccer Captain (in mid sixties)
Sayadaw U Jotika
U Ngwe Zoe (Peter Gale, Medical Technologist)
U Kyaw Thu (Dennnis Mackey, C73)
SomeOld Paulians
ICS U Tin Tut
U Chan Htoon
Dr. Ba Han
Dr. Ba Maw
H.E. U Than Aung
Vipassa Sayagyi U Ba Khin
U Kyaw Win (Gawsa)
C. Ping Lee (EE)
Some Peterites
U Ye Myint
U Thaung Tin
U Khin Maung Than
H.E. Dr. Kyaw Myint
U Thein Tan
U Myo Min (Monty Han)
Des Rodgers
Albertians
Mehm Than Thoung (Maurice, RUBC Gold)
U San Aung (Sonny)
Victor Htun Shein (RUBC Gold)
U Zaw Min Nawaday
Mehm Tin Thoung (Freddie)
Dr. Robin Chan
Gordon Htun Shein
Saw Maung Maung Htwe
St. Columban Alumni
U Myint Thein (David)
Twante De La Salle Alumni
U Win Maung
SPHS Honor Roll
During our school days, St. Paul’s High School displayed an Honor Roll with the outstanding Matriculates starting from the 1950s.
Sayagyi U Ba Khin stood First in Matriculation in the Pre-war days.
The Post-war saw SPHS heading the top list for most academic years. The following stood First in Burma in their Matriculation class.
George Chapman (1951)
Dr. Nyunt Tin (1952)
Koon Yin Chu (1954)
Dr. Soe Win (1958) — heading the Top Two
Dr. Frankie Ohn (1959) — heading the Top Four
Dr. Khin Maung U (1963) — heading the Top Five
After nationalization, the Honor Roll disappeared.
It was recovered by Ko Soe Nyunt (Taw Win Hnin Si, SPHS66).
Old Paulian’s Association
During our school days, the Old Paulian Association (OPA) was inside the school compound.
In 1963, ten of us were invited to the Annual OPA Dinner.
Khin Maung U (1st)
Min Oo (2nd)
Myo San (Freddie Ba San, 3rd)
Nyunt Wai (Victor Nyunt, 4th)
Thein Wai (5th)
Hla Min (7th)
Aung Kyaw Zaw (Johnny Maung Maung, 9th)
Maung Maung Kyi (11th)
Aung Thuyein (Brownie Way, 13th)
Khin Maung Zaw (Frank Gale, 17th)
After nationalization, the OPA moved out. Sadly, OPA allowed non-Paulians to “join” for billiards and drinks.
It took some time, before the Old Paulians — mostly from the late 50s and early 60s — took over the OPA and organized Reunions and Acariya Pu Zaw Pwes. OPA also awarded prizes to the children of Old Paulians who had done well academically (mostly in high school).
SPHS Sayas and Sayamas
Some joined SPHS from KG. They would know more sayas and sayamas than me.
After standing second in 3rd standard at PPBRS (Private Primary Boundary Road School), I transferred to Std. IV (D) at SPHS. As Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint noted, most of the transfer students were placed in Section (D).
Sections (A) and (B) were reserved mostly for the bright students.
I had to be in the Top Two for four consecutive years, before I was assigned to Section (A) in Std. VIII.
My Class Teachers include :
Ms. A Benjamin (IVD)
Mrs. V Boudville (VD)
U Pe Tin (VID)
U Nge (VIID)
Brother Anthony (VIIIA)
Brother Xavier (IXA)
Brother Austin (XA)
Ms. Amelia Kyi (“Miss Hong Kong”) taught us English in VI and VII Standards. She would fine 25 pyas for failing the weekly test. However, she would reward 50 pyas for topping the test. My daily pocket money was 25 pyas.
Brother Xavier taught us English in VIII and IX. He would mark a dictation test starting out with 100 and then subtracting 10 for every spelling error. One of my classmates ended with -130. For some reason, the Albertians said that Brother Xavier stopped being strict after he transferred from St. Paul’s to St. Albert’s.
After Nationalization, Brother Xavier moved back to the UK. He subsequently left the Order.
Brother Austin taught us English in X. He also taught “Morals and Manners” for the period when the Catholic students studied Catechism. He was the School Librarian and also in charge of the 8mm projector. Every week, he would take us to the School Library (which had books donated by Ford Foundation and Asia Foundation), ask us to check out a book and then write a review over the weekend.
For the “Morals and Manners” class, he would ask us to recite poems from the book. The first three who recited perfectly could take “time off for the rest of the period”. I was lucky to win a few special prizes : a ticket to see “1960 Rome Olympics” documentary at Thamada (President) cinema, and a book covering North America (complete with history and atlas).
He abhorred plagiarism. He said, “It’s okay if you did not time to finish your homework. But don’t copy other’s works. It’s a waste of time for you and me.”
Contrary to his expectations, I did not end up in the Top Three.
After Nationalization, Brother Austin moved to a De La Salle School in Malaysia, and continued teaching until his demise.
Saya Sein was our Burmese teacher in High School. He taught us “Mingala Pa Pun Lu Na Ta Tu Ti Sein Ta Ti Ti Mingala” as an example of giving the meaning of Pali words. Saya Sein is the father of Dr. Soe Win (Chemistry, ICST, Retired Principal of UFL)
Saya Kyaw Sein (brother in law of Saya Sein) taught VII(A) and was our relieving teacher.
There were several subject teachers and relieving teachers. They include :
HlaMin 