HlaMin

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  • Time Flies

    Time Flies

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Education Ministry and System

    Minister

    Colonel Hla Han was the “Pyinnyar Ye Tar Wun Khan” (ပညာရေးတာဝန်ခံ later renamed Minister of Education). He succeeded Commodore Than Pe (RUBC President), who was the first Revolutionary Council member to pass away.

    Deputy Minister

    Dr. Nyi Nyi was the “Pyinnyar Ye Ah Twin Wun” (ပညာရေးအတွင်းဝန် Secretary, later renamed Deputy Minister of Education).

    RIT Management

    U Yone Mo

    U Yone Moe was Rector. He started his tenure with BIT (Burma Institute of Technology) as “Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University”, and became the first Rector of RIT.

    U Soe Thein, former Ta-ka-tha တကသ student leader, was Registrar.

    RIT Departments

    There were eight Engineering Departments: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Textile, Mining, Metallurgy & Architecture.

    There were several supporting Departments: Maths, Physics, Chemistry, English & Burmese.

    Admission to RIT

    In November 1964, three batches of students attended the first ever 1st BE, 2nd BE & 3rd BE (formerly, 1st year of Engineering) under the then New Education System.

    450+ students were admitted to 1st BE using the ILA (Intelligence Level Aggregate). The background ranges from Pure Science, Pure Arts & Hybrid (with some Science and some Arts subjects).

    320+ students who had passed the last ever I.Sc.(A) exam were admitted to the first ever 2nd BE class. They had attended the Intermediate Colleges (e.g. under Rangoon University or Mandalay University).

    About 200 students who had passed the last ever I.Sc.(B) exam were admitted to the first ever 3rd BE class. They had attended the Intermediate Colleges. There were a few who had taken sabbatical in the old 1st year of Engineering.

    Fees, Scholarships and Stipends

    The monthly tuition was 15 kyats.

    Scholarship winners & stipend holders receive a monthly allowance of 75 kyats (60 kyats net after paying the tuition).

    The Class of 69++

    Disciplines

    Of the 320+ students admitted to 2nd BE, there were 100+ students in Civil & Mechanical, 70+ students in Electrical, 15+ students in Chemical & Textile, and 10 (or less) students in Mining, Metallurgy & Architecture.

    Most graduated in 1969. A few left before graduation. Some took sabbatical and graduated later.

    The Class of 69 (or 69++) consists of

    (a) those who entered 2nd BE in 1964
    (b) those who graduated in 1969
    (c) those who studied a year or more with the above.

    30th Anniversary

    In 1999, Ko Tint Lwin (Daniel), Ko Sein Myint, Ko Sein Win (“Nar Yee”),  and several 69ers organized the reunion for the “30th Anniversary of Graduation” and also a mini-SPZP. Daniel e-mailed me a report. Ma Saw Yu Tint (Alice) e-mailed me photos.

    Saya U Soe Paing e-mailed me about several mini-gatherings in Yangon (e.g. with Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi).

    RIT Newsletter

    I started “RIT Alumni (Abroad) Newsletter” to share RIT-related news (such as mini-gatherings) and solicited contact information (in the form a spread sheet) from interested sayas & alumni. I use “RIT” to stand not only for Rangoon Institute of Technology, but to all the engineering faculty, colleges and institutes that precede or succeed it.

    The name was changed to “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” to include alumni in Burma and the rest of the world.

    RIT Web Site

    Ko Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) designed and implemented the first RIT web site. Ivan Lee (Ko Khin Maung Oo, M69), Ko Aung Myint (M69, Singapore) and the San Francisco Bay Area Group led by Saya Allen Htay (C58) provided some financial help to operate the web site.

    “RIT Alumni International” hosted the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in October 2000.

    SPZP

    There has been seven world wide SPZPs: SPZP-2000 in USA, SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 & SPZP-2010 in Singapore, SPZP-2004, SPZP-2012 & SPZP-2016 in Yangon.

    40th Anniversary

    M69
    EE69
    C69

    The Class of 69 organized the “40th Anniversary of the Graduation” in 2009.

    Golden Jubilee of Admission

    Shwe YaDu

    The “Golden Jubilee of the admission to 2nd BE” was held in 2014 because 69ers were concerned with the declining health of members and that some might not make it to the Golden Jubilee of graduation in 2019.

    Declining Health of Members

    At one moment, the Class of 69 had a median age of 69, and the GBNF list has 69 members.

    The symmetry no longer holds. In 2025, the median age is around 79 and the GBNF list has 128 members.

    Attendees at the mini-gatherings have decreased. Some could not drive, and had to ask their family members to take them to the gatherings. Some had operations, and need time to recover fully. Some had medical problems.

    Most are retired or semi-retired. A few did not retire or did not have the chance to retire.

    Ko Tin Maung Lay (M69)’s spouse wanted him to retire, but his boss requested him to perform a hand-over before retiring. He had daily work outs and had no known major health problems. We were sad to learn of his untimely demise in Dubai on a Friday (holiday in the country). His company & colleagues tried extra hard to make sure that Ko Tin Maung Lay’s body could be flown back to Southern California, USA.

    Let’s hope for the best, and prepare for the worst. U Aung Min (M69), U Shwe (EP69) & team are the core volunteers for the 69er Health Care Fund.

    Ivan Lee (U Khin Maung Oo, M69), U Sein Myint (EP69) & Daw Myint Myint (C69) are major donors to HCF.

    Ko Tint Lwin (Daniel, M69) added :

    Thank you very much for your write-up about our 1999 “30th Anniversary of Graduation”. Actually. it all started in 1996 when I visited Burma and had dinner with a few of my close friends, including, Ko Shwe, Ko Win Mg, Ko Ye Pinn, Gabar Ko Myint Thein, etc. During dinner somebody mentioned that in 3 years time it would be 30 years since we graduated. Out of the blues I suggested to have a reunion in 1999. Everybody laughed as it was so far away. When I came back to Singapore and told Ko Sein Myint and Dickie they also laughed and told me that I must be crazy to think about so far away. However, time flies and in either late 1998 or early 1999 at Ko Win Htein’s funeral wake, some of our friends remembered the reunion proposal. They quickly formed a committee and organised the very first reunion at ‘Sait Taing Kya Restaurant. After the event I wrote you a report, Alice sent you a few photos and the rest is history.

    Ko Ivan Lee (M69) wrote :

    Dear Classmates,

    Recently rather than optimistic good news, we heard spreading pessimistic health concern news mostly.

    It clearly indicates that we are aging higher and health is going down lower and lower.

    I can Imagine 5 years from now how many will be terribly survived.

    I am kind of depressed that sooner or later we will be meeting THERE.

    At this moment all I can express is to wish our classmates who are in sickness to recover ASAP.

    Ivan Lee (M69)

    Zau Lai (EP69) wrote :

    Thank you, Ko Hla Min, for your writings. If it’s not for you there will be no records and history of R I T. I am reading interestingly all your writings all the time. When we all are gone your writing will live on.

    Aung Min (M69) added :

    So thanks for your recordings.

    Appreciations.

    Golden Jubilee of Graduation

    The Class of 69 celebrated the true Golden Jubilee (50th Anniversary of Graduation) in December 2019.

    GJ in 2019

  • 1999 – Present

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    1999

    • 30th Anniversary of 69ers Graduation
    • Started “RIT Alumni International Newsletter”

    2000

    SPZP-2000 Organizers
    • First RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in San Francisco, USA
    Kyauk Si Bagyee
    • Commemorative web pages (thanks to KMZ)
    T shirt
    Mug 1
    Mug 2
    • Commemorative Issues of the Newsletter by U Hla Min and team
    • 64 Countdown to the Reunion posts
    • 36 Post-Reunion posts

    2002

    • Second RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Singapore
    • Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung”
      by Saya U Moe Aung and team
    • Reprinted my “SAYA PUZAW PWE” poem as Back Cover

    2004

    • Third RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Yangon
    • Mild earthquake did not rattle the attendees

    2007

    • Fourth RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Singapore
    • Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung”
      by Saya U Moe Aung and team
    • Contributed a poem

    2009

    • 40th Anniversary of 69er Graduation

    2010

    • Fifth RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Singapore
    • Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung”
      by Saya U Moe Aung and team
    • Contributed an article : Sad and short clip — EE sayas

    2012

    • Sixth RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Yangon
    • True “Home Coming” in the Gyogone Campus
    • Special publication : History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar by Saya U Aung Hla Tun and team (
      U Ohn Khine and I prepared the supplemental CD for the book
    • Special publication: Selected RIT Cartoons
    • Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” by U Saw Lin and team
    • Reprints: Limited number of RIT Annual Magazines

    2013

    • Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
    • Contributions for various projects
    • Health care for the sayas and sayamas
    • “Saya Geha” as long term project

    2014

    • Shwe YaDu
    Shwe YaDu
    • 50th Anniversary of the opening of RIT in 1964
    • Golden Jubilee of Admission to RIT for 69ers
    • Planted 50 Swel Daw Bins
    • Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” by Saya U Moe Aung and team
      Contributed an article : “Recollections of a 69er”
    • Paved Shwe YaDu lane and set up Swel Daw Yeik benches
    • Translated Saya U Moe Aung’s Shwe YaDu poem
    Shwe YaDu Lann

    2015

    • RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
    Los Angeles
    • Mini-gatherings in Northern California
    Gathering at iNapa Winery

    2016

    • RIT/YIT/YTU Alumni Association
    • Seventh RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Yangon
    • 10000+ attendees (expected)
    • Free food and fun (all day and all night long)
    • Received two “RIT Alumni Appreciation Awards”
    Award 1
    Award 2

    2019

    • Pre RU Centennial events
    • Moderator for RU Centennial Web Page
    • Panelist for 5th Irawaddy Literary Festival
    ILF
    • Golden Jubilee for 69ers Graduation
    GJ for 69ers

    2020

    • Due to pandemic, SPZP-2020 was canceled
    • Low key celebration of RU Centennial
    • Broadcast 220+ educational videos

    2021 – 2023

    • Lost some sayas, classmates and schoolmates
    • Updating / Organizing posts
    • Mostly Online gatherings

    2024

    • Centennial of Engineering Education in Burma / Myanmar
    • 60th Anniversary of RIT
    • Silver Jubilee of “RIT Alumni Newsletter”

    2025

    • Still paying back to my mentors & alma mater
    • Updating Posts
    • @hmin3664
    YouTube Channel for my videos
  • Saya Pu Zaw Pwe

    Saya Pu Zaw Pwe

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    World Wide Saya Pu Zaw Pwe

    Beginning

    The first RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe was held in San Francisco, California, USA in October of 2000. I am honored to be a member of the RIT Alumni International that hosted SPZP-2000.

    SPZP-2000 Organizers

    I founded the RIT Alumni International Newsletter in 1999 and have served as its Editor and Content Provider for 26 years. I have repaid the metta and cetana of my mentors.

    Seven SPZPs

    There have been seven RIT Grand Reunion and SPZPs (also known as World Wide SPZPs). They are

    • SPZP-2000 : US in October 2000
    • SPZP-2002 : Singapore in December 2002
    • SPZP-2004 : Yangon in December 2004
    • SPZP-2007 : Singapore in April 2007
    • SPZP-2010 : Singapore in December 2010
    • SPZP-2012 : Yangon at the Gyogone Campus in December 2012 (True Home Coming). The Reunion dinner was held at MICT Park
    • SPZP-2016 : Yangon. A free All Day Event at the Gyogone Campus with exhibitions, and two stages.

    Note : SPZP-2020 was canceled due to the pandemic.

    Publications

    For SPPZ-2000, I served as Chief Editor for the commemorative issue of “RIT Alumni Newsletter”.

    For SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010, Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) served as Chief Editor of the commemorative issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung”. Saya also served as Chief Editor of the commemorative issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” for Shwe YaDu 2014 and SPZP-2016.

    U Saw Linn (C71, GBNF) served as Chief Editor of “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” for SPZP-2012.

    Other special publications for SPZP-2012 are

    • HMEE-2012 (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) by Saya U Aung Hla Tun & team. I was a member.
      U Ohn Khine and I compiled a CD supplement for the book.
    • Selected RIT Cartoons
      by U Myint Pe (M72) and fellow cartoonists
    • @hmin3664
    YouTube Channel for my videos

    Posts

    • Noble Tradition
    • RIT Alumni Newsletter
    • Souvenirs
    • SPZP-2007 Diary
    • SPZP-2012
    • SPZP-2016
  • Dream

    Dream

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Jules Verne

    He dreamed of traveling

    • to the Moon and back
    • in a hot air balloon
    • in a submarine 20000 leagues under the sea
    • to the center of the earth
    • around the world in 80 days (a remarkable feat for his time)

    He inspired people to transform most of his wishes into reality.

    • He sent three men from a Cape in Florida to orbit the moon, and returned them safely to earth.
    • A century later — around Christmas of 1968 — Apollo 8 with Frank Borman, James Lovell and Bill Anders made Verne’s dream a reality. The space ship was launched from Cape Canaveral (later renamed Cape Kennedy), which is within striking distance of the spot chosen by Vernes.
    • In July 1969, Apollo 11 with Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin landed in Tranquility Bay on the Moon.
    • When President John F. Kennedy proclaimed, “Before this decade is out, we will send men to the moon and then bring them back safely to earth”, there was no substantial plan to support his dream.
    • Wernher von Braun, a German rocket scientist, and his team were given a “level of trust” to work on the NASA project.
    • It would need baby steps : Mercury, Gemini & Apollo projects to have one, two and three astronauts to man the space ships.
    • It was not clear how to implement the important phase. e.g. How can a direct hit to the moon cause a safe return to earth? Folklore said that an engineer scribbled on his lunch bag a “spider” landing on the moon and returning. His dream resulted in the design of the Lunar Module. The rest is history.
    • The take away is that “If you can dream, others can fulfill [your dream].”

    My Early Dream

    • My dream — more than two decades ago — was to get the sayas and alumni get reconnected electronically (virtually) and physically (face-to-face).
    • In 1999, we founded the “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” and ex-rit.org website.
    • With the help of countless sponsors and volunteers, the First RIT Grand Reuion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP) was held in San Francisco, California, USA in October 2000.
    SPZP-2000 Organizers
    • Seven SPZPs have been held
      USA in 2000, Singapore in 2002, 2007 and 2010, Yangon in 2004, 2012, 2016.
    • SPZP-2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic.

    My Recent Dream

    • It was to compile and publish a story of our beloved land, our ancestors, mentors prime movers; those who helped build the “Rice Bowl of Asia”; those who dragged it to LDC (Least Developing Country) status; unsung heroes who tried to overcome the “Adhamma Era” and rebuild the nation into former glory.
    • I have written numerous articles / posts.
    • 2500+ posts can now be read from my web site — hlamin.com
    • I have broadcast 220+ educational videos.
    • We request Volunteers (paid or unpaid), Subject Matter Experts, Editors, Proofreaders, Presentation Gurus, Sponsors, Contributors & Supporters to help implement my Dream.
    • @hmin3664
    YouTube Channel for my videos

    U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) wrote :

    Dreaming and creating inspiration for others to be able to fulfill your dreams are two different animals, if you will, by themselves. I, like many others, have dreams but we do not have your dedication, perseverance and drive to inspire others,

    As I have said many times here, my hats off to you, I am very proud to be considered your friend, and informal pupil. And to your significant other (Ma Sein Yie) to take care of you/look after you and your sons while you would be deep into these projects. Please convey my regards to your family members

  • Recollections of a Student Architect

    by Thet Win

    Updated : June 2025

    It was the first day of the first class at Architecture Department. Saya U Shwe was teaching Basic Drawing to a class of twenty odd students. We did nothing that day except drew lines free hand. Straight lines, curved lines, lines at an angle, lines with unique character, lines with attitude, lines, lines, and just lines . . . . all day. For those who selected Architecture as their first choice among majors available at RIT, that was fun. For the rest, it was a nightmare and set the tone for what to expect in the next few years as a Student Architect.

    In the following days we migrated to drawing plan, elevation, and section of any chosen object. Any object you can see well enough in your minds’ eyes to draw it correctly. One of my classmates, Ko Kyaw Myint, whose family ran a popular café, chose to draw section of a Chinese pao (Pauk-Si) with interesting fillings inside. The class had a good laugh. He is now a successful businessman in Rangoon.

    Our batch was a unique one. We were the first batch of the new system at that time (1979). After matriculation, two years of Regional College and a diploma in a technical field, we still had to sit for an entrance exam to get into RIT. Never mind what different technology path you went through during the second year of Regional College, here we were at the famed Institute of Technology in Rangoon.

    The process by which raw space is turned into a comfortable living or working environment is a fascinating and difficult one, not entirely dissimilar to the process of becoming an architect. There were moments of great joy punctuated by ones of exhaustion and despair when you can’t seem to get the right configuration for the plan you are working on or can’t quite grasp the combination of mass and void to shape the space you want. But at the end of each day, there was progress, and at the end of many weeks, there was something beautiful and meaningful on the drawing sheets or as a model where form matches function.
    Our teachers were there to guide us through this process and help us understand what 20th Century Architecture is (Saya U Myo Myint Sein), how form follows function (Saya U Hla Myint), what Urban Design really is (Saya Dr. Kyaw), why less is more (Saya Dr. Lwin Aung), and what it means to be an Architect in Burmese society (Saya U Win Htein).

    Classes were not only held in our design studios, Nway-Aye (Warm-Cold), a favorite café on campus, was also used as our satellite class-room from time to time as students and teachers discussed various matters and debated architectural issues endlessly.

    Soccer was also a part of our culture though teams selected from much larger talent pool consistently beat up Architecture team. On one occasion, Ma Hlaing Maw Oo (Maw Oo Hoke) promised to dance at the Fresher Welcome dinner if we can score a goal against the team we were playing. The other team cooperated happily so that we get to see her perform.
    Saya Dr. Koung Nyunt opened up our eyes with his weekly lectures and slide-shows on Landscape Architecture. The department library had limited resources, up-to-date books and technical magazines. We all benefited a lot from Dr. Koung Nyunt’s recent return from Japan to not only share his experience, but his collection of slides and books.

    A lot of our Sayas’ homes became our gathering places. These on campus gatherings at Saya Dr. Lwin Aung, Saya U Hla Myint, and Saya Dr. Koung Nyunt’s houses were filled with laughter…. and we learned something from each event. Bonds between student architects and architect-teachers were formed which last for decades. Some went on to form partnerships in architecture practice.

    We also had close ties with other departments. Dr. Win Tin (EE) had an electronics club whose members were our close friends: Ko Kyin Shein (EE 81?), the late Ko Myo Aung (EE83), Ko Thu Ta (EE82), and Ko Ye Gaung (EE82, currently in San Jose). Dr. Win Tin’s group provided electronics and acoustic wizardry to campus wide events where our Association of Student Architects usually took care of the transformation of ordinary campus settings into one of festive environment.

    During this time some former architecture students had especially close ties to the school and had positive influence on the students’ design philosophy and style. Two Architects stood out among the trend setters at that time: Ko Khun Tha Myint and Ko San Oo, who later joined the faculty. Both are now doing extremely well in Myanmar. Ko Khun Tha as a businessman, and Ko San Oo as the founder of Design 2000. Ko Khun Tha headed up Architects Cooperative (I am sketchy on the exact name of the organization) with Saya U Kyaw Thein who taught fifth year Design Studios and Acoustics.

    Architects’ Co-op prospered for many years until the mid-eighties. A lot of former Co-op architects have went on to become quite successful in various parts of the country: Ko Myint Han (81), Ko Sai Yee (82), and Ko Kyaw Than Oo (82) in Mandalay for instance.

    After a few years in the private industry, I left Burma for a job in Australia as an architect. I fell in love with CAD while working on the design-build team for an award-winning college complex. I later came to the Grad School of Architecture at UCLA in Los Angeles. That’s where I became a programmer in CAD, and then later in Internet technologies and databases (around 1995). I am now so removed from architecture that the only design I do at work is E-Commerce applications and infrastructure design as I run the E-Commerce and Travel group at Walt Disney Internet Group. But my heart is still in Architecture and Design. I caught up with some of the classmates in Rangoon last year.

    Association of Myanmar Architects (AMA) has been in place since 1996, headed up by Saya U Hla Than, Sayama Daw Min Thet Mon, Ko Myo Tun (Bobby), Ko Myint Han, Ko Nay Zin Latt (80) and Ko Nyunt Win Lay (82) among many others. AMA publishes a newsletter regularly, and organizes lectures, tours, and competitions. In the spirit of competition I believe our new blood of student architects are better prepared to take on the world. Recent news of gaining recognition at international level is quite encouraging for the young Burmese architects. Back in November 1999, they were looking to raise funds and find enough talent to form a new private School of Design. I am not sure if AMA has made progress on that front. I hope that we can somehow manage to help this going.

    I’d like to second Mr. Ivan Lee’s suggestion. As we juggle our busy professional and personal schedules spending time on the congested freeways/subways, I’d like to urge you to think of how we can work together to take advantage of this tremendous talent and experience pool we have here.

    I’d like to think that this reunion is just the beginning of more fruitful endeavors to come and that we’d be able to put together something solid and plan for the future at the reunion.

    Editor’s Note:

    Many years ago, a teenager boldly challenged me to a game of Junior Mastermind. His father had multiple talents: a bilingual writer, translator, poet with famous pen names such as Mya Zin, Po Yaza, and Epsilon, an MPA from Harvard, Technical Advisor to National Planning, an accomplished Bridge player, a maestro in Vipassana meditation, and the Auctioneer in the “Myanmar Gems Emporium”.
    His mother was a teacher well liked by her students. That teenager, now married to a famous Myanmar movie actor, is the web master of a prime e-commerce site. The couple will be in town for the Reunion. Despite a busy schedule, Ko Thet Win kept his promise [given several months back] to write a special article for our web site.
    Ko Thet Win is a Double Architect : first, an Architect for buildings, now, an Architect for Computers.
    His spouse completed the Los Angeles Marathon. She and her daughter would sing and dance at events.

  • Class of 72

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    M72

    • Wynn Htain Oo : Mg Mar Ga See Posts
    WHO
    • Kenneth Ba Aye : Ka Let Tet
    WHO & Hne Pei Myar
    • Myint Pe : Cartoon Box, Lushwindaw See Posts
    Myint Pe, Cartoonists & Cartoon Lovers
    • Han Sein : Saya, Former Dy. Minister
    Han Sein (M72)
    • Win Myint : Kabyaung
    Win Myint
    • Nyan Win Shwe (William) : Chair of SPZP-2007
    Nyan Win Shwe & Singapore Oldies
    • Victor Aung Myin : Scholar Athlete
    Victor
    • Tha Tun (GBNF)
    Tha Tun
    • Khin Maung Myint (John Tint, GBNF) : Soccer
    John
    • Maung Sein Win (Padeegone) : Author, Poet
    • Khin Maung Toe (GBNF) : Musician
    • Kyaw Min Aung : Goalkeeper for RIT B Team
    • Maung Maung : Co-founder, RIT Chess Association

    Electrical

    • Ko Ko Kyi : Saya
    Ko Ko Kyi (Right)
    • Kyaw Myint : Good Morning

    Textile

    • Kyaw Myint : Veda, Indigenous Medicine
    Veda KM (Standing Right)
    • Sandi Hlaing : Veda’s Big Sis

    Chemical

    • Aung Myaing : Saya, Poetic Art Series See Posts
    Aung Myaing
    • Gyn Yu
    Seated : Gyn Yu, Trixie; Standing : Aung Myaing, Tun Shwe
    • Tun Shwe
    • Trixie Tan
    • Tiny Kyi
    • Myo Myint Pe (GBNF) : Organizer
    Myo Myint Pe
    • Aye Aye Kyaw (GBNF) : Sayama
    Aye Aye Kyaw

    A72

    MK Hla Win

    • Honorary member of M72 group
    • Entrepreneur & Philanthropist
    • Donated Noodes (Mar Mar Khauk Swe) for various gatherings
    • In 2018, he donated K10 lakhs for the second time for YTU Library Modernization
  • Supplementary Materials for HMEE-2012

    Supplementary Materials for HMEE-2012

    by Ohn Khine & Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Ohn Khine
    Hla Min
    CD for HMEE

    Constraints

    Due to time & resource constraints, only a fraction of the materials could be described in the book “History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar”

    CD Supplement

    U Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled references, articles in English and photos that were not covered in the book into a CD.

    We attempted to cover as much historical data and articles as possible.

    Materials for non-Burmese readers

    • Part 1 of the HMEE book was translated by U Ohn Khine (M 70). Saya Des Rodgers corrected the contextual and usage errors.
    • Part 2 is not a complete translation of the Burmese text. To avoid duplication of some materials (e.g. lengthy tables), we have chosen to present a summary & overview.

    Archives

    • Archives from the RIT web sites: http://www.ex-rit.org and http://www.rit-alumni.info.
      Thanks to U Khin Maung Zaw and U Wunna Ko Ko for designing and maintaining the web sites.
    • Archives from the SPZPs: SPZP-2000 (San Francisco), SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010 (Singapore), and SPZP-2004 (Yangon)

    Photo Albums

    • From ex-RIT web sites, RIT Alumni Facebook Pages, Sayagyi U Ba Than, Saya U Soe Paing and U Myo Myint (EC67)

    History of the Engineering Departments

    • By Dr. Aung Gyi (Rector), U Min Wun (C), U Aung Khin (M), U Soe Khaw (Min), U Thit (Met), U Myo Myint Sein (A)

    Selected Posts

    • Excerpts from “RIT Alumni International Newsletter Updates” from 1999 – 2012 by U Hla Min (EC 69)

    Interviews

    • Saya U Tin U, Saya U Ba Than and Saya U Khin Aung Kyi gave interviews for HMEE-2012 project.

    Proofreaders

    • Saya U Soe Paing, U Ohn Khine and I proof read HMEE-2012 and provided corrections (e.g. RIT Luyechun list did not contain 1965), but they was not enough time to do all the corrections.

    HMEE projects

    • Saya U Aung Hla Tun is the leader for HMEE-2012 and HMEE-2018 Projects.
    • HMEE-2018 will cover revisions and extensions to HMEE-2012.
    • Due to the pandemic and Saya’s demise, HMEE-2018 is in limbo.
  • Volunteer

    Volunteer

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    Video Broadcast on October 11, 2020

    Introduction

    • Provide service / expertise usually free (with volition)
    • May receive indirect compensation (e.g experience, appreciation)
    • The Battle of Alamo in Texas : fought by Davy Crockett and the Volunteers from Tennessee
    • Peace Corps
    • UNV (United Nations Volunteers) extended to Online Volunteers
    • Volunteers for Medical Research
    • Volunteers for UCC Project
    • Volunteers for fighting the pandemic
      Front line medical workers
      Donors for the prevention and treatment
      Food (Rice …)
    • Volunteers for Associations, Foundations …

    My Volunteer work

    Hla Min
    • Helping SPHS Librarian (in Fourth Standard)
    • RIT English Newsletter
    • RUBC (Treasurer, Vice Captain, Contributing Editor for 90th Anniversary Issue, Memories of RUBC series of articles)
    • RIT EE Association (Class rep, Joint Secretary, Secretary, Hlyat Sit Sar Saung)
    • UCC (Lecture Guides, Training Materials, Memories of UCC series of articles)
    • RU (Golden Jubilee in 1970, Gangaw Myay Tekkatho Yar Pyay, series of articles)
    • Contributor and/or Editor
    • Burmese Language Project (National Foreign Language Center)
    • Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife
    • RIT Alumni International Newsletter
    • BAPS Newsletter
    • Dhammananda Newsletter
    • Materials for TBSA Summer Dhamma Camp

    Editor

    • Dhamma talks by Sayadaw U Silananda
    • Three books by Sayadaw U Jotalankara
    • Two books by Saya U Aung Zaw (Computer)

    Contributor

    • Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for 2002, 2007 and 2010
    • Swel Daw Yeik Magazine for 2014 (Shwe YaDu)

    Computing

    • Docent, Computer History Museum
    • Volunteer, SF Bay Area ACM Chapter

    Admin / contributor

    Lectures

    • BARB / MARB
    • UCSY
    • Dawei Nga Gyan Pyan Kyaung

    Translator / Interpreter

    • TMC
    • Several sayadaws
    • Several articles
    • Several Kabyars

    ____


    Overview of my Post “Volunteer (1999 – present)

    Who would appreciate the spouse and family supporting my 26 years as volunteer messenger, editor and organizer for RIT Alumni (e.g. web site, newsletter, Facebook groups, SPZPs)?

    Thanks for the support and understanding. I have posted the following:

    • Countdown to the Reunion : 64 posts
    • Post Reunion : 36 posts
    • RIT Alumni International Newsletter and Updates (1989 – present)
    • Micro Reunion and/or PZP
    • Mini Reunion and/or PZP
    • Reunion and/or PZP
    • Grand Reunion and/or PZP
    • News, articles and photos by Sayas and Alumni
    • Class of 69
    • Health Care Funds
    • Photo Albums (for trips down memory lane

    1999 to present

    • 1999
      Started “RIT Alumni International Newsletter”
    • 2000
      First RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in San Francisco, USA
      Commemorative web pages (thanks to KMZ / U Khin Maung Zaw)
      64 Countdown to the Reunion posts
      36 Post-Reunion posts
      Commemorative Issue of the Newsletter by U Hla Min and team
      with my “SAYA PUZAW PWE” poem on the Front Page
    • 2002
      Second RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Singapore
      Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” by Saya U Moe Aung and team
      Reprinted my “SAYA PUZAW PWE” poem as Back Cover
    • 2004
      Third RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Yangon
      Mild earthquake did not rattle the attendees
    • 2007
      Fourth RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Singapore
      Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” by Saya U Moe Aung and team
      Contributed a poem titled “SWE DAW YEIK“
    • 2010
      Fifth RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Singapore
      Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” by Saya U Moe Aung and team
      Contributed an article : Sad and short clip — EE sayas
    • 2012
      Sixth RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Yangon
      True “Home Coming” in the Gyogone Campus
      Special publication : History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar by Saya U Aung Hla Tun and team
      (Ko Ohn Khine and I prepared the supplemental CD for the book)
      Special publication: Selected RIT Cartoons
      Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” by U Saw Lin and team
      Reprints: Limited number of vintage RIT Annual Magazines
    • 2013
      Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
      Contributions for various projects
      Health care for the sayas and sayamas
      “Saya Geha” as long term project
    • 2014
      Shwe YaDu 50th Anniversary of the opening of RIT in 1964
      Planted 50 Swel Daw Bins
      Paved Shwe YaDu lane and set up Swel Daw Yeik benches
      Translated Saya U Moe Aung’s Shwe YaDu Lann poem
      Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” by Saya U Moe Aung and team
      (Contributed an article : “Recollections of a 69er”)
    • 2015
      RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles
      Several follow-up gatherings in San Francisco Bay Area
    • 2016
      RIT/YIT/YTU Alumni Association (Known as RITAA)
      Seventh RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in Yangon
      10000+ attendees
      Free food and fun (all day and all night long)
      Platinum Jubilee for the Class of 69
      Hosted by some 69ers for their friends (in their sunset)
      Attended SPZP-2016 and Platinum Jubilee of the Class of 69
      Soonkway at Half Moon Bay Monastery (organized by U Maurice Chee) Received Alumni Appreciation Award from alumni worldwide
      Annual Dinner by Northern California RIT Alumni Association
      Received plaque signed by Saya U Myat Htoo (Chair, BOD), U Kaung Kaung Oo (Gordon, President), and U Thaung Nyunt (Secretary)
    • 2017
      Attended Post-SPZP2016 Gatherings
      Continue sending updates [almost daily]
    • 2018
      Wrote “Trivia” posts
      (later dropped “Trivia” in the titles)
      lifelonglearning140.wordpress.com (Archive / Raw Posts)
      hlamin.com (Paid Personal Web Site)
      Attended Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of ICST/UCSY
    • 2019
      Completed two decades as Editor of RIT Alumni International Newsletter and Updates
      Visit to Singapore and Myanmar
      Moderator, RU Centennial FB Group
      Panelist at the 5th Irrawaddy Literary Festival in Mandalay
      Attended Golden Jubilee of Graduation at Gyogone Campus, and the Reunion Dinner / Entertainment organized by U Aung Min and team
      Attended Arcariya Pu Zaw of ICST/UCSY
    • 2020
      Invited as Guest for the PSA (Professional Speakers’ Association) 2020 Tour to Upper Myanmar
      (Mostly) Stay-at-home due to Pandemic
      Translated Kabyars for “Poetic Art Series“
      Videos broadcast daily (starting August 18, 2020)
      Countdown to RU Centennial
      On a sad note, the SPZP was cancelled due to the pandemic.
      Saya U Ba Than could not invite his former students and colleagues to the Annual Birthday Soon Kway.
      However, Saya was wished by his siblings and relatives via Zoom meetings.
      His brother U Tin Htoon (A60) compiled a Photo Album / Book (with the help of Henry Kao / Htaik San) for the Life and Achievements of Saya.
      The Book was not delivered by the regular Post Office Services.
      Saya U Tin Htut offered to send the Book via DHL.
      He also pledged to donate a copy of the Book to YTU Library.
    • 2021

    Continue posting two Videos daily

    • 2022 – present

    Update posts



    Swel Daw

    Ideas from Tekkatho Moe War, Maung Sein Win (Padeegone), Maung Nyunt Htay (Ah Htet Min Hla)

    You were the victim of a superstitious power monger
    willing to crush “Pretenders to the Throne”
    animate and inanimate.

    Without a just and fair trial,
    you were condemned to death.

    When one Swel Daw Bin was axed
    Two magically reappeared

    When two Swel Daw Bins were hacked
    Four appeared to baffle the tormentors

    With each atrocious act
    Swel Daw Bins rebounded and redoubled

    The ADHAMMA authorities persisted
    and ruthlessly rooted all Swel Daw Bins
    from the Land of the Bearers/Defenders of DHAMMA

    Why? Why? Why?

    Swel Daws do not have destructive power
    or desire to exploit
    They do not have LOBA, DOSA, and MOHA
    They simply display pristine, beauty and elegance
    They embody the principles of trust, integrity,
    and unity of mentors and mentees
    students, teachers, and Loke Tha’s
    They provide shade, calm and tranquillity
    to those seeking rest & peace of mind

    With the dawning of the Pwint Linn Era
    Fifty majestic Swel Daw Bins bloom gallantly
    along side the famed Shwe YaDu Lann
    with pleasing Shwe YaDu Benches

    There have been tears of sorrow
    when Swel Daws were banished from the Land

    Now there are tears of joy
    with many artifacts bearing your name

    Swel Daw Yeik Ah Nyeint
    Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung
    Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
    Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
    Swel Daw Yeik Sayas’ Geha Mon


    What’s in a name?

    BIT (Burma Institute of Technology) was opened at the Gyogone Campus in 1961.

    The degree offered was B.Sc. (Engg).

    Saya Dr. Aung Soe (C61), Saya U Maung Maung Win (M61) and Saya Dr. San Tint (EE61) were fledgling sayas at BIT.

    Saya Dr. Tin Win (M62), U Aye (62) and Bohmu Myint Thein Lwin (EE62) were some students who attended the Final Year classes at BIT.

    BIT was renamed as RIT (Rangoon Institute of Technology). The official name change took place in 1964. The degree was renamed as B.E.

    We are not sure if “BIT Rangoon” was considered as an alternative to RIT. IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) has several campuses. The five oldest IIT campuses and their establishment dates are:
    (a) IIT Kharagpur IITKGP 1951
    (b) IIT Bombay IITB 1958
    (c) IIT Kanpur IITK 1959
    (d) IIT Madras IITM 1959
    (e) IIT Delhi IITD 1963 [founded in 1961]

    AIT (Asian Institute of Technology) was supposedly started as a school for SEATO (South East Asian Treaty Organization).

    Several states (Massachusetts, Illinois, California, …) in USA are known for their Institutes of Technology. Sayagyi Dr. Freddie Ba Hli received his Sc.D. in EE from MIT. He was an informal adviser to Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi and Sayagyi U Min Wun, who were among the first three engineering undergraduates to be chosen under the “TWINNING PROGRAM” initiated by Sayagyi U Ba Hli, first native Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University.

    RIT was renamed as YIT (Yangon Institute of Technology) and then YTU (Yangon Technological University).

    During the “Adhamma Era”, classes were relocated to far away places, and “Swel Daw Bins” were decimated. The A to G Halls were “transformed” into make-shift quarters. Wall clocks stopped. Bushes sprang up. A video of that time brought tears and anger, and the notion that “we might not live to see our alma mater in its former glory for decades to come”.

    With the dawn of the some-what “Pwint Linn Era”, our alma mater rose from the ashes. Per request from H.E. U Aye Myint (EP 72), the alumni — young and old, near and far — provided physical, monetary, and spiritual support to help the alma mater in every way possible.

    The first true “Home Coming” took place in December 2012. There were tears of joy. 3000 copies of the commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Magazine (not just Sar Saung) were sold out in a couple of days. Limited reprints of the 23 RIT Annual Magazines were also sold out. Autographed copies of “Selected RIT Cartoons” were also sold out. Some copies of “History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar” may still be available.

    There were six Annual Magazines published by RUESU (Rangoon University Engineering Student Union). Saya U Moe Aung learned and refined his publication skills as an editor/publisher of the magazine. The student unions and all professional organizations were banned following the coup d’eat in March 1962. Censorship increased with subsequent regimes.

    We now have an official alumni association.

    The Seventh RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP held in 2016 was grander. Free food and entertainment were provided the whole day.

    Thanks to the sayas and alums for keeping the RIT Spirit (Swel Daw Yeik Spirit) alive and well.


    Memories of SPZP-2000

    SPZP-2000 Organizers include

    • Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF)
      wrote “Brother, can you afford US 500$?”
    • Ko Benny Tan (M70), Golden Sponsor & co-chair of Working Committee, designed memorabilia : SPZP-2000 Banner, Mug, T-shirt, Calculator/clock
    • Ko Maurice Chee (M75), co-chair of Working Committee, Financial Controller, Publisher of commemorative issue of “RIT Alumni Newsletter”
    • Committee members from Northern California & Southern California took care of the planning and execution of the main event and supplementary picnic
    • Ko Khin Maung Zaw (EC76), designed and implemented htto://www.ex-rit.org; instrumental in getting the sayas and alumni world-wide get reconnected
    • I wrote 64 “Countdown to the Reunion” and 36 “Post-Reunion” articles for the ex-rit web site and RIT Alumni International Newsletter.
    • A commemorative issue of RIT Alumni International Newsletter was published with Yours Truly as Chief Editor, Ko Henry Lim and Saya U Thein Aung as Associate Editors.
    • Saya U Nyo Win (M65), Saya U Myat Htoo (C68), Saya U Thein Aung (Met 72) … made sure that the event was “not out of control”
    • Hired professionals (Photographers and Videographers) to record the event
    • [Later] The VHS tape was converted to DVD

    Feel free to see the DVDs, the commemorative issue of “RIT Alumni International”, 64 “Count down to the Reunion”, 36 “Post Reunion”, Photo albums …

  • Sayas and Alumni

    Sayas and Alumni

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    U Moe Aung, U Kyaw Sein, U Ohn Maung

    U Kyaw Sein, U Moe Aung, U Ohn Maung
    • U Moe Aung (EE63) †lost mobility for a while, but has recovered. He is active writing articles & poems, and giving lectures at Electrical Inspectorate.
    • U Kyaw Sein (M65, GBNF) ††was active with RIT-related Facebook pages. He passed away in Singapore.
    • ††U Ohn Maung (ChE68, GBNF) has a medical condition (e.g. memory loss). He passed away in Singapore.
    • Swel Daw Yeik Foundation provided annual Garawa money to Sayas U Kyaw Sein & U Ohn Maung for health care.

    U Khin Maung Tun (T78, SDYF)

    U Khin Maung Tun (Right)
    • He is President of Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
    • Donated K2000+ Lakhs to SDYF and RIT-related activities
    • Hosted lunch meetings for SDYF
    • During his visit to the 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles, he gave me an MP3 player loaded with dhamma talks

    U Myo Myint (Bagyee, M73)

    • He is retired Dy GM of Burma Railways.
    • Drew cover designs for the RIT Annual Magazines and the commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Magazines.
    • Drew Pon Tus of many sayas and sayamas, and selected friends.
    • Donated proceeds of the paintings from his Gallery at the SPZP to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation and RIT Alumni Association.

    U Myint Swe (EP74)

    • He worked in Singapore and USA.
    • Founding member of NorCal RITAA.
    • Served as Secretary & Vice President

    U Aung Myint Oo (EC84) & U Tin Maung Win (C86)

    • U Aung Myint Oo is a founding member and Past President of NorCal RITAA.
    • U Tin Maung Win is a founding member and President of NorCal RITAA. He and his spouse sponsored scholarship for an eligible YTU student

    U Tin Maung Aye Htoo

    • He and fellow alumni in Nay Pyi Taw raised fund for Alumni Association in general and the YTU Library Project in particular
    • Handed over the donations to Nan Khin Nwe

    U Thant Zin (M82), U Ohn Khine (M70) & U Zaw Winn (Min71)

    • U Thant Zin is the son of Saya U Sein Shan (GBNF). Volunteer for SPZP, RITAA, HMEE and All-Mechanical. He passed away in a car accident.
    • U Ohn Khine is the founder / moderator of the Google group for “Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65”. During my visits, he provided rides to attend SPZP & HMEE meetings and to selected gatherings. Translated Section One of the HMEE-2012 Book, and summarized Section Two of the book. He and I compiled the CD Supplement for the HMEE-2012 Book.
    • U Zaw Winn (Zinyaw gyi, Min71) is an organizer for the “Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65”.
    • Photo was taken at the special Reunion and Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe hosted by U Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay, EC70)

    U Tin Myint (M75, GBNF)

    He is seen handing over his donation to Nan Khin Nwe.

    Daw Than Yi (EP70)

    • Pen name : Maubin Ma Shwe Than)
    • She is an author and publisher
    • Editor of “Hlyat Sit Sar Saung” published by RIT EE Association along
    • Blogged about her days at RIT and EPC
    • She and Dr. San Oo (EP67) reprinted a science fiction by Journal Kyaw Tint Swe (Dr. San Oo’s father). They published a book by William (eldest Myee).

    U Myo Aye (M92) & U Tin Latt (M85)

    U Myo Oo, U Wynn Htain Oo, U Tin Latt
    • U Tin Latt headed the Executive Committee of RITAA for the initial period
    • The torch was passed to U Myo Aye after the First Annual General Meeting and Election
    • U Wynn Htain Oo is Patron and Fund raiser of RITAA

    U Hla Kyi (M62)

    Visit 1
    Visit /
    • He is a class mate of Saya Dr. Tin Win
    • His daughter’s spouse is the son of Saya U Hlwan Moe (GBNF) and Sayama Daw Khin Swe Aye (Emily).
    • Photo (taken during his visit to Southern California) was provided by Saya U Tin Htut (M60).

    U Thaung Lwin (EC66)

    U Thaung Lwin
    • He is the younger brother of Saya U Tin U, Saya U Ba Than (GBNF), Dr. Myo Tint (GBNF), U Tin Htoon (A60) & Saya U Myo Min (UCC)
    • Past Captain and Gold of RUBC like U Tin U, Dr. Myo Tint & U Tin Htoon. U Ba Than & U Myo Min are RUBC Full Green.
    • Classmates : Aung Min, Soe Lwin, Khin Maung Oo (Robert Gale)
    • Worked for IBM Burma and Chartered Semiconductors in Singapore

    69ers

    RIT days
    Breakfast Gathering
    • 69ers have monthly breakfast gathering (usually at Taw Win Hnin Si)
    • Also have ad hoc meetings (e.g. Annual Dinner at M3)
    • Pay homage to Saya U Ba Than on or around October 2nd
    • U Tin Shein (“Phone Gyi”, Chinlon) and U Pe Han Tun are Khamee Khamet
    • One photo shows Tin Aung Win (Oscar), Tin Maung Aye, Aye Thein, David Myint Thein, Aye Lwin
    • U Tun Tin handed over the donation of his friends (some in Australia) to Daw Khin Kyi Foundation
    • Celebrated the 30th Anniversary of Graduation in 1999, 40th Anniversary of Graduation in 2009, 50th Anniversary of Admission to RIT in 2014, and the True Golden Jubilee (50th Anniversary of Graduation) on December 14, 2019
    • 88 members including Shastri are GBNF
    Khamee Khamets
    Tun Tin
    BFF
    T69 in 2009

    U Than Tun (A65, GBNF)

    • He is the elder brother of U San Maung (A71) and a nephew of Sayadaw U Silananda.
    • He read the biography of Saya U Tha Tun (pioneer Burmese architect) and co-authored the article with Saya Dr. Koung Nyunt (A67, GBNF).
    • He visited Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) in Northern California.
    • U Myat Htoo took him on a lightning trip to Southern California to meet U Tin Htoon (A60) & back to Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay, Northern California.

    U Thar Htay, Benny, U Thant Zin, U Hla Win & U Myint Toe

    Steeve’s gathering

    Steeve Kay (EC70) requested Benny Tan (M70) to host — on his behalf — a special Reunion & Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe in December 2016.

    U Khin Maung Lay (Mutu) served as Master of Ceremonies.

    I recounted Steeve’s philanthropy in general and to his alma mater and alumni in general. With the help of U Win Htay, we compiled a booklet including the commemorative issue of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” for SPZP-2000, and selected news and articles about the “Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65”.

    Benny spoke on behalf of the alumni.

    Saya U Win Mra (RIT English) spoke on behalf of the sayas.

    On behalf of Steeve, the committee members (such as Rosie Mai Khin Nyunt) offered Garawa money of K2 Lakhs to the sayagyis and sayamagyis, and K1 Lakh to the sayas and sayamas.

    The attendees include

    • U Thar Htay (M70) : major donor to the Aariya Pu Zaw Pwes held by the group
    • Benny Tan (M70) : multiple Golden Sponsor of SPZPs and the class PZPs along with Steeve
    • U Hla Min (EC69) : Guest speaker at the PZP
    • U Hla Win (M73) and U Thant Zin (M82) : volunteers with the Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund
    • U Myint Toe (M71)

    U Thein Kyaing (T72)

    U Thein Kyaing
    • He (George, T72) is a classmate of Daw Khin Htar Yee (Lily).
    • He and his spouse Daw Tin Tin Hlaing (MBBS) gave away their daughter Eileen (MD)

    U Tin Oo (M87) & U Kyaw Hlaing (M86)

    Tin Oo
    Tin Oo
    • U Tin Oo (Richard, M87) donated to SPZPs, SDYF and RITAA. His company sponsored gift bags for SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016. He also sponsored Technical and Management Talks. During my visit, he hosted a lunch gathering for me, and he gave me a ride on another occasion to attend a family gathering.
    • U Kyaw Hlaing (M86) served as Treasurer for SDYF. His group helped the eligible and needy students (who did not receive “full” stipend from NorCal RITAA).

    Tazaungdaing

    T 1
    T 2
    T 3
    T 4
    • Daw Myint Myint Than (C71, GBNF) and Daw Tin Aye (C73)!published photos of some Tazaungdaing events.
    • One event took place in the Gyogone Campus.
    • One event took place at the Shwe Dagon Pagoda.

    Belles in the ’70s

    • Min Thet Mon (Pamela Myo Min)
    • Phyu Phyu Latt (Christine)
    • Than Than Yi (GBNF)
    • Tin Tin Myint (Emma Myint)
    • Aye Aye Than (Pauk Pauk)
    • Aye Aye Tun
    • Jessie Htwe
    • Nilar Mya Aung
    • Mai Khin Nyunt (Rosie)
    • Sandi Hlaing

    Still Belles

    At Panda
    • Rosie
    • Emma
    • Christine
    • Mar Mar Yee

    Sayas & Alumni in Singapore

    S 1
    • Saya U Thein Lwin (EE, GBNF) was President of RIT Badminton. He is an alumni of Lehigh University. He retired after teaching at RIT and Singapore Polytechnic. He is the elder brother of U Myo Myint (ChE from US), U Kyi Lwin (George, C67), U Tint Lwin (Daniel, M69) and U Thet Lwin (Henry, EE72).
    • Sayama Daw May Than Nwe (Joyce, GBNF) stood first in the Physics Honors class in 1962. Her classmates include Dr. Sein Tun, Sayama Daw Emile Ba Aye and Sayama Daw Khin Than Nwe.
    • Saya and Sayama passed away within a few months of each other. Their daughter is a Professor and a former swimming champion.
    • Saya U Kyaw Sein (M65, GBNF) was active in RIT-related Facebook pages.
    • Saya U Tu Myint (Winston) supervised the “Hovercraft” project for the M73 students.
    • U Nyan Win Shwe (William, M72) chaired SPZP-2007.
    • U Myint Thin (Peter, M71, GBNF) was a Luyechun. He rowed for RIT.
    • U Tin Aung Win (M73) is one of the members to greet Saya U Ba Than and send off
    Singapore
    • U Win Naing (Dicky Tan, M69, GBNF) passed away in Singapore.
    • U Thein Swe (EP69, GBNF) was then working in Singapore.
    • U Myint Thein (Kabar, M69, GBNF) was then visiting Singapore.
    • U Tin Swe (ChE66) & Daw Yi Yi Khaing (Vilma, ChE69)

    Seniors at MES

    • MES holds “Thet Kyee Pu Zaw Pwe” for engineers and architects who are 75+ years old.
    • Sayadaw Dr. Lwin Aung (A59, retired Pro-Rector)
    • Sayadaw U Bo Gyi (A59, talented pianist, architect for Daw Khin Kyi Mausoleum)
    Thet Kyee PZZp

    Senior Metallurgists

    Sr. Met

    Aung Khin & Myo Nyunt

    AK & MN
    • U Aung Khin (A69) & Daw Tin Tin Hla (A70) retired from Botwana and moved to Seattle to be near their daughters and grandchildren.
    • U Myo Nyunt (C69) & spouse visited their second son (working in Seattle) almost every year. They also made side trips.

    Aung Myint

    • U Aung Myint (Min71) is the younger brother of A1 Than Htut and A1 Thein Htut (twin brothers who won prizes at the Myawadday Photo Contest, and later became movie directors).
    • He became known as Thamankyar Ko Myint.
    • He is a good guitarist and vocalist.

    Some attendees at SPZP-2000

    SPZP-2000
    • Sai Tun Aye : Canada
    • Dr. Myo Khin : Japan
    • U Tin Myint (John) and Lyo : California
    • Maung Toung (Tom) and Ma Khin Myint (Kim) : Connecticut
    • U Tint Lwin (Daniel) : Singapore

    U Soe Myint Lwin (EP68, GBNF)

    Soe Myint Lwin
    Obituary of Soe Myint Lwin
    • He served as and Executive Committee Member of RIT EE Association.
    • He played soccer for the Universities, EPC & Burma.
    • After retirement, he was active with the Myanmar Soccer Federation.
    • He received an award for his social work and leadership.

    Tin Aung Win (Oscar)

    Tin Aung Win

    Aung Min

    Aung Min
    • U Aung Min (M69) is Chair of 69er Health Care Fund.
    • He is a Pho Pho.

    Than Htaik & Aung Win

    TH & AW
    • U Than Htike (M70)
    • U Aung Win (Owen, M71)

    Sann Naing’s Soon Kyway at HMB

    • U San Naing (M83) owns Burma Kitchen.
    • He and his siblings celebrated their mother’s birthday with a Soon Kyway at Dhammanda Vihara, Hlaf Moon Bay.

    Soe Aung & Zaw Win

    • U Soe Aung (M/Auto70) served as Secretary of RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thin. He is seen at a Conference.
    • U Zaw Win (Zin Yaw, Min71) and U Soe Aung are organizers of the “Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 amd 65”. They love writing and giving lectures.
    Soe Aung 1
    Soe Aung 2
    Soe Aung 3
    Zaw Win

    Shwe Zin Ma

    • She is a musician, a Zat sayama and Minthamee
    SZM

    Soon Kyway for Kabar

    Stan Liou (M67, UTC)

    • He was a member of the RIT Table Tennis Team that won the Inter-Institute Trophy along with Maung Maung (“Sin Gyi”) and Win Myint.
      Saya Mao Toon Siong (M62, Burma Champion, National Coach) managed the team.
    • He joined UTC
    • Founding member & Past BOD Chair of NorCal RITAA
  • Sein Shan

    Sein Shan

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    U Sein Shan
    • Alumnus of UIUC
    • During our RIT days, he was Lecturer and Head of the RIT Mathematics Department.
    • Passed away in October 2006.
    • Son : U Thant Zin (M82, GBNF) volunteer of several RIT-related organizations and activities
    Condolences 1
    Condolences 2
    Condolences 3
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    • Dr. Yan Naing Lwin wrote :
      Ko Sein Shan was at University of Illinois, U-C in 1959-60. His room mate was Ko Hla Tun (Peter, now in San Jose). He received his MS in Theoretical & Applied Mechanics (TAM) & returned to Burma.
    • Yan Gyi Aung wrote : –
      Saya U Sein Shan was my most familiar Maths Saya since BIT period 1961-62. At that time engineering students were only about over 100. Female students were only two, one each at Textile and Chemical Department. He was the President of Point 22-Rifle Club of BIT & I was the Secretary. We usually went to South Okkalapa Shooting Range and practiced. While he was suffering from heart disease at his home in about 1999 in Mayangone, I frequently went to his house and encouraged him. Also when taking treatment at RGH hospital, at Cardiac Hall No 19/20, I went to him carrying boiled rice and some eatables as breakfast.
      Very remarkable and historic event he did was while Major Subjects (Lines, such as Civil, Chemical, etc) performed paying respect ceremonies to the respective department Sayas, Maths Department had no such ceremony. Maths Department always had no ceremony at that time.
      So Saya invited all the engineering students in the Daily Newspaper that he would celebrate a friendship dinner to serve all engineering students with Danbauk rice at the Nawarat Hotel in 2000, I think.
      Very peculiar Saya was!