First Rector of ITBMU (International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University)
Passed away on August 13, 2005.
I served as Master of Ceremony at the Service.
I carried the Box of his Ashes and accompanied Saya U Myat Htoo (C68, President of TBSA) for the Scattering of the Ashes near Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco.
Publication
Book in memory of U Silananda
I was a member of the Committee & Contributing Editor
Book
August 30, 2015
Attended 10th Anniversary of Sayadaw U Silananda’s demise
First native Dean to head the Faculty of Engineering of Rangoon University
Transferred to the Faculty of Engineering, RU from GTI (Government Technical Institute) where he was Principal and Professor of Civil Engineering
Credited for the “Twinning Program” between the Faculty of Engineering, RU and the prestigious universities in the USA
Per request from U Aung Khin (retired Professor & Head of Mechanical Engineering), Dr. Freddie Ba Hli (EE) — the only son — wrote about his beloved father for the commemorative issue of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” for SPZP-2000. It has been re-posted in the newsletter updates and in the RIT Alumni Facebook Pages. Sayagyi passed away in his house on U Wisara Road in Rangoon.
Tribute to U Ba HliTribute
Interim Deans
Dr. Htin Aung
Dr. Maung Maung Kha
Dr. Tha Hla
U Po Tha
Dr. Htin Aung
Dr. Htin Aung
Principal, Rangoon College
Rector, Rangoon University
Vice Chancellor, Rangoon University
Interim Dean, Faculty of Engineering
Burmese Ambassador to Ceylon
Folklorist / Historian
Dr. Maung Maung Kha
Dr. Maung Maung Kha and family
Doctorate in Meteorological Physics from Imperial College, London University
Professor & Head of Physics Department at Rangoon University
Interim Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University
Longest tenured Rector
Rector of Rangoon University
Rector of RASU
Rector of University of Distance Learning
Plays the violin well
Accompanied U Ba Kyi (Artist, translator/composer of songs”) singing “Hne Yauk Hte Nay Chin De” in Burmese and English
Passed away in Yangon in 2005.
Centennial celebrations for his birthday were held in 2015.
Early Rectors
Dr. Htin Aung (RU)
Dr. Hla Myint (RU)
Dr. Tha Hla (RU)
U Kar (RU)
Dr. Maung Maung Kha (RU, RASU)
U Yone Mo (RIT)
Dr. Aung Gyi (RIT)
U Khin Aung Kyi (RIT)
U Maung Maung Than (RIT)
U Yone Mo
U Yone Mo
Retired Chief Engineer, Burma Railways
In 1961, the Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University moved to Gyogone and had a new name Burma Institute of Technology (BIT).
Appointed Dean of Engineering at the BIT Gyogone Campus
Under the new Education System, BIT became an autonomous Institute with the name Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT). He became the Rector.
Proponent of taking power naps
U Wynn Htain Oo (M72) remembers how his friends were having fun with the “Ye Punn ရေပန်း” (Water Foundation). Saya saw them, but did not scold them. He said with a smile, “Young men, you can go to the University Swimming Pool or to the Inya Kan ကန် (Lake)”.
Established the weekly “Yoke Shin ရုပ်ရှင်” at the Assembly Hall.
Dr. Aung Gyi (Professor of Civil Engineering) remembered seeing a letter from U Yone Mo (Rector) sent to U Yone Mo (Parent of a son who happened to visit his gambling friends at the hostel). Dr. Aung Gyi told the Admin to stow away the letter.
Ko Zaw Min Nawaday knows Sayagyi & his spouse (Daw Elizabeth Yone Mo, High Ranking Nurse at RGH and a close friend of Daw Khin May Than) very well. Sayagyi and Dr. Aung Gyi were in May Myo during one summer. Sayagyi asked Dr. Aung Gyi and Ko Zaw Min to accompany him. They ate Khauk Swe. Sayagyi reminded them not to tell about his “Khauk Swe” appetite to Sayagadaw.
Dr. Aung Gyi
Dr. Aung Gyi
Succeeded U Yone Mo as Rector
Rector (1971 – 1977)
See Posts
Memories of Dr. Aung Gyi
Speech at SPZP-2000
Coconut Episode
U Khin Aung Kyi
U Khin Aung Kyi
Stood 7th in Burma in the Matriculation of 1949
He did his B S and M S at MIT
Professor of Chemical Engineering at RIT
Succeeded Dr. Aung Gyi as Rector
Taught at Rengsit University in Bangkok, Thailand
Provided interview for HMEE-2012 Project
U Maung Maung Than
U Maung Maung Than
BS in Textile Engineering from Clemson University and MS from Lowell University
Professor & Head of Textile Engineering Department, RIT
Rector, YIT
DG, DHE
Chair, RIT Sports Council
Hobbies : Chinlon, Music
Helped establish Engineering at Defense Services Academy
Dr. Henry Cho Tun (Myint Tun) wrote:
I’m going to add a few things about Saya U Mg Mg Than. I’m very close to him and the family and the son is my student. We are all golfers and both of them are very good. Saya MM Than is as good as Saya Soe Paing and plays with clubs that are custom made for him. Hope the following would be useful additions. Thank you
He did his B S at Clemson and M S at Lowell.
He joined BIT in 1957 as lecturer -Head of Textile Engineering Department at BOC college
1964 was appointed Professor at RIT
Served as Rector, 1990-1992
Director General of The Department of Higher Education 1992-1994 and retired
Served as Director of Studies at DSTA (Defense Services Technical Academy)
The initial Luyechun program ran from 1964 to 1988.
1964
Luyechun Program was established in 1964.
Eligible students from 7th Standard to 10th Standard were chosen to attend the Ngapali Luyechun Camp.
1964 Luyechuns include Ko Win Aung (TTC), Ko Oke Soe Kha (MEHS), Ma Pwint Than (Loikaw), Ko Aung Myint (Mandalay), and Ma Mie Mie Khine (Akyab).
1965
Luyechun Program was extended in 1965 for eligible students from Universities and Institutes. There were three Camps
Inlay Camp for high school and university students
Ngapali Camp for middle school students
Combined Camp in Rangoon
I was selected as RIT Luyechun for the Inlay Camp along with Ko Sein Shwe, Ko Zaw Min and Ma Khin Than Myint Tin (Margaret).
Ko Kyaw Sein Koe (Victor Koe, GBNF), Ma Anita Aye Pe, Ko Khin Maung U & Ma Than Than Tin (Cherry Hlaing) were selected for IM(1).
Ko Tun Naung (GBNF, BDS), Ko Soe Aung & Ko Thein Win (IM2), Ko Min Oo (Maths), Ko Ye Myint & Ma Khin Aye Than (Chemistry), Ko Myint Thein & Ko Soe Lwin (Physics), and Ko Tin Hlaing (Lay Dwin Thar Saw Chit, Burmese) were some who were selected for their disciplines.
Those from Matriculation include Ko Win Myint (later Bogyoke), Ko Aung Win (later RIT Saya), Uttam Singh (later NASA) and Ma Pwint Than (later EPC). They joined RIT.
Others include : Ko Aung Shwe (brother of Tekkatho Phone Naing), Ko Than Sit (GBNF, Liver Foundation), Ko Aung Kyaw Nyunt (GBNF), Ko Aung Myint, Ko Thein Lwin, Nelson Kaw & Ko Kyaw Myint.
Multiple Luyechun
Several students (e.g. Dr. Khin Maung U, Dr. Thynn Thynn Lynn, Daw Mie Mie Khine) were selected Luyechun multiple times.
Staff Sayas
Some sayas from Universities and High Schools were chosen to manage the Luyechuns. e.g. U Aung Gyi (MASU), Daw Po (RASU), Dr. May May Yi (GBNF, IM2)
Ko Min Oo (SPHS63, Maths) was selected Luyechun in 1965 and later as a Staff Saya.
Guest Speaker
Saya U Thein Han (Zawgyi), Saya Dr. Nyi Nyi & U Thu Ta (Meteorology) were Guest Speakers at the Inlay Luyechun Camp.
Saya U Kyaw Myint (DHE) & I were Guest Speakers at the Nagapali Lu Ye Chun Camp in 1988.
Status
Luyehun project ended in 1988.
Several years back, an Association was formed for Luyechuns from 1964 to 1988.
The 7th Annual General Meeting was held online in January 2021.
Jan 19, 1987 · Center for Burma Studies at Northern Illinois University at “DeKalb”- The Center will have its formal opening on July 29 and 30, 1987. Richard Cooler, the Director of the new Center, will send out the detailed announcement !
I have arranged the key note address by U Nu, the first Prime Minister of Burma for the opening ceremony. U Nu also gave a summer class in “Buddhism” prior to the opening ceremony.
Here is a picture that I took of the group as we toured the Lake Shore one day.
You will notice U Nu (First and Last Prime Minister of the Union of Burma), late Professor Than Tun (History, Visiting Scholar in residence) & Mrs. Than Tun. Also, Burmese Lecturer Saya U Kyaw Hlaing. Dr. Cynthia Htaik is just behind U Nu. I still have some hair on my head! The Standard Oil Building can be seen in the back ground.
Standard Oil Building (Chicago), Illinois, is now known as the Aon Center.
Editor’s Notes
Dr. Yan Naing Lwin is Emeritus Professor and Chair of the Physics Department at Western Illinois University (WIU).
U Saw Tun is Head of the Burmese Department at Northern Illinois University (NIU).
When Rangoon University was established in December 1920, it had the Department of Law.
U May Aung served as the first Professor.
U May Aung
U May Aung
U May Aung (Barrister-at-law, LL.D) served as Professor of Law from 1920 -1922.
Rakkhine national
Later became Home Minister
Father of Daw Mya Sein (Scholar).
Sir Arthur Eggar
Sir Arthur Eggar
Law Professor (1923 – 1937)
Earlier : Lecturer in the Maths Department at Rangoon College, and Legal Advisor in the Middle East
Founded Rangoon University Boat Club in 1923. Elected as Life President.
Pledged a third of his salary for the operation of RUBC.
Wrote autobiography (in three installments) for the Guardian Magazine in the mid 50s.
Autobiography
Several Old Members including me reprinted his autobiography for the 90th Anniversary of the founding of RUBC. YUBC OMA has copies of Sir Arthur Eggar’s autobiography.
Dr. Ba Han
Dr. Ba Han
Alumnus of Sorbonne University
Law Professor for two terms : (1937 – 1942) and (1946 – 1950).
Rangoon University was closed for a period during the war.
Complied a dictionary.
Dictionary
Dr. Ba Maw (Adipati) is his brother. He earlier was English Lecturer at Rangoon University.
Both brothers attended De La Salle Schools.
U Kyaw Myint
U Kyaw Myint
Stood first in Burma in Matric with distinctions in all subjects from Central. He was selected by Mr. Matthew Hunter (Principal of Rangoon College) to take the Entrance exam of Calcutta University to study Medicine. He requested the Principal that he wanted to pay last respect to his mother. The Principal warned that he would be expelled if he did not take the entrance exam. He attended his mother’s last journey and was expelled from the College. Worse still, his father threatened to disown him. The Kan So Kan Kaung story of U Kyaw Myint can be read in a series of blogs by his son Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint and re-printed in my web site hlamin.com
Served as Professor of Law and Dean of the Faculty of Law from 1950 – 1958.
Earlier served as Justice of High Court and Supreme Court, Head of the Tribunal that tried Galon U Saw and co-founder of a political party with Dr. Ba Maw. He later founded his law firm.
Has an elder brother (ICS U Tin Tut), two younger brothers (U Myint Thein & Dr. Htin Aung), and three younger sisters (Daw Khin Mya Mu, Daw Khin Saw Mu & Daw Tin Saw Mu).
According to Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint, his father had full confidence in his students (e.g. Guardian U Sein Win, Sao Hso Holm, U Mya Thein).
Law Professors (for the later periods)
U Myint (1958 – 1961)
U Aung Khine (1961 – 1964)
U Hla Aung (1965 – 1971)
U Tin Ohn (1971 – 1986)
U Tin Aung Aye (1986 – 1994)
Daw Than Nwe (1994 – 2007)
Dr. Daw Khin Mar Yi (2007 – 2018)
Law Degrees
In the early days, BL (Bachelor Law) was studied as a post-graduate degree (e.g. after B.A. or B.Sc.)
Several student politicians enrolled in the program to preserve their eligibility as RU students.
Under the new Education System, LL.B was established.
It was a five year study after Matriculation.
Related posts in RU Centennial
First batch of LL.B graduates
Several other batches
Sayamas known for their beauty and teaching.
Dr. Maung Maung Kha’s daughter Daw May Thi Ka was a sayama at the Law Department before she moved to the USA. She was a core organizer and coordinator for the groups raised fund for Saya Kha’s Centennial.
Some practitioners of Law took exams for HGP and RL.
One may study Tarot cards for fun, e.g. don’t be scared if the reading says that “your house is going to be damaged”; or be happy if the reading says that “a new family member is on the way”
Some may study and practice Tarot cards for profit, e.g. professional reader/advisor
There are websites & publications for Tarot
I used to have a Tarot deck and a book. It covered a brief history, the meaning of each card, and several spreads for Tarot readings.
Tarot Deck
It consists of 78 cards
22 cards belong to the Major Arcana
56 cards belong to the Minor Arcana
The two Arcanas supposedly indicate long term versus short term events & whether an event is in control versus uncontrollable
Major Arcana
22 cards
Include Fool, Lovers, High Priest, High Priestess, Emperor, Empress, Hermit, Sun, Moon, Stars, Tower, Chariot, Tower, Strength, Judgement …
Minor Arcana
4 suits
Each suit has 14 cards : One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Page, Jack (Knight), Queen, King
Total of 56 cards in the Minor Arcana
Styles
The Tarot Decks come in different styles.
The suits may be named differently in the decks, but the underlying concepts hold.
Options
Beginners usually use the “Straight up” option (where a card may be good or bad).
With experience, one might try “Allow Reversals” (where every card has two meanings : one for upright & another for reversed).
One might also try “Consider Significators”.
Spreads
After shuffling the deck, one lays our a selected number of cards in a pattern.
One card only : Decision making for a specified problem
Three Card Spread : used to interpret the Past, Present & Future.
Celtic Cross places 7 cards in the form of a cross. The cards represent problem, influence (positive & negative) and likely outcome (and suggestion).
HlaMin 