Academic Year

by Hla Min

Updated : July 2025

An academic year usually spans two years.
e.g. 1968 – 1969 academic year
To save space and time, I use the end year instead of the start year and end year
e.g. Class of 1969 (or simply Class of 69)

The Faculty of Engineering accepted students who had completed I.Sc. (two years of Intermediate of Science) with the “Pure Science” option with reasonable marks.
The engineering classes are named 1st year of Engineering to Final (4th year of Engineering).
There were no “Instructors” .
There were Assistant Lecturers, Lecturers and Professors.
They are “Gazetted Officers”.

Saya U Ba Hli, first native Dean of Engineering, proposed the Twinning Program between the Faculty of Engineering and prestigious universities in the USA.

Some engineering students (e.g. Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun, U Maung Maung Than, U Khin Aung Kyi, U Soe Paing) applied for “States Scholar” before graduation. They joined the Faculty upon their return to Burma.
Some engineering students (e.g. U Sein Hlaing, U Tin Swe, U Allen Htay, Dr. San Hla Aung, U San Tun) joined the faculty upon graduation. They were selected to do post-graduate studies in the USA.
Saya Dr. Yan Naing Lwin (Professor Emeritus, WIU) e-mailed me a copy of the “Burmese state scholars in the USA ’54”. There were about 400 state scholars including Saya U Sein Hlaing and Saya U Tin Swe.

The Halls (e.g. Prome) would aggressively seek outstanding athletes (footballers, tennis players, rowers, …).
U Chan Tha is Past Captain and Gold of RUBC Gold.
He was Captain of the Prome Hall Soccer Team which won the Inter-Hall Trophy for two consecutive years.
Saya U Tin Swe was a member of that victorious team.

The Rangoon University was reorganized into RASU (Rangoon Arts and Science University) and several Institutes (Economics, Education, Engineering, Medicine …).
Burma Institute of Technology (BIT) was renamed as Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT).
U Yone Mo, Dean of BIT, became the Rector of RIT.
Matriculates were admitted to the 1st BE class using the controversial ILA (Intelligence Level Aggregate).
Those who had passed I.Sc.(A) examination were admitted to the 2nd BE class based on the total marks.
Those who had passed I.Sc.(B) examination were admitted to the 3rd BE class (equivalent to the Old 1st Year Engineering class).
The positions for “Instructors” were created. It meant, most sayas have to wait to become Assistant Lecturers.

Ko Benny Tan (M 70) lent me a copy of the “RIT Handbook” for 1966 – 67. I published the list of permanent and part-time sayas and sayamas in one of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” updates.
Saya U Moe Aung (EE) has old copies of “Hlyat Sit Sar Saung” and RIT Annual magazines.
He served as Chief Editor for both publications.
Saya Charlie Kaw (Tex, GBNF) brought to USA projects of his final year students.

Tag: Academic Year