HlaMin

Tag: SPZP

  • Saya Pu Zaw Pwe

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Aug 2025

    SPZP–2000

    Formal and Informal Gatherings

    • USA hosted the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in October 2000.
    • The Celebrations kicked off with an Informal “Welcome” Dinner / Gathering” at a Sea Food Restaurant.
      The Main event was the Reunion and SPZP at Embassy Suites Hotel near San Francisco International Airport.
      The Family event was the “Farewell” Lunch / Gathering at a High School.

    Donors

    • Saya Allen Htay‘s article, “Can you spare US$500 and more?” was a major factor for having Donors — large and small — for SPZP-2000.
    • There were Five Golden Sponsors.
      Steeve Kay (U Thaung Sein, EC70, Southern California)
      Benny Tan (Tan Yu Beng, M70, Northern California)
      Ivan Lee (U Khin Maung Oo, M69, New Jersey)
      David Ko (U Tin Myint, GBNF, M67, Northern California)
      U Maung Maung Than (M79, Texas)

    SPZP-2000 Organizers

    U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76, web master) copied the names/tags from the very first posting from his album.

    Sitting L-R: Saya U Mya Htoo (Civil 68), U Benny Tan (Yu Beng, Mech 70), Saya KC Chiu (Dr. Tin Aung, Chem 63), U Hla Min (EC 69) Editor Extraordinaire, Saya U Allen Htay (GBNF, Civil 58), Saya U Nyo Win (Dr. K H Chen, Mech 65), Saya U Tin Htut (Mech 60), Saya U Maung Maung (George, Chem 66), Daw San San Nyunt (Sandra, Mrs. Thein Aung, Mech 76)

    Standing L-R: U Soe Aung (Mech 75), U Gordan Kaung (Kaung Kaung Oo, Mech 83), U Myint Swe (EP 74), U Anthony Ng (Aye Tun, Mech 76), U Mya Thwin (Phillip, EP 75), U Maurice Chee (Hla Myint Thein, Mech 75), U Thura Thant Zin (Mech 76), Sayalay U Thein Aung (James, Met 72), U Myint Lwin (Henry Chee, GBNF, Civil 63), U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76), Daw Yi Yi Khaing (Audrey Wong, Civil 84), Daw San San Swe (Mrs Myint Swe, EC74)

    All of them, except KMZ, live in various cities across Northern and Southern California. KMZ lives in a city near Seattle, Washington State.

    Publications

    • The Commemorative Issue of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” was published for SPZP-2000.
      I served as Chief Editor. Henry Lim (U Aung Myint, BAPS) and U Thein Aung (Met72) volunteered as Associate Editors.
      Maurice Chee (M75) served as Publisher (in addition to being Co-Chair, Working Committee; Financial Controller; Logistics Head)
    • It featured articles by Sayas and Alumni.
    • My poem “SAYA PU ZAW PWE” was published in the Newsletter as well as in the ex-RIT website (designed and implemented by U Khin Maung Zaw). Several sayas and alumni contributed to the two series :
      64 “Countdown to the Reunion” articles
      and
      36 “Post-Reunion” articles

    SAYA PUZAW PWE
    Poem by Hla Min

    S eems like it was only yesterday
    A t our alma mater in a land far away
    Y ou taught us to work, play, laugh, even cry
    A nd coaxed us, forced us to aim for the sky

    P roblems in real life, lab, computation, survey
    U nderstand concepts, design, display, …
    Z eal, zest, ardor, grit, passion to make it “our day”
    A rchitects, engineers, we’ve come here to say
    W e honor your metta, your cetana — we fully can’t repay

    P resently we meet, alum from five decades we greet
    W ith memories true, fond, sweet
    E cstatic yet sad that the GBNF could not join this memorable fete

    Notes

    • The term “SAYA GADAW PWE” has religious connotations.
    • Since the SPZP-2000 organizers and attendees profess different religions, the term SAYA PUZAW PWE (meaning honoring the mentors and paying respect to them for their metta and cetana) was chosen.
    • GBNF means “Gone But Not Forgotten“.
    • As of March 1, 2024. the GBNF list for the Class of 69 is 128 (about 40%).
    • Of the 20 (or so) EE sayas of our RIT days, almost half are GBNF.

    Singapore SPZPs

    • Singapore hosted SPZPs in December 2002, April 2007 and December 2010.
    • Saya U Moe Aung was Chair of SPZP-2002 and SPZP-2010.
    • U Nyan Win Shwe (William, M72) chaired SPZP-2007.
    • Commemorative Issue of “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” was published for each SPZP.
      Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) served as Chief Editor.
    • My poem “SAYA PU ZAW PWE” was reprinted on the Back Cover of SPZP-2002 Sar Saung.
    • My poem “SWE DAW YEIK” was printed in SPZP-2007 Sar Saung. In my later writings, I use SWEL DAW (following Saya’s usage) instead of SWE DAW.
    • My article “A Sad and Short Clip : EE Sayas” was published in SPZP-2010 Sar Saung”.

    Yangon SPZPs

    • Yangon hosted SPZPs in December 2004, December 2012 and December 2016.
    • There was a slight earthquake on the day of SPZP-2004.
    • A follow-up SPZP was scheduled for Yangon in December 2006, but changes in Political Climate dictated the SPZP to be rescheduled for Singapore in April 2007 (around Thingyan).
    • SPZP-2012 was the first to be held at the Gyogone Campus.
    • Thanks to H.E. U Aye Myint (EP72) for his initiative to bring back glory to our beloved alma mater, and to the sayas, sayamas, and alumni who made the “Home Coming Reunion” possible.
    • There were tears of joys.
    • On a sad note, the higher authorities transferred U Aye Myint to another Ministry before he could help the alma mater to the fullest extent.
    • SPZP-2012 led to the founding of Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF), the Shwe YaDu Celebrations (with the planting of 50 Swel Daw Bins), and the RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association (ARITA) — to name a few.
    • SPZP-2016 was a FREE All Day (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) at the Gyogone Campus.
    • Due to the pandemic, SPZP-2000 was cancelled.
    • Not sure if there will be a SPZP (as comprehensive as SPZP-2016) in a foreseeable future.
    • Jara, Byadi and Marana have hit many sayas and alumni.
  • Hla Min — SPZP-2007

    Hla Min — SPZP-2007

    by Hla Min

    Updated : June 2025

    SPZP-2007

    April 5, 2007

    Arrival and Accommodation

    Arrived in Singapore 15 minutes later than the ETA.

    Ko Nyan Win Shwe, Saya U Aung, Ko San Win, Ko Khin Latt, Ko Zaw Win Htut and Ko Tin Aung Win (TAW) were waiting for the “Three Musketeers” — Saya Allen Htay, Ko Benny Tan, and me.

    Saya and Ko Benny were taken to the Bay View Hotel, which is close to the three hotels where the sayas and sayamas from Myanmar who had arrived earlier on April 4, 2007.

    Thanks to Ko TAW (C81, UCC) for giving me his younger son’s room and his laptop, for proving me home-cooked food, and for driving me to the various gatherings and the main events.

    Electrical Engg Gathering

    Attended EE gathering. Organizers include Ma San San Mya (’72), Ko Kyaw Swa (’96, emcee), Ko Aung Mon (’96), …

    Sayas led by U Myo Kyi, Dr. Christopher Lee (L. Tin Tun), U Soe Paing, U Moe Aung, Dr. Win Tin, U Ba Myint, U Khine Oo, U Tin Maung Thein, U Tin Shwe, U Kyaw Lwin, Daw Mya Mya Than, U Than Lwin … attended the gathering.

    Many sayas gave speeches: brief self-intro, walks down memory lane, and thanks to the organizers.

    April 6, 2007

    Civil Engg Gathering

    Attended as “Ah htoo ei the daw” [အထူးဧည့်သည်တော် guest] the Civil Engg gathering organized by Saya U Aung, Saya Dr.Soe Thein, …, Ko Aung Kyaw Myint (’96, “Ko Ba Kyaw” of Swe Daw Yeik fame, emcee), …

    Sayas led by Dr. Aung Gyi, U Min Wun, Dr. Win Thein, Dr. Aung Soe, U Allen Htay, U Thein Tan, U Khin Maung Phone Ko, Saw Christopher Maung, U Tin Maung, U Nyi Hla Nge, Dr. Htin Aung, Dr, Khin Maung Win, U Hla Myint Thein, U Khin Maung Tint, Dr. Myo Khin, U Khin Maung Maung, Dr. Soe Thein, Daw Swan Tee, ….

    Welcome Dinner

    Attended the “welcome dinner” at Yunan corner. Food was provided by a local Myanmar restaurant and some imported specialties: Kauk hnyin kyi tauk.

    Almost all the visiting sayas, sayamas and their families attended. Saya U Ba Toke, 87 years young led the sayas.

    Met the core organizers of SPZP 2007. Had a meeting with the sayas and the representatives from the alumni groups to decide on the time and venue for the next SPZP.

    April 7, 2007

    The two main events of the Fourth RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP took place.

    Morning event at BBT

    Three rounds of Saya Ga Daw Pwe at the Burmese Buddhist Temple (BBT) :

    • senior sayas who graduated before ’65
    • sayas who graduated before ’75
    • sayas who graduated after ’75

    Saya U Ba Toke, Saya U Min Wun, and Saya U Thar Hlaing gave “ovadha ဩဝါဒ and blessings for the attendees.

    Ko Tin Maung Win (EP71) posted Part 1 of the event on “YouTube” and requested us (me and the various webmasters and/or moderators of the RIT-related web sites) to announce the link so that the sayas, sayamas, alums and well-wishers who could not attend SPZP 2007 can share the experiences.

    Three Tin Maung Wins worked for the same company in Singapore. They are formally differentiated by using their major/discipline and/or year of graduation. Two of them are known as “Ah Phyu အဖြူ TMW” and “Ah Me အမဲ TMW” (who prefers to be called instead “Ah Nyo အညို TMW” or as the hubby of “Model” (Mai Daw မယ်တော် singer and dancer Moe Moe Yi.

    Evening event at OCC

    Orchid Country Club (OCC) is one of the few places in Singapore that can host events with 800+ attendees. According to Ko Nyan Win Shwe, 840 attended the Reunion dinner.

    There were long queues at the registration table. Young volunteers gave out badges, “Swe Daw Yeik Sar Saung စွယ်တော်ရိပ်စာစောင်” and a door gift to every attendee. The invited sayas and sayamas were given additional gifts.

    Some scheduled speeches were canceled or shortened (from 5 to 3 minutes). There was ample entertainment from the Singapore and Myanmar groups while the 10-course dinner was being served.

    There were two rounds of “appreciation to the Golden Sponsors” (for a complete list see the SPZP 2007 web site). Ko Benny and I were requested to accept the “appreciation awards” on behalf of the sponsors who could not attend SPZP 2007.

    Ko Myint San (“Tet Lu တက်လူ”) showed his expertise with the dobat, pattala, and “Chit Dukkha” song, Ko Yu Swan entertained with “Don min” and Shwe Zin Ma played the saung and also played in the pyazat directed by Ko Aung Kyaw Myint (“Ba Kyaw ဘကျော်”).

    Yu Swan & Emma

    Ko Tet Lu and Ko Ba Kyaw had complete confidence in the next generation of “Lu shwin daws လူရွှင်တော်များ led by Ko Awba ဩဘာ

    The Swel Daw Yeik Ah Nyeint စွယ်တော်ရိပ်အငြိမ့် also featured Khine Nay Nwe Lwin, Aye Thaw Kyawt, Awba, Pulley, Chainthee, and Diode.

    The program, originally scheduled to end at 11:45 p.m., ended almost an hour later. This was due in part to pay back to the people who had shown appreciation by “rewarding” them.

    The program ended with a special song written by Ko Ba Kyaw and with a big crowd on the podium.

  • Hla Min — Pu Zaw Pwe

    Hla Min — Pu Zaw Pwe

    by Hla Min

    Updated : July 2025

    PZP

    Pu Zaw Pwe is a Noble Tradition that is practiced in Burma.

    Thet Kyee PZP is for paying respect to the Elders. The age requirements vary.

    Saya PZP is for paying respect to the sayas and sayamas. Some use the term Acariya PZP.

    Thet Kyee PZP

    In some places, a Senior Day is held. Transportation, Food, Entertainment and Photo-shoot are provided for Old people of all races and creeds.

    Thet Kyee PZP may be held in conjunction with a Festival, e.g Thingyan or Thadinkyut. Buddhists may also pay respect physically to the Elders.

    MES organized Thet Kyee PZP for Senior Engineers and Architects.

    The All-Mechanical Gathering also had a program to pay respect to Thet Kyee Mechanical Engineers.

    Acariya PZP

    Examples :

    Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65

    M72 (and some other Disciplines)

    ICST/UCSY

    Saya PZP

    RIT Alumni International hosted the First RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP in San Francisco, California in October 2000. The term SPZP was chosen over Saya Ga Dawt Pwe so that Alumni of different Faith can pay back the Metta and Cetana of their mentors. I am honored to be a Core Organizer of SPZP-2000. I wrote the poem “SAYA PU ZAW PWE”. It was published in the RIT website and the Commemorative Issue of the RIT Alumni Newsletter for SPZP-2000.

    Singapore hosted SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 and SPZP-2010. Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) and team published Commemorative Issue of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for the SPZPs. My poem was reprinted on the Back Cover of SDYSS-2002. I wrote a poem “SWE DAW YEIK” for SDYSS-2007. I wrote an article “EE Sayas : A Sad and Short Clip” for SDYSS-2010.

    Yangon hosted SPZP-2004, SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016. Commemorative Issue of Swel Daw Yeik Magazine was published for SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016. U Saw Lin (GBNF) was Chief Editor of SDYM-2012. Saya U Moe Aung was Chief Editor of SPZP-2016. Several Distinguished Authors (e.g Ma Sandar, Maung Sein Win — Padeegone, N Jar Thaing, Aw Pi Kye) also served as Editors.

    Due to the pandemic, SPZP-2020 was canceled.

    Some of the Organizers and Volunteers of the SPZPs are GBNF. They include Saya Allen Htay, Ko Saw Lin, Ko Aung Moung, Ko Than Sin Myint and Ko Robin.

    Several Sayas are GBNF. They include U Ba Toke, H Num Kok, U Soe Khaw, U Khin Aung Kyi, U Thit, Dr. Mg Mg Win, S Arya, S Kyaw Aye, U Soe Lwin.

    Sayas U Ba Than, U Aung Khin, Dr. Aung Gyi and U Min Win are 90+ years young. Many of our sayas are 80+ years young.

    We hope to see SPZPs in the not so distant future (after the Calamities have ended).

  • Maurice Chee

    Maurice Chee

    by Hla Min

    Updated : July 2025

    RIT Days

    • Matriculated from MEHS in 1969.
    • During his RIT days, he was known as Hla Myint Thein.
    • Per advice from his paternal uncle Saya U Win Kyaing, he took Mechanical Engineering.
    • Graduated in 1975.

    Singapore & USA

    Worked in Singapore before moving to USA.

    Activities

    • Founding member of RIT Alumni International, which organized the First RIT Grand Reunion and SPZP.
    • Wore multiple hats at SPZP-2000
    • Co-Chair of the Working Committee (with Benny Tan)
    • Financial Controller
    • Logistics Chief
    • Publisher of commemorative issue of RIT Alumni Newsletter
    • Past President of BAPS. During his tenure, he used his culinary skills to host lunch meetings. His ancestors ran a top rated restaurant. He learned the recipe for Dan Bauk from his father, and has improved it. He would use different meat for his Dan Bauk.
    • Founding member & Past VP of NorCal RIT Alumni Association
    • Gave a seminar (e.g. on PE) at Mechanical Engineering Department, YTU
    • Donated books. Helped others (Daw Mu Mu Kin & Victor Wong) to donate books to YTU
    • With the help of some YTU sayas, he helped find eligible recipients for the scholarship offered by Daw Mu Mu Kin.

    Mg Mar Ga wrote:

    တကယ်အားကိုးရတဲ့​ကျောင်း​တော်သားပါ

    Updates

    • Lost his father in September 2015
    • Lost his mother-in-law in September 2019

    Memories

    SF Bay Area Alumni

    • Meetings & Gatherings at Benny’s house
    • Welcome Sayas & Alumni to the SF Bay Area
    SF Bay Area Alumni
    Gathering at Benny’s house
    Gathering 2
    Gathering 3
    Gathering 4

    SPZP-2000

    • Co-Chair, Working Committee
    • Several Subcommittees
    SPZP-2000

    M75

    • Reunion & fundraiser in Yangon
    M75

    Saya U Ba Than

    • Paid respect to Saya at Winner Inn
    With Saya U Ba Than

    Reunion of SPZP Organizers

    • KMZ visiting from Washington State
    • Benny enjoying retirement after three successful careers
    Sea Food Restaurant

    SF Bay Area Soon Kwyay

    • Hayward Kyaung (picture)
    • Also, Half Moon Bay Kyaung (for Maurice’s retirement, Kuto dana for Maurice’s dad)
    Soon Kyway

    Retirees’ Lunch Gathering

    • Selected restaurants & malls

    Posts

    • BAPS
    • NorCal RITAA
    • RIT Alumni International
    • SF Bay Area Alumni
    • SPZP
  • Saw Lin (C71)

    Saw Lin (C71)

    by Hla Min

    Update : July 2025

    2012

    March

    • Visited Yangon to meet with some organizers of SPZP-2012 (to be held in December, 2012).
    • U Saw Lin hosted a dinner at Feel Restaurant.
    Dinner

    Attendees

    • U Ohn Khine (M70)
    • Saya U Aung (C70)
    • U Khin Maung Myint & Rosie Mai Khin Nyunt (both ChE71)
    • Gift — RIT Cartoons
    RIT Cartoons

    December

    • Gave me a ride to attend SPZP Preparation meeting
    • Hosted a light dinner on the way back. Mentioned that he had dietary restrictions due to his medical condition
    • He wore multiple hats at SPZP-2012

    Brief Bio

    RIT

    • Past Secretary, RIT Civil Engineering Association
    • Graduated with Civil Engineering in 1971

    Experience

    • MD ကြေးနီစီမံကိန်း
    • MES EC
    • Publisher of MES Technical Publications

    SPZP-2012

    • Several roles
    • Chief Editor, Commemorative Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
    • Reprinted limited copies for 23 RIT Annual Magazines
    • Chair of Logistics, Security & Entertainment Committees
    U Saw Lin
    • Had medical treatment — Transplant and Visits to ICU
    • Passed away in July 2014.
    • Khamee Khamet of U Win Thein Zaw (Min69).

    Memories

    • With Saya Dr. San Hla Aung
    With Saya Dr. San Hla Aung
    • With Saya U Moe Aung
    With Saya Moe
    • Civil Engg Gathering
    Civil Gathering
    • Past Secretaries of RIT Civil Engg Association — Ko Ko Gyi, Saw Lin, Myo Khin, Hla Myint Thein
    Civil Engg Secretaries

    Posts

    • Cartoons & Cartoonists
    • Civil Engineering
    • RIT Annual Magazine
    • SPZP-2012
    • Swel Daw Yeik Magazine
  • Eddie Teoh (M64)

    Eddie Teoh (M64)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    Dear Ko Hla Min,

    Khin Thein Yi and I are appreciative of the great amount of time and devotion spent by ALL the organizers, volunteers and spouses towards this Re-Union effort. Thank you much y’all!

    Your success was AWESOME! Imagine a crowd of 300+ Burmese ex-RIT alumni and spouses in this foreign country, and most of them apparently successful in their own way. Makes me feel proud of the whole bunch; this mixed with melancholia to think of the loss of much needed brainpower, guts and grits that our motherland did not utilize.

    Heart touching also was the sight of former students paying their respects to the Sayagyis of old; this revered old custom of ours is so so different from the new culture that we have immersed ourselves in, for the last (twenty-eight for me) years.

    Many sayagyis were there, but in spirit they also represented all our other teachers from kindergarten to graduation. We reminisced also about Sayas Ba Hli, Sein Hlaing, Ba Than, Saw Pru, Simon, Chit (Blacksmith), Hla Myint, professors sent thru the Colomo Plan, the Russian professors, some of them I remember by face but have forgotten the names (shame on me!) and many others. Julie Han was sobbing with joy at the end of this ceremony; my throat was all choked up as I wiped the tears from my eyes. THANK YOU ALL MY SAYAS AND SAYAMAS.

    Wow! I suddenly realized that it was several decades since I graduated. It is strange to perceive that many of the RIT sayas graduated after us.

    In my first year Engineering, Saya Allen Htay and Saya San Hla Aung freshly graduated taught “Geometrical & Mechanical Drawing” class for less than a year before they went to study in the U.S.A.

    Before we came, we looked at the roster, it seems that there were so few of my contemporaries attending, and that we would feel at a loss. Not so. All the RITians behaved like one big family. Faces and names that we had forgotten for decades were refreshed. Some of the guys were hardly recognizable. Suddenly, we are much younger again. I greeted some of the guys with a “Hey fella”, like it was only yesterday when we were attending RIT.

    Quick Impressions:

    • Loo Yap May screaming when she saw Khin Thein Yi.
    • Some of these ladies are very un-Burmese-like, with their kisses and huggings and screamings. Ha! Ha!
    • Saya Num Pon actually blushing, when I mentioned about the girl that was chasing him, when we went on our summer training in B.O.C. Chauk.
    • Benny Tan’s collection of memorabilia from RIT days, including Spott’s “Machine Design” and slide rule. I think Saya Ko Ko Gyi introduced that text to us.
    • Did not get a chance to say “Hi” to Ko Tin Htoon (Arch 60). Hi! Ko Tin Htoon.
    • Old friend Saya Say Teong (Tin Maung) visiting us from Burma. Must be a big shot there.
    • Many faces I remember, but cannot place their names.
    • Forcible body removal of photographers, so that the official photographer can get a good shot with his wide angle camera.
    • That Daniel [Tint Lwin] from Singapore sings good. Yup! Daniel, you organize for over 500 people, we will be there. Daniel, say “Hi” to Nellie.
    • Jeffrey Kamdar handing out friendship pens.
    • Aw Taik Moh (C1954) still working and looking chipper.
    • Learnt that Mya Thwin’s wife Suzie is ex-Methodist. My alma mater.
    • Teary-eyed Reggie Wu.
    • We think of Amy Thwin (Tin Tin Ohn), Dolly Thwin (Ni Ni Thwin), sisters (both ex-RIT) who have both passed away.
    • Anthony recounts how six Chem. Es including Saya Chwan, Willie, Moy and two others pooled enough money to immigrate one to the U.S., and pulling the next guy in when financially able. Admirable.
    • And so on, and so on, and so on, and so on (Remember English Tutor Saya Pereira??). Physics – Saya Bharadwaja

    One gripe. Time went by too fast. One dinner (what did we eat, I forgot) and one picnic was not sufficient to see or greet some of the friends long forgotten. We had several sub-parties and get-togethers – buffet at Lee’s, lunch at Benny Tan’s beautiful abode (congrats Benny and wife – you are the American dream come true), tea at Saya Allen Htay and Muriel’s house at the tip of Silicon Valley), lunch at Julie Han’s niece’s, dinner with a few Chem.Es graced by Saya Khin Aung Kyi, brunch at George Chen’s, San ‘Frisco tour with Saya Khin Aung Kyi. We still could not get enough of it.

    Like my friend (my class-mate, my co-worker, my sibling rival) Dr. Tin Win says, “It sure is hard to come back to work”. Aw shucks! We gotta get back to reality and normal life.

    Goodnight, and thanks again y’all.

    Eddie (M64) & Khin Thein Yi (ChE65)

    Editor’s notes:
    The fifteen Teoh siblings are named alphabetically from Albert (the eldest) to Oscar (the youngest). U Cecil (C63) and U Eddie (M64) are RIT alumni. They rank 3rd and 5th among the siblings.