=====================================================================
Update (November 26, 2004)
=====================================================================
Dear Sayas and Colleagues,
Time has different effect on sayas and alums.
Some seem to possess the "elixir of life" and seemed as youthful as
they were several decades ago. Examples include Saya U Tun Shwe (Mech)
and Saya U Min Wun (Civil).
Some proudly display their grey hair as signs of wisdom and
experience. In some SPZP videos and photo albums, several alums
"appeared much older" than their [former] sayas and sayamas.
Others show their "thinning" hair as the result of achieving
success and excellence. Ko Benny Tan (Mech) once offered free lunch to
anyone who could spot him in the old RIT Group Photos of the late '60s.
If you see the latest photo of a close buddy from your RIT days,
would you be able to recognize him/her immediately? "Matching two
photos -- one young and one old" could be an icebreaker for SPZPs.
=====================================================================
From Ko Kyaw Thu (NZ)
=====================================================================
Re: RIT Alumni website
Reference to my email to you under the section "Letters" of the
website, below are info that have changed.
Own business website: http://www.pentaq.co.nz
This has changed to http://www.cresca.co.nz
Personal homepage: http://homepages.go.com/~dwmackey/DAHome.html
This does not exist anymore.
Also, under the "Alumni" database, please replace my email address
dennis@pentaq.co.nz with dwmackey@xtra.co.nz
Happy Thanskgiving Day.
Best Regards,
Dennis Mackey
(Kyaw Thu)
=====================================================================
Miscelleaneous
=====================================================================
Tathagata Meditation Center (TMC) is conducting a 9-day
Thanksgiving Retreat with Sayadaw U Silananda. An autographed copy of
"Silavanta Sutta" by Venerable U Silananda will be presented to the
attendees at the closing ceremony on Sunday, November 28, 2004.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Saya Dr. Yan Naing Lwin (Physics, WIU) sent us an e-mail about the
academic achievement of Richard Chan, son of U Ye Myint (B. Com., Daly
City, California).
Richard matriculated from Yangon. Richard attended WIU (Western
Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois) for pre-engineering studies in
1997 and transfered to UIUC (University of Illinois at Urbana
Champaign) in 1998. He finished his Bachelors and Masters with honors.
As part of his doctoral research [to be completed by May, 2005],
Richard co-invented a miniature device that both amplifies electric
current and emits a narrow beam of single-wavelength light. It is also
known as a "light-emitting transistor" or "laser transistor".
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ko Cecil Teoh and Ko Edward Teoh attended Reunion 2000. They are
the third and fifth in a family of fifteen siblings named
alphabetically: A[lbert] the eldest to O[scar] the youngest.
======================================================================
That's all for now.
With metta,
Hla Min
======================================================================
Update (November 25, 2004)
======================================================================
Dear Sayas and Colleagues,
Five years ago, Daniel Tint Lwin (Mech, Associate Professor, NTU)
sent me an e-mail about the 30th Reunion of the '69 graduates
[organized by Ko Win Lwin, the late Ko Kyaw Than, and several others].
Alice (Saw Yu Tint, Tex) sent photos of that event. Saya U Soe Paing
(Elec, my mentor at both RIT and UCC) sent e-mails of the mini-reunions
with Saya Dr. Aung Gyi and others. I compiled the news and photos and
forwarded them to several alumni, who in turn suggested e-mail
addresses to be added to my mailing list.
The first few e-mails carried "Newsletter (RIT Alumni Abroad)", but
several suggested to rename it to "RIT Alumni International" to embrace
alumni all over the world. E-mails poured in from various parts of the
US, UK, Germany, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand,
Thailand, Netherlands, ...
Among the responders were Saya U Min Wun (California, who taught
"Surveying" in our 2nd BE class, and imposed a seating plan and strict
roll call), Saya U Aung Soe (Illinois, who led the Sayas supervising
the "chaining" exercises), Ko Myint Khine (Norman, UK), Ko Htin Myaing
(Ben, New York), Ko Htay Aung (Victor, Australia), Saya U Aung Khin
(Canada), Ko Aung Myaing (Thailand), Saya Dr. Koung Nyunt (New
Zealand), Ma Kinsa Maw-Naing (Canada), Sayama Dr. Khin Ni Ni Thein
(Netherlands), ..., and last but not the least the "Bay Area Alumni
Group" and the alums from Southern California.
KMZ agreed to be the webmaster of http://www.ex-rit.org and post the
articles, photos, news. The alumni database and GBNF are some of the
sections meant to get alums reconnected and also remember our beloved
teachers, classmates, and schoolmates who have passed away. They would
be part of RIT history.
In my newsletter updates, I described my dreams -- to get the alums
[re]connected virtually and physically in the form of mini-reunions,
reunions, and Grand Reunions.
As Saya U Min Win said in his Reunion 2000 address, "the First ever
RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw happened partly due to he 'Internet'
and ease of communications, but in a larger degree to the 'cetana' and
'metta' of the alums who helped physically, financially, and
spiritually to make the event a success." Saya Dr. Aung Gyi said that
"the best years of my life/career were at RIT as a teacher,
administrator, educator, and mentor". Saya U Myo Myint Sein said, "My
friend, a renowned archictect, told me that he would trade all his
medals and honors to attend a SPZP." Saya U Khin Aung Kyi paid respect
to Sayagyi U Ba Toke and Sayagyi U Num Kok before describing why
engineering is a noble profession. Saya U Aung Khin, who gave the "go
ahead" for the SPZP, was elated to see his colleagues and "juniors"
[former students] and recounted his mini-reunions [after his
retirement] in Burma, China, Singapore, and Canada. Sayagyi U Ba Toke
thanked all the attendees and prayed that all would be "healthy
physically and mentally".
Like most initial endeavors, the path was filled with uncertainty
and anxiety. Read Saya Allen Htay's, "Brother, can you spare US $500?".
Fortunately, five Golden Sponsors -- Ko Thaung Sein (Steeve), Ko Yu
Beng (Benny), Ko Khin Maung Oo (Ivan), Ko Tin Myint (David), and Ko
Maung Maung Than -- made "U Nyo Win's act" unneccesary.
Ko Thaung Sein learnt about the "Countdown to the Reunion" from Htay
Htay Than (Sarina) and wrote a check to Benny to "give all Sayas and
volunteers of SPZP commemorative T-shirts, and to use the remaining
T-shirts for fund-raising; and to help the Sayas and Sayamas beyond the
SPZP." His donations to the SPZPs and mini-SPZPs -- in cash and kind --
are "Thanksgiving" [from the bottom of the heart].
Singapore 2002 was on a grander scale. Due to proximity to Yangon,
more Sayas and Sayamas could take part.
Yangon 2004 would be much grander. 250+ Sayas and Sayamas, and 2000+
alumni are expected to attend. We wish Yangon 2004 organizers and
attendees a happy Thanksgiving and outstanding success.
Isn't it true: "What one man can dream, others can fulfill?"
=====================================================================
From Ko Aung Myint (Singapore)
=====================================================================
Hi Danny and San San Mya,
I paid a visit to Saya U Sein Shan during my recent short trip to
Burma. I'm very pleased to let you know that his health condition has
improved very much. He can now walk on his own and talk quite clearly
too, which is more or less the same condition as he was in while we met
him in Singapore.
He and his wife asked me to convey his regards to both of you.
Bye now and take care!
Aung Myint
=====================================================================
Miscellaneous
=====================================================================
Ko Tin Maung Lay (Mech 69) lives in Southern California. In the
past, he worked 6 weeks somewhere in Europe and came back 2 weeks [for
home leave]. In the future, he may work 9 weeks, and come back home for
3 weeks.
Feel free to visit the RIT-related News Group and web sites. Several
have links to the other RIT sites. Ko Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ), Ko Nyan Lin
Thein, Ko Maung Maung Win (Mg Yit), Ko Zaw Aung, Dr. Soe Thein, Ko Aung
Mon, Ko Thet Tun, Ko Thein Ngwe are some of the alums that have helped
found/maintain the newsgroups and web sites. Thanks for their cetana
and hard work.
=====================================================================
That's all for now.
With metta,
Hla Min
====================================================================
Update (November 24, 2004)
====================================================================
Dear Sayas and Colleagues,
Happy Thanksgiving (which officially falls tomorrow). Some
companies make their employees happy by making it a 4-day weekend.
Yangon 2004 SPZP appears to be much grander than Reunion 2000 and
Singapore 2002. Over 200 Sayas and Sayamas and 2000+ alums are expected
to attend the SPZP ceremony. 1000 seats (by reservation only) will be
available for the Dinner.
For Reunion 2000, I wrote "SAYA PUZAW PWE". It was posted on
http://www.ex-rit.org and also published in the Special Issue of the
"RIT Alumni International Newsletter" handed out at Reunion 2000.
It was reprinted as the back cover of "Swe Daw Yeik Sar Saung"
published for Singapore 2002.
=====================================================================
SAYA PUZAW PWE
=====================================================================
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
=====================================================================
Yangon 2004
=====================================================================
Dear all,
We have discussed with the responsible person from Immigration
Dept(Airports/Seaports Supervision) in order to clear fast for incoming
sayas & alumni for PZP.
Could you please give us list of the Sayas, alumni and their family
members coming for Saya PZP including Date, Flight No., Passport No.,
etc. ASAP? We have to send letters to the Immigration authorities one
week before arrival for clearing fast at the air port.
Please advise Myanma Nationals to bring necessary documents i.e. tax
paper, leave letters and any other required documents.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need clarification or
additional information.
With Best Wishes,
U Zaw Min
e-mail: zawmin@uegroup.com.mm
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Henry [Thet Tun, Organizer for alums in Australia]
The website for Saya PZP is www.sayapzpygn.com
It has been updated frequently and you can find a lot of info. The
Saya Puzawpwe invitation list of sayas can be viewed in the website and
the invitation to the sayas in Australia has been posted to your
address. Please expect a package from Singapore. The accomodation and
travels can be booked through Thingazar tours which you can also find
in the website. There are special rates for Sedona Hotel, Inya Lake
Hotel and other hotels based on their grades.
The 7th meeting was held yesterday and the meeting minutes can be
viewed on the website soon. All is progressing very well and most of
the preparations are completed including the entertainment programmes.
If the organizing commitee is informed in time of your flight details
and arrival date in Yangon, a welcoming team will help you at the
airport with immigration and customs procedures.
As scheduled, the Saya Puzawpwe event will be held on 26 Dec
2004(Sunday) at the Myanmar Convention Centre from 9-11 am attended by
more than 250 sayas from all disciplines and more than 2000 alumni.
After the Puzawpwe, lunch will be served to the sayas.
The dinner event will take place at the Inya Lake Hotel lawn on 26th
Dec evening from 5 pm onwards attended by more than 1000 sayas and
alumni. It will include entertainment programs of the best quality and
memorable of the old days. Gift shops will be selling all sorts of
souvenirs of the event and all proceeds will go towards the sayas
gifts. Apart from that each saya will be presented K 100,000 each.
We have receive valuable support from all our alumni both in Myanmar
and abroad,and look forward to all of your generous support to make
this a memorable event for both the sayas and the attending alumni.
FYI, dinner tickets will be available at K 10,000 per person.
Please give us your name and reserve your dinner tickets so that you
will not be disappointed as the seats are limited to 1000 only. (due to
space constraints)
The USA alumni has contributed very generously, and they will also
attend the event. We look forward to all of your continued support to
make this event successful.
Please do not hesitate to contact me or any member of the organizing
committee for any assistance or information regarding the events.
Best regards
Ko Win Khaing
Secretary
PZP 2004 Yangon Organizing Committee
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Ko Win Khaing,
Thanks for the valuable messages.
I wish to know how many Mechanical Sayas will be attending "The
Mechanical Mini Gathering", what is the date and where is the venue?
Who are the local Sayas attending (the numbers) and who are the
overseas Sayas attending (the numbers)?
I have discussed with Dr. Tin Hlaing just now and we are going to
contribute to that occasion as "Ex-RIT (Mechanical) group".
U Tin Lin is also planning for the contributing of "The Chemical
Mini Gathering" also.
It will be great help for us if we know the exact data early from
the organizer because we need to arrange the gift items for the Sayas.
Best regards
Nyan Win Shwe (Mechanical 1972)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Sayagyi U Aung Khin
It is with much pleasure and appreciation to inform you that the
invitation to attend the Saya Puzawpwe 2004 event in Yangon on 26 Dec
(Sunday) 2004 at The Myanmar Convention Centre from 9-11 am has been
sent to you.
We hope you will receive the invitation in time. It is my honour to
invite you again as the Secretary of the Organizing Commitee. We have
worked really hard to make this PZP event a greatsuccess and have met 7
times to plan in detail so that it will be concluded without a hitch
and also the event will be enjoyable and memorable to all the sayas and
the alumni who will come from across the nation and also overseas.
To make this event truly outstanding, the presence of all our sayas
and sayamas is really crucial and all the alumni who contributed
generously have this fervent hope to pay their beloved sayas a deep
respect in person. We at the organizing committee have pledged to make
the visit of sayas from abroad and the districts as enjoyable and
comfortable as much as we can.
In this respect,on arrival at the international airport, our welcome
party will assist with all the immigration and customs formalities.
Transportation will be available also to send the sayas to their place
of accomodation. If Sayas need to stay in a hotel, our commitee can
make the necessary reservation at special rates. We only need prior
information about your travel plans and arrival date/flight no to
Yangon.
The updated info are available on the website www.sayapzpygn.org and
can be refered to for other activities like ightseeing, hotels,
transportation, etc.
Dear Sayagyi, please do not hesitate to contact me for any
assistance required from our end. We look forward to greeting you and
your family at Yangon soon. The Mechanical Mini-Gathering will be held
at The Panda Hotel on 27th Dec (Monday) from 4 pm onwards with dinner
later on. All the mechanical sayas are guest of honour and special
gifts will be presented by the mechanical alumni.
With our deepest respect and best wishes
Ko Win Khaing(Mech-75)
Secretary
Saya PZP 2004 Yangon Organizing Committee
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Maurice (Treasurer, RIT Alumni International)
How are you? Quite silent recently. I talked with Benny and he said
you might be missing the PZP event in Yangon. Please try to make your
best effort to attend and support us.
I have send the invitations for the Sayas in USA via Soe Sitt at
Singapore. Most of the addresses are missing as we do not know and we
request your assistance to send them to the final destination. We also
request the email addresses of the sayas to be invited, so that emails
can be sent to them.
We know that Saya U Aung Khin will come from mechanical side and
Saya U Aung Gyi is being invited by the civil alumni. For the sayas in
Australia, we have sent to Ko Thet Tun for forwarding to the final
destination as we do not know the addresses.
Since the event is only a month or so away, we are increasing all
our activities and PR and media efforts. The financial situation looks
OK, but I am still waiting for some generous pledges from you and the
USA alumni.
Benny and Ko Thaung Sein [multiple Golden Sponsors for Reunion 2000
and Singapore 2002] have pledged as Diamond Sponsors which is much
appreciated.
The Singapore Alumni have contributed S$ 14000++ for the PZP event.
Thanks for your support and best wishes.
Ko Win Khaing
Secretary
Saya PZP 2004 Yangon Organizing Commitee
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Benny
Thank you for your phone call. We are very glad to know that you
will be able to attend the SayaPuzawPwe in Yangon. We are confident
that it will be a very successful event, and you all will have a great
time in Yangon. We only wish we can be there also.
As you know we all have been looking forward to this great event
since 2002 in Singapore, but we will have to pass it this time. Since
Aung & Thinzar are home, we wish to be here at home with them.
With Best Regards
Tin and Irene Htut
=====================================================================
Miscellaneous
=====================================================================
A reader asked me if "Kathein" is a typo. Shouldn't it be
"Kahtein"? Probably so, since most Burmese use "Ht" for "Hta".
In Pali transliteration, however, "t" stands for "Ta" and "th"
stands for "Hta".
"Kathina", in Pali, is the wooden frame used for making robes. In
Buddha's day, monks have to to make their own robes.
====================================================================
That's all for now.
With metta,
Hla Min