Dear Sayas and Colleagues,

Ko Thein Aung (Met 72), member of the Executive Committee, responsible for compiling the profiles of the Sayagyis and Sayamagyis, just forwarded me the e-mail from Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi (former Rector, RIT). Ko Thein Aung is also the Burmese section editor for the Special Issue of the "RIT Alumni International" newsletter. He is the chair of the committee responsible for the Sunday Picnic. His spouse Ma San San Nyunt (a) Sandra (Mech 77) is also a member of the Organizing Committee. They have three beautiful daughters. The eldest has acted as Ko Thein Aung's editorial advisor.

Sayagyi will give a key note speech at the First Ever Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe. Higlights of the event will be videotaped by a professional. There will also be several volunteers who will capture moments of the event in digital and/or analog photos.

Sayalay Ko Thein Aung, who won Mr. RIT and/or Mr. University, [see the "Photo Gallery"], still has an excellent physique. He will take vacation before and after the Reunion to show some Sayas round the Bay Area.

With metta,
Hla Min

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                              Profile of Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi
                                   Former Rector, RIT
                         Former Professor, Civil Engineering
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Born from my parents U Ba Pu and Daw Aye Kyi in Namtu, Northern Shan States, Burma.

Matriculated in 1949 from Myoma High School in Rangoon. After passing the 1st year engineering , BOC College of Engineering, Rangoon University in 1952, went to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Mass., USA as a State scholar to join the second year engineering classes there.

Was in Dean's list during the studies in MIT; and obtained B.S.(Civil Engineering) in 1955 and M.S.(Civil Engineering) in 1956. After working as a junior engineer in Tippetts- Abbett-MacCarthy- Stratton Engineers, New York and Green Engineering Co., Boston for a year, returned to Burma in 1957 to join the Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Rangoon University as an Assistant Lecturer. Promoted to Lecturer and Head of the Department of Civil Engineering in 1958.

Got married to Daw Mya Mya Mue in 1959. (Have a daughter and a son and two grand children from daughter who all live in Canada now.)

Went to the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Colombo Plan Scholarship in 1963 for further studies. Obtained Ph.D (Civil Engineering) specializing in structural engineering in 1965 from the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Returned to Burma in 1965 and promoted to Professor and Head of Civil Engineering Department in 1966.

Promoted to Rector of Rangoon Institute of Technology in 1971.

Left Burma to join UNESCO as Programme Specialist in Applied Sciences in 1977 in Unesco Regional Office in New Delhi, India.

Migrated to Ottawa, Canada to join the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canadian Research funding Agency in Ottawa as an Associate Director in 1981. Was then assigned to IDRC Regional Office in Singapore as Principal Program Officer from 1989 to 1992. Was transferred to IDRC Regional Office in New Delhi as Principal Program Officer in 1992. Was promoted to Regional Representative for IDRC Regional Office in New Delhi in 1995.

Retired from IDRC in June 1997 and now settled down in Nepean, Ontario, Canada with wife.

I look forward to seeing you all soon.

With Metta,
Aung Gyi