Dear Sayas and Colleagues,

I just received the Profile of Saya U Myo Myint Sein [I've heard some of Sayas refer to him as "Raymond Sein"], former Professor, Department of Architecture. Kogyi Koung's recent article highlighted Saya's accomplishments as interim Head of the Department. The following is Saya's story in his own words.

Bobby Myo Tun (Arch 69) won essay contests sponsored by "Daw Lay's Circle" in the Guardian Sunday Supplement. I've heard Ko Aung Khin (Arch 69) play the guitar. I remember Kogyi Koung (Arch 67) with his omnipresent camera.

With metta,
Hla Min

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                                                    Profile
                                         by Saya U Myo Myint Sein
                         Former Professor, Department of Architecture
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HIGHLIGHTS OF MY BACKGROUND
R. Myo Myint Sein, AIA

Education:
B. Sc. Engg. (Architecture), University of Rangoon
M. Arch., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Tau Sigma Delta, Honor Society College of Architecture Design,
University of Michigan.

Professional Career:

Current: Coordinator Los Angeles County Architectural review/evaluation Board (A Public Commission). Peer Review Supervising Architect responsible for developing Architectural guidelines for LA County Capital projects for private consultant Architect Engineering Firms contracted to design LA County capital projects. Peer Review Works include projects designed by international and nationally known architectural firms, such as Frank O. Gehry & Associates Disney Concert Hall & CalArts Theater, Criminal Justice Projects such as, Courthouse by Mosakawski Lindsey Associates, Dworsky Associates for Juvenile Halls, Jails, and Sheriff Stations, HOK/LBL Health Services Projects including Hospitals, and other numerous projects such as Office Buildings and Toxicology Laboratory buildings. Also designed and constructed numerous projects as Project Architect for Los Angeles County.

Architecture Planning Design in Yangon, Myanmar: Initiated and Developed Conceptual design together with the Staff and Students of the Department of Architecture, RIT of the Government Center, including Hluttaw Building and President's House, Revolutionary Park, to mention a few of the overall Master Plan. The Plan was accepted by the Prime Minister and further developed Public Works Corporation. At the request of the Prime Minister, the Master Plan was presented to the highest authority for approval. The major portion of the construction is now completed.

Other projects include Yangon University of Natural Sciences, an US AID project, Burmese Buddhist Congregation Hall, Penang, Malaysia, Australian Embassy Recreation Club and numerous educational complexes in Yangon, Myanmar.

Participated in the design & development of World Trade Center, New York, NY., Century City Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles, CA., Northwest National Life Home Office, Minneapolis, MN., and other projects at Minoru Yamasaki & Associates, Birmingham Michigan.

Academic Career:

Joined RIT as Assistant Lecturer in late 1964 and Head of the Department of Architecture, and promoted to Professor of Architecture, Rangoon Institute of Technology. Redesigned curriculum for graduate and under graduate courses, developed training and interaction for the Faculty with other institutions. Elected UNESCO fellowship conference in Engineering Education in Iran, including interaction with faculty members of various institutions from Asia. Toured as guest of the Ministry of Higher Education of the USSR at Institutions in Moscow, Tblisi, Leningrad and Baku. Visiting Professor of Architecture at the University of Western Australia, and numerous researches and publications on Tradition and Architecture, Traditional Myanmar Houses and Buddhist Architecture and Architecture in the Tropics, Burma Research Institute and University Publications. Consultant, Shwedagon Pagoda, and Bagan Stupa Earthquake repair damages. Resigned as Professor and Head of the Department of Architecture in 1980.

Extracurricular Activities:

Founder & first President of the Society of Student Architects, Secretary General, Engineering Student Union (1955-56), President of the Convent and Brother Schools Association, University of Rangoon (1956-57). Member of the famous Prome Hall and Engineering Faculty Football Team (1955-56), we generally beat the Medical Faculty!!!. A consultant & advisor to the Government Ministry Construction, Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Culture, Union of Myanmar.

Satisfaction and Achievements:

I am so happy reading the write-ups and accounts of the days at RIT, and of cause it brings back memories of my student life, which was so enriching, and the joy and fun, which comes together with the stress strain of cramming all the lessons day and night when exams are approaching, that was my student days.

Never the less my faculty days was also very enriching, how can I not, with students like San Maung, Kyaw Thein, Koung Nyunt, Sai Yee Leik, Aung Khin, Win Myint, Kyaw Win, Thein Zaw etc., I can go on and on. I can tell that they had joy and fun and also full of stress and strain!!! How can they not also, when lecture time comes, Kyaw Thoung had to go and fetch some of these guys from the canteen!!!. All of them, bright, intelligent and highly motivated. They are now all established with wonderful families and shouldering high responsibilities. I am proud to say that we together with the handful of staff and students were able to achieve a tremendously high level of academic standards and also assist the Country and the public to value and get a better understanding of Architecture as to what and how it plays in the development of our society. I still remember the evenings, we had in my house, annual dinners and BBQs. Any one still have those pictures? I'd like to get a copy.

Currently I am reviewing the high profile, high tech. State of the art building, The Disney Concert Hall and Cal Arts Theater under construction in Los Angeles. The catia program is used to design develop the construction document. The entire building is custom designed, and factory fabricated. Conventional methods of construction cannot be used as all fabrication work is based on the catia program and all elements are assembled on site. It is a steel braced frame with stainless steel skin.

Another system developed first in the construction industry is the conditioned air supply and venting of the cavities between the exterior skin and the interior outside wall of the building, which will be applied on several courthouse buildings.

Last but not the least, all of my students I am sure would like to know about my family, since my house was an open house for them, and my kids were always in and out of the Department they and other kids on campus are known as RIT brats. My wonderful wife Pat (Khin Win Kyi) is busy with the two lovely grand kids, My daughter Chitsaya is married, to Win Maw, my friend U Win Kyu's son who is a structural engineer and a Rangoon University BOC Engineering College alumni, and my son Myo Myo is married to Jenny a Singaporian. He is a successful businessman, with his two kids, Ashton and Shawna.