Hail to the Old Rangoon University !!!
Dr Maung Maung Nyo
It had prospered as the “
Educating the sons and daughters of the nation
To rise up to the country’s challenges and aspirations
Not to be content with degrees and deceitful decorations
As Ledi Sayadaw told us the worth of his doctorate’s citation
Not quite useful as a basket of rice meant for chicken feeding
Students of the university saw what Ledi Sayadaw really means.
(Ledi Sayadaw Offered D.Litt. by Rangoon University)
Sons of this great university had met the challenges
Students of the 1920 strike publicized their grievances
That university education be open to all
That more than one university be made available in consequence
Compulsory hostel residency shall be waived to be in abeyance
There should not be a one year waiting of pre-university requirement
On the whole the 1920 university boycott was successful by evidence
Thus a new
(First University Strike Inscription on the Shwedagon Pagoda)
The 10th Waning Day of Tazaungmon was when the boycott began
Leaders of
As the “National Day” to arouse in the people of
So that they would acquire national spirit and pride resulting in demand
For fair treatment from the British Government and self rule and autonomy
That would set
Ushering in the ‘national day’ parade, singing, dancing and national identity
That was exactly what happened after that first students boycott in
This led to
That fought against the university authorities for improvement
Of teaching, hostel conditions and social and political situations
In the university to be enjoyed by successive student generations
That made the university students union a viable and vocal force
In the fight against colonialism and Imperialism and for country’ growth
Student leaders went on educating the public and poor peasants
They took part in the fight for anti-Japanese Resistance and independence.
(Sir Harcourt Butler D.C.L., D.Litt. ICS etc, Governor of Burma
and The First Chancellor of the Rangoon University)
Consequently, many leaders of pre- and post- war
The first Martyr General Aung San was a student leader in the vanguard
U Nu, the premier of independent
AFPFL Government cabinet ministers were university students and followers
Ba Swe, Kyaw Nyein, Tun Win, Rashid, Khin Maung Latt qualified for the list
I could add more like Bo Khin Maung Lay, U Than Aung, U Win etc to fit
Even the communist leaders were the products of
It included Ba Hein, Thein Pe, Bo Zeya, Saya Rajan and Yebaw Aung Gyi.
The opposition leaders also had university connections
Dr Aye Maung, T.P. Wan, Ba Nyein, Aung Than no exception
They had been university graduates and some had representation
In the University Council as RUSU representatives in function
Their love of knowledge and patriotism was out of the question
They may of course lack experience, right judgment and decision
As proved by their support of U Nu and Bo Ne Win in succession
That destroyed the country’s progress to a democratic nation!
Many senior civil servants were first class students of the university
Candidates for the ICS and BCS were chosen from that category
Theikpan Maung Wa stood first in his BA. Honors Class Examination
His professor reported his success to the Chancellor for information
That meant it went through to the all powerful
He was elated and excited as
That would make him an excellent administrator for British Burma
The Governor sent him straight to
Many ICS and BCS made their marks with their qualifications
U Tin Tut was an expert in finance, communication and administration
He was the only ICS with military training being appointed a brigadier
Unfortunately he was at logger heads with socialists and murdered
U Ba Nyein made the mark with finance and budgeting too
But he became a Marxist ideologue flouting the ICS rule
That you remain loyal to the government and do your duty
U Ba Nyein resigned from post of secretary to form a political party!
The middle and lower civil servants also once belonged to the university
Township officers, superintendents and high and lower clerk category
They were recent graduates or trying to be graduates in the process
They were still attending the part time or correspondence distant classes
And all the technical experts and technicians were trained by the university
Botanists, zoologist, veterinary surgeons, doctors, engineers, all specialties
They at least must have the first degree of the university and then more
It encompassed master’s degrees, diplomas, certificates or on-the-job training or so.
(Old Rangoon University Convocation Hall Still Used Today by Such
What about the trainers?
They definitely belonged there!
Professors, lecturers, demonstrators and tutors
They must have learned there and must be super
Because academic posts were chosen from the elite
That means they belonged to the top of the lists
They must score high marks in the degree finals
Or they must pass with A or B class, it’s essential
A few were trained abroad for masters and doctorates
They retrained the subordinates and other postgraduates.
Even the top soldiers and officers of the army were university made
Director of military training was a colonel at the professor grade
He took part in the convocation ceremony of the Rangoon University
Conferring degrees to the products of the
I remember Generals Maung Aye, Nyan Lin, Khin Soe and Tun Kyi
All receiving their DSA degrees from the
Besides their senior officers like Brigadier Maung Maung Kyaw Win
They belonged to the
In a way the
That lived and worked in the country to its call
Of duty to safeguard the interests of the people and country
In administration, education, production and defence entities
Without which the country would not have survived
It would have crumbled like a sand castle might
In the face of strong wind, blizzard and man-made explosions
(U Nu, the First Burmese Premier, Was a Graduate of the Rangoon University
And the First Chancellor of the Post-War Rangoon University after Independence)
It survived from 1920 to 1946
When General Ne Win demolished it
Its successor was given various names
But after 1964 it was not the same
But its original prestige and power gone
It no longer is by its self now.
See the difference in its chancellors!
Before independence it was the Governor
We remember his name Sir Harcourt Butler
He did a lot of good things for
He developed the university as he was a scholar
After independence Premier U Nu took over
He also gave due attention to her as it’s his Alma Mater
He coined the word “ serene green emerald island” for her.
(Commemorative Magazine Published on the Occasion of the Diamond Jubilee
Celebration (1920-1995 ) of the University of Rangoon)
With Ne Win it became a mutilated body
Definitely demolished defective delinquency
It’s no longer its original beauty, the university
No longer with all powerful authority
No more multi-faculty autonomous entity
O’
I salute you and say Hooray
We still celebrate your Birthday
As Silver, Gold and Diamond Jubilees, they say
One day, we hope you’ll have your way!
Dr Maung Maung Nyo
23.01.2009 (original)
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