University of Yangon
Encyclopedia
Yangon University located in Kamayut
, Yangon
, is the oldest and most well-known university in Myanmar
. The university offers mainly graduate degree (master's, post-graduate diploma and doctorate) programs in liberal arts
, sciences and law
. Full-time bachelor's degree have not been offered at the university's main campus since the student protests of 1996.
Yangon University is the progenitor of most major universities in the country. Until 1958 when Mandalay University became an independent university, all institutions of higher education in Myanmar were under Yangon University. After the University Education Act of 1964, all professional colleges and institutes of the university such as the Institute of Medicine 1, Rangoon Institute of Technology
and Yangon Institute of Economics
all became independent universities, leaving the university with liberal arts, sciences and law.
From the beginning, Yangon University has been at the center of civil discontent throughout its history. All three nationwide strikes against the British (1920, 1936 and 1938) began at then Rangoon University. Anti-colonial movement's leaders like Aung San
, U Nu
, Ne Win
and U Thant
were all alumni of the university. The tradition of student protest at the university continued in the post-colonial era—in 1962, 1974, 1988 and most recently in 1996.
, Rangoon College was operated and managed by the Education Syndicate set up by the British colonial administration. The college was renamed Government College in 1904, and University College in 1920. Rangoon University was founded in 1920, when University College (secular) and Judson College (Baptist-affiliated) were merged. The American Baptist
Mission decided to recognise Judson College (formerly Baptist College) as a separate institution within Rangoon University. Rangoon University modelled itself after University of Cambridge
and University of Oxford
. All subsequent institutions of higher learning founded by the British were placed under Rangoon University's administration: Mandalay College in Mandalay in 1925, Teachers Training College
and Medical College in Yangon in 1930, and Agriculture College in Mandalay in 1938.
Although it was attended only by the elites of the day, the university nonetheless was at the center of anti-colonial movement. All three nationwide strikes against the British colonial government (1920, 1936 and 1938) began at the university. By the 1930s, the university was the hotbed of Burmese nationalism, producing a number of future senior Burmese politicians, including Aung San
, U Nu
, Ba Maw
, Kyaw Nyein, Ba Swe, U Thant
and Thein Pe Myint.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Rangoon University was the most prestigious university in Southeast Asia
and one of the top universities in Asia, attracting students from across the region.
After the military coup
of 1962 under Gen. Ne Win
and the Burmese Way to Socialism
, Rangoon University was put directly under the control of the Directorate of Higher Education, a central government agency, whereas previously it was run by a council of professors, scholars and government officials. In addition, the medium of instruction
was changed to Burmese
, a radical departure from English
, which had been the University's medium of instruction since its founding. Educational standards began to decline markedly and international bodies stopped recognizing degrees
issued or obtained at the University. The university was also renamed the Rangoon Arts and Sciences University (abbreviated RASU), after certain departments and faculties (medicine, economics, education, etc.) were separated from the University in 1964.
Rangoon University students staged a peaceful demonstration and protest on campus against 'unjust university rules' on 7 July 1962. Ne Win sent his troops to disperse the students which led to dozens of students being shot dead and the historic Rangoon University Student Union (RUSU) building dynamited to rubble the next morning.
In November 1974 the former UN Secretary General U Thant
died, and on the day of his funeral on 5 December 1974, Rangoon University students snatched his coffin on display at the Kyaikkasan Race Course, and erected a makeshift mausoleum
on the grounds of the RUSU in protest against the government for not honouring their famous countryman with a state funeral
. The military stormed the campus on 11 December killing some of the students, recovered the coffin, and buried U Thant at the foot of the Shwedagon Pagoda.
In 1989, after the military junta had changed place names throughout Myanmar, the University was renamed Yangon University. The University was closed for most of the 1990s, because of fears of a repeat of the 8888 Uprising
, in order to prevent student activists from assembling. To this day, the university is shut down at irregular intervals by the government. To prevent students from congregating, the government has dispersed the existing institutions and departments that make up Yangon University into separate learning institutions scattered throughout the city. Today, only graduate studies, certain professional courses, and a few diploma courses are conducted at the University's main campus
. Newer universities such as Dagon University
, University of East Yangon and University of West Yangon are designated for undergraduates.
Yangon University celebrated its Diamond Jubilee
in a week-long celebration, which began on 1 December 1995. The Jubilee marked the school's formal establishment of 75 years. For its commemoration, the government built the Diamond Jubilee Hall, a four-storied building in the University's grounds, which cost K 630,000,000, and a new set of postage stamps was also produced. Once-affiliated institutes and departments (e.g., the Institute of Economics, Yangon which began life as a department at Yangon University), which had already separated, also celebrated.
, the largest lake in the city. It is on the corner of Pyay Road and University Avenue Road in Kamayut Township, north of downtown Yangon. The modern campus of Yangon University completed construction in 1920. There are two campuses, namely Main Campus and Hlaing Campus, the former being the most well-known. Judson Church, inside the main campus of the University, is a Baptist church, and like Judson College, named after Adoniram Judson
, a 19th century American missionary who compiled the first Burmese-English dictionary. The main campus also contains a convocation hall.
University accommodation in Burma is not mixed and the availability is limited. Women's halls have limited rules while men's have none.
Kamayut Township
Kamayut Township is located in the north central part of Yangon. The township comprises ten wards, and shares borders with Hlaing township in the north, Hlaing township and Kyimyindaing township in the west, the Inya Lake, Bahan township and Mayangon township in the east, and Sanchaung township in...
, Yangon
Yangon
Yangon is a former capital of Burma and the capital of Yangon Region . Although the military government has officially relocated the capital to Naypyidaw since March 2006, Yangon, with a population of over four million, continues to be the country's largest city and the most important commercial...
, is the oldest and most well-known university in Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
. The university offers mainly graduate degree (master's, post-graduate diploma and doctorate) programs in liberal arts
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
, sciences and law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
. Full-time bachelor's degree have not been offered at the university's main campus since the student protests of 1996.
Yangon University is the progenitor of most major universities in the country. Until 1958 when Mandalay University became an independent university, all institutions of higher education in Myanmar were under Yangon University. After the University Education Act of 1964, all professional colleges and institutes of the university such as the Institute of Medicine 1, Rangoon Institute of Technology
Yangon Technological University
Yangon Technological University ' , located in Gyogone, Yangon, is the premier engineering university of Myanmar. Established as Department of Engineering under Rangoon University in 1924, and popular known by its former name RIT , YTU is the country's oldest and largest engineering university, and...
and Yangon Institute of Economics
Yangon Institute of Economics
The Yangon Institute of Economics is the premier university of economics and business in Myanmar. Founded as the Department of Economics of Yangon University in 1924, the institute became an independent university of higher learning in 1964...
all became independent universities, leaving the university with liberal arts, sciences and law.
From the beginning, Yangon University has been at the center of civil discontent throughout its history. All three nationwide strikes against the British (1920, 1936 and 1938) began at then Rangoon University. Anti-colonial movement's leaders like Aung San
Aung San
Bogyoke Aung San ; 13 February 1915 – 19 July 1947) was a Burmese revolutionary, nationalist, and founder of the modern Burmese army, the Tatmadaw....
, U Nu
U Nu
For other people with the Burmese name Nu, see Nu .U Nu was a leading Burmese nationalist and political figure of the 20th century...
, Ne Win
Ne Win
Ne Win was Burmese a politician and military commander. He was Prime Minister of Burma from 1958 to 1960 and 1962 to 1974 and also head of state from 1962 to 1981...
and U Thant
U Thant
U Thant was a Burmese diplomat and the third Secretary-General of the United Nations, from 1961 to 1971. He was chosen for the post when his predecessor, Dag Hammarskjöld, died in September 1961....
were all alumni of the university. The tradition of student protest at the university continued in the post-colonial era—in 1962, 1974, 1988 and most recently in 1996.
History
Established in 1878 as an affiliated college of the University of CalcuttaUniversity of Calcutta
The University of Calcutta is a public university located in the city of Kolkata , India, founded on 24 January 1857...
, Rangoon College was operated and managed by the Education Syndicate set up by the British colonial administration. The college was renamed Government College in 1904, and University College in 1920. Rangoon University was founded in 1920, when University College (secular) and Judson College (Baptist-affiliated) were merged. The American Baptist
American Baptist
American Baptist may refer to:* American Baptist Association* American Baptist Churches USA* Baptist who is an American...
Mission decided to recognise Judson College (formerly Baptist College) as a separate institution within Rangoon University. Rangoon University modelled itself after University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
and University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
. All subsequent institutions of higher learning founded by the British were placed under Rangoon University's administration: Mandalay College in Mandalay in 1925, Teachers Training College
Yangon Institute of Education
The Yangon Institute of Education , located in Kamayut, Yangon, is the premier university of education in Myanmar. Primarily a teacher training college, the institute offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs in education to the country's prospective primary, secondary and tertiary...
and Medical College in Yangon in 1930, and Agriculture College in Mandalay in 1938.
Although it was attended only by the elites of the day, the university nonetheless was at the center of anti-colonial movement. All three nationwide strikes against the British colonial government (1920, 1936 and 1938) began at the university. By the 1930s, the university was the hotbed of Burmese nationalism, producing a number of future senior Burmese politicians, including Aung San
Aung San
Bogyoke Aung San ; 13 February 1915 – 19 July 1947) was a Burmese revolutionary, nationalist, and founder of the modern Burmese army, the Tatmadaw....
, U Nu
U Nu
For other people with the Burmese name Nu, see Nu .U Nu was a leading Burmese nationalist and political figure of the 20th century...
, Ba Maw
Ba Maw
Dr. Ba Maw was a Burmese political leader, active during the interwar and World War II period.-Early life and education:Ba Maw was born in Maubin. Ba Maw came from a distinguished family of mixed Mon-Burmese parentage which bred many scholars and lawyers...
, Kyaw Nyein, Ba Swe, U Thant
U Thant
U Thant was a Burmese diplomat and the third Secretary-General of the United Nations, from 1961 to 1971. He was chosen for the post when his predecessor, Dag Hammarskjöld, died in September 1961....
and Thein Pe Myint.
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
and one of the top universities in Asia, attracting students from across the region.
After the military coup
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
of 1962 under Gen. Ne Win
Ne Win
Ne Win was Burmese a politician and military commander. He was Prime Minister of Burma from 1958 to 1960 and 1962 to 1974 and also head of state from 1962 to 1981...
and the Burmese Way to Socialism
Burmese Way to Socialism
The Burmese Way to Socialism refers to the ideology of the Socialist regime in Burma, from 1962 to 1988, when the 1962 coup d'état was led by Ne Win and the military to remove U Nu from power...
, Rangoon University was put directly under the control of the Directorate of Higher Education, a central government agency, whereas previously it was run by a council of professors, scholars and government officials. In addition, the medium of instruction
Medium of instruction
Medium of instruction is a language used in teaching. It may or may not be the official language of the country or territory. Where the first language of students is different from the official language, it may be used as the medium of instruction for part or all of schooling. Bilingual or...
was changed to Burmese
Burmese language
The Burmese language is the official language of Burma. Although the constitution officially recognizes it as the Myanmar language, most English speakers continue to refer to the language as Burmese. Burmese is the native language of the Bamar and related sub-ethnic groups of the Bamar, as well as...
, a radical departure from English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, which had been the University's medium of instruction since its founding. Educational standards began to decline markedly and international bodies stopped recognizing degrees
Diploma
A diploma is a certificate or deed issued by an educational institution, such as a university, that testifies that the recipient has successfully completed a particular course of study or confers an academic degree. In countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia, the word diploma refers to...
issued or obtained at the University. The university was also renamed the Rangoon Arts and Sciences University (abbreviated RASU), after certain departments and faculties (medicine, economics, education, etc.) were separated from the University in 1964.
Rangoon University students staged a peaceful demonstration and protest on campus against 'unjust university rules' on 7 July 1962. Ne Win sent his troops to disperse the students which led to dozens of students being shot dead and the historic Rangoon University Student Union (RUSU) building dynamited to rubble the next morning.
In November 1974 the former UN Secretary General U Thant
U Thant
U Thant was a Burmese diplomat and the third Secretary-General of the United Nations, from 1961 to 1971. He was chosen for the post when his predecessor, Dag Hammarskjöld, died in September 1961....
died, and on the day of his funeral on 5 December 1974, Rangoon University students snatched his coffin on display at the Kyaikkasan Race Course, and erected a makeshift mausoleum
Mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or persons. A monument without the interment is a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type of tomb or the tomb may be considered to be within the...
on the grounds of the RUSU in protest against the government for not honouring their famous countryman with a state funeral
State funeral
A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony, observing the strict rules of protocol, held to honor heads of state or other important people of national significance. State funerals usually include much pomp and ceremony as well as religious overtones and distinctive elements of military tradition...
. The military stormed the campus on 11 December killing some of the students, recovered the coffin, and buried U Thant at the foot of the Shwedagon Pagoda.
In 1989, after the military junta had changed place names throughout Myanmar, the University was renamed Yangon University. The University was closed for most of the 1990s, because of fears of a repeat of the 8888 Uprising
8888 Uprising
The 8888 Nationwide Popular Pro-Democracy Protests was a series of marches, demonstrations, protests, and riots in the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma...
, in order to prevent student activists from assembling. To this day, the university is shut down at irregular intervals by the government. To prevent students from congregating, the government has dispersed the existing institutions and departments that make up Yangon University into separate learning institutions scattered throughout the city. Today, only graduate studies, certain professional courses, and a few diploma courses are conducted at the University's main campus
Campus
A campus is traditionally the land on which a college or university and related institutional buildings are situated. Usually a campus includes libraries, lecture halls, residence halls and park-like settings...
. Newer universities such as Dagon University
Dagon University
Dagon University , located in North Dagon, Yangon, is one of the largest universities in Myanmar. The university, established in 1993, offers bachelor's and master's degrees in liberal arts and sciences to full-time, part-time and online students. Dagon University also offers a full-time four-year...
, University of East Yangon and University of West Yangon are designated for undergraduates.
Yangon University celebrated its Diamond Jubilee
Diamond Jubilee
A Diamond Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 60th anniversary in the case of a person or a 75th anniversary in the case of an event.- Thailand :...
in a week-long celebration, which began on 1 December 1995. The Jubilee marked the school's formal establishment of 75 years. For its commemoration, the government built the Diamond Jubilee Hall, a four-storied building in the University's grounds, which cost K 630,000,000, and a new set of postage stamps was also produced. Once-affiliated institutes and departments (e.g., the Institute of Economics, Yangon which began life as a department at Yangon University), which had already separated, also celebrated.
Campus
Yangon University is located in Yangon, along the southwestern bank of Inya LakeInya Lake
Inya Lake is the largest lake in Yangon, Burma , a popular recreational area for Yangonites, and a famous location for romance in popular culture...
, the largest lake in the city. It is on the corner of Pyay Road and University Avenue Road in Kamayut Township, north of downtown Yangon. The modern campus of Yangon University completed construction in 1920. There are two campuses, namely Main Campus and Hlaing Campus, the former being the most well-known. Judson Church, inside the main campus of the University, is a Baptist church, and like Judson College, named after Adoniram Judson
Adoniram Judson
Adoniram Judson, Jr. was an American Baptist missionary, who served in Burma for almost forty years. At the age of 25, Adoniram Judson became the first Protestant missionary sent from North America to preach in Burma...
, a 19th century American missionary who compiled the first Burmese-English dictionary. The main campus also contains a convocation hall.
Housing
|
|
|
Other important buildings
- Arts Building
- Convocation Hall
- Recreation Centre
- Science Building
- University Dhamma Hall
- University Sanatorium
- University Diamond Jubilee Hall
- University Hospital
Departments
- Department of Psychology
- Department of Mathematics
- Department of Physics
- Department of Chemistry
- Department of Industrial Chemistry
- Department of Zoology
- Department of Botany
- Department of Law
- Department of English
- Department of Burmese
- Department of History
- Department of International Relations
- Department of Geology
- Department of Oriental Studies
- Department of Information Technology
- Department of Geography
Programmes
Yangon University offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs. The undergraduate programs are subdivided into three categories: Arts (B.A.), Sciences (B.Sc.), and Law. The choice of different fields of learning takes place in upper secondary school where students choose particular subjects directed towards their tertiary education. Postgraduate degrees are separated into three groups: Doctorates, Master's, and diplomas. Since the uprising of 1996, YU no longer offers any full-time undergraduate programs. In addition, the authorities no longer allow undergraduate students on campus.| Program | Bachelor's | Master's | Doctorate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burmese Burmese language The Burmese language is the official language of Burma. Although the constitution officially recognizes it as the Myanmar language, most English speakers continue to refer to the language as Burmese. Burmese is the native language of the Bamar and related sub-ethnic groups of the Bamar, as well as... |
MA | PhD | |
| English English language English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... |
MA | PhD | |
| Geography Geography Geography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes... |
MA | PhD | |
| History History History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians... |
MA | PhD | |
| Philosophy Philosophy Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational... |
MA | PhD | |
| Psychology Psychology Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society... |
MA | PhD | |
| Law Law Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus... |
LLB | LLM | |
| Botany Botany Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses... |
MSc | PhD | |
| Chemistry Chemistry Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds.... |
MSc | PhD | |
| Mathematics Mathematics Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity... |
MSc | PhD | |
| Physics Physics Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic... |
MSc | PhD | |
| Zoology Zoology Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct... |
MSc | PhD |
Politicians
- Aung SanAung SanBogyoke Aung San ; 13 February 1915 – 19 July 1947) was a Burmese revolutionary, nationalist, and founder of the modern Burmese army, the Tatmadaw....
: National independence hero, revolutionary and founder of the Tatmadaw, the modern Burmese armed forces - Ba ChoBa ChoBa Cho was a Burmese newspaper publisher and politician who served as the Minister of Information in Myanmar's pre-independence government. Ba Cho and six other cabinet ministers were assassinated on 19 July 1947 in Yangon...
: Minister of Information 1946–1947 - Ba MawBa MawDr. Ba Maw was a Burmese political leader, active during the interwar and World War II period.-Early life and education:Ba Maw was born in Maubin. Ba Maw came from a distinguished family of mixed Mon-Burmese parentage which bred many scholars and lawyers...
: Premier of Burma from 1937–1939 and Prime Minister 1943-1945 (period under Japanese Occupation) - Ba Swe: Prime Minister of Burma 1956-1957
- Ba Win: Minister of Trade 1946-1947
- H. N. GoshalH. N. GoshalH. N. Goshal was a communist politician and trade union leader in Burma, of Bengali origin. Goshal was one of the foremost leaders of the Communist Party of Burma and the most prominent theoretician of the party for several years...
: Communist politician - Khin NyuntKhin NyuntGeneral Khin Nyunt is an officer and politician in Myanmar. Khin Nyunt is of Burmese Chinese descent. He held the office of Chief of Intelligence and was Prime Minister from 25 August 2003 until 18 October 2004. He is married to Khin Win Shwe, a medical doctor, and father to a daughter, Thin Le Le...
: Prime Minister of Burma from 2003–2004 (did not complete B.Sc. degree) - Khun Htun OoKhun Htun OoKhun Htun Oo is a politician from Shan State, Burma who is currently imprisoned for treason, defamation, and inciting dissatisfaction toward the government...
: Shan politician - Kyi Maung: Former army commander and leader of the National League for DemocracyNational League for DemocracyThe National League for Democracy is a Burmese political party founded on 27 September 1988. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi serves as its General Secretary. The party won a substantial parliamentary majority in the 1990 Burmese general election. However, the ruling military junta...
- Hso Khan PhaHso Khan PhaHis Royal Highness Prince Hso Khan Pha of Yawnghwe, FIASR is a consulting geologist who lives in exile in Canada. He is son of Sao Shwe Thaik, the Saopha of Yawnghwe and Sao-nang Hearn Hkam, the Mahadevi...
: His Royal Highness Prince of Yawnghwe, FIASR, son of Sao Shwe Thaik, Saopha of Yawnghwe - Maran Brang SengMaran Brang SengMaran Brang Seng, was a Burmese politician and Chairman of the Kachin Independence Organization .-Mr Maran Brang Seng:...
: Chairman of the Kachin Independence Organization - Maung KhinMaung KhinSir Maung Khin was the first Burmese Chief Justice of the High Court of Judicature during the British colonial era, and the first Burmese to be knighted...
: Chief Justice - Maung MaungMaung MaungDr. Maung Maung was the 7th President of Union of Myanmar, and a well-known writer.-Biography:Maung Maung was the son of lawyer U Sint and his wife Daw Aye Tin. He graduated from BTN High School. He attended the fourth intake of the Defence Services Academy. In 1946, he received the degree of...
: President of Burma Aug-Sep 1988, former journalist and lawyer - Maung Maung KhaMaung Maung KhaMaung Maung Kha was the 8th Prime Minister of Myanmar between 1977 and 1988.Maung Maung Kha was born to Khin Tint and Chit Pe in Yangon. He enrolled in University of Rangoon in 1937 to study engineering but left school in the final year of studies to join the Burma Independence Army in 1941...
: President of Burma 1977–1988 - Nai Shwe KyinNai Shwe KyinNai Shwe Kyin was a Burmese civil rights revolutionary during the country's transition from British colonial rule and through the ensuing civil war between the insurgent ruling Burmese and the Mon minority....
: MonMon peopleThe Mon are an ethnic group from Burma , living mostly in Mon State, Bago Division, the Irrawaddy Delta, and along the southern Thai–Burmese border. One of the earliest peoples to reside in Southeast Asia, the Mon were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Burma and Thailand...
civil rights leader and revolutionary - Ne WinNe WinNe Win was Burmese a politician and military commander. He was Prime Minister of Burma from 1958 to 1960 and 1962 to 1974 and also head of state from 1962 to 1981...
: Dictator of Burma from 1962–1988 (did not complete pre-medical degree) - Ohn MaungOhn MaungOhn Maung was a Burmese politician who served as the Deputy Minister of Transport in Myanmar's pre-independence government. He, along with seven other cabinet ministers , was assassinated on 19 July 1947 in Yangon. July 19 is commemorated each year as the Martyrs' Day in Myanmar.-References:...
: Deputy Minister of Transport 1946-1947 - Pe KhinPe KhinPe Khin was the most important negotiator and architect of the historical Panglong treaty in Burma. Even General Aung San was disappointed, given up and decided to take the flight back to Rangoon that evening. Pe Khin persuaded General Aung San to stay for one night and to allow him to negotiate...
: Chief architect of the Panglong AgreementPanglong AgreementThe Panglong Agreement was reached between the Burmese government under Aung San and the Shan, Kachin, and Chin peoples on 12 February 1947. The agreement accepted "Full autonomy in internal administration for the Frontier Areas" in principle and envisioned the creation of a Kachin State by the... - Thakin MyaThakin MyaThakin Mya was a Burmese lawyer and politician who served as the Minister of Home Affairs in Myanmar's pre-independence government. Mya and six other cabinet ministers were assassinated on 19 July 1947 in Yangon. July 19 is commemorated each year as the Martyrs' Day in Myanmar.The Thakin Mya Park...
: Minister of Home Affairs 1946-1947 - U NuU NuFor other people with the Burmese name Nu, see Nu .U Nu was a leading Burmese nationalist and political figure of the 20th century...
: Prime Minister of Burma from 1948–1956 - U RazakU RazakU Razak was a Burmese politician and an educationalist. He was a cabinet minister in Aung San's pre-independence interim government, and was assassinated on 19 July 1947 along with six other cabinet ministers. July 19th is commemorated each year as Martyrs' Day in Myanmar...
: Minister of Education assassinated along with Aung San in July 1947 - U ThantU ThantU Thant was a Burmese diplomat and the third Secretary-General of the United Nations, from 1961 to 1971. He was chosen for the post when his predecessor, Dag Hammarskjöld, died in September 1961....
: UN Secretary-GeneralSecretary-General-International intergovernmental organizations:-International nongovernmental organizations:-Sports governing bodies:...
from 1961–1971 - Win MaungWin MaungMahn Win Maung was the third president of Union of Burma . He was appointed president by Prime Minister U Nu in March 1957. He served for five years until 2 March 1962, when General Ne Win's military coup d'état ousted Nu's government.-Biography:...
: President of Burma 1957–1962
Academia
- Hla PeHla PeDr. Hla Pe was a foremost Burmese language linguist and a longtime contributor to the Burmese–English Dictionary. He was professor of Burmese language and culture at the University of London from 1966 to 1980.-Early life:...
: Professor of Burmese at the University of London - John FurnivallJohn Sydenham FurnivallJohn Sydenham Furnivall was a British-born colonial public servant and scholar in Burma...
: Scholar on Burma studies and civil servant - Nyi Nyi: Deputy Minister of Education (1965–1974), geology professor
- Pessie MadanPessie MadanPessie Madan is a retired Brigadier of the Indian Army and an early leader in India’s high-technology research and development sector.-Biography:Madan was born to a Parsi family in Rangoon, Burma on September 26, 1916...
: Indian leader of the high-technology research and development sector - Pe Maung TinPe Maung TinPe Maung Tin was a scholar of Pali and Buddhism and educator in Myanmar, formerly Burma. Born an Anglican and named Maung Tin at Pauktaw, Insein Township, Rangoon, he was the fifth child of U Pe and Daw Myaing. His grandfather was the first Burmese pastor of Henzada...
: Scholar on Pali and Buddhism - Pho Kyar: Novelist and education reformist
- Taw Sein KoTaw Sein KoTaw Sein Ko was Burma's first recorded archaeologist. He was the son of a Hokkien Chinese father with ancestry from Amoy, China, Taw Sein Sun and Daw Nu , a Shan princess. He graduated from Rangoon College in 1881 and read law at the British Inner Temple, Inns of Court in 1892...
: Archaeologist and Director of the Burma Archaeological Service - Than TunThan TunDr. Than Tun was an influential Burmese historian as well as an outspoken critic of the military junta of Burma. For his lifelong contributions to the development of worldwide study of Burmese history and culture, Professor Than Tun was awarded the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in 2000.-Overview:A...
: Historian - Dr Tha Hla: Founder of the Geology department, Professor of Geology, then Rector of Rangoon University before being ousted by General Ne Win after the military coup in 1962 and put into the role of 'Advisor to the Ministry of Mines'. Went on to UNESCO and UNDP for the rest of his career.
- Dr Ronald Findlay: Ragnar Nurkse Professor of Economics at Columbia University.
Arts and literature
- Ba GaleU Shwe YoeU Shwe Yoe was a prominent Burmese actor, comedian, dancer and cartoonist. He was a Burmese Muslim.-U Shwe Yoe and Daw Moe dance :He became famous with the Shwe Yoe the jolly joker dance routine which first appeared in 1923 film Ah Ba Ye, an early Burmese language film about rural life...
: Cartoonist - Collegian Ne WinKawleikgyin Ne WinKawleikgyin Ne Win was a two-time Burmese Academy Award winning Burmese film actor and director. Born Ne Win, he was given his famous moniker after his successful debut film, Kawleikgyin , so as not to be confused with the late Burmese strongman of the same name, Gen...
: Film actor - Khin Myo ChitKhin Myo ChitKhin Myo Chit was a Burmese author and journalist, whose career spanned over four decades. She began her career writing short stories in Burmese for Dagon Magazine in 1934. She worked on the editorial staff of The Burma Journal during anti-colonial movements. After the war, Khin Myo Chit wrote for...
: Writer and journalist - Kyi Soe TunKyi Soe TunKyi Soe Tun is a five-time Myanmar Academy Award winning film director, producer and screenwriter of Burmese cinema. He served as the chairman of the Myanmar Motion Picture Organization.-Biography:...
: Film director - Ludu Daw AmarLudu Daw AmarLudu Daw Amar was a well known and respected leading dissident writer and journalist in Mandalay, Burma. She was married to fellow writer and journalist Ludu U Hla and was the mother of popular writer Nyi Pu Lay...
: One of the leaders of the Rangoon University students strike of 1936, writer and journalist - Min Thu WunMin Thu WunMin Thu Wun was a Mon - Burmese poet, writer and scholar who helped launch a new age literary movement called Hkit san in Burma.-Distinguished career:...
: MonMon peopleThe Mon are an ethnic group from Burma , living mostly in Mon State, Bago Division, the Irrawaddy Delta, and along the southern Thai–Burmese border. One of the earliest peoples to reside in Southeast Asia, the Mon were responsible for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Burma and Thailand...
-Burmese scholar and poet - Saya ZawgyiSaya ZawgyiZawgyi , born in Pyapon, Irrawaddy Division, real name U Thein Han , was a distinguished and leading Burmese poet, author, literary historian, critic, scholar and academic....
: Writer and part of the Hkit San literary movement (did not complete degree) - Thein Pe Myint: Writer, journalist and politician
- Theippan Maung WaTheippan Maung WaTheippan Maung Wa , born in Mawlamyaing and real name Sein Tin, was a Burmese writer who pioneered the literary movement of Hkit San that searched for a new style and content in Burmese literature before the Second World War starting with Hkit san pon byin .-Early works:He started writing...
: Writer and part of the Hkit San literary movement - Tin MaungTin MaungA1 Tin Maung was a two-time Burmese Academy Award-winning film actor, director and producer.-Biography:Tin Maung was born in Pyay, a small town in Lower Burma during the British colonial rule. The youngest brother of Nyi Pu, a famous Burmese actor of early Burmese cinema, Tin Maung began his film...
: Film actor and director - Zaw Win HtutZaw Win HtutZaw Win Htut is a Burmese rock, country, and blues singer, and the lead vocalist of the band Emperor.-Early life:Zaw Win Htut was born into a musical family in Yangon, Myanmar. His father Kyi Khin was a physician, and his mother Tin Aye was a famous folk singer with the stage name Htar. His...
: Rock singer - Sin Yaw Mg MgSin Yaw Mg MgSin Yaw Mg Mg or Zinyaw Maung Maung is Burmese film director and film producer. His 2004 film Hlyo-hwat-thaw-hnin or Mystery of Snow was released internationally.-Biography:...
: Film director