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Academi
BURMA
Restore Rangoon University: President’s Adviser
Rangoon University’s Students Union building before it was blown up by Burmese dictator Ne Win in 1962.
Burmese President Thein Sein’s economic advisor has called for the restoration of Rangoon University and its Students Union building in an open letter which has gained much public support.
U Myint, chief of the Centre for Economic and Social Development of the Myanmar Development Resource Institute and a former economics lecturer, distributed the proposal at a discussion on agricultural development policies in the former capital on Saturday.
Within a couple of days his campaign had generated a huge following and widespread discussion on social media networks such as Facebook.
U Myint, who was an undergraduate student at Rangoon University in the 1960s, said in his letter that the institution is just like the Irrawaddy River as “it belongs to everyone in Burma.”
Rangoon University was one of the most prestigious seats of learning in Asia for many years, but “has lost much of its former glory and splendor” just like the Irrawaddy River, he said.
U Myint added that a unified, clear and strong stand on restoring the university was “public sentiment” just like the campaign to save the Irrawaddy, referring to nationwide protests against the Chinese-backed Myitsone hydropower dam in Kachin State.
Maung Wuntha, a prominent journalist who studied at Rangoon University from 1961-67, told The Irrawaddy that, “Saya U Myint is right and has pointed out the most important and necessity tasks to accomplish.”
“Now is the right time to respond to the call for the reestablishment of Rangoon University with public support.” agreed Maung Wuntha.
The Rangoon campus, an original hub of the students’ political movement since British colonial rule, has been at the center of major events throughout Burmese history. But regular classes have not been held there since the 1990s after the former military junta systematically moved universities to suburban areas in order to quell dissenter activities.
U Myint records the views of the university’s lecturers who must teach at new campuses on the city’s outskirts and say that, “our biggest and enduring wish is to return to the main university campus in Yangon.”
Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Monday, Hla Myint, a former physics professor at Mandalay University and advisor of the Tatmadaw (armed forces) Engineering Institute, said, “Moving the universities to remote areas for security reasons has caused many problems for the teachers and students.”
U Myint also suggested restoring the Students Union building, reinstating classes at the Rangoon campus as well as bringing back hostels and all the necessary infrastructure of the union.
“The new Students Union building,” which was a sensitive issue under the previous regime, “will be a landmark in the national reconciliation process and fill a void that has been in our hearts for some time,” he said.
“I recall the facilities there consisted of a small reading room and library, a restaurant, a barber shop, meeting rooms and a recreation room with a ping-pong table.”
Maung Wuntha said, “It is going to be 50 years this coming July 8.” He was a student leader in 1962 when the union building was demolished by dictator Ne Win after protests against his coup a few months previously.
The students’ demonstration was violently quashed on July 7 with their headquarters blown up the very next day to deter any further dissent.
Kyaw Ko Ko, the chairman of the All Burma Federation of Student Union (ABSFU) organizing committee, said, “the letter of U Myint echoes the view of the ABSFU, which sees Rangoon University as part of our national heritage.”
“And the ABFSU organizing committee has also been recently demanding that classes are reopened at the campus and for the Students Union building to be rebuilt,” he added.
The student leader shares U Myint’s views regarding the importance of preserving the campus and protecting it from the advances of businessmen in post-sanctions Burma as it enjoys a prime location in the center of the city.
U Myint has called for the Burmese authorities to use its assets wisely while the country opens up to economic development. Although current student leaders have welcomed his letter, they have emphasized that other actions are also important.
“There needs to be an improvement in the level of teaching and curriculums from the primary and secondary levels in order to reach the quality of learning of the university campus,” said Ye Yint Kyaw, another leader of the ABFSU upper Burma organizing committee.
Speaking to The Irrawaddy, D Nyein Lin, a student activist and former political prisoner, also said that there must first be changes in teachers’ attitudes as many obstacles to learning remain.
“Even students who were imprisoned for the students’ movement are still not allowed to return to class,” he explained. “The students also should be allowed to form a union without being pressured by their teachers or professors.”
U Myint is positive that the current government will support bringing Rangoon University back to life and added that “it will be a gift to the youth of the country.”
We are fully soliderity U Myint’s call for restoration of RASU and Student Union.It is an un forgiveable Educational short coming for a half century.It can’t be continue like this.RASU produced a national Hero like Aung San.This was a hup for independence movement.
I would like to call a historical movement to restore RASU and Student Union .I would also like to remind to U Thien Sein to allow all the former students to compelate their education and grant Honorary Degree(Politcal Science) to former political prisoner of conscience.
Totally agree. Parliament should seek guidance from Shwebomind in Europe.He knows a lot, a lot and well connected. Late FM Win Aung said.
Thank you very much uncle U Myint. Please push Rangon University alive to flow again as Irrawaddy River, also ” U Thant’s Monument”, RIT, move back all outskirts sub standard universities back to the main universities and Regional College II, ( also please allow to have RC II Alumni Club to set up old students’ den):)
As a former Rangoon University student (1954-59) I fully agree with Dr U Myint’s ( Economic Adviser to President U Thein Sein) clarion call for direct action in the open letter, to all concerned Burmese. The RU Student Union building must be restored, as well as the basic freedoms and civil rights of student citizens to organise and dissent. When I was in Yangon, in February, after leaving my country of birth and belonging in 1979 for 32 years, I had the opportunity to meet Dr Than Nyun ( former Rector of Institute of Economics, Dy Minister and later Chairman of The Public Service Commision, Myanmar). Dr Than Nyun told me that, we as former RU students should not by default let the significance and contribution of Rangoon Arts and Science University, ie Rangoon University to Burma’s political, economic and societal transformation since it was establioshed in 1920, fade away into oblivion. I had the opportunity to exchange notes also with former Rector of Institute of Economics, Professor U Myat Thein , former colleagues of the Institute of Economics, Yangon , U Tin Win Aung , Prof Kyaw Min Htun, Dr Hla Maung, U Kyaw Myint and U Chan Htut of Myanmar Economic Institute Graduate Association and other concerned alumnis of Rangoon University and Economic Institute, on the approaching centenary in 2020 , of Yangon Rangoon University and the 50 Years Anniversary of The Institute of Economics in 2014. What U Myint said , I agree and totally endorse. We have the capacity and political will to act now, and seize the opportunity of the moment to do good for Myanmar and its posterity. Therefore let us all work together for keeping alight the light of knowledge and amity amongst all of us, fortunate to be still existing. As human, its our responsibility to leave a good and enduring legacy for the coming generations of Myanmar people, society, economy and culture and most of all for the emerging new public intelligentsia of Myanmar . As a former citizen of Myanmar I will assist to the best of my capabilities to what U Myint has called for. Myanmar history is still in the making. Democracy is us, we will do it.
I fully agree with you. I graduated much later (in 1967), during the Ne Win era. I still have fond memories of the six years that I spent on that campus.
I am sure that there are a large number of Rangoon University alumni living outside of Burma who, like me, would want to see recent Burmese history restored appropriately. Rangoon University played a big role. Proper knowledge of Burmese history (which is not just about extolling the military exploits of the “three Great Kings of Burma”) is essential for the future development of the country.
Playing the harp to the buffalo is the expression in Burmese. Will they actually listen to these advisers? Or are they just for show?
We all old Yangon University welcome U Myint’s call and will appreciate if it is crystallised. This is the important movement to have motivation, good education to brought up professionals and the to nurture the future young leaders for our country.
It is an excellent idea to open Rangoon University campus so that international community can also appreciate. Also to construct Students Union building is necessary and keep as museum.
U Myint’s advice to President Thein Sein to bring life back to Rangoon University is an excellent idea as long as the resporation is fully discussed by “Myanmar Academic Community”, “Myanmar Historians” and “Current Leaders of Higher Education” and “Parliamentary Leaders of Today” lastly but least the “still living Political Leaders”.
Rangoon University brings back a tremendous amount of memories and invokes various emotions. It is therefore critically important that the restoration be “totally be devoid of any “political agenda” and to ensure that it will not degenerate into “rehashing of the old conflicts and reopening of old wounds”.
The restoration must be dedicated to the “present gereration of Young Myanmars and the future generations”.
As one who has been away from the country for over 40 years, it is my humble suggestion to U Myint and President Thein Sein to bear in mind the above (3) criteria in considering the question of RU restoration. U Myint must be commended for this as we all started our adult life from RU. One must learn from history not to repeat our mistakes but it is more important “not to dwell on the past”.
Whatever is said or done or learned, so long as majority Burmese take enormous pride in efficiency/ and ruthlessness of ( three or four kings or lu- swan- gaun or whoever else) killing the Mons, Khmer, Shan, Kalar and now Kachin, the Burmese may get filthy rich as they seem desperate to be at any cost, but never happy.
Than Shwe is there not just because he is ruthless, but the Burmese admires the ruthless leaders in history.
History! More like class in chauvinism.
ႈU Myint’s call is the resounding echo of our aspiration to have the national heritage restored. Every Myanmar citizen, regardless of ethnic origin, but perhaps with the exception of evil spirits, supports this call. We all must strive to get it done in the spirit of national reconciliation and goodwill for all.
Sad to read Ohn’s comment.
One can interpret history in any way that suits one. But one does not have the experience of it, not the direct one. Dwelling on the past is, for those who are strongly racist, very dangerous.
It is wrong to bully people, especially other people.
It is just equally wrong to regard history as a tool to advance one’s own intention, i.e to create chaos and enmity among various ethnic origins, those who must coexist and live NOW as a multiracial unit, working together for mutual betterment and equality of opportunities. This kind of a federal union cannot be achieved if participating people cannot part with the wrongs done in the long and immediate past. What is important is NOW, the present time, and to find ways how we go about living side by side in friendship and oneness of a political entity. After all, isn’t there a Burmese saying, “metta chonhma lon = Only loving kindness can ensure absolute security”.
The famous Rangoon University, with glorious moments in Asia , and admired by the Singaporeans once upon a time. Not Yangon University, Rangoon University situated i n Yangon.