By Maung Tha (Archaeology)
STUDENTS of Myanmar missed chance of pursuing higher education for many years after the country had lost its independence under the rule of British colonialists. In 1920, British established the Yangon University.
After establishing Yangon University, its related buildings such as the convocation building, the library, university hospital, Dhammayon, lecture halls and student halls emerged as colonial era buildings on the campus of Yangon University. Later, these buildings became historical heritages of Yangon University.
Yangon University in the history Among ancient buildings of around 100 years old in Yangon City, Yangon University has been famous as a significant educational institution till today.
Yangon University established in Kamayut of Yangon in 1920 was related to incidents of independence struggles in Myanmar.
During the 100-year period, the university turned out so many outstanding persons in literature, politics and various arenas and has been nurturing outstandin new generation students.
Before establishment of Yangon University, British opened a college in Yangon of Lower Myanmar, a subordinate of Kolkata University. Students from the college went to Kolkata University of India to take the examinations for Intermediate of Arts. The university education was initiated at the Yangon Government High School (Now, Latha BEHS No. 1) by giving lectures at university level to those preparing to take the aforesaid examination.
British government transformed Yangon High School into Yangon College in 1884-85. The Myanmar Education Syndicate managed the college headed by Mr. J.H. Gilbert as principal. The government took responsibilities for the Yangon College in 1904, then renamed Yangon Government College. At that time, an American Missionary set up the Judson College similar to Yangon College. The former was named Judson College (Yudathan College) in honour of American missionary Dr. Judson in 1918.
Motivation to recognize Yangon College as a separate independent university started in 1892. Hence, the Legislative Council of Myanmar approved the bill of Yangon University in September 1920 and then the Yangon University emerged on 1 December 1920. In its establishment, Yangon University was formed with University College and Judson College. Meanwhile, a total of 692 students attended the University College and 137 students, Judson College. The first chancellor of Yangon University was Governor of Myanmar Sir Reginald Craddock.
In 1941, as Yangon University managed six colleges namely University College, Judson College, Medical College, Teacher Training College, Agriculture College and Mandalay Intermediate College, many numbers of buildings were extended. During a decade from 1940 to 1950, Yangon University was famous in Southeast Asia and it was one of the best universities in Asia.
Convocation Building Although the first-ever convocation of Yangon University took place on 28 November 1921, the cornerstones of the convocation building was laid by the University Chancellor on 2 December 1922. The convocation building was the first building on the campus of 400-acre Yangon University.
The convocation building was created with colonial and western European architectural works, and the main building was in square shape. The convocation hall was in the centre of the building surrounded by double theatre stairs.
Three crescent shape arches on the front wing of the building became the symbol. A large lion statue was kept on either side of the front wing. The emblem of the Yangon University was created at the head band flanked by fabulous creature on both sides.
Judson Church
Chancellor of Yangon University Sir Charles Alexander Innes laid cornerstones of Judson Church built on Pyay Road on 27 July 1931. The church aimed to host Christian service ceremonies.
The church was in design of the crucifix. A 180-step bell tower was constructed on the portico.
Judson Church was 88 feet long and 42 feet wide. A main building of the church was formed with a building on either side. The church built of brick and concrete is in use till today.
Universities’ Dhammayon
Aletawya Abbot Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Kosallabhidhaja of Yangon laid cornerstones for construction of Yangon University Dhammayon on 13th waxing of Tabaung, 1295 ME, (25 February 1934), Sunday. It was renamed Universities’ Dhammayon in 1964.
The Dhammayon in rectangular shape with 140 feet in length, 65 feet in width and 22 feet in height was built in designs mixed with west European and Myanmar architectural works.
The building comprising a portico and a side building was decorated with the tier-roofed structures on the roof. A peacock statue was kept under the portico while a beautiful handicraft was decorated on the front wing of the main building.
The ladder towards the Dhammayon was made of bricks.
The Dhammayon was installed with wooden doors. Although the University Dhammayon was renovated in 1995, there remain original works till today.
Yangon University Library
Sir Harcourt Butler laid cornerstones for Yangon University Library in the eastern part of the Chancellor Road on 8 December 1927. The library came into operations in 1928. Rao Bahadur S Ramanatha Reddiar and wives donated K 200,000 to the fund of the library.
The two-storey library in L shape with 130 feet in length and 42 feet in width stores a large number of palm-leave inscriptions and folded papers. Names of the donors were listed above the entrance. Yangon University Library was built of colonial and Myanmar architectural works.
Arts and Science Buildings
Two buildings were constructed on both sides of the Chancellor Road. The arts building is constructed in the western part of the road in 1928 and the science building in the eastern part in 1931.
The arts building comprised the arts hall, four three-storey lecture buildings, the administrative office and the library. The square shape three-storey main building was 971 feet long and 48.5 feet wide. The upstairs of the main building was installed with the hemisphere shape windows.
The E shape science building consisted of the science hall, five three-storey lecture buildings and offices. The science building was in architectural works in early 20th century, and the main building was decorated with hemisphere shape arches and circular shape concrete windows.
Yangon University Hospital
University Hospital is of importance in providing health care services to staff members and students including faculty members.
University Hospital, south of current University Avenue, is located at No. 160 on University Avenue.
The building of the hospital was built by Myanmar architect U Tha Tun in 1927-1928. A one-storey brick building, 103 feet long and 42 feet wide was extended in 1962. The 12-bed facility with 16 rooms was renamed Universities’ Hospital in 1964.
University Post Office and Gymnasium
The University Post Office located at the junction of University Avenue and Thaton Road was built of colonial era works. The square shape post office roofed with brick tiles was 90 feet long, 32 feet wide and 13 feet high, installed with hemisphere arch shape windows. Now, it becomes Kamayut Post Office with postal code 11041.
The University Gymnasium and Open-air Theatre at the corner of Thaton Road was built with K100,000 contribution of Mr Chan Chaw Khaing. It remains colonial era works but it is not in use now.
The building was 107 feet long, 42 feet wide and 16 feet high. The brick floor open-air theatre was built behind the gymnasium.
University Halls
As hostels for female and male students were built on the campus of Yangon University, Ava (Inwa), Pinya, Sagaing, Thaton and Bago halls were main hostels.
The E shape three-storey halls were built in 1928. The halls with 196 feet in length, 82 feet in width and 36 feet in height comprised 148 rooms each.
Inya Hall and Thiri Hall were constructed on the campus of Yangon University in 1928 and Shwebo Hall and Dagon Hall in 1933-1934. All halls were painted in red colour with brick tiles.
Two-storey wooden halls namely Pyay, Bagan and Tagaung and two-storey brick hall Nawade were built outside the campus.
Yangon University and Colonial Era Buildings concerning Myanmar education and educational history remain unchanged in their original styles of architectural works till today. In fact, preservation of these buildings means maintenance of Myanmar historical evidences.
Translated by Than Tun Aung
Reference:
Colonial era buildings in Yangon
Region (Report)
