OVER 100 year old Thitpok Tree in the University of Yangon campus received the Yangon Heritage Trust’s 32nd Blue Plaque and the first blue plaque which commemorates the natural heritage of Yangon yesterday.

The tree has been in the campus since University of Yangon was set up in 1920. Thitpok Tree is considered the main icon of University of Yangon, along with the Convocation Hall, Judson Church, the Inya Lake and Gangaw trees (Ironwood).

The installation ceremony is attended by Union Minister for Education, Dr Myo Thein Gyi, the Chief Minister of Yangon Region Government U Phyo Min Thein, the Speaker of Yangon Hluttaw U Tin Maung Tun and distinguished guests. Thitpok (Tetrameles nudiflora. R. Br. Datiscaceae) is a deciduous tree and one of the most well-known trees in Yangon.

Union Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi expressed thanks to the YHT for marking the historic tree with blue plaque which is the sixth plaque of the Ministry of Education.

Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein expressed delight for the installation of the blue plaque at the tree at a time when the university is receiving renovation to mark its centennial.

“Throughout its life, the tree has welcomed and said goodbye to generations of students. It has witnessed student movements since the colonial times. It has featured in literature portraying the university. The tree is not only important to the University of Yangon, which itself will celebrate its centennial in 2020, but also invaluable for the city of Yangon,” said the Yangon Heritage Trust in its statement.

Than Htike