Four academicians promoted to Emeritus Prof at DU

Published : Tuesday, 3 February, 2026 at 9:36 PM Count : 513

Dhaka University (DU) has promoted four distinguished academicians to the rank of Emeritus Professor in recognition of their outstanding contributions to teaching, research and national service.

The newly appointed Emeritus Professors are former vice-chancellors Prof Anwarullah Chowdhury and Prof AFM Yusuf Haider, former dean of the Faculty of Science Prof Tajmeri S Islam, and former dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy Prof Choudhury Mahmood Hasan.

Acting director of the university’s Public Relations Department Rafiqul Islam confirmed the decision on Tuesday.

Earlier, the university had appointed nine other academicians as Emeritus Professors, including Prof AFM Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam, Prof Atiur Rahman, Prof Khandaker Bazlul Haque and Prof Ak Azad Chowdhury.

Former DU vice-chancellor and founding chairman of the Department of Anthropology, prof Anwarullah Chowdhury is a renowned educationist, anthropologist and writer. He taught at the university for about 42 years and served as a full-time member of the University Grants Commission, alongside holding several key state positions.

He also worked as a visiting professor at Minnesota State University in the United States, earned higher degrees from India and the United Kingdom, served as Bangladesh’s ambassador to Bahrain and as the country’s representative to the United Nations. A heroic freedom fighter, he has authored around 24 books.

Prof AFM Yusuf Haider served Dhaka University as vice-chancellor and pro-vice-chancellor, in addition to holding posts as chairman of the Department of Physics, dean of the Faculty of Science, provost of Surya Sen Hall and director of the Semiconductor Technology Research Center. During his tenure as pro-vice-chancellor, he played a key role in establishing the Centre for Advanced Research in Sciences (CARS) and set up a modern optics and laser laboratory in the Department of Physics.

Prof Chowdhury Mahmud Hasan began his teaching career at the Department of Pharmacy in 1978 and became a professor in 1992. He served as dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and chaired the department for two terms. Beyond academia, he worked as director of the Directorate General of Drug Administration under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from 1993 to 1997, chaired BCSIR from 2005 to 2008, and served as vice-chancellor of Manarat International University from 2012 to 2016. His contribution to formulating the national drug policy remains particularly significant.

Prof Tajmeri S Islam taught at the Department of Chemistry of Dhaka University and served as dean of the Faculty of Science, provost of Rokeya Hall and chairman of the Department of Chemistry. He was also the convener of the pro-BNP teachers’ organisation, Saada Dal.

NSA