The New Nation - Internet Edition

DU Correspondent

Prof Mohammad Asaduzzaman, former chairman of University Grants Commission (UGC) and a renowned teacher of Public Administration Department of Dhaka University died of cardiac arrest in a city hospital at 10:00am yesterday. He was 60.

The doctor on duty declared him dead shortly after he was admitted to the BIRDEM hospital.

Prof Asaduzzaman's body has been kept at the BIRDEM hospital after the first namaj-e-janaza held at the DU Central Mosque after Juma prayers.

The body of the noted scholar will be kept at the foot of Aparajeya Bangla from 10:00 am to 11:00am today (Saturday) where his colleagues, students and the public will pay their last respect. Later, he will be buried at the Intellectual Graveyard in Mirpur.

He left behind his wife, two daughters, one son, students and well-wishers to mourn his death.

Prof Asaduzzaman, a senior Fulbright and Colombo Plan Scholar, was born in the Shivpur thana of Narsingdi district in 1948.

He started his professional career from Notre Dame College as lecturer in 1970 and later joined Dhaka University in 1973 as lecturer. He became professor in 1993.

He received PhD degree in Public Administration from Dhaka University, MPhil from Tasmania University of Australia and MA in Political Science and Public Administration from the university.

He was chairman of the Committee of SAARC University Grants Commissions` and Public Administration Department, President of Dhaka University teachers association (DUTA), Dean of Social Science Faculty for four consecutive terms, member of National Education Commission, Editor of Social Science Review, Senate and Syndicate members of Dhaka University.

He received a number of awards and honours for his outstanding contribution to higher education. Of those, Amar Ekushey Padak`2006, Sri-Gyan Atish Dipankar Gold Medal 2003, Shaheed President Ziur Rahman Gold Medal 2002, Mother Teressa Gold Medal 2004 are mentionable.

The most important most important research works that he conducted are "Contingency Approach to Management development," "An Evaluation of Training and Development Activities in Savar TTDC," "Politics of Rural Development in Bangladesh: 1950-70," "Problems of Agricultural Practices in Haor areas" and "Role of NGOs and their Institutional Interaction with Local Government of Bangladesh.

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed have expressed their deep shock at the death of former UGC chairman Prof Asaduzzaman.

In a condolence message, the President said the countrymen would ever remember the contribution of the noted educationist in education sector and nation building.

He also prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members.

In a similar message of condolence, the Chief Adviser expressed his profound shock at the death of the noted educationist.

Recalling with deep respect the contribution of Prof Asaduzaman in the development of education sector, the CA prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the members of the bereaved family.

Former Education Minister Dr M Osman Faruque, DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr SMA Faiz, Pro-VC Prof Dr Yusuf Haider, Treasurer Prof. Syed Abul Kalam Azad, Dhaka University Teachers` Association (DUTA), and Dhaka University Journalists` Association (DUJA) also condoled the death of Prof Asaduzzaman.