Emajuddin Ahamed (15 December 1933 – 17 July 2020) was a Bangladeshi political scientist, author and educationist. He served as the 21st

vice-chancellor A chancellor is a leader of a college or university, usually either the executive or ceremonial head of the university or of a university campus within a university system. In most Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth and former Commonwealth n ...

of the

University of Dhaka The University of Dhaka (also known as Dhaka University, or DU) is a public research university located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is the oldest university in Bangladesh. The university opened its doors to students on July 1st 1921. Currently i ...

during 1992–1996. He was awarded

Ekushey Padak Ekushey Padak ( bn, একুশে পদক; lit. "Twentyfirst Award") is the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, introduced in memory of the martyrs of the Bengali Language Movement of 1952. The award is given to recognize contribut ...

in 1992 by the

Government of Bangladesh The Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh ( bn, গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ সরকার — ) is the central executive government of Bangladesh. The government was constituted by the Con ...

in the education category.

Early life and education

Ahamed was born in

Malda district Malda district, also spelt Maldah or Maldaha (, , often ), is a district in West Bengal, India. It lies 347 km (215 miles) north of Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal. Mango, jute and silk are the most notable products of this district. ...

West Bengal West Bengal (, Bengali: ''Poshchim Bongo'', , abbr. WB) is a state in the eastern portion of India. It is situated along the Bay of Bengal, along with a population of over 91 million inhabitants within an area of . West Bengal is the fourt ...

in the then

British India The provinces of India, earlier presidencies of British India and still earlier, presidency towns, were the administrative divisions of British governance on the Indian subcontinent. Collectively, they have been called British India. In one ...

. He later moved to the

Chapai Nawabganj District Chapainawabganj (Bengali: চাঁপাইনবাবগঞ্জ) is located in the north-western part of Bangladesh. It is a part of the Rajshahi Division, and was formerly a sub-division of Malda district. The north and west part of Chap ...

in Bangladesh with his family. Ahamed received his early education in

Rajshahi Rajshahi ( bn, রাজশাহী, ) is a metropolis, metropolitan city and a major urban, commercial and educational centre of Bangladesh. It is also the administrative seat of the eponymous Rajshahi Division, division and Rajshahi District ...

. He got his bachelor's degree from

Rajshahi College Rajshahi College ( bn, রাজশাহী কলেজ ''Rajshahi Kôlej'') is the third oldest institution of higher education in Bangladesh. Established in 1873 in Rajshahi city, it is the third oldest college in Bangladesh after Dhaka Col ...

. He then joined the civil service as a lecturer of government college. He became the principal of the college. In the mid-1970s, he was granted a scholarship by the Queen's University in

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

, Canada when he earned a PhD degree for his research in political science.

Career

Upon returning to Bangladesh, Ahamed joined the

as a senior lecturer in the department of political science. He later became a professor. He started writing about his research and reviews of the general politics of the nation. He wrote numerous books on national politics. Ahamed served two terms as the pro-vice chancellor before becoming the vice chancellor of Dhaka University in 1992. He retired in 1996. He became the vice-chancellor of the

University of Development Alternative The University Of Development Alternative (UODA) is a private university in Bangladesh. History This idea was founded and initiated by the president of UODA, Professor Mujib Khan. In 2002 the Government of Bangladesh approved the University of ...

in 2002. He also worked with the

Asiatic Society of Bangladesh The Asiatic Society of Bangladesh is a non political and non profit research organisation registered under both Society Act of 1864 and NGO Bureau, Government of Bangladesh. The Asiatic Society of Bangladesh was established as the Asiatic Society ...

. Ahamed was awarded the

in 1992 for his contribution to education.

Personal life

Emajuddin Ahamed was married to Begum Selima Ahamed. The couple had five children, three daughters and two sons, and eleven grandchildren. Their youngest daughter died in 1997. He is the father of Dil Rowshan Zinnat Ara Nazneen, Professor of Political Science at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh and Tanwir Iqbal Ibn Ahamed, Associate Professor of Respiratory Medicine and grandfather of Tarnima Warda Andalib, Post Doctoral Researcher at University Sains Malaysia, Malaysia.

Awards

Ahamed received several academic awards. The most specific ones are: Ekushey Padak in 1992. Mahakal Krishti Chinta Shangha Gold Medal, Jatiya Shahitya Sangshad Gold Medal, Zia Sangskritik Gold Medal, Michael Madhushudan Datta Gold Medal, Dhaka Shamajik ebong Shangskritik Gold Medal, Bangladesh Jubok Front Gold Medal, Rajshahi Forum Unnoyon Gold Medal.

Death

Ahamed died on 17 July 2020 aged 86 at Lab Aid Hospital in Dhaka due to cardiac arrest.

References

External links

catalogue.nla.gov.au
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Ahamed, Emajuddin 1933 births 2020 deaths People from Malda district Rajshahi College alumni Queen's University at Kingston alumni University of Dhaka faculty Vice-Chancellors of the University of Dhaka Bangladeshi male writers Recipients of the Ekushey Padak