Professor Dr Md Akhtarul Islam, a faculty member of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Polymer Science at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Sust), has been selected for the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS) Gold Medal Award 2022 in the Physical Sciences (Senior Group).
Dr Haseena Khan, the secretary of BAS, informed him of the decision via email on Wednesday.
Dr Akhtarul Islam confirmed the receipt of the email, stating that it was an acknowledgment of his academic excellence.
He expressed his joy and said that the award would inspire regional institutions.
In her email, Dr Khan wrote: "Your selection is proof of your excellent work and contribution in your field of research and, more generally, to the progress of Physical Sciences in this country."
The award ceremony is to be scheduled soon, Dr Khan stated.
Born in Santahar, Bogra, Bangladesh, in 1959, Prof Akhtarul Islam earned his master's degree in Chemical Engineering (1979-1984) from Burgas, Bulgaria, under a state scholarship.
He also completed his PhD in 1990 from the Higher Institute of Chemical Engineering in Burgas, and has worked at the Eco-Laboratory and the University of Ruse in Bulgaria.
Since November 1997, he has been serving as a permanent faculty member at Sust.
During his tenure, he has held various positions, including head of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Polymer Science, dean of the School of Applied Sciences and Technology, member of the syndicate, academic council, board of advanced studies and graduate study committee, chairman of the students' admission committee and director of both the Centre of Environmental Process Engineering and the Sust Research Ethics Board.
He is also a member of the Institute of Engineers Bangladesh, Bangladesh Chemical Society, Bangladesh Mathematical Society, Association of Humboldt Fellows Bangladesh, and the Alumni Association of German Universities Bangladesh.
In addition to his academic role, Prof Akhtarul Islam also serves as the president of the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Association (FBUTA).
Prof Akhtarul Islam is fluent in Bangali, Bulgarian, English, and German.