Former vice chancellor (VC) of Dhaka University (DU) and Professor of Political Science, Emajuddin Ahmed, has passed away.
He was 87.
Prof Emajuddin Ahmed breathed his last at Labaid Hospital in Dhaka, said his daughter and Professor of Political Science at Dhaka University, Dr Dil Raushan Jinnat Ara Nazneen.
Krishna Kumar Shil, executive customer care officer of Labaid, said Prof Emajuddin was declared dead at 7:35am on Friday. He was brought to the hospital around 3:45am and was soon shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU) as his condition deteriorated.
The reason for his death is yet to be confirmed and they did not have the opportunity to run or collect samples for a Covid-19 test, Krishna added.
He is survived by two sons, two daughters, and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.
Emajuddin's first namaz-e-janaza (funeral prayer) was held at Bajme Kaderia Jame Mosque after Jummah prayers, close to his residence in Dhaka's Katabon area.
The professor was laid to eternal rest at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard, beside his wife’s grave around 7pm after his second and final Namaz-e-Janaza at the Central Mosque of Dhaka University after Asr prayers.
Born on December 15, 1933, in Malda district of India's West Bengal, Emajuddin along with his family moved to Chapainawabganj after the partition of India, reports UNB.
He received his early education in Rajshahi. He studied at Shibganj's Adina Government Fazlul Haque College and got his bachelor's degree from Rajshahi College.
Emajuddin later took admission to Dhaka University for post-graduation in political science.
On completion of his studies, Emajuddin joined Rajshahi College as a lecturer. He was granted a scholarship by the Queen's University in Ontario, Canada in the mid-1970s and obtained a PhD for his research in political science.
Upon completion of higher studies abroad, he joined the Political Science Department of Dhaka University.
Emajuddin served as the 21st VC of Dhaka University from November 1, 1992 to August 31, 1996.
He was awarded prestigious Ekushey Padak in education category in 1992.
The noted political scientist retired from Dhaka University in 1996. He later became the VC of the University of Development Alternative. Emajuddin also worked with the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
He had written over 50 books on different issues, including political science, comparative politics, democratic crisis, the future of democracy, regional cooperation and national security.
He had been particularly honoured at home and abroad for his contributions to education and creative writing. He won the Mahakal Krishti Chinta Sangha Gold Medal, the National Literary Parliament Gold Medal, and the Zia Cultural Gold Medal for creative research and writing.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution in the field of education, he was awarded many national and international awards, including the Michael Madhusudan Dutt Gold Model, Sher-e-Bangla Smriti Gold Medal, Dhaka Social and Cultural Gold Medal, Bangladesh Youth Front Gold Medal, and the Rajshahi Divisional Development Forum Gold Medal.
Although he had no direct position in the BNP, he attended many functions of the party at different times as he had good relations with its top leaders, and he had a significant influence on the party's policy-making process.
He was also the convener of pro-BNP intellectuals' platform "Shoto Nagorik Committee."
Meanwhile, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee members Khandaker Musharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, and Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL) President Abdul Kader Siddique and its General Secretary Habibur Rahman expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of the eminent educationist.
In separate condolence messages, they prayed for salvation of the departed soul and conveyed their sympathy to the bereaved family members.
