Prof Dr Md Shahedur Rahman of Jahangirnagar University has been appointed as the director general of the National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB).
The appointment was made on October 15, through a circular issued by Md Ujjal Hossain, senior assistant secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration.
The circular said that Prof Shahedur is appointed as the director general of NIB for a term of two years, starting from the date of joining.
Meanwhile, a statement signed by 145 signatories welcomed the appointment of the new Director General of NIB.
In the statement they said it is crucial to have a person with a background in biotechnology and research experience in this field at the helm of the NIB.
In this context, the first name that comes to mind is Professor Dr Shahedur Rahman of Jahangirnagar University.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, he spent days at the ministry, advocating for the opportunity for biotechnologists to apply their RT-PCR expertise for the country's benefit.
Shahedur held numerous meetings with the Public Service Commission to emphasize that their graduates are well-qualified to teach biology in schools and colleges.
He also organized seminars for the Food Safety Authority, explaining how biotechnologists could contribute to this field.
Prof Shahedur is an expert member of the syllabus formulation committee for the Department of Genetic Engineering at most universities in the country.
He is the country's first biotechnology graduate.
As the founding president of the Bangladesh Association of Biotechnology Graduates (BABG), he has led the organization for many years, overcoming various challenges to turn it into a visible entity.
The biotechnology community believes that Professor Dr Shahedur Rahman can effectively lead NIB in the true development of biotechnology in the country.
As a patriot, he stood by the students during the 2024 mass uprising.
When hundreds of protesting students from Jahangirnagar University and other institutions faced attacks from police and terrorists, he arranged safe shelter for them in the nearby Arunapalli area.
