Biography
A BIOGRAPHY OF MOHAMMED ABU NASER
Summary
Mohammed Abu Naser was widely recognized as a prominent educationist and pioneer of engineering education in Bangladesh. He was the former Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and the former Chairman of Bangladesh University Grants Commission.
He was born on 2 April 1921 in Damla Village, Srinagar Upazila, Bikrampur, Munshiganj District, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). His father’s name is Mr. M. Ismail Ali Khan and his mother’s name is Abida Begum.
Since his childhood, he was very dear to his teachers as a bright student. He passed the matriculation examination with the first division in 1937. After graduating from Dhaka University, he went to the United States to study chemical engineering at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. In 1955, he was offered a fellowship from the Nuffield Foundation for one year at the University of London.
In 1962, he decided to go back to the USA to pursue his Ph.D. Thus, he obtained his dream Ph.D. degree in four years. He spent about two years at Columbia University and later, he completed his Ph.D. at Texas A&M University.
Returning home, he first joined the Ministry of Industries and later the Directorate of Technical Education. Later he joined as a teacher at Ahsanullah Engineering College. On March 16, 1970, he became the Vice-Chancellor of BUET. He continued in this position with utmost dedication till 25 April 1975.
In 1975, he was appointed as the Honorary Chairman of the University Grants Commission. In 1980, he retired from this position and assumed a position as Professor Emeritus in the Department of Chemical Engineering at BUET. He was so committed to his duties that he continued his work with utmost dedication till his last breath.
In 1987, he received the country’s highest award “Ekushey Padak” for his outstanding contribution to education. He also won the Bikrampur Foundation Gold Medal in 1988 and the Abdul Hakim Bikrampuri Memorial Medal in 1995. In 2003, he was awarded the membership of “Life Member of the Chemical Alumni Association” by BUET on the occasion of 50 years of Chemical Engineering in Bangladesh. This eminent soul left his last breath on 12 May 2004.
Mohammed Abu Naser was one of the great sons of the nation who dedicated more than fifty years of his life to the development of the country’s education system. His name will be remembered forever with utmost respect and honor.
Introduction
If someone asks you what makes a nation developed? The most usual answer is economy. Some may even think about the tall buildings and the advanced scientific inventions. However, you may be surprised to know that in reality, education holds the key authority of a nation. If you have a deep look at any developed country, it is educators who actually have the key to fabricating a developed nation. They grasped the most consequential role in uplifting the entire nation. Blessedly, Bangladesh is also adored with gleaming souls who forwarded the country so far. Among such enlightened cores, Mohammed Abu Naser is the notable one.
Mohammed Abu Naser was a prominent educator in Bangladesh. He was designated as the 2nd vice-chancellor of the most prestigious educational institution in the country, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). In honor of his tremendous dedication to the education sector of Bangladesh, he was awarded one of the highest civilian awards “Ekushey Padak”. However, the journey was not less than walking on thin ice. He had to tramp over thousands of obstacles to reach such a peak. So, without any delay, let’s dive deeper into the magnificent life story of the leading educator, Mohammed Abu Naser.
Life of "Mohammed Abu Naser" at a Glance
Personal Details
➢ Full Name: Mohammed Abu Naser
➢ Date of Birth: 2 April 1921
➢ Birth Place: Damla Village, Srinagar, Bikrampur (now Munshiganj, Bangladesh)
➢ Died: 12 May 2004 (aged 83)
➢ Cause of Death: Natural causes
➢ Burial Site: Not publicly documented
➢ Religion: Islam
➢ Nationality: Bangladeshi
➢ Titles: Vice-Chancellor of BUET, Chairman of UGC, Professor Emeritus
Education
➢ Early Education: Kazir Pagla A.T. Institution, Lohajang (Matriculation, 1937)
➢ Intermediate: B.M. College, Barisal
➢ University of Dhaka: B.Sc (Hons) in Chemistry (1942), M.Sc in Chemistry (1943)
➢ Higher Studies:
-Bengal Engineering College, Shibpur (Chemical Engineering)
–M.S. in Chemical Engineering: Johns Hopkins University, USA
–Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering: Texas A&M University, USA (via Columbia University)
➢ Fellowship: Nuffield Foundation Fellowship, University of London (1955)
Career & Contributions
➢ Academic Leadership:
–Vice-Chancellor, BUET (16 March 1970 – 25 April 1975)
–Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC) (1975–1980)
–Professor Emeritus, BUET Chemical Engineering Department (1980–2004)
➢ Institutional Development:
-Presided over BUET’s first convocation (1973)
-Strengthened engineering education during Bangladesh’s formative years
-Mentored generations of engineers and academics
➢ International Exposure:
-Conducted research/studies in the USA (Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Texas A&M)
-Visited industrial sites like KODAK headquarters in New York
Role in Bangladeshi Education
➢ Pioneered the modernization of engineering education post-independence
➢ Advised government on technical education policy
➢ Bridged Western engineering pedagogy with local needs
Awards & Honors
➢ Ekushey Padak (1987) – For contributions to education
➢ Bikrampur Foundation Gold Medal (1988)
➢ Abdul Hakim Bikrampuri Memorial Medal (1995)
➢ Life Member, Chemical Alumni Association, BUET (2003)
Little-Known Facts
➢ An accomplished photographer – documented his US travels with a KODAK camera
➢ Took his family to London during his Nuffield Fellowship (1955)
➢ His son, Khan H. Zahid, is Chief Economist at Riyad Bank, Saudi Arabia
➢ Despite administrative roles, teaching remained his passion until his death
Legacy
➢ Dr. M. A. Naser Trust Fund at BUET supports underprivileced engineering students
➢ Remembered as an architect of modern engineering education in Bangladesh
➢ BUET’s growth into a premier institution bears his imprint
Early Life & Background
Mohammed Abu Naser was born on 2 April 1921. His birthplace was in the Damla village of Srinagar Upazila, Bikrampur, Munshiganj District, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). He was born to a Muslim family to Mr. M. Ismail Ali Khan and Abida Begum. Abu Naser spent his childhood in Munshiganj with his family. He completed his primary education at the Kazir Pagla A. T. Institution at Lohajang Upazila in Munshiganj. From a very early age, he was very dear to his teachers as a bright student. He passed the Matriculation Examination in 1937 in the First Division. Later, he finished the Intermediate Examination with distinction from the B. M. College, Barisal.
With a heart full of hope, he came to Dhaka for further education. There, he took admission to the University of Dhaka in the Department of Chemistry and received B.Sc (Hons) in 1942 and M.Sc in 1943. After that, he decided to go to the West Bengal to the Bengal Engineering College at Shibpur for higher study in Chemical Engineering.Very soon he received the biggest blessing of his life as one of the most reputed institutions in the USA offered him a scholarship to study Chemical Engineering. As soon as he got the opportunity, he didn’t waste a single moment. He immediately decided to proceed to the United States and went for his M.S. at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Very soon Abu Naser finished his M.S. and returned to his homeland. In 1955, he was offered a fellowship from the Nuffield Foundation to study at the University of London for a year. As he got the moment, he went to London for a year and came back to his native. But now his dream has become even bigger than before. So, in 1962, he determined to go again to the USA to achieve a Ph.D. Thus, in four years, he finished his dream Ph.D. degree. In these years, he spent almost two years at Columbia University and later, he finished the rest of his Ph.D. at Texas A&M University. Finally, he brought to a conclusion to his educational journey and arrived home.
Contributions
After coming back to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), Mohammed Abu Naser officially stepped into his career. At first, he joined the Industries Ministry and afterward moved to the Directorate of Technical Education. Later, he joined the faculty of a prestigious educational institution, Ahsanullah Engineering College. After a short while, the institution was renamed as Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
On 16 March 1970, Abu Naser was designated to the position of vice-chancellor of BUET. It was preceded by M. A. Rashid and succeeded by Wahiuddin Ahmed. He remained holding the position during the Liberation War and after the Independence of Bangladesh as well. In 1973, BUET celebrated its first-ever convocation where the credit entirely goes to him. He continued the position till 25 April 1975. In the same year, he was appointed as the honorable chairman of the University Grants Commission in 1975. In 1980, he retired from the position and decided to continue the rest of his journey as a professor emeritus in BUET in the Department of Chemical Engineering. Till his last breath, the eminent soul performed his duty with utmost hard work and dedication.
Personal Life
Despite having all the luxury and enviable success, Mohammed Abu Naser was a very generous human being. Besides all his titles and achievements, he was widely known for his kindness and humble behavior as well. The bright soul was blessed with a supportive spouse who stayed by him during all his ups and downs.
In 1955, while he received a fellowship from the Nuffield Foundation for a year, he decided to take his family with him to London. His wife was tremendously excited about the trip as it was her first time visiting abroad. The lovely couple rented a home in the Borough of Hammersmith in London. During that time, his elder son was only three. Whenever Abu Naser was asked about a memorable moment, he always shared about the journey as he felt the moment was the happiest moment of his life.
Abu Naser was adored with a big happy family having four children and eight grandchildren. His second son, Khan H. Zahid is currently holding the position of the chief economist and vice president of Riyad Bank in Saudi Arabia. Till the last moment, Abu Naser had a beautiful life journey along with his adorable family.
Awards and Achievements
All his tremendous effort and dedication toward his nation didn’t go in vain as the country was greatly devoted to her virtuous son. To pay tribute to his enormous contribution to the education sector of the country, Mohammed Abu Naser was honored with the second-highest award of the nation “Ekushey Padak” in 1987. Next year, he was awarded the Bikrampur Foundation Gold Medal in 1988. In 1995, he achieved the Abdul Hakim Bikrampuri Memorial Medal. Moreover, in 2003, he was honored with the membership, “Life Member of the Chemical Alumni Association” of BUET on the occasion of 50 years of Chemical Engineering in Bangladesh.
Legacy
Mohammed Abu Naser was one of the dearest sons of the motherland who dedicated all his soul to the betterment of his nation. Besides, a gigantic endowment to the field of education, a trust fund titled “Dr. M. A. Naser Trust Fund” is also introduced at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in remembrance of the contribution of such a legendary soul. The Fund offers scholarships to indigent and meritorious university students to ease their path to higher education.
Apart from that, his family is also greatly determined to keep the legend’s legacy alive as his sons are walking on the same path as their father. The family members have dedicated themselves to the field of education in the various sectors for the betterment of the nation. Moreover, Khan H. Zahid, one of his sons, has held himself in the prestigious position of chief economist and vice president of Riyad Bank in Saudi Arabia.
Death
The pioneer of engineering education in Bangladesh left his last breath on 12 May 2004 at the age of 83. His grandchildren sum up his feelings, “whenever I walk into BUET it reminds me of Nana Bhai and makes me feel proud that he dedicated more than fifty years of his life to the betterment of Engineering Education in Bangladesh”. Even after so many years, the dedicated soul is still remembered by his family and fellows with the utmost respect.
Unknown Facts
➢ In 1970, Mohammed Abu Naser was designated as the Vice Chancellor of BUET.
➢ He was the former Chairman of the Bangladesh University Grants Commission and the former Chairman of the Board of Governors of Bangladesh Institute of Technology, Khulna (now known as Khulna University of Engineering and Technology).
➢ He achieved one of the highest honoraries in Bangladesh “Ekushey Padak” in 1987.
➢ During his higher studies in the United States, Abu Naser traveled to Michigan, New York City, Washington DC, Rochester, and Pennsylvania.
➢ He traveled to NY to visit the headquarters of KODAK.
➢ Abu Naser was an exceptional photographer. He owned a KODAK camera and captured lots of B&W pictures while in America.
➢ One of his sons, Khan H. Zahid is the chief economist and vice president of Riyad Bank in Saudi Arabia.
➢ Teaching was his favorite profession. He was very determined to continue being a teacher till his last breath and so he did.
➢ In 2003, Abu Naser was honored as a Life Member of the Chemical Alumni Association of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
Conclusion
Mohammed Abu Naser was one of the greatest sons of the nation who dedicated more than fifty years of his life to enhancing the education system of the country. It is his utmost dedication and hard work that is still uplifting the generations with the best education and skills. No matter how far time flies, the name of the generous soul will always be uttered with the utmost esteem and honor.
References
1.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Abu_Naser
2.https://archive.thedailystar.net/2005/05/17/d505171502104.htm
3.https://dailyasianage.com/news/115222/mohammed-abu-naser
4.https://che.buet.ac.bd/m-a-naser-chair/
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