Rafiqul Islam (1 January 1934 – 30 November 2021) was a Bangladeshi educationist, scholar, writer, linguist and cultural activist. He was the president of Bangla Academy since May 2021 until his death.[1] He was inducted as a National Professor by the Government of Bangladesh in July 2018.[2] He was a vice-chancellor (2007–2011), professor emeritus and adviser to the Centre for Bangla Studies of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB).[2][3] He served as the chairman of the Nazrul Institute Trustee Board.[2] He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2001 and Independence Day Award in 2012 by the Government of Bangladesh.[4]
Rafiqul Islam | |
|---|---|
রফিকুল ইসলাম | |
 Rafiq in 2019 | |
| President of Bangla Academy | |
| In office 1 June 2021 – 30 November 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Anisuzzaman |
| Succeeded by | Selina Hossain |
| Vice-Chancellor of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh | |
| In office 2007–2011 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 January 1934 Matlab North, Chandpur, Bengal Presidency, British India |
| Died | 30 November 2021 (aged 87) Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Educationist, researcher, writer |
| Known for | Nazrul research |
| Awards | full list |
Rafiqul Islam's notable books include Nazrul Nirdeshika, Bhashtottya, An Introduction to Colloquial Bengali, Bangladesher Swadhinota Sangram, Bhasha Andolan O Shahid Minar, Dhakar Kotha, Bhasha Andolan o Muktijhuddher Shahitya, Swadhinotar Sangrame Dhaka Biswabidyalaya, and Dhaka Biswabidyalayar Ashi Bosor.[5]
Education and career
editRafiqul Islam completed his master's in Bengali language and literature from the University of Dhaka in 1956. He then joined the same university as a research scholar and lecturer. He received a Fulbright Scholarship to study linguistics in the United States in 1959.[4] He attended Yale University. He obtained a master's degree from Cornell University in general linguistics and cultural anthropology in 1960. He joined the department of Bengali in the University of Dhaka as an assistant professor in 1961. He eventually served as a professor of the university at the Department Of Linguistics. Later, he served as the vice-chancellor of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh.[4]
Rafiqul Islam wrote 30 books on the language, literature, history and culture of Bangladesh.[4]
Rafiqul Islam was the director general of Bangla Academy from April-December 2001.[5] He served as a chairman of the Nazrul Institute Trustee Board.[5]
Rafiqul Islam died on 30 November 2021 at the Evercare Hospital Dhaka.[6]
Awards and honours
edit- Nazrul Academy Award, Churulia, West Bengal (1987)[5]
- Nazrul Institute Award (1987)[5]
- Bangla Academy Literary Award (1984)[7]
- Ekushey Padak (2001)[5]
- Independence Day Award (2012)[5]
- Star Lifetime Award (2016)[8]
- Bangla Academy Shommanona (2017)[5]
- National Professor recognition (2018)
- International Mother Language Award (2021)
References
edit- ^ "Dr Rafiqul Islam appointed Bangla Academy president". Dhaka Tribune. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
- ^ a b c "3 educationists become national professors". The Daily Star. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ "National Professor Md. Rafiqul Islam, PhD". General Education Program. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Nazrul Studies : Prof. Rafiqul Islam". The Daily Star. 5 February 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Nat'l professor Rafiqul Islam no more". The Daily Star. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ "National Professor Rafiqul Islam passes away at 87". Dhaka Tribune. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
- ^ পুরস্কারপ্রাপ্তদের তালিকা [Winners list] (in Bengali). Bangla Academy. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- ^ "Daily Star honours 25 scholars, nation builders". The Daily Star. 5 February 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
External links
edit- "BBC Witness: 1943 Bengal Famine, with Prof. Rafiqul Islam". BBC World Service. 1 April 2015.