Former chairman of University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof Mohammad Asaduzzaman died of cardiac arrest at Birdem Hospital yesterday morning. He was 60.
A teacher of the Public Administration Department of Dhaka University (DU), Asaduzzaman suffered a massive heart attack at his Fuller Road residence at around 9:45am. He was immediately taken to the Birdem Hospital where the doctors declared him dead a few minutes later.
He left behind his wife, two sons, a daughter and a host of relatives and admirers to mourn his death.
The first namaj-e-janaza of Prof Asaduzzaman was held at Dhaka University Central Mosque after Juma prayers yesterday. DU teachers, students, UGC Chairman Nazrul Islam, former DU VC Prof Anwarullah Chowdhury, Prof AK Azad Chowdhury, Bangladesh Bank Governor Saleh Uddin Ahmed, Jagannath University Vice-Chancellor Prof Sirajul Islam Khan, media personalities Faridur Reza Sagor, Shykh Siraj, among others, attended the janaza. The body was then kept at Birdem mortuary.
His second namaj-e-janaza will be held in front of Aparajeo Bangla on the DU campus at 11:00am today. The body will be kept there for an hour so that the teachers and students can pay their last respect to him.
Prof Asaduzzaman will be laid to rest at Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard at Mirpur today.
President Iajuddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed and Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman expressed deep shock at the death of former UGC chairman and DU teacher Prof Asaduzzaman.
In separate condolence messages, they recalled the contribution of the noted educationist to the development of the country's education sector. They prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members.
DU Vice-Chancellor Prof SMA Faiz condoled the death of Prof Asaduzzaman. In a condolence message yesterday, Prof Faiz said Asaduzzaman was a devoted teacher, researcher and efficient administrator. In his death, the country has lost a noted educationalist, he added.
He prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
Former education minister Osman Faruque, DU Pro-VC AFM Yusuf Haider, Treasurer Syed Abul Kalam Azad, Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Agriculture University (BAU) Prof Musharraf Hossain Mian and Vice-Chancellor of Patuakhali Science and Technology University Prof Abdul Latif Masum also expressed deep shock at the death of Prof Asaduzzaman.