Renowned political scientist and former vice chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Emajuddin Ahmed died at a hospital in the capital early yesterday.

The eminent educationist, known as a pro-BNP intellectual, was 87.

He fell sick at midnight and was taken to LabAid Hospital in Dhanmondi where he breathed his last around 7:30am. He had been suffering from complications associated with old-age.

Prof Emajuddin left behind four children and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.

His first namaz-e-janaza was held at Bajme Kaderia Jame Mosjid at Katabon following Jummah prayers and a second one was held at Dhaka University central mosque after Asr prayers. He was buried next to his wife at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard.

Emajuddin, who taught political sciences at Dhaka University, was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 1992 for his contribution to education. He wrote numerous books on national politics.

He was born in 1933 in Maldaha, West Bengal. His family moved to Chapainawabganj after the partition of India. He started his career as a teacher in Rajshahi College. Upon completion of higher studies abroad, he joined Dhaka University in 1970.

A language movement veteran, Emajuddin served as the 21st vice chancellor of Dhaka University, from 1992-1996. He retired in 1996.

Emajuddin served two terms as pro-vice chancellor before becoming VC.

He became vice-chancellor of the University of Development Alternative in 2002. He also worked with the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.

He was known at home and abroad for his contributions to education and creative writing. He won the Mahakal Krishti Chinta Sangha Gold Medal, National Literary Parliament Gold Medal, and Zia Cultural Gold Medal for research and writing. He wrote over 70 books, and conducted at least 100 research.

His books include Bureaucratic Elites in Segmented Economic Growth: Bangladesh and Pakistan (1980), Development Administration: Bangladesh (1981), SARC: Seeds of Harmony (1985), and Military Rule and Myth of Democracy (1988). His edited books include Bangladesh Politics (1980) and Foreign Policy of Bangladesh (1984).

Rastrobigganer kotha, written by him in Bangla, is one of his noted works. In the mid-1970s, he earned a PhD from the University of Ontario, Canada, on a Canadian government scholarship.

Expressing deep shock, DU VC Prof Akhtaruzzaman said Prof Emajuddin was a man of gentle and courteous personality. The nation lost a prominent political scientist, sociologist and educator, he said in a condolence message.

Emajuddin and poet Abdul Hye Sikder edited Khaleda Zia Tritiyo Biswer Konthaswar about the political life of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. It was published in April this year.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir paid tributes to the noted educationalist at his Elephant Road residence.

Different Political Parties and educationists also expressed condolences.