M. A. Naser

Mohammed Abu Naser ( _bn. মোহাম্মদ আবু নাসের)(April 2, 1921 - May 12, 2004), born in Munshiganj District, Bangladesh, is a pioneer in engineering education in Bangladesh . Professor Dr. Mohammed Abu Naser was a Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). He is a recipient of the Ekushey Padak, one of the highest civilian awards in Bangladesh.

Early life

Professor Naser was born on April 2, 1921, in the village of Damla of Srinagar Upazila, Bikrampur in the Munshigonj district of Bangladesh. His father M. Ismail Ali Khan and mother Abida Begum were respected members of the village community.

Education

Dr. Naser began his early education at the Kazir Pagla A. T. Institution, Louhajong in Munshiganj. In 1937 he passed the Matruculation Examination in the First Division . He completed the Intermediate Examination successfully from the B. M. Collage, Barisal. He received the B.Sc (Hons.) and M.Sc. degrees, in Chemistry from the University of Dhaka , in 1942 and 1943 respectively. Then he went to the Bengal Engineering College at Shibpur, West Bengal to study Chemical Engineering.

He got a scholarship to study for his M.S. in Chemical Engineering at John Hopkins University in Baltimore. U.S.A. This was a great achievement for him to be selected for such a scholarship in undivided India, when Muslims were less favorably considered. In 1962 he again went to USA for his PhD. He completed his PhD in four years .Of four years, he spent about two years at Columbia University, and then he went to Texas A&M University to complete the rest of his PhD. He went to London under a fellowship from the Nuffield Foundation to study for a year at the University of London In 1955.

Career

After returning home, he first joined at the Industries Ministry, and then joined at The Directorate of Technical Education . After a short time he came back to his favorite job of teaching at the Ahsanullah Engineering College(now is BUET).

In 1970 he became the Vice-Chancellor of BUET and continued holding his position after the liberation of Bangladesh. The first Convocation of BUET was held in 1973 and Dr. Naser is credited for this. This event is regarded as a milestone in the history of BUET as well as the nation.

Dr. Naser became the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (Bangladesh)(UGC) in 1975. He retired from this position in 1980. He was Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering, BUET till his death.

Achievements

Dr. Naser received the Ekushey Padak in 1987. [http://www.munshigonj.com/Famous/DrMANaser.htm] Dr M. A. Naser Trust Fund is introduced at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology to offer scholarship for poor, meritorious students of the university.

References

* [http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/05/17/d505171502104.htm The Daily Star]
* [http://www.newagebd.com/2006/apr/20/met.html New Age]
* [http://www.munshigonj.com/Famous/DrMANaser.htm]