Feature
Shamsur Rahman Chowdhury-
An amiable intellectual
Toppa Chowdhury
It was an early morning in the Bengali month of “Ashar''. I got a phone call that Prof. Shamsur Rahman Chowdhury is no more with us. My heart stopped for a few seconds. Most probably, the wind and the cloud came to a standstill. However, the body of Late Shamsur Rahman Chowdhury, the associate professor of KU (ECE discipline) arrived in the village of Sharowatali in the district of Chittagong. While on the way to Education and Research, he was injured in a street accident at Agargaong point, in front of the Abhawa Bhaban. The street accident occurred on 16 June 2007. After ten days in coma, on 26 June he left us forever. Late Shamsur Rahman Chowdhury graduated from BUET in 1972. He got his masters degree from BUET in 1984. He achieved his senior advanced degree in industrial electrical from South Engineering University, China (Under UNESCO fellowship). As a teacher, he served in IUT, CHUET, KU, KUET and Marine Academy, Chittagong. During his last working days, he was working as an associate professor of ECE discipline, KU. As an Engineer, he served a total of 21 organisations both at home and abroad. He gained expertise in seven languages such as French, Japanese, German, Chinese, English (TOEFEL, IELTS) Russian and Arabic. As a researcher, he had 9 publications on various topics on Electrical and Electronics and Information Technology, published in the Journals of Engineers Institution of Bangladesh (IEB);KU studies; ICCIT (International Conference of Computer and Information Technology), ICECE (International conference of Electrical and Computer Engineering) - arranged by Electrical and Electronics Department, BUET and North South University. He was a fellowship member of IEB and Bangladesh Computer Society (BCS). Some of his literary works were published in 'The Daily Observer', and the daily Ajker Kagoj. For example: 'The Western Culture'; 'Engineering' what does the word mean?' 'The Role of Engineering for Poverty Reduction; 'The Maharaja of Calcutta'- All were published in Observer Magazine. In 1992, he became a converted Muslim. His name was Arun Kanti Chowdhury, S/O late Kunjalal Chowdhury. He was also a freedom fighter. Riding on a bi-cycle he used to come to our University. I would like to honor this simple man possessing a magnetic personality by calling him “Matir Manush'' who gave away taka one Crore for human welfare.
Shamsur Rahman Chowdhury was a soul blessed by nature and the Almighty. He was a soldier who carried the flag of knowledge silently. In fact, it was the first accidental death of a teacher of Khulna University .The teachers and the students of Khulna University observed 'Obituary Day' and arranged a rally in the Campus in honor of this great soul. On 26 September, 2007 they submitted a commemorative letter to VC of KU so that, a place in the Campus and the Seminar Library of ECE discipline can be named after this great teacher. On 1 October, they inaugurated a wall-paper in honor of his departed soul.
It's a matter of regret that our teacher could not complete the full journey of his life. But what he has done in his short span of life will keep his memory alive. So, we would like to say that his uncompleted task can be completed to some extent if a memorial like a place in the campus (I mean 'Chattar')or an open stage is set up in the name of this amiable intellectual.
This article was written with the help of : Sukanta Ghosh, student (4th year), ECE, KU.
Gratitude: Dr Muhammad Moniruzzaman, Assistant Prof. ECE, KU; Dr Muhammad Jafar Iqbal, Head of the Department, CSE, SUST; Dr M A Matin, Prof. EEE, BUET
(The writer is ex-student, ECE discipline, KUand current student, Modern Language Institute, DU)
Email: toppach@yahoo.com
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