Bangladesh’s top scientist Jamal dead

By Mizan Rahman/Dhaka

Bangladesh’s celebrated mathematician, physicist and cosmologist professor emeritus of Chittagong University (CU) Dr Jamal Nazrul Islam passed away yesterday at a hospital in south-eastern port city of Chittagong. He was 74.

He is survived by wife, two daughters.

Internationally reputed cosmologist Dr Islam breathed his last at Chittagong Metropolitan Hospital at 2am, said CU vice chancellor Prof Anwarul Azim Arif.

The death cast a pall of gloom in the whole city as hundreds of people from all strata thronged his city Surson Road residence to have a last glimpse of the eminent scientist.

He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital with high diabetes and heart diseases two days ago.

The mortal remains of Prof Islam were taken to Shaheed Minar premises to pay last respect to the internationally reputed scientist.

Born on February 24, 1939 in Jhenidah district, Dr Islam did his PhD in applied mathematics and theoretical physics from the University of Cambridge in 1968 and doctor of science degree in 1982.

He came back home in 1984 and joined the CU as a professor of mathematics. He also established the Research Centre for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (RCMPS) at CU in 1989.

He received BSc degree from St Xavier’s College under the University of Calcutta. He later obtained BA and MA degrees from Trinity College, Cambridge.

He was awarded the gold medal of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences for Physical Science in 1985.

He was awarded Bangladesh’s highest civilian award Ekushey Padak.