Fellow

Prof. M. Ali Asgar (Deceased)

(Fellow, 2004)

Professor Mohammad Ali Asgar was born in Shahazadpur, Sirajganj, Bangladesh on 8 February 1939.

He obtained B.Sc (Hons) and M.Sc. from Dhaka University in 1960 and 1962, respectively and got Ph.D in solid state Physics from Southampton University, England, 1970. Received Postdoc Commonwealth Staff Fellowship in England in 1982 and worked in Southampton University (1982-83). He also worked as Research Fellow in ICTP, Italy and IPPS, Upsala University, Sweden.

Professor Asgar joined the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in 1962, worked as Professor and Head of Physics Department, Dean of Engineering Faculty and Member of the Syndicate, BUET. He was also Professor Rashid Chair, BUET.

He developed laboratory facilities to prepare magnetic alloys, ferrites, magnetic thin films, amorphous magnetic materials and nano-structured materials in collaboration with the University of Hanoi, Vietnam, through the support of IPPS. Experimental facilities have been developed jointly with AEC for the study of primary and secondary intrinsic magnetic properties and structure dependent properties for the basic understanding of co-operative magnetism and the technical magnetization process in different magnetic media and to develop hard, semi-hard and soft magnetic materials for technological applications. Professor Ali Asgar has guided over thirty post graduate theses for Ph.D and M.Phil degrees.

Dr. Asgar received Doctor Moniruzzaman Gold Medal for Contribution to Science. Doctor Kudrat-e-Khuda Gold Medal for Science Writings. Diploma Engineers’ Association Gold Medal for Science Popularization. Mercantile Bank Gold Medal for Contributions to Science and Technology; and Bangla Academy “Shahittya Purusker”.

He published over 80 technical papers in national and international journals including Proc. Royal Society, Physical Review, Physical Review Letters, Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, Physics, Thermochemical Acta Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Indian Journal of Physics, Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Nuclear Science and Applications, and Bangladesh Journal of Physics. He also published twenty six books on science, education and development. Has written over five hundred articles for science popularization and public understanding of science. Designed and proposed national science week programme for innovative science education. Performed over hundred television and radio programme on science. Initiated the country-wide science club activity as the chairman of the children’s organization “Kelaghar”, written hundreds of science projects for innovative science activity. He was Chief Editor, Journal of Physics. Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Science and Arts.

Dr. Asgar developed a modern magnetism laboratory in the Physics department, BUET, in collaboration with IPPS, Upsala University, Sweden and formed the Dhaka Material Science Group for developing experimental facilities, training expertise in the field and forming a network with local, regional and international cooperation.

Professor Ali Asgar was a Member of the National Education Committee (1997) and Convener of Science Education and Research Sub-Committee; Convener for the Revision of Technology Policy of Bangladesh; Member of the Governing Body, National Science and Technology Museum, Bangladesh. He was Chancellor’s nominated member of the Senate, Rajshahi University, Secretary, Bangladesh Physical Society; President, Bangladesh Physical Society. Member, New York Academy of Science; East West University. Fellow, Bangladesh Physical Society. Fellow, Bangladesh Academy of Sciences and Fellow, Bangla Academy.

Professor Ali expired on 16 July 2020.