Full Name: Professor Dr. Jamilur Reza Choudhury

Affiliation: Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET)  

Current Position: Deceased

Date of Birth: November 15, 1942

Date of Death: April 28, 2020

Place of Birth: Bangladesh

Home District: Sylhet

Nationality: Bangladeshi

Profile:

Jamilur Reza Choudhury (15 November 1942 – 28 April 2020) was a Bangladeshi civil engineer, professor, researcher, and education advocate. He was an Adviser (Minister) to Caretaker Government of Bangladesh (April–June 1996). He was the first vice chancellor of BRAC University and former vice chancellor of University of Asia Pacific. He was also the president of Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad Committee from 2003. He was awarded Ekushey Padak by the Government of Bangladesh in the category of science and technology in 2017. He was inducted as a National Professor by the Government of Bangladesh in 2018.

Choudhury was born in Sylhet and had his early education in St. Gregory's School in Dhaka and attended Dhaka College from 1957–1959 and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree (Civil Engineering) from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in 1963. After graduation from BUET (First Class First with Honours), he joined as a lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering & began his long teaching career. He earned a Master of Science in Engineering in 1965 and a PhD in Advanced Structural Engineering in 1968 from University of Southampton, UK.

In 1973 Choudhury was promoted to associate professor of Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET) and in 1976 a full professor. He was Head of the Dept. of Civil Engineering (1978–79, 81–83), Dean of the Faculty (1983-85) and Director, Computer Centre (1982-1992). In March, 2001, he joined BRAC University as its first Vice Chancellor and relinquished the position on completion of 9 years of his tenure.

In 1975, Choudhury was offered Nuffield scholarship to pursue post-doctoral Fellowship at Surrey University in UK. Until 2001 he was working as a Professor at BUET. He was also entrusted with developing a "Computer Center" at BUET and was appointed director for about 10 years. Choudhury was appointed chairman of task force for developing Software Export & IT Infrastructure in Bangladesh from 1997 to 2000 under Ministry of Commerce. He was a ranking member of the Prime Minister's Task Force on developing Digital Bangladesh. Besides he is involved with several local and international organizations.

Dr. Choudhury joined the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) as a Lecturer in Civil Engineering in 1963 and was appointed a Professor of Civil Engineering in 1976. He was Head of the Dept. of Civil Engineering (1978–79, 81–83), Dean of the Faculty (1983-85) and Director, Computer Centre (1982-1992). In March, 2001, he joined BRAC University as its first Vice Chancellor and relinquished the position on completion of 9 years of his tenure.

Choudhury was awarded a Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship in 1974 and spent a year at the University of Surrey, UK, as a Visiting Associate Professor. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Engineering (Honoris Causa) degree by Manchester University on 20th October, 2010.

Choudhury has authored about 70 papers in international journals and conference proceedings related to inter alia tall buildings, low-cost housing, earthquake resistant design, cyclones and storm surges, retrofitting of structures, IT Applications and Policy.

Prof. Choudhury has acted as consultant to a large number of national and international agencies. He was a Member of Panel of Experts (advising the Government, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and OECF, Japan) for the Bangabandhu (Jamuna) Bridge; he was headed the International Panel of Experts for Padma Bridge. He was the Team Leader for the Multipurpose Cyclone Shelter Programme and prepared the Master Plan for Cyclone Shelters in the coastal areas of Bangladesh.

Choudhury was a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (Bangladesh) and was its President in 1992-93. He was a Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers (U.K.) and Chartered Engineer, UK. He was a Fellow and former Vice President of the Bangladesh Computer Society. He was elected a Fellow of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences in 1999. He was the founder President of Bangladesh Earthquake Society. He was the Chairman of the Board of Accreditation for Engineering and Technical Education (BAETE), Bangladesh.

Choudhury was appointed Adviser (Minister) in the Non-Party Caretaker Government in April, 1996 and was in charge of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Water Resources.

Choudhury was Convener, Committee on Export of Software and Data Processing Services (1997), Convener, Committee for Formulation of IT Policy for Bangladesh (1999 and 2008), Convener, ICT in Higher Education Group formed by Ministry of Education (2005). He was a member of the IT Task Force headed by the Prime Minister (2001–09). In January, 2007, he was the Convener, Committee for Preparing Voter List with Photographs.

Choudhury has received numerous awards during his illustrious career.

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