Renowned engineer Dr Md Taher Abu Saif, who was recently awarded with membership of the National Academy of Engineering, was honoured at a reception programme in Dhaka on Saturday.
The Head and Neck Cancer Support Foundation (HenCSf), with which Dr Taher has worked as an international patron since 2016, organised the programme at a city hotel to acknowledge his achievements.
Speaking at the reception, Dr Taher noted that many experts in the fields of science, engineering, and medicine who have achieved significant success and hold notable qualifications have received this membership.
“I think I was lucky. I always feel that I have received more than I deserve. I do not feel as though I have won something; I just keep working and try my best,” he said.
He mentioned that he and his friends have already surpassed the age of 65.
“In a few years, we will not have the capacity to work for the people as we do now. Behind every major project, there is a significant dream,” he stated.
He added that establishing a cancer hospital is their dream, and they aim to realise it as soon as possible.
“If you look at BIRDEM, it was established to realise such a dream. Now, BIRDEM is a large hospital serving a vast number of patients. People die, but their initiatives endure. The more we believe in a dream, the more likely it is to become a reality, although we are concerned about ageing quickly,” he continued.
Speaking at the event, Prof Dr Md Abu Hanif, secretary general of HenCSf, mentioned that Dr Taher has been an international patron of this charitable initiative from the start.
Whenever he visits Bangladesh, he checks on the construction site of the hospital and inquires about HenCSf’s progress, he added.
Prof Hanif outlined that HenCSf primarily supports patients with head and neck cancer, providing free surgery and financial aid for necessary adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
“We have operated on about 300 patients free of charge in the last five years and distributed Tk 42 lakh for their treatment and rehabilitation,” he said.
Speaking as the chief guest, Youth and Sports Minister Nazmul Hassan noted that despite numerous challenges, the government has made significant progress in the health sector.
“However, this would not have been possible for the government alone. Organisations like HenCSf play a significant role,” he added.
Among others, Md Shamsul Arefin, the secretary of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division, and executive members of HenCSf, Dr Imtiaz Kamal, and Tanjina Ismail spoke at the event.
Brig Gen Md Moazzem Hossain, president of HenCSf, offered a vote of thanks at the programme.
Dr Taher is the third Bangladeshi engineer to receive this membership. Previously, renowned engineer Dr FR Khan, who was the architect of one of the tallest buildings in the world— the Sears Tower, was honoured with this award in 1973.
Dr Taher has been researching biohybrid robots for about 25 years at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where he currently holds the position of Edward William and Jane Marr Gutgsell professor.
