National Professor Dr Jamilur Reza Choudhury passed away in the early hours Tuesday.
Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam, Dean of the Faculty of Business Studies of Dhaka University and nephew of Prof Choudhury, confirmed the demise to The Business Post.
Shibli said, Prof Jamilur Reza Choudhury, 77, had a massive heart attack at 2 am today and was rushed to Square Hospital in the capital at about 4 am. The hospital emergency doctor pronounced him dead after a while.
Prof Choudhury was born in Sylhet and had his early education at Dhaka’s St Gregory's School and Dhaka College.
He was a foremost civil engineering educator, a researcher and a foremost expert advisor of the nation on almost all the mega infrastructure projects, accomplished and ongoing, including the Padma Multipurpose Bridge.
Prof Choudhury was also a former adviser to the caretaker government of 1996, and was the Vice-Chancellor of University of Asia Pacific until his demise.
He was honoured with the Ekushey Padak in the science and technology category in 2017. The government appointed him National Professor in 2018.
He was awarded a Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship in 1974 and spent a year at the University of Surrey, UK, as a Visiting Associate Professor.
Besides, he received numerous awards during his illustrious professional career.
Prof Choudhury is survived by his wife Selina Choudhury, daughter Charisma Farheen Choudhury and son Kaashif Reza Choudhury.
The President, PM mourn his death
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of the eminent Professor.
In his condolence message, the President conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
In her message, the Prime Minister said the Ekushay Padak recipient educationist played a very important role in the infrastructural development of the country.
She recalled the contribution of Prof Choudhury, who led the experts’ panels of Bangabandhu Bridge, Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Dhaka Elevated Expressway, Karnaphuli Tunnel and many other ongoing development projects, with gratitude.
