Prof Nurul Islam was pioneer of economics education: Speakers

Eminent economists at a memorial event on Monday said that late Professor Nurul Islam is the father of modern economics education and research in Bangladesh.

Mentioning that he was a pioneer of economics education and research in Bangladesh, they said Prof Nurul Islam with his sharp arguments shaped the foundation of the Liberation War from an economics perspective.

Prof Dr. Nurul Islam would be best remembered for his role in reshaping the development and economic landscape of the war-torn Bangladesh, they added.

The economists came up with the remarks while addressing a memorial meeting titled “Thoughts of Prof Nurul Islam and Contemporary Bangladesh Economy” organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) virtually to show honour and gratitude towards the late professor.

Prof Rehman Sobhan said Prof Nurul Islam had academic knowledge of the economy, knowledge of policymaking and he was also an expert in political economy.

He said, “Prof Nurul Islam was an academic and professional economist. He worked for various aspects of the economy, including academic, political economy, disparity, decentralisation of the economy.”

Rehman Sobhan said, “Prof Nurul Islam left Bangladesh in 1975 but Bangladesh never left him, because he had always been connected with Bangladesh even from abroad.”

He said, “Prof Islam thought that the human condition would not improve if there would not be many expectations of people. He was a quality researcher and one of the best critics, and best advisor of the economy.”

Mentioning that Prof Islam had all qualities, he also said he along with Prof Islam upgraded economics department at Dhaka University and they had introduced new courses at the department at that time.

Prof Rehman Sobhan also said, “Even the then Pakistani top officials also considered Prof Nurul Islam as a high- ranking economist in the country. He was well connected with Bangabandhu.”

Economist AB Mirza Azizul Islam said Prof Nurul Islam played a major role in the country's economy and his many thoughts were matching with the contemporary economy.

“If inflation rises due to international issues, then local measures cannot control inflation,” he quoted Prof Nurul Islam as saying.

“We are now saying that our exports and remittances increased and we have no need of a visa if any country will not give it but it was not thought of Prof Nurul Islam.”

Mirza Azizul Islam also said, “Prof Nurul Islam emphasized on proper utilisation of foreign aids with transparency to ensure good governance.”

“He had said to form an independent panel of experts for facing the economic crisis of the country which is very important,” he added.

Former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin said, “Prof Nurul Islam played a major role in raising the issues of discrimination in East and West Pakistan and in bringing the 6-points into action. We will always remember him for his invaluable contributions.”

“He was a meritorious student and a welfare economist. His observation was found in the first five-year plan and second fiver-year plan of Bangladesh.”

He said Bangladesh had entered the LDC club in 1974 following the suggestion of Prof Nurul Islam and Bangabandhu agreed to enter the club when he understood the scope of the LDCs.

Farashuddin said, “He was focused on the international trade and agriculture in his whole life. We can follow his life and practices to boost our economy.”