Ali, M Innas
Ali, M Innas (1916-2010) an educationist, brilliant physicist, writer, freethinker, and National Professor. He was born in Barhatta, Netrokona, on 1 September 1916. He completed his MSc in Physics from the University of Dhaka in 1940 and stood First in class First in the Electronics group. His research subject in his MSc course was ‘Atmospherics at Dacca in mid and high-frequency channels’. He also obtained another Master degree in Electrical Engineering (MEE) from New York University in 1948 and PhD in Nuclear Physics from London University in 1955. For his PhD degree the topic of his research was: Nuclear Physics, electron design and construction of the 25 MeV electron accelerator, the Micotron, and studies in the nuclear structure under the supervision of Professor (Sir) HSW Massey, then Chairman of the Department. He carried out research in Electronics and Nuclear Physics at Dhaka University; Indian Association for Cultivation of Sciences,Kolkata; Indian Institute of Science, Banglore; New York University (USA); University College London; and Brook Haven National Laboratory (USA). He had long list of publication of scientific paper (150) and authored five books.
Dr. Ali served as Lecturer, Islamia College, Kolkata (1940-1942); Technical Officer, Government Test House, Calcutta (1942-1946); Research Engineer, Mackay Radio, USA (1947-1948); Senior Lecturer, Reader, Professor and Head of the Department of Physics, Dhaka University (1948-1963). He was a Member of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (1963-1967); Dean of faculty of Science, Dhaka University (1968-1972); Vice-Chancellor, Chittagong University (1972-1973).
Innas Ali was bestowed with the Dayemi Complex Peace Award, 1986; Bangladesh Independence Award for Science and Technology in 1991. He also received the Lifetime Achievement in Science and Technology Award of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences 2007; Honorary Fellowship of Bangla Academy in 2007. He was a Founding Member of Bangladesh University Grants Commission; Founding Chairman, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (1973-1976); Science Adviser to the President of Bangladesh; Member, Planning Commission (1976-1979); and Professor of Nuclear Engineering, King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah (1979-1982). Founder Chairman, ESTCD Trust and Rector of Independent University of Bangladesh (1990). Professor Innas Ali was a Founding Fellow of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (1973).
He led the Pakistan delegation to the UN Conference on Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy held in Geneva in 1958 and 1964. He was a Member of the Pakistan delegation to the UNESCO General Conference in 1962 and 1964 and the Pakistan delegation to the International Atomic Energy Annual Conferences (IAEA) in 1964 and 1966 and Governor, Board of Governors IAEA, 1966-1967 and 1975-1976. He led the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Expert Mission to Japan in 1965. He was a Member of the Bangladesh delegation to the UNESCO General Conference in 1974 and 1976. He led the Bangladesh delegation to the IAEA General Conference in 1974, 1975 and 1976. He served as a Member of the Expert Committee of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) for founding IFSTAD (1975-1979). He led the Bangladesh delegation to the UN Preparatory Committee Meetings for United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development (UNCED) held in Vienna in August-September 1979; participated in Pugwash Conferences in 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1990 and 1991 led Bangladesh delegation in the ICSU General Assembly held in Sofia, Bulgaria, in October 1991. He was elected Fellow of the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in 1991. Professor Ali was President of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (1988-1992).
Dr. Ali was a Fellow of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences (1960); President, Pakistan Association of Scientists and Scientific Professions (1964-1967); President, Pakistan Association for the Advancement of Science (1970); President, Rotary Club of Dhaka (1970-1971). Founding President, Bangladesh Association of Scientists and Scientific Professions (1973); Vice-Chairman, Bangladesh Society for Conservation of Nature and Environment (1981); and President, Dhaka University Alumni Association (1987). He was the National Professor of Bangladesh in 1994.
Professor M Innas Ali expired on 3 May 2010 and was buried at Banani graveyard in Dhaka. [Yearul Kabir]
