Bangladesh Academy of Sciences

Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS) academic forum for scientists and technologists of Bangladesh established in 1973 for research and development of sciences in the country. Under British rule, the subcontinent had only a few centres where scientific research and development were carried out. In 1935, the National Institute of Sciences of India was established and in 1945 the Government of India declared this institute as the premier scientific society of the country.

After partition of the subcontinent, the Pakistan Academy of Sciences was established in 1953. On the eve of 1971, this academy had 30 fellows including 12 from Bangladesh (the then East Pakistan). After liberation of Bangladesh, the Bangladeshi fellows formed the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences in 1973. Eminent scientist muhammad qudrat-i-khuda was the founder President of the Academy (1973-1976).

The aims and objects of the Academy are: to promote research in pure and applied sciences in Bangladesh and to devise their practical applications to problems of national welfare; to disseminate scientific knowledge among the people; to publish proceedings, journals, memoirs, transactions and other publications on scientific subjects; to hold conferences, symposia, seminars, workshops and lectures on scientific topics of national and international importance either alone or in collaboration with local or international organisations and institutions; to establish and maintain scientific libraries, laboratories, museums and research institutions; to provide grants, scholarships and fellowships for approved scientific research and to award prizes and medals for outstanding scientific work; to undertake such scientific work of national or international importance as the academy may be called upon to perform by the public and by the government; to advise the government on scientific matters of national importance; to act as the supreme scientific organisation of scientists in Bangladesh and represent internationally the scientific work going on in the country; to obtain and administer funds, donations, endowments and grants for the promotion and development of science in Bangladesh and for the attainment of the aims and objects of the academy; to act as the adhering body of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) and other similar international organisations; and to do and perform all other acts, matters and things that may assist in or conduce to, or be necessary for fulfilment of the above mentioned aims and objects of the Academy.

The Academy has a number of national and foreign fellows. The national fellows are elected from among the most distinguished scientists and technologists of the country. The Bangladesh Academy of Sciences receives a regular annual grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology. One of the most important functions of the academy is to recognise and stimulate talents among the active scientists and technologists of the country. In this context the Academy awards prizes (gold medals and cash) in senior and junior categories annually to scientists and technologists of Bangladesh. There are two awards for scientists in the physical sciences, including engineering and technology, and two awards for scientists in the biological sciences, including agriculture and medicine. The Academy publishes a biannual journal regularly. [Md Mahbub Murshed] [Murshed, Md Mahbub Assistant Professor of Geography and Environment, Chittagong University]