Islam, AKM Nurul
Islam, AKM Nurul (1928-2006) Nurul Islam was born on 27 October 1928 in the town of Natore. He passed matriculation and intermediate Science exams from KD High School, Noagaon (1945) and Rajshahi Government College (1947) Respectively, Obtained BSc degree from Rajshahi Government College (1949), MSc (Botany) from Dhaka University (1951) and PhD (Physiology) from Mishigan State University, USA (1960).
He Joined the Kustia College as a lecturer of Biology and then Served in the Biology and Botany departments of Dhaka University as lecturer (1952-62), reader (1962-72), Professor (1972-90), Supernumerary professor (1991-2000), honorary professor (2001-06) and national professor (2006). In his teaching carrier he was elected chairman of the Botany department, dean of Biological Sciences, member of senate of the Dhaka University. Dr. Islam served as a visiting professor in the Universities of several foreign countries as Iraq, New Zealand etc. He was offered permanent teaching jolas in a number of developed countries but didn’t accept any.
He started him research carrier, along with teaching, as a Phyeologist and remained engrossed by the same till his death. Professor Islam has 194 Publications on Phycology in his credit where he has described one genus and more than 200 species of algae, most of which are included in the word monograph. He has writhen several books both research work popular, in English and Bengali: Revision of the genus stigioclonium, contribution to the study of the Marine Algae of Bangladesh (J. Cramer, 1963, 1976); Centuries of planed studies in Bangladesh and Adjacent Regions (Asiatic Society, Bangladesh, 1991), Gachgachali Trees and Shrubs (Bangla Academy, 1976), a book of poems Anaya kano sur/other voice (Hasan Book House, 1991) Quraner Gachpala/ (Plants mentioned in the Holy Quran, in press). Dr. Islam edited several books of which 2 are of worth mention- plant science and Man: Problems and Prospects (Bangladesh Botanical Society, 1994), Science Encyclopedia 1-5 vol. (Bangla Academy, 1998-2006).
Professor Islam was honored by many felicitations such as gold medal by Bangladesh Science Academy (1993), Bangladesh Botanical Society (2004) etc. He was elected fellow of Bangladesh Science Academy (1980), Bangladesh Botanical Society (1996), Asiatic Society Bangladesh (2004). He was also etc president of Asiatic Society Bangladesh (1992-94). Under his guidance Several Students obtained PhD degree in Botany. Nature Study, gardening, philately and numismatics were his hobby. He died in Dhaka on 1 July 2006. [Dwijen Sarma]
