News Desk : Eminent nuclear physicist, educationist, and former professor of the University of Dhaka, Professor Emeritus Dr Mohammad Shamsher Ali, passed away early Saturday morning at a hospital in Dhaka.

He was 87.

The renowned scientist breathed his last at around 3:30 am. His passing has been confirmed by his son, Jehan Ali.

The funeral prayers of Dr Shamsher Ali will be held after the Zohr (noon) prayers at Baitul Aman Mosque on Road 7, Dhanmondi and he will be laid to rest at Azimpur graveyard.

Born on November 21, 1937, in Bheramara, Kushtia, Dr Shamsher Ali was a pioneering figure in Bangladesh’s scientific and academic communities. He completed his matriculation from Jessore Zilla School in 1954 and his Intermediate of Science (ISC) from Rajshahi College in 1956. That same year, he joined the Department of Physics at the University of Dhaka, where he earned his Honours degree with distinction in 1959 and his MSc in 1960.

He went on to earn his first PhD from the University of Manchester in 1961, followed by a second PhD in Theoretical Nuclear Physics from the same institution in 1965 — a rare achievement that underscored his academic excellence.

Dr Ali began his professional career in 1961 with the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. After completing his doctorate, he returned to Dhaka in 1965 and joined the Atomic Energy Centre as a Senior Scientific Officer. His exceptional expertise led to his appointment as Director of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission in 1970 — a position he held with distinction until 1978.

In recognition of his contributions to science, the University of Dhaka conferred upon him the title of Honorary Professor of Physics in 1973 through a special citation — an uncommon honour. In 1982, he formally joined the university’s Physics Department as a full Professor, serving until his retirement in 2006.

A visionary in higher education, Dr Shamsher Ali served as the founding Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University (BOU) from 1992 to 1996. Later, he played a pivotal role in establishing private higher education in the country as the founding Vice-Chancellor of South East University, leading the institution from 2002 to 2010.

He also made significant contributions to national science policy and research as President of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences from 2004 to 2012.

In March 2025, he formally began his tenure as Professor Emeritus at Bangladesh Open University, continuing to contribute to academic and scientific advancement even in his later years.

Professor Dr M Shamsher Ali leaves behind a legacy of excellence in nuclear science, education, and institution-building. He is survived by his family, students, colleagues, and countless admirers across the scientific community.