BOU VC Prof Obaidul elected as ACU council member

Published : Tuesday, 12 August, 2025 at 9:23 PM Count : 142

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The Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University (BOU), eminent physicist, distinguished academic and researcher, Professor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam, has been elected as a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) Trustee Board, operating under the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Earlier, on 1 August 2025, he was nominated as a Council Member of the ACU. Among the 21 members of the Trustee Board, Professor Dr. Obaidul Islam has achieved the honour of being the only representative from Bangladesh.

Established in 1913, the ACU is one of the oldest and most prestigious international organizations in the field of higher education. Currently, over 400 universities from Commonwealth countries are members of the ACU, working together to promote international collaboration, quality enhancement, and educational expansion. Representation in both the ACU Council and the Trustee Board marks a historic recognition for BOU and Bangladesh’s higher education sector. On this achievement, Mr. David Holdsworth, Chief Executive of the UK Charity Commission, has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Professor Dr. Obaidul Islam.

A proud son of Morrelganj, Bagerhat, Professor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam earned his Ph.D. from Toyama University, Japan, under the prestigious Monbusho Scholarship of the Government of Japan. In his illustrious academic career, he has also completed post-doctoral research under the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowship (Germany), the Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship (UK), and the Erasmus Mundus Fellowship (Netherlands).

As a renowned scholar and educator, he has published over 40 research papers in national and international journals. He has contributed significantly to the advancement of education by serving as Chairman/Member of the Governing Bodies and Syndicates of various universities and colleges across the country. Alongside his academic contributions, he remains actively engaged in social initiatives and has held leadership positions, including President and General Secretary, in several professional associations.

The BOU family takes immense pride and joy in this international recognition of Professor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam. His intellect, academic excellence, leadership skills, and integrity will greatly contribute to fulfilling the mission and vision of the ACU Trust and will play a vital role in enhancing and expanding higher education standards across the Commonwealth nations.

FP/MI