Professor Dr Habibullah Talukder Ruskin, the country’s first specialist in cancer epidemiology and prevention, has received Rotary International’s ‘Avenue of Service’ award for 2025-26 for his contributions to humanitarian service.
The award was presented on behalf of Rotary International by Country Coordinator and former governor Ishtiaq Abiduzzaman at the opening of a joint membership seminar of Rotary Districts 64 and 65 at the BIAM Auditorium in Dhaka on Saturday.
Ten Rotarians from Bangladesh, five each from Districts 64 and 65, received the award this year, according to a press release.
A dedicated Rotarian, Habibullah Talukder Ruskin has previously served as a club president, assistant governor, chairman of the District Cancer Committee and deputy coordinator. He is currently serving as training coordinator for District 64.
Habibullah Talukder Ruskin spent 30 years at the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, where he held various positions before retiring as a professor.
Following his retirement, he took on the role of project coordinator for establishing the Gonoshasthaya Community-based Cancer Hospital.
He also serves as an honorary adviser to the Begum Khurshid Jahan Haq Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital project in Dinajpur.
He is president of the Bangladesh Cancer Foundation, chief coordinator of the Bangladesh Breast Cancer Awareness Forum and chief adviser to the World Cancer Society Bangladesh.
Through these organisations, he has been working to promote cancer prevention and screening and support underprivileged cancer patients.
