Professor Dr Anisur Rahman from the Department of Marketing and Professor Dr Md Serajul Islam from the Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Division of the Institute of Education and Research (IER) at the University of Dhaka have joined as the new Pro-Vice-Chancellors (Pro-VC) of Bangladesh Open University (BOU).
According to the press release, the two newly appointed Pro-VCs formally submitted their joining letters to the Vice-Chancellor on Friday morning, at the university’s Gazipur campus.
Their appointment was made for a four-year term in accordance with Section 14(1) of the Bangladesh Open University Act, 1992. The Ministry of Education’s Secondary and Higher Education Division issued a notification on Thursday, following the approval of the president and chancellor.
During the joining ceremony, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan welcomed the new Pro-VCs. He noted that BOU is a unique institution compared to other public universities, as it ensures educational opportunities for marginalized and underprivileged populations.
He highlighted that BOU is currently the third-largest university in the country in terms of student enrolment, operating through 12 regional and 63 sub-regional centres, with activities extended to seven countries, including South Korea, Italy, and Saudi Arabia. The VC expressed his commitment to taking BOU to new heights of academic and infrastructural excellence through collective efforts and the expertise of the new Pro-VCs.
The ceremony was attended by the former Treasurer of BOU and current Vice-Chancellor of Pabna University of Science and Technology, Professor Dr Abul Hasnat Md Shamim, Acting Registrar TM Ahmed Hussain, along with various school deans, directors, and officials.
Dr Anisur Rahman secured first-class first positions in both his BCom (Honours) and MCom (Marketing) from the University of Dhaka. He achieved the eighth position in the merit list for the Commerce group in his HSC exams from the Rajshahi Board in 1980, following his SSC in 1978. He later earned his PhD from Jadavpur University, India, in 1998.
With over three decades of teaching and research experience at the University of Dhaka, Dr Rahman has served as the Chairman of the Marketing Department, Director of the EMBA programme, and House Tutor of Sergeant Zahurul Huq Hall.
He has represented the university at international conferences and memorandum of understanding (MoU) signings in countries including the USA, Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea, and the UAE.
He has published multiple research books and numerous articles in domestic and international journals, while also serving as an economic and marketing consultant for various corporate houses, NGOs, and research organisations.
Professor Dr Md Serajul Islam obtained his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Physics from the University of Dhaka. He earned his PhD and completed post-doctoral research at Hokkaido University, Japan. He has also served as a Visiting Professor at National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan.
He received advanced training in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in Thailand and Indira Gandhi National Open University in India. Additionally, he holds an MEd from Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology and a BEd from Northern University Bangladesh.
Associated with the University of Dhaka’s IER since 2006, Dr Islam is currently a member of the Academic Planning Committee at BOU. He previously served as a lecturer at BOU from 2003 to 2006, where he was involved in modular textbook writing, ODL script preparation, and examination management.
He has worked as a “Key Expert” and consultant for education development projects with UNICEF Bangladesh, the Directorate of Primary Education, and the Bangladesh Technical Education Board.
Dr Islam has served as the Provost of Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall at the University of Dhaka and is involved with various professional organisations, including serving as the Education Secretary of the University Teachers Association of Bangladesh, a member of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, and an activist for the BNP Media Cell.
He has also held leadership roles such as Convenor of the White Panel’s IER unit at DU and Joint-Secretary of the BOU Teachers Association.
