Scientific symposium on Professor Kamal opens in the city

Dhaka, July 3 (BDNEWS) - President Professor Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed Sunday said Professor Kamaluddin Ahmad's brilliant scientific mind had an inspirational effect on the life of many students.

He recalled Professor Kamal, the legendary founder of the study of biochemistry and nutrition in Bangladesh as "a pioneer" who "combined his deep scientific knowledge with great creativity".

The President was addressing an international symposium titled "Professor Kamaluddin Ahmad: Creating & Translating Nutrition and Biochemical Sciences for the Benefit of Mankind" at a city hotel Sunday to mark the first death anniversary of Professor Kamaluddin Ahmad of Dhaka University.

Sponsored jointly by ICDDR,B and Professor Kamal Trust, the President inaugurated the symposium. The symposium will continue on Monday with scientific sessions beginning at 9am in the Sasakawa Auditorium at ICDDR,B: Centre for Health Research.

Dr. Iajuddin recalled the contribution of Professor Ahmad's research on Vitamin C, on iodine deficiency, on lethargy and arsenic mitigation.

The President said that the country is proud of Professor Ahmad's research feats that turned the country into a centre of scientific innovation.

Describing Professor Ahmad's contributions as legendary, the President said, the study of biochemistry and nutrition in Bangladesh have become synonymous with the name of Professor Kamal.

Dr. Iajuddin said, we owed him "a deep debt of gratitude for his contribution to science, scientific learning and professional integrity."

Education Minister Dr. M Osman Farruk recalled that in early 1950s when Professor Kamal discovered the first crystalline antibiotic from the Indian subcontinent, Ramnacin, it created a national excitement.

Jean Mayer Professor of Nutrition at Tufts University Dr Irwin H Rosenberg delivered the keynote address.

Dr. Marshall Larry Reiner, a pediatrician from the Harvard University-affiliated Boston Children's Hospital remarked that Dr. Kamal as a person had the depth and sincerity which nobody could surpass.

Professor of Medicine and International Health at John Hopkins University and the founding director of ICDDR,B Dr William B Greenough, III said that Professor Kamaluddin Ahmad clearly saw the honour and prestige that an internationally reputable scientific institution like the ICDDR,B could bring to Bangladesh.

Dr. Naiyyum Choudhury, Secretary of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences and former Chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission spoke of Dr. Kamal's contributions in developing scientific institutions and his enormous productivity in research.

BDNEWS/2112 hrs