Muhammed Zafar Iqbal

**Muhammed Zafar Iqbal** (;  born 23 December 1952) is a Bangladeshi author of science fiction and Children's literature. He is a professor of computer science and engineering at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology. He is also head of the department of electrical and electronic engineering at that university.

### Background

Zafar Iqbal was born on 23 December 1952 in Sylhet. His father, Faizur Rahman Ahmed, was a police officer. His mother is Ayesha Akhter Khatun. In his childhood, he traveled various parts of Bangladesh. This was because of his father's transferring jobs. Iqbal was encouraged to write by his father in early life. Iqbal passed Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exam from Bogra Zilla School in 1968 and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) exam from Dhaka College in 1970. He earned his BSc in physics from the University of Dhaka in 1976. In the same year Iqbal went to University of Washington to obtain his PhD which he earned in 1982.

He married Yasmeen Haque in 1978. She is currently the Dean of the Life Science Department and Head of the department of Physics at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST). They have a son, Nabil, and a daughter, Yeshim. Iqbal's elder brother, Humayun Ahmed, was a writer and filmmaker. His younger brother, Ahsan Habib, is the editor of the satirical magazine, _Unmad_ (_Mad_) and a cartoonist.

### Academic

After obtaining his PhD degree, Iqbal worked as a post-doctoral researcher at California Institute of Technology (Caltech). This was from 1983 to 1988. He then joined Bell Communications Research (Bellcore) as a research scientist. He left the institute in 1994. Upon returning to Bangladesh he joined the faculty of the Computer Science and Engineering department at SUST. Later he became the head of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering department (EEE).He also serves as the Director of BTCL and Vice President of Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad committee. Iqbal played a leading role in founding Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad. He popularized mathematics among Bangladeshi youths at local and international level. In 2011 he won Rotary SEED Award (Science, Education and Economic Development) for his contribution in the field of education.

### Literary

Iqbal started writing stories from a very early age. He wrote his first short story at the age of seven. While studying in Dhaka University Iqbal's story _Copotronik Bhalobasa_ was published in a local magazine. Later he rewrote the story and published it as collection of stories titled _Copotronik Sukh Dukho_. Iqbal is one of the first writers of science fiction in the Bengali language. He mainly writes for younger readers. He is best known for his novels for youngsters. He also wrote several articles on physics and mathematics. He is regularly a Columnist for mainstream newspapers.

## Awards

- _Shishu Academy Agrani Bank Shishu Shahitto Award_ 2001
- _Quazi Mahbubulla Zebunnesa Award_ 2002
- _Khalekdad Chowdhury Literary Award_ 2003
- _Sheltech Liteary Award_ 2003
- _Uro Child Literary Award_ 2004
- _Md. Mudabber-Husne ara literary Award_ 2005
- _Marcantile Bank Ltd. Award_ 2005
- _One of the 10 living Eminent Bengali_ 2005
- _American Alimony Association Award_ 2005
- _Dhaka University Alimony Association Award_ 2005
- _Sylhet Naittamoncho Award_ '2005
- _Bangla Academy Literary Award_ 2005
- _Uro Child Literary Award_ 2006
- _Rotary SEED Award_ 2011

## Related pages

- List of Bangladeshi scientists
- List of Asian scientists by country

## Infobox (person)

- **name**: Muhammed Zafar Iqbal
 মুহম্মদ জাফর ইকবাল
- **image**: Muhammed Zafar Iqbal by NKS(3).jpg
- **caption**: Muhammad Zafar Iqbal
- **birth place**: Sylhet, Bangladesh
- **nationality**: Bangladeshi
- **education**: PhD in Physics from University of Washington
- **spouse**: Yasmeen Haque (1978–present)
- **occupation**: Physicist, writer, columnist
- **awards**: Bangla Academy Award (2004)