Rafiqul Islam (educationist)
Rafiqul Islam (1 January 1934 – 30 November 2021) was a Bangladeshi educationist, scholar, writer and cultural activist. He was the president of Bangla Academy since May 2021 until his death. He was inducted as a National Professor by the Government of Bangladesh in July 2018. He was a vice-chancellor (2007–2011), professor emeritus and adviser to the Centre for Bangla Studies of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB). He served as the chairman of the Nazrul Institute Trustee Board. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2001 and Independence Day Award in 2012 by the Government of  Bangladesh. Islam's notable books include "Nazrul Nirdeshika", Bhashtottya", "An Introduction to Colloquial Bengali", "Bangladesher Swadhinota Sangram", "Bhasha Andolan O Shahid Minar", "Dhakar Kotha", "Bhasha Andolan o Muktijhuddher Shahitya", "Swadhinotar Sangrame Dhaka Biswabidyalaya", and "Dhaka Biswabidyalayar Ashi Bosor". Education and career. Islam completed his masters in Bengali language and literature from the University of Dhaka in 1956. He then joined the same university as a research scholar and lecturer. He received a Fulbright Scholarship to study linguistics in the United States in 1959. He attended Yale University. He obtained a master's degree from Cornell University in general linguistics and  cultural anthropology in 1960. He joined the department of Bengali in the University of Dhaka as an assistant professor in 1961. He eventually served as a professor of the university. Later, he served as the vice-chancellor of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh. Islam wrote 30 books on the language, literature, history and culture of Bangladesh. Islam was the director general of Bangla Academy from April-December 2001. He served as a chairman of the Nazrul Institute Trustee Board. Islam died on 30 November 2021 at the Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.