Sukomal Barua
Sukomal Barua (born 1955) is a Bangladeshi educationist. He is a Professor in the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies at University of Dhaka. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2006 by the Government of Bangladesh for his contribution to education. He is a member of advisory council in Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Early life. Barua was born in 1955 in Dhemsha Union, Satkania Upazila, Chittagong District to Ganash Chandra Barua and Buddhimati Barua. Career. Barua started his career as a lecturer at Rangunia College and later as the founding principal at Hasina Jamal Degree College. He then joined  University of Dhaka as a professor of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies. He became chairman of Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies in University of Dhaka. He is an adjunct professor of Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology. Barua served as the secretary general of "Religions for Peace Bangladesh" and is a member of the central committee of the "Asian Conference of Religions for Peace". He was first principal of Dhaka International Buddhist Monastery. He was also the president of the Gurudwara Management Committee Bangladesh and Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, vice-president of the Bangladesh Interreligious Writers and  Journalists Association, and the Bangladesh chapter of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace. He is President of the Bangladesh Chapter of World Buddhist Federation and Chairman of Council for Interfaith Hermony in Bangladesh. Personal life. Barua has a daughter, Sanghamitra Barua Manosi. She introduced Sukomal Barua Gold Medal at the University of Dhaka. She formed a trust fund of four lakh taka in 2014 and from the proceeds of this fund, the gold medal is awarded annually to the student who achieves the highest marks in the final examinations of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies. In 2017, the  size of this fund stood at 10 lakh taka.