DHAKA, April 15, 2025 (BSS)- Ekushey Padak winning eminent educationist, scientist, researcher and writer Professor Dr Ahmed Shamsul Islam passed away yesterday (April 14).

He was 100 at the time of his death.

He left behind two sons, a daughter, and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.

The namaz-e-janaza of Shamsul Islam was held at Gulshan Central Mosque. Later, he was laid to eternal rest at Banani Graveyard.

His eldest son Professor Dr Yusuf Islam is the Vice-Chancellor of Southeast University. His only daughter Dr Zeba Islam is a professor at the University Grants Commission while his youngest son Engineer Khalid Islam is an IT specialist based in Silicon Valley, USA.

Professor Saiful Islam taught botany for over 40 years at the University of Dhaka and other institutions around the world. He also served as a supernumerary professor at Dhaka University.

In his research career, he achieved a major milestone by successfully hybridising two commercial varieties of jute for the first time. He also pioneered tissue culture and micropropagation techniques for jute.

Among his notable awards are the President's Gold Medal in Agriculture (1984), Ekushey Padak in Education (1986), BAS Gold Medal in Biology (1987), Bangladesh Botanical Association Gold Medal (1997), and the GNOBB Lifetime Achievement Award (2017).

In 1980, he founded the Qur'anic School Society to spread the teachings of the Holy Quran among young children.

His notable publications include 'Smritir Pote Jibon Chhobi', 'Rhymes of the Heart', 'Bongshogotibidyar Moolkotha', and 'Gene Prokoushol.'