Anok Ali Hossain Shahidi, Dhaka

The Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) has an undeniable role in the development of
the country’s agriculture, fisheries, food security and agricultural technology. For decades, the
university has played a leading role in producing skilled human resources in agriculture-related
fields, conducting fundamental and applied research, and developing new technologies.
Against this backdrop, the appointment of internationally renowned academic and researcher
Professor Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam Sardar as Vice-Chancellor of the university has generated
new expectations.

The Honourable President of Bangladesh and Chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural
University appointed him Vice-Chancellor of the university for a four-year term on September
8, 2026. A graduate of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Professor Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam
Sardar is the 27th Vice-Chancellor of the university. One month has already passed since he
assumed office. Within this short period, his active efforts to make the university’s academic,
research and administrative activities more dynamic have generated renewed expectations
among teachers, students, officers, employees and other stakeholders.

One notable aspect of his activities since assuming office is that he has approached the position
of Vice-Chancellor not merely as a formal administrative responsibility, but as an opportunity
to shape the university’s academic and research-oriented future. To this end, he has held
discussions with officials of the Ministry of Education, the University Grants Commission and
relevant stakeholders, focusing on action plans for the university’s academic, research and
administrative activities.

A Message of Coordination in the First Month
The development of a public university requires more than internal administration; effective
coordination with the Ministry of Education, the University Grants Commission, research
institutions, domestic and international universities, and relevant national and international
organisations is essential. By prioritising communication and consultations with these
stakeholders during his first month in office, Professor Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam Sardar has sent
a clear message about his administrative priorities.
This has created scope for developing coordinated plans aimed at making the university’s
academic and research activities more effective, ensuring the proper utilisation of existing
facilities, expanding the scope of research, and linking university research more closely with
national development needs.

Potential to Strengthen BAU as a Research Centre
One of the most significant aspects of Professor Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam Sardar’s leadership is
his extensive research experience. His specialised areas include fish breeding, molecular
genetics and biotechnology. Under his supervision, more than 35 MS students and eight PhD
students have completed their research. He has been involved in developing four fishery
technologies suitable for field-level application. He has also successfully served as the
Principal Investigator of 21 research projects conducted by various national and international
organisations.

This experience represents an important asset for making research activities at Bangladesh
Agricultural University more application-oriented. There is considerable scope for linking
university research more closely with fish production, improved breeding, genetic
advancement, aquatic biodiversity, biotechnology and modern aquaculture.

From Student to the University’s Top Leadership
A distinctive feature of Professor Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam Sardar’s leadership is that he himself
was a student of this university. In 1987, he obtained his BSc in Fisheries (Honours) from
Bangladesh Agricultural University, followed by an MSc in Fisheries Biology and Limnology
in 1988. He secured first position with First Class in both examinations. In recognition of his
outstanding academic performance, he received the University Award.

In 1998, he obtained his PhD degree from the University of Stirling and subsequently
conducted research under the STA Fellowship in Japan and the DAAD Fellowship in Germany.
His experience in the international research environment has further broadened his academic
perspective.

His elevation to the highest academic and administrative position of the university where his
academic journey began as a student represents a significant chapter after a long career in
teaching and research.

Three Decades of Teaching and Administrative Experience
Professor Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam Sardar began his professional career by joining Bangladesh
Agricultural University as a Lecturer in 1991. He was promoted to Assistant Professor in 1994,
Associate Professor in 2000 and Professor in 2005.

During his long teaching career, he has served in several important positions, including Head
of the Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries,
Convener of the Deans’ Council, Director of the Fish Museum and Germplasm Centre, Provost
of Fazlul Haque Hall and Convener of the Provosts’ Council.

As a result, before assuming the position of Vice-Chancellor, he had extensive experience
working at various levels of the university’s administrative structure. This experience now
provides a strong foundation for carrying out his responsibilities as Vice-Chancellor.

Longstanding Engagement with the Teachers’ Community
His longstanding involvement with the university’s teachers’ community is also significant in
his new role. Since February 1, 2024, he has been serving as President of the Bangladesh
Agricultural University Teachers’ Association. Earlier, he was elected a member with the
highest number of votes in 2013 and was elected General Secretary in 2015.

His leadership of the teachers’ representative organisation has given him direct experience of
the academic environment, teachers’ expectations, administrative issues and challenges at
different levels of the university.

Combining International Experience with National Needs
Professor Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam Sardar has visited the United Kingdom, France, Australia,
Japan, Denmark, Italy, Canada, China, Malaysia, Thailand, India, the Philippines, Germany,
Kyrgyzstan, the United States and Sri Lanka, among other countries. Through participation in
international seminars and symposia, he has maintained extensive engagement with the global
academic and research community.

Today, competition among agricultural universities is no longer confined to the national level.
Research publications, international collaboration, global research networks, technology
transfer and industry-research partnerships are becoming increasingly important. In this
context, his international research experience provides an opportunity to strengthen
Bangladesh Agricultural University’s global academic engagement.

A Broad Scope of Work Ahead
Considering the activities of his first month in office, teachers, students and other stakeholders
of the university now expect the initial consultations and action plans to gradually develop into
visible institutional programmes.

Improving the quality of academic activities, increasing research funding and international
collaboration, expanding the application of research findings at the field level, developing
students’ skills, strengthening modern laboratory and research infrastructure, accelerating
administrative services, and consolidating the university’s national and international position—
all could become important areas of work during his four-year tenure.

A New Chapter of Trust and Expectations
Professor Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam Sardar was born into a respected Muslim family in
Mangalakot village of Keshabpur Upazila in Jashore district. His father was the eminent
educationist, late Mohammad Maksed Ali Sardar, and his mother is Khodeja Begum. He is
married and has one daughter and one son.

From an academically accomplished student to an international researcher, a long-serving
teacher, a university administrator and an elected representative of the teachers’ community,
he has accumulated diverse experiences before assuming the responsibility of Vice-Chancellor
of Bangladesh Agricultural University.

During the first month of his tenure, his activities have demonstrated an initial emphasis on
coordination, active engagement and action-oriented leadership. The next major challenge
for his leadership will be to transform this initial dynamism into long-term institutional
development, research excellence and a student-friendly academic environment.
Bangladesh Agricultural University is an important centre of higher education and research in
agriculture and agriculture-related disciplines in the country. Therefore, expectations
surrounding Professor Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam Sardar’s four-year tenure as the university’s ViceChancellor are naturally broad.
If the momentum initiated during his first month in office develops into sustained, planned and
results-oriented activities, it could create greater opportunities to expand Bangladesh
Agricultural University’s academic, research and innovation landscape.