Mahfuza Khanam

Mahfuza Khanam is a Bangladeshi academic and social activist. She was the president of Asiatic Society of Bangladesh from 2018–2021.^[1] She was awarded Begum Rokeya Padak (2012) and Anannya Top Ten Awards (2013).^[2][3]

Mahfuza Khanam
মাহফুজা খানম
Khanam (right) accepting award from Mohiuddin Ahmed (May 1967)
President of Asiatic Society of Bangladesh
Incumbent
Assumed office 22 January 2018
Preceded by	Amirul Islam Chowdhury
Personal details
Nationality	Bangladeshi
Spouse	Shafique Ahmed

Career

While Khanam was a student of the University of Dhaka, she served as the vice-president of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU).^[4] In 2009, Khanam served as the General Secretary of Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.^[5]

Khanam served as the director general of Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education.^[6] She served as the chairperson of Khelaghar Ashor, an organisation for children.^[7][8] She is also the president of several organisations including Manikganj Samity in Dhaka, Peshajibi Nari Samaj (Professional Women Society) and Federation of World Teachers' Association (FWTA).^[9][10][11] She is a vice-president on the executive committee of the Itihas Academy.^[12] She also served as 15th Principal of Manikgonj Gov't Women's College, Manikgonj.^[13]

Award

Begum Mahfuza Khanom was awarded for Ekushey Padak (it is the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, introduced in memory of the martyrs of the Bengali Language Movement of 1952. The award is given to recognize contributions in a number of fields, including culture, education, and economics.) In 2021, The Ministry of Cultural Affairs administers the award to 21 distinguished citizens of the country for outstanding contributions in their respective fields.^[14] She got the award for the contribution in Education.

Personal life

Khanam was born to Mustafizur Rahman Khan and Saleha Khanam.^[15] She is married to Shafique Ahmed, a barrister and a former minister of law.^[16]

References

1. "Presidents". Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. Archived from the original on Dec 20, 2023. Retrieved Jan 19, 2024.
2. "Blockade aims to save war criminals: PM". The Daily Star. 2012-12-10. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
3. "Ananya awards 10 women". The Daily Star. 2013-08-27. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
4. Alamgir, Mohiuddin; Hasan, Rashidul (2019-03-09). "Absence of Ducsu for decades degraded student politics". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
5. "President lauds Asiatic Society". The Daily Star. 2009-09-06. Archived from the original on 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
6. "Body formed to remove managerial weaknesses". The Daily Star. 2009-10-01. Archived from the original on 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
7. "'Influential quarters in remote areas often shelter culprits'". The Daily Star. 2019-07-06. Archived from the original on 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
8. "Khelaghar for special tribunal to try crimes against children". The Daily Star. 2018-05-05. Archived from the original on 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
9. Shah, Zahangir (2012-05-18). "School magazine Kantabotee launched in Manikganj". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
10. "'No criminal can escape trial'". The Daily Star. 2012-04-29. Archived from the original on 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
11. "Plot on to foil war crimes trial". The Daily Star. 2011-12-25. Archived from the original on Dec 10, 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
12. "Executive Committee". Itihas Academy. Archived from the original on Jun 9, 2023.
13. "College Administration". Manikgonj Government Women's College. Archived from the original on Dec 4, 2021.
14. "21 named for Ekushey Padak 2021". Dhaka Tribune. 2021-02-04. Archived from the original on Feb 4, 2021.
15. "Two trust funds set up at DU". The Daily Star. 2012-12-20. Archived from the original on 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
16. "161 students get Prof Mahfuza Khanam-Barrister Shafique Ahmed stipend". The Daily Star. 2016-10-01. Archived from the original on 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2019-12-10.