New VC Professor Al-Forkan outlines bold vision for Chittagong University's future

Professor Mohammad Al-Forkan of the department of genetic engineering and biotechnology has taken charge as the new vice-chancellor of the University of Chittagong.

After joining the office, he met with the teachers, officials and employees of the university in a meeting for an exchange of views on Tuesday, said a press release.

Mentioning that he has a plan for this university, the VC sought the cooperation of all the teachers, students, officials and employees of the university in implementing this plan.

He said, 'I believe that with the sincere cooperation of all of you, this university will reach unique heights and my vision, mission and plan will be fulfilled.'

Moderated by CU proctor Professor Hossain Shahid Sarwardy, CU pro-VC, administration, Professor Md Kamal Uddin, and science faculty dean Professor Mohammad Al-Amin spoke at the meeting.

The vice-chancellor paid tribute to the Language Movement martyrs at the Shaheed Minar, to the freedom fighters at the Independence Monument, and to the martyred intellectuals at the Intellectuals' Square.

Also present at the time were CU pro-VC, administration, Professor Md Kamal Uddin; pro-VC, academic, Professor Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan; and pro-VC of Jamalpur Science and Technology University Professor Mosharraf Hossain.

A founding chairman of the CU's department of genetic engineering and biotechnology, Mohammad Al-Forkan obtained first class both in his BSc, honours, and MS degrees in botany from the CU.

He began his academic career as a lecturer in the department of botany in 1993 and was promoted to professor in 2006.

Professor Al-Forkan earned his PhD from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, conducting research on genetic engineering of indica rice. He later completed postdoctoral research on improving the quality of oilseed crops at the University of Alberta in Canada and the Agricultural Research Council.

He also served as a visiting professor at the University of California in the United States.

Under his initiative, the genetic engineering and biotechnology department set up the Functional Genomics and Proteomics Laboratory and a state-of-the-art automated climate-controlled greenhouse.

During the covid crisis, he served as a coordinator in covid detection activities at the university.

During his 31-year academic and research career, he has published 51 research articles.

Professor Al-Forkan has also served on the editorial boards of several international journals and worked as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Biological Sciences.