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Dr. Shamsun Nahar Khan
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Outstanding & blessed Young Women Scientist from Bangladesh – Dr. Shamsun Nahar Khan, the eldest daughter of Begum Hasmat Ara M.D. and Sahfique Khan. Her father is a well known activist from Bangladesh, profoundly involved with the development of the country by serving himself as an Executive Director and Senior Advisor of Gonoshahthaya Kendra (Peoples’ Health Center; Coordinator Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, is the winner of Alternative Nobel Prize”), and has played a prominent role in nation building, as a health care provider to a vast majority of population in Bangladesh particular with respect to global health care issues.
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Dr. Shamsun Nahar Khan
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Associate Professor,
Dept. of Pharmacy
Dept. of Pharmacy
Dr. Shamsun Nahar Khan |
Associate Professor, Dept. of Pharmacy |
East West University |
A/2, Jahurul Islam City, Aftabnagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh |
Phone:09666775577- Ext:137 |
Email: shamsun@ewubd.edu |
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Office: 137
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https://www.facebook.com/shamsunnahar.khan.7
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BANGLADESH
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Dr. Shamsun Khan’s, Mother Dr. Hasmat Ara started her career as a medical doctor (Dhaka Medical College) and later on engaged herself as an academician to teach Pharmacology at the Bangladesh Medical College – one of the most renowned medical institute of the country. Dr. Khan has been brought up by her parents in an intellectually enlightened environment.
Shamsun, has spent indeed a great deal of her childhood time with her maternal grandparents Mohammad Harun Mallick and Mrs. Raisa Harun, – who served the Bengal Civil Service Cadre. Mrs. Raisa Harun has made an extensive contribution in the development of education system and economical status of woman in Bangladesh and has also been decorated with the prestigious Presidential award for her elaborate contributions to the social welfare to the woman deprived from social benefits in the country. Dr. Shamsun Khan has been influenced, groomed, embraced and encouraged by her grandmother from childhood towards nation building.
Regarding the research:
Dr. Khan’s started her drug discovery research during her undergraduate training in Dhaka, by conducting clinical trials studying various important indigenous medicinal plants and their bioactivity on chronic skin diseases. These diseases, according to Dr. Khan did not show any sensitivity or activity using conventional steroids, but observed fascinating bio-activity by using these medicinal plants. So she went ahead and isolated multi drug resistant clinical bacterium specimen from different clinical disease conditions and discovered that many of the plants extracts of these medicinal plants are highly bioactive on these bacterium specimens.
Dr. Khan’s started her drug discovery research during her undergraduate training in Dhaka, by conducting clinical trials studying various important indigenous medicinal plants and their bioactivity on chronic skin diseases. These diseases, according to Dr. Khan did not show any sensitivity or activity using conventional steroids, but observed fascinating bio-activity by using these medicinal plants. So she went ahead and isolated multi drug resistant clinical bacterium specimen from different clinical disease conditions and discovered that many of the plants extracts of these medicinal plants are highly bioactive on these bacterium specimens.
This led to Dr. Shamsun’s keen interest in the drug discovery and development, that started earlier in her research career. Till date, she has discovered more than 20 classes of new alpha-glucosidase inhibitors from both natural and synthetic sources. These are of interest, due to their therapeutic potential in the treatment of variety of disorders, such as diabetes, HIV infection, cancer, and lysosomal storage diseases. Results of this research are reflected in her thirty research publications, in peer-reviewed and reputed journals.
Due to the important clinical and industrial applications of her research, she has been awarded a total of 7 US patents and publications. She has also expanded her work to the enzyme stabilizers by characterizing Pulicarside-1; which helps to increase efficiency of the alpha-glucosidase by reducing the production cost of monosaccharide from disaccharides. She has elaborated her work to the method development of clinical / synthetic fungal transformation.
Dr. Khan has shown an extraordinary enthusiasm for both chemistry and biology since her doctorate studies, and carried out a variety of interdisciplinary investigations, including: anticancer studies; enzyme kinetics using chromatographic techniques; homology modelling; and pesticide & medicinal plant analysis etc. She eventually focused her efforts on the identification of enzymes associated with different clinical conditions and a kinetic study of enzyme inhibition.
One of Dr. Khan’s projects involved the identification of a complex structure of 7sk small nuclear RNA and HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus) Tat peptide through NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance). She has currently completed this project successfully with excellent findings. One of the findings includes introducing innovative research idea in the country specially to work in the interface of chemistry and biology. She is currently working in the field of pharmacology and enzymology along with phytochemical investigation of medicinal plants in Bangladesh.
Dr. Khan’s project was also involved in the identification of a complex structure of 7sk small nuclear RNA and HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus) Tat peptide through NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance). She has completed the project successfully with an excellent finding. She is introducing this innovative research idea in the country specially to work in the interface of chemistry and biology. She is working in the field of pharmacology and enzymology along with phytochemical investigation of medicinal plants in Bangladesh.
Dr. Khan is now working on developing novel alpha glucosidase inhibitors – alpha glucosidases are known to be the enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Their inhibitors interfere with the absorption of glucose in the gut, and could help to control the blood sugar level in type-2 diabetes. Dr. Khan has identified some major inhibitors within different families of natural compounds, such as terpenoids, flavonoids and iridoids, as well as within synthetic compounds such as biscoumarins, isocoumarins and chalcone derivatives.
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Awards & Accolades:
Khan began her academic career in 1999 as a lecturer in the Department of Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacology, at Gono Bishwabidyalaya (People’s University), in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In 2002, she was awarded a postgraduate fellowship to undertake research on a PhD by the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), which is hosted by TWAS at its headquarters in Trieste. Khan completed her thesis at the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, at the University of Karachi, Pakistan, in 2008.
Shamsun Nahar Khan is the holder of 7 patents, and the recipient of several
awards, including the award of Merit Scholarship Programme for High Technology from the Islamic Development Bank in Saudi Arabia. She supervised some 20 students between 2008 and 2010, and has authored more than 30 papers in international peer-reviewed journals. For these contributions to her field, Khan was awarded the Atta-ur-Rahman Prize for chemistry.
Khan began her academic career in 1999 as a lecturer in the Department of Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacology, at Gono Bishwabidyalaya (People’s University), in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In 2002, she was awarded a postgraduate fellowship to undertake research on a PhD by the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), which is hosted by TWAS at its headquarters in Trieste. Khan completed her thesis at the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, at the University of Karachi, Pakistan, in 2008.
Shamsun Nahar Khan is the holder of 7 patents, and the recipient of several
awards, including the award of Merit Scholarship Programme for High Technology from the Islamic Development Bank in Saudi Arabia. She supervised some 20 students between 2008 and 2010, and has authored more than 30 papers in international peer-reviewed journals. For these contributions to her field, Khan was awarded the Atta-ur-Rahman Prize for chemistry.
Shamsun has had been invited for many international conferences and university for her talk including, most prestigious 42nd congress of IUPAC (International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry) held in Glasgow, UK and University of Bath, UK in 2009.
She has had been awarded “TWOWS Postgraduate Fellowship” to start her Ph.D. due to her keen research interest. For her excellent performance as an academician, East West University awarded her “Excellence in Research and Teaching” award.
Publications:
One of her important contribution is as an author of a chapter of a book entitled “Bioassay Models for Antidiabetic Activity of Natural Products” published by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Trieste, Italy. This chapter is very often used as guidelines for the alpha-glucosidase inhibition and in-vivo pharmacological studies for diabetic and related research work by the researchers.
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One of her important contribution is as an author of a chapter of a book entitled “Bioassay Models for Antidiabetic Activity of Natural Products” published by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Trieste, Italy. This chapter is very often used as guidelines for the alpha-glucosidase inhibition and in-vivo pharmacological studies for diabetic and related research work by the researchers.
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Profile:
Dr. Shamsun Nahar Khan, Born in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 1974, Shamsun Nahar Khan received the first Atta-ur-Rahman Prize in chemistry in 2012, she has been also awarded TWAS-Bangladesh Young Scientist Award in 2011.
Dr. Shamsun Nahar Khan, Born in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 1974, Shamsun Nahar Khan received the first Atta-ur-Rahman Prize in chemistry in 2012, she has been also awarded TWAS-Bangladesh Young Scientist Award in 2011.
Dr. Khan has Bachelor and Master’s in Pharmacy, being a Professional she has chosen to develop her carrier as an academician and continued her research in academia. Dr. Khan has been recently completed her postdoctoral training program from the department of Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, Cambridge, MA, USA.
Shamsun is exceptionally resourceful; she has established well-equipped laboratories with HPLC (High pressure Liquid Chromatography, IR (Infrared Spectroscopy), GC (Gas Chromatography) to facilitate research work at her university.
During pursuing her Ph.D she showed her courage and volunteer as a coordinator of her research group at her host research institute for a significantly longer period of time. She was actively involved in organizing more than a dozen’s of international conferences and workshops. At this moment she is serving as an Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy, East West University Currently Shamsun is guiding more than 10 research students at Masters and graduate levels. Shamsun is looking forward to have contemporary science education in Bangladesh.
Currently Shamsun is guiding more than 10 research students at Masters and graduate levels. Shamsun is looking forward to have contemporary science education in Bangladesh.
Prof. Shamsun Nahar Khan article on Drug Discovery and Development in Bangladesh
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Dr. Shamsun Nahar Khan, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy, East West University, has been selected as a Young Affiliated Fellow of World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). TWAS is a global science academy based in Trieste, Italy, it is working to advance science and engineering for sustainable prosperity in the developing world as well developed world. Dr. Khan’s affiliation was announced and the certificate was given by TWAS President, Professor Chunli Bai from China through an induction ceremony, in the presence of the Executive Director, Secretary General and many other officials of TWAS, which was held during the 25th Annual General Meeting of TWAS on 27 October 2014, in Muscat, Oman. A total 400 participants from different disciplines of science participated in this conference from all over the world. Dr. Khan presented her scientific research paper on the 28 October 2014 at the conference.
Dr. Shamsun Nahar Khan Receiving First "ATTA-UR-RAHMAN PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY" from The Ministry of Science & Technology Banglore India on 8th March 2014.
Post Doctoral Training:
Dr. Shamsun Nahar Khan has completed her post-doctoral training program at Molecular and Cellular biology, Harvard University, USA in January 2013.
Ph.D:
Dr. Shamsun Nahar Khan has been awarded a PostgraduateFellowship from TWAS, Trieste Italy, has been established by Noble Laureate Professor Dr. Abdus Salam. Dr. Khan has submitted her thesis at International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, H.E.J Research Institute of Chemistry University of Karachi, Pakistan, December 2008.
M. Pharm (Masters in Pharmacy):
Dr. Khan completed her M. Pharm from Jahangirnagar University.
B. Pharm (Bachelor of pharmacy):
Dr. Khan completed her M. Pharm from Jahangirnagar University.
Awards& Honors:
"ATTA-UR-RAHMAN PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY"September, 2012 by Third world Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Trieste, Itally.
TWAS-BANGLADESH ACADEMY of SCIENCES-2011 Prize to Young Scientists from Bangladesh Award 2011, Bangladesh Academy of Science and Third world Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Trieste, Itally.
AWARD of "MERIT SCHOALRSHIP PROGRAM FOR HIGH TECHNOLOGY" Sept, 2010, Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Award of "EXCELLENCE in RESEARCH and TEACHING", 14 Foundation Day, East West University, (2009).
Award of "TWOWS POSTGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP", 23rd May 2002, Third world Organization for Women in Science, Trieste, Itally, C/O Third world Academy of Sciences (TWAS).
"Fellowship for International Graduating Students"by International Center for Chemical and Biological Science, H.E.J. ?Research Institute of Chemistry, 2007-2008
"Visiting Research Fellowship" by COMSTECH 2000,
Jahangir Nagar University Talent Scholarship1992-1993
Bangladesh Government Talent Scholarship, 1989-1991 (full free studentship) (Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Dhaka SSC Examination)
US Patents:
1. Patent Title: Method of producing tibolone metabolites by fermentation with Rhizopusstolonifer, Inventors: AttaurRahman, Mohammed IqbalChoudhary, Syed Adnan Ali Shah, Shamsun Nahar Khan, Assignees: International Center for Chemical Sciences ?IPC8 Class: AC12P3300FI ?USPC Class: 435 52 ?Class name: Preparing compound containing a cyclopentanohydrophenanthrene nucleus; nor-, homo-, or D-ring lactone derivatives thereof ?Publication date: 05/26/2011, US?Patent application number: 20110124041, (2011). USA
2. Patent Title:Method of producing tibolone metabolites by fermentation with Fusariumlini, Inventors: AttaurRahman, Mohammed IqbalChoudhary, Syed Adnan Ali Shah, Shamsun Nahar Khan, Assignees: International Center for Chemical Sciences ?IPC8 Class: AC12P3300FI ?USPC Class: 435 52 ?Class name: Preparing compound containing a cyclopentanohydrophenanthrene nucleus; nor-, homo-, or D-ring lactone derivatives thereof ?Publication date: 05/26/2011 US?Patent application number: 20110124042, (2011). USA
3. Patent Title:Method of producing tibolone metabolites by fermentation with Gibberellafujikuroi, Inventors: Atta-ur-Rahman, Mohammad IqbalChoudharySyed Adnan Ali Shah, Shamsun Nahar Khan,International Center for Chemical Sciences, IPC8 Class: AC12P3312FI ?USPC Class: 435 54 ?Class name: Acting on D-ring ?Publication date: 05/26/2011, US?Patent application number: 20110124043 (2011), USA.
4. Patent Title:Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors from fungal hydroxylation of Tibolone and hydroxytibolones, Inventors: Atta-ur-Rahman, MuhammedIqbalChoudhary, Syed Adnan Ali Shah, Shamsun Nahar KhanIPC8 Class: AC12P3306FI, USPC Class: 514178. US?Patent application number: 20090137542, (2009).USA
5. Patent Title: New alpha-glucosidase inhibitors and antibacterial compounds from Myrtuscommunis L., Inventors: AttaurRahman, Mohammad IqbalChoudhary, FarzanaShaheen, Manzoor Ahmad, Shamsun Nahar Khan, ShaziaAnjum, Assignees:International Center for Chemical Sciences, IPC8Class: AC07D49304FI, USPC Class: 549382
Class name: Pentacyclo ring system having the hetero ring as one of the cyclos
Publication date: 10/30/2008, US Patent application number: 20080269510, (2008). USA
6. Patent Title:?-amyrin acetate for treatment of diabetes mellitus, Inventors: Wijayabandara, Mirihanage Don Jayantha; Khan, Shamsun Nahar Khan; Choudhary, Muhammad Iqbal, Publication date: 05/01/2008, US?Patent application number: US2006-553465, (2008). USA
7. Patent Title: Patent application title: Novel alpha glucosidase activator, pulicarside 1, Inventors: ViqarUddin Ahmad, Muhammad IqalChoudhary, Nasir Khan, Shamsun Nahar Khan, Assignees: HEJ Research Institute, IPC8 Class: AA61K317028FI, USPC Class: 514 27, Class name: Oxygen of the saccharide radical bonded directly to a nonsaccharide hetero ring or a polycyclo ring system which contains a nonsaccharide hetero ring, Publication date: 11/06/2008
Patent application number: 20080274987, (2008), USA
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Dr. Shamsun Nahar Khan, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy, East West University, has been selected as a Young Affiliated Fellow of World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). TWAS is a global science academy based in Trieste, Italy, it is working to advance science and engineering for sustainable prosperity in the developing world as well developed world. Dr. Khan’s affiliation was announced and the certificate was given by TWAS President, Professor Chunli Bai from China through an induction ceremony, in the presence of the Executive Director, Secretary General and many other officials of TWAS, which was held during the 25th Annual General Meeting of TWAS on 27 October 2014, in Muscat, Oman. A total 400 participants from different disciplines of science participated in this conference from all over the world. Dr. Khan presented her scientific research paper on the 28 October 2014 at the conference.
Dr. Shamsun Nahar Khan Receiving First "ATTA-UR-RAHMAN PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY" from The Ministry of Science & Technology Banglore India on 8th March 2014.
Post Doctoral Training:
Dr. Shamsun Nahar Khan has completed her post-doctoral training program at Molecular and Cellular biology, Harvard University, USA in January 2013.
Ph.D:
Dr. Shamsun Nahar Khan has been awarded a PostgraduateFellowship from TWAS, Trieste Italy, has been established by Noble Laureate Professor Dr. Abdus Salam. Dr. Khan has submitted her thesis at International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, H.E.J Research Institute of Chemistry University of Karachi, Pakistan, December 2008.
M. Pharm (Masters in Pharmacy):
Dr. Khan completed her M. Pharm from Jahangirnagar University.
B. Pharm (Bachelor of pharmacy):
Dr. Khan completed her M. Pharm from Jahangirnagar University.
Awards& Honors:
"ATTA-UR-RAHMAN PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY"September, 2012 by Third world Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Trieste, Itally.
TWAS-BANGLADESH ACADEMY of SCIENCES-2011 Prize to Young Scientists from Bangladesh Award 2011, Bangladesh Academy of Science and Third world Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Trieste, Itally.
AWARD of "MERIT SCHOALRSHIP PROGRAM FOR HIGH TECHNOLOGY" Sept, 2010, Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Award of "EXCELLENCE in RESEARCH and TEACHING", 14 Foundation Day, East West University, (2009).
Award of "TWOWS POSTGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP", 23rd May 2002, Third world Organization for Women in Science, Trieste, Itally, C/O Third world Academy of Sciences (TWAS).
"Fellowship for International Graduating Students"by International Center for Chemical and Biological Science, H.E.J. ?Research Institute of Chemistry, 2007-2008
"Visiting Research Fellowship" by COMSTECH 2000,
Jahangir Nagar University Talent Scholarship1992-1993
Bangladesh Government Talent Scholarship, 1989-1991 (full free studentship) (Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Dhaka SSC Examination)
US Patents:
1. Patent Title: Method of producing tibolone metabolites by fermentation with Rhizopusstolonifer, Inventors: AttaurRahman, Mohammed IqbalChoudhary, Syed Adnan Ali Shah, Shamsun Nahar Khan, Assignees: International Center for Chemical Sciences ?IPC8 Class: AC12P3300FI ?USPC Class: 435 52 ?Class name: Preparing compound containing a cyclopentanohydrophenanthrene nucleus; nor-, homo-, or D-ring lactone derivatives thereof ?Publication date: 05/26/2011, US?Patent application number: 20110124041, (2011). USA
2. Patent Title:Method of producing tibolone metabolites by fermentation with Fusariumlini, Inventors: AttaurRahman, Mohammed IqbalChoudhary, Syed Adnan Ali Shah, Shamsun Nahar Khan, Assignees: International Center for Chemical Sciences ?IPC8 Class: AC12P3300FI ?USPC Class: 435 52 ?Class name: Preparing compound containing a cyclopentanohydrophenanthrene nucleus; nor-, homo-, or D-ring lactone derivatives thereof ?Publication date: 05/26/2011 US?Patent application number: 20110124042, (2011). USA
3. Patent Title:Method of producing tibolone metabolites by fermentation with Gibberellafujikuroi, Inventors: Atta-ur-Rahman, Mohammad IqbalChoudharySyed Adnan Ali Shah, Shamsun Nahar Khan,International Center for Chemical Sciences, IPC8 Class: AC12P3312FI ?USPC Class: 435 54 ?Class name: Acting on D-ring ?Publication date: 05/26/2011, US?Patent application number: 20110124043 (2011), USA.
4. Patent Title:Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors from fungal hydroxylation of Tibolone and hydroxytibolones, Inventors: Atta-ur-Rahman, MuhammedIqbalChoudhary, Syed Adnan Ali Shah, Shamsun Nahar KhanIPC8 Class: AC12P3306FI, USPC Class: 514178. US?Patent application number: 20090137542, (2009).USA
5. Patent Title: New alpha-glucosidase inhibitors and antibacterial compounds from Myrtuscommunis L., Inventors: AttaurRahman, Mohammad IqbalChoudhary, FarzanaShaheen, Manzoor Ahmad, Shamsun Nahar Khan, ShaziaAnjum, Assignees:International Center for Chemical Sciences, IPC8Class: AC07D49304FI, USPC Class: 549382
Class name: Pentacyclo ring system having the hetero ring as one of the cyclos
Publication date: 10/30/2008, US Patent application number: 20080269510, (2008). USA
6. Patent Title:?-amyrin acetate for treatment of diabetes mellitus, Inventors: Wijayabandara, Mirihanage Don Jayantha; Khan, Shamsun Nahar Khan; Choudhary, Muhammad Iqbal, Publication date: 05/01/2008, US?Patent application number: US2006-553465, (2008). USA
7. Patent Title: Patent application title: Novel alpha glucosidase activator, pulicarside 1, Inventors: ViqarUddin Ahmad, Muhammad IqalChoudhary, Nasir Khan, Shamsun Nahar Khan, Assignees: HEJ Research Institute, IPC8 Class: AA61K317028FI, USPC Class: 514 27, Class name: Oxygen of the saccharide radical bonded directly to a nonsaccharide hetero ring or a polycyclo ring system which contains a nonsaccharide hetero ring, Publication date: 11/06/2008
Patent application number: 20080274987, (2008), USA
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Interview by Florian, Montebello, Montreal , Canada
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East West University (EWU) (Bengali: ইস্টওয়েস্ট বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়) is a private university located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was established in 1996 by the Private University Act, 1992.[2] Its campus is in Jahrul Islam City, Aftabnagar.
The university is accredited by the government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, and its curricula and programs have been approved by the Bangladesh University Grants Commission. The President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is the Chancellor of EWU. The Vice Chancellor, the Pro-Vice Chancellor, and the Treasurer are appointees of the President of the country in his capacity as the Chancellor of the University.
East West University has collaboration agreements with Pace University, Suffolk University, Southern Illinois University, University of Luton, University of Fukui. EWU has entered into collaboration agreements with universities in the USA, UK and Australia.
Pharmacy Council of Bangladesh is the sole accreditation authority in Bangladesh to accredit professional degree programme in Pharmacy. The council accredited the Department of Pharmacy, East West University on August 13, 2007.
The university has student clubs to promote sporting and academic activities.
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East West University | |
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Motto | "Excellence in Education" |
Established | 1996 |
Type | Private |
Chancellor | President Abdul Hamid |
President | Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin (Trustee Board) |
Vice-Chancellor | Professor Ahmed Shafee |
Academic staff
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Full Time: 290[1] Adjunct: 120[1] |
Administrative staff
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350 |
Undergraduates | 9000 students (approx) |
Postgraduates | 2500 students (approx) |
Location | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
Campus | Urban Jahurul Islam City, Aftab Nagar, Dhaka 1212 |
Colors | Blue |
Nickname | EWU |
Affiliations | University Grants Commission |
Website | www.ewubd.edu |
Jahurul Islam City, Aftabnagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Jahurul Islam City, Aftabnagar, Merul Badda
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Aftab Nagar - Main road
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Dr. Shamsun Nahar Khan post ends............want a tour then continue or stop here
VISIT INDIA
Glimpses of india
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Love, cast in stone: Temples in India depicting erotic art
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Built by the Chandela Kings who were greatly influenced by Tantric traditions, this temple is said to represent the ultimate seductress.
While the fine sandstone statues built earlier have a well rounded finish, the ones made later are more angular. In his history of the Kamasutra, Mc Connachie describes the amorous sculptures as "the apogee of erotic art", where the twisting, broad hipped and high breasted nymphs, fleshy apsaras and extravagantly interlocked maithunas run riot along the surface of stone.
The various scenes of passionate love making, in acrobatic postures that sometimes border on the physically impossible, strike viewers. Look out for the bold panels of multiple partners engaged with each other. For an interesting perspective on Khajuraho, watch the Sound and Light show. The best time to visit is during the Khajuraho Dance Festival in the first week of February.
Markandeshwar Temple, Maharashtra
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Near the naxal district of Gadchiroli, the Markandeshwar temple complex, by the River Wainganga, showcases a sprinkling of erotic art. A couple performing ‘fellacio’ will raise eyebrows. Know to be built by danavas (evil forces) in one night, the temple is made from stone, and follows Hemadpanth architecture. The annual fair during Mahashivratri attracts devotees from far and wide every year. Hiring a car from Nagpur is recommended, unless you fancy hitch-hiking with villagers past moonlit fields or changing several buses and autos. If you're stranded, look for the dharamshala near the temple.
Padawali Temple, Madhya Pradesh
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In Morena district near the Chambal Valley, once notorious for dacoits, lies the fortress of Padawali. Two stalwart lion statues greet you at its entrance. The temple inside has earned the reputation being a 'Mini Khajuraho' due to the prevalence of erotic art. The difference between big brother Khajuraho and Padawali Temple, is that the erotic art here seems less acrobatic and more ‘real life' and 'doable’. The carvings of maithunas in various positions, ranging from simple to difficult almost brings the Kamasutra to life.
Ranakpur Jain Temples, Rajasthan
This marble temple of superlative beauty is a ‘vision in white’ with its domes, shikharas and turrets. Over 1,444 intricately carved marble pillars hold up the temple and a monolithic marble rock depicting over 100 snakes catches the eye. Look out for a panel depicting several experimental love making scenes, in a line with a central queen-like figure seated on a throne, with an amorous midget on her lap. It's interesting to note that not only Hindus, but even Jains decorated temples with erotic art. It hints at how nudity had a religious connect due to the 'Digambara’ ideology or the Tantric cult.
Sun Temple, Orissa
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When I first visited the Sun Temple at Konarak in Orissa, as a giggly 16-year-old , I was taken aback by how the panels revealed way more about the ‘birds and bees’ than our biology classes had taught us. My second visit recently, helped me appreciate the beautiful erotic art better. The brazenness of the sculptures here gives Khajuraho stiff competition; one of the most scandalous panels is of a dog licking a woman’s genital area. I overheard a guide say, "this was considered a cure for sex related infections, as the dog’s saliva has antibiotic properties." Scenes of polygamy, polyandry and lesbian love are blissfully abundant.
An architectural genius, this temple shows the Sun God on a colossal chariot drawn by seven horses. The word Konarak is a combination of Kona (corner) and Arka (Sun). The temple was previously located closer to the sea, but the magnetic properties of its stone caused shipwrecks. This, along with the dark colour of its stones, earned it the tile of 'The Black Pagoda'. An interesting study in contrast is the famous Jagannath Temple at Puri, also referred to as ‘The White Pagoda' due to its whitewashed walls. If you are an art enthusiast you must visit the Konarak Archaeological Museum nearby that contains fallen sculptures from the temple.
Sun Temple, Gujarat
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It is believed to be the place where Lord Rama conducted a yagna here to purify himself of the sin of killing a Brahmana-Ravana. Like Konarak, its architecture is such that the temple catches the first rays of the rising sun. The most striking feature of the temple is a perfectly designed Kama Kunda (water tank) meant for ablutions and for a reflection of the temple in the water. It has lateral stone steps leading down to the tank, allowing both direct and diagonal descent from all sides. Carvings of men and women in various acts of sex with small midget like creatures are prominent. However, due to erosion the detailing of the stone carvings is blurred in places.
Osian, Rajasthan
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Amidst the sand dunes of Thar, Osian has a cluster of Hindu and Jain temples dating back to the 11 century AD. The Sachiya Mata temple dedicated to the resident Goddess has a gorgeous carved archway leading up to the shrine and has some beautiful depiction of erotic love locked couples, complete with details like the bed on which the couples lie.
Virupaksha Temple, Karnataka
On the banks of the Tungabhadra River, this temple with beautiful pillars and towered gateways dedicated to Lord Shiva in his avatar as Virupaksha. It is one of the oldest functioning temples since the 7th century AD. A panel that catches the eyes depicts a nude woman being 'admired' by men and women around her. It is best to visit the temple, during the Hampi festival in November. While in the area, also check out the erotic art on the pillars of the Achyutaraya temple.
Several other temples in South India like Belur, Halebidu, Somanathapura and Nugguhalli, the Badami and Banashankari temples of the Chalukya times and the Vijayanagar temples of Bhatkal and Lepakshi also have a profusion of erotic art. The Meenakshi temple of Madurai and Veeraranarayan temple of Gadag have erotic sculptures on their Gopuram. (Information about other temples with erotic art in South India taken from www.kamat.com)
No one has summed up the beauty of erotica on temple walls better than Tagore while he was referring to Konarak, 'The language of man here is defeated by the language of stone.’
Make 19th Birthday memorable: Donate Blood
ReplyDeleteDo you know even a small population like Bhutan outranks Bangladesh in Voluntary Blood Donation in South-Asian countries? But it is very much possible to meet our entire need just from birthday donations of a mere 3% of our 18-60 age group population. So let our 19th birthday be memorable with the first gift of blood.
And donate blood in lab. When you donate blood in lab it can be separated in multiple contents and can be used to save at least 4 individuals. As the processing needs to be started right after the blood is donated that can’t be done if it is donated in camp or somewhere else.
And donate blood in the lab. It is possible to save 4 individuals, as the blood is separated in its 4 components, and the work can be started right away if the blood is donated in lab.
For more information : Quantum Foundation