M. Shamsul Islam Khan, a legendary library professional, dies at 72
A pioneer of Bangladesh’s editing and publications management industry, a legendary library professional, M. Shamsul Islam Khan, died Friday between 12.30-12:45 AM at his residence in Dhaka. According to his family, the cause of death could be a brain stroke or a massive heart attack. M. Shamsul Islam Khan was 72 and is survived by his wife and three daughters.
He was very excited about his newly appointed position as the Chief Editor of BSMMU Research Journal. His departure is indeed an irreparable loss for BSMMU Research Journal and the greater LIS community in Bangladesh.
Mr Khan was actively involved with the Library Association of Bangladesh (LAB) for a decade, where he served as a General Secretary and President for two terms each. He provided strategic leadership in implementing many projects for the development of LIS profession in Bangladesh. He will be remembered for his unparalleled dedication to his work, and his tremendous contributions to the library service sector in Bangladesh.
In his distinguished professional career over the last 47 years, he worked in several renowned organisations in Bangladesh, namely Bangladesh, Central Public Library, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, Cholera Research Laboratory (CRL), icddr,b, and Bangladesh University of Health Sciences. During this period, he carried out professional responsibilities in organising and managing libraries and high-quality publications.
Mr Khan completed his higher secondary education from the reputed Saadat College, Tangail. He later obtained his postgraduate degrees from the University of Dhaka and University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh in Information Science and Library Management and Mass Media and Journalism, respectively. M. Shamsul Islam researches on the cultural history and history of science. Their most recent publication is ‘Bibliography on diarrhoeal diseases. Besides a good number of scholarly articles, he was a chapter contributor to a book titled ‘Library and Information Science: Parameters and Perspectives, Vol. 1.
We are truly sorry for the loss of our LIS legend M. Shamsul Islam Khan. Our thoughts and prayers will be with M. Shamsul Islam Khan’s family. Rest in Peace!