Atta-ur-Rahman (chemist) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Atta-ur-Rahman NI, FRS, FPAS
Atta-ur-Rahman in 2014
Born	(1942-09-22) 22 September 1942 (age 82) Delhi, British Raj
Nationality	Pakistani
Alma mater	University of Karachi University of Cambridge
Known for	Natural product chemistry
Awards	Nishan-e-Imtiaz (2002) Hilal-e-Imtiaz (1998) Sitara-e-Imtiaz (1991) Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (1983) UNESCO Prize (1999) Austria Order of Merit
Scientific career
Fields	Organic chemistry
Institutions	Higher Education Commission of Pakistan University of Tübingen University of Karachi University of Cambridge
Thesis	Synthetic Studies in the Indole Alkaloid Field (1968)
Doctoral advisor	J. Harley Mason
Other academic advisors	Ian Fleming

Atta-ur-Rahman is a famous Pakistani organic chemist. He was born on September 22, 1942. He is known for his important work in science and education.

Currently, he is a Professor Emeritus at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences. This center is part of the University of Karachi. He also leads the Prime Minister's Task Force on Science and Technology. He has been the President of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences twice.

Professor Atta-ur-Rahman has also served in the government. He was the Federal Minister of Science and Technology. Later, he became the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission. This role is like a Federal Minister. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society in London. He is also a Life Fellow of King's College, Cambridge University, UK. He has helped greatly in improving higher education and science in Pakistan.

Early Life and Education
Academic and Research Work
Key Roles and Contributions
Government and Policy Work
Awards and Recognition
- Major National and International Awards
- Fellowships
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Education

Atta-ur-Rahman was born in Old Delhi on September 22, 1942. His family was very academic. His grandfather, Sir Abdur Rahman, was a vice-chancellor at the University of Delhi. He also served as a judge.

In 1946, his family moved to Lahore. Later, they settled in Karachi in 1952. Atta-ur-Rahman studied at the Karachi Grammar School. He then joined Karachi University.

He earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1963. In 1964, he completed his master's degree in organic chemistry. He was the top student in his class. After teaching for a year, he received a scholarship. This scholarship allowed him to study in the United Kingdom.

He joined King's College, Cambridge at the University of Cambridge. There, he researched natural products. These are chemicals found in nature, like in plants. In 1968, he earned his PhD in organic chemistry. He continued his research at Cambridge until 1973. He even corrected some earlier work by a Nobel Prize winner, Sir Robert Robinson. In 2007, he became an honorary life fellow of King's College, Cambridge.

Academic and Research Work

In 1964, Atta-ur-Rahman started teaching chemistry at University of Karachi. He also continued his work with University of Cambridge. In 1977, he became a co-director. This was at the Hussain Ebrahim Jamal Research Institute of Chemistry. He became the Director in 1990.

He did important studies on chemicals called anti-cancer alkaloids. These are found in a plant called Catharanthus roseus. These chemicals can help fight cancer. He also studied organic compounds using special techniques.

He is widely recognized for bringing big positive changes. These changes helped develop science and technology in Pakistan. They also improved higher education. A Nobel Laureate, Herbert C. Brown, praised his scientific work.

Key Roles and Contributions

Professor Atta-ur-Rahman has held many important positions. These roles helped shape science and education in Pakistan.

Fellow, King's College, Cambridge University (1969–1973, 2007– for Life)
Professor at H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry at Karachi University
Professor Emeritus at H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry at Karachi University (2012)
Coordinator General of COMSTECH (1996–2012)
Federal Minister of Science & Technology (2000–2002)
Federal Minister of Education (2002)
Federal Minister/Chairman, Higher Education Commission, Pakistan (2002–2008)
Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Science and Technology (2002–2008)

Government and Policy Work

Atta-ur-Rahman has worked closely with the Government of Pakistan. He helped improve education and science in the country. From 1996 to 2012, he was part of the Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation. This committee represents Pakistan.

In 1997, he became the Coordinator General of COMSTECH. This group includes 57 Ministers of Science and Technology from Islamic countries. He helped Pakistan's science grow a lot. He also built many excellent research centers. For this work, he received the TWAS Prize in 2009.

In 1999, he joined the Ministry of Science and Technology. He helped create the country's official science policy. In 2002, he became the minister of education. He also became the chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). He worked to improve universities and research until 2008. He also served as Chairman of the Prime Minister's National Task Force on Science and Technology.

Awards and Recognition

Professor Atta-ur-Rahman has received many honors and awards. These show his important contributions to science. He is considered one of the 500 most influential people in the Islamic World.

Some institutions have been named after him. These include the Atta-ur-Rahman Institute for Natural Product Discovery in Malaysia. There is also the Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences in Pakistan.

The World Academy of Science in Italy has even created a special award in his honor. It is called the TWAS-Atta-ur-Rahman Award in Chemistry. This award is given to young scientists every two years. He has also received honorary doctorate degrees from many universities around the world.

Major National and International Awards

He has received many civil awards for his work in organic chemistry.

Nishan-e-Imtiaz (2002) - This is Pakistan's highest civil award.
Hilal-e-Imtiaz (1998)
Sitara-e-Imtiaz (1991)
Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (1983)
UNESCO Science Prize (1999)
Grosse Goldene Ehrenzeischen am Bande (2007) - A high civil award from Austria.
China, International Science and Technology Cooperation Award (2020) - Given by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Academician, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2015)
Friendship Award of China (2014)
Vice President, The World Academy of Science (TWAS)
President, Network of Academies of Science of Organising of Islamic Conference (NASIC)
Einstein Professorship, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Fellowships

He is also a fellow of many important scientific academies.

Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)
Fellow of Islamic World Academy of Sciences
Foreign Fellow of Korean Academy of Sciences
Fellow of Pakistan Academy of Sciences
Fellow of the Royal Society, London (July 2006)
Honorary Life Fellow King's College, Cambridge, UK (2007)
Fellow of Chinese Chemical Society (1997)
Foreign Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2015)

Images for kids

Atta-ur-Rahman receiving an award from the Minister of Higher Education of Austria.
Atta-ur-Rahman (middle) after receiving the International Science and Technology Collaboration Award from President Xi Jinping in 2020.
The Atta-ur-Rahman Institute of Natural Product Discovery in Malaysia.