Khaleda Ekram facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Khaleda Ekram
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| Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology | |
| In office 11 September 2014 – 24 May 2016 |
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| Preceded by | S. M. Nazrul Islam |
| Succeeded by | Saiful Islam |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 August 1950 Dhaka, East Bengal, Dominion of Pakistan |
| Died | 24 May 2016 (aged 65) Bangkok, Thailand |
| Resting place | Banani Graveyard, Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Education | MURP |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | university academic, professor, architect |
| Awards | Anannya Top Ten Awards (2014) |
Khaleda Ekram (born August 6, 1950 – died May 24, 2016) was an amazing Bangladeshi architect, professor, and researcher. She was known for her work in universities. She became the 12th Vice-Chancellor (which is like the main leader) of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
Before that, she was the head of the architecture and planning department at BUET. She was the first woman ever to be chosen as the Vice-Chancellor of BUET. She held this important job from September 2014 until she passed away in May 2016.
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Early Life and Education
Khaleda Ekram was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on August 6, 1950. Her parents were Ekram Hussain and Qamrunnessa Hussain. She grew up with three sisters: Kamela Akhter Ishaque, Morsheda Karim, and Masuda Ahmed.
Becoming an Architect
In 1974, Ekram earned her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. For her final project, she designed a "Tourist Resort at Cox’s Bazaar, Chittagong."
Studying Urban Planning
She then went to the United States to study urban planning and design. In 1980, she earned her master's degree (MURP) from the University of Hawaii. Her master's project was about making old parts of Dhaka better places to live. Later, in 1992, she took more courses in Architecture and Development in Sweden at Lund University.
Her Career Journey
Khaleda Ekram started her career in 1974 as a junior architect in Dhaka. She worked for a short time at two different companies.
Teaching at BUET
In 1975, she began her long teaching career at the Department of Architecture at BUET. She started as a lecturer and became an assistant professor in 1977. She was very interested in topics like housing, community growth, city design, and gender issues.
Work in the United States
After getting her master's degree in Hawaii, she worked as an assistant architect planner. This was in Honolulu from December 1980 to May 1981. She also helped with community projects at the East–West Center in Honolulu.
Rising Through the Ranks
When she returned to Bangladesh, she continued teaching at BUET. She became an associate professor in 1986 and a full professor in 1995. She then became the head of her department in 1997. In 1999, she was made the dean of the faculty of architecture and planning.
First Female Vice-Chancellor
On September 11, 2014, Khaleda Ekram was chosen as the first female Vice-Chancellor of BUET. This was a very important moment! There was some discussion about her appointment because of seniority rules. However, the issues were resolved, and she served for 20 months.
During her time as Vice-Chancellor, she showed great leadership skills. She helped improve academic discipline at BUET. She also supported many extra activities for students to make their university experience better.
Awards and Recognitions
Khaleda Ekram received many awards and honors for her hard work and contributions:
- She received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Hawaii in 2010.
- She was the Chair of the Executive Board for the East West Center Association from 2007 to 2010.
- She was the President of the Women Architects, Engineers, Planners Association (WAEPA) Bangladesh from 2009 to 2016.
- She was a member of the Executive Board for the East West Center Association from 2005 to 2007.
- She served as a resource person for the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) in India in 1997 and 2005.
- She was a Gender Advisor for a project between the University of Alberta and BUET from 1992 to 2004.
- She was an Honorary Advisor for Bibi Khadeja Kalayan Sangstha, a charity, from 1995 to 2016. This group helped raise money for natural disasters, offered free schooling, and taught women sewing skills.
- She was nominated as an External Supervisor for graduate students at the University of Karlskrona/Ronneby, Sweden, in 1993.
- She finished second in her class when she earned her Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1974.
- She received the Anannya Top Ten Awards in 2014.
Personal Life and Passing
Khaleda Ekram was married to Architect Haroon ur Rashid. They had two daughters, Mariam Ali and Mashida Rashid, and one son, Khaled Yasin Rashid. Both daughters and her son became environmentalists.
On May 11, 2016, Ekram became very ill and was taken to the hospital in Dhaka. She was diagnosed with a type of cancer called non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Her condition worsened, and she was flown to Bangkok, Thailand, for treatment on May 14. Sadly, she passed away 10 days later. She was buried next to her mother at the Banani Graveyard in Dhaka.
