Professor Dr Niaz Zaman awarded Ekushey Padak
Professor Dr Niaz Zaman, a renowned academic, author, and translator who also advises the Department of English and Modern Languages at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), has been awarded the prestigious Ekushey Padak.
On Thursday, 20 February 2025, Dr Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser to the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, presented Professor Zaman with the honour at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. She received the award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the field of education.
The Ekushey Padak is one of Bangladesh's highest civilian honours. Established in 1976, it is awarded annually to individuals and institutions for significant contributions in various fields, including language, literature, education, culture, journalism, social service, science, and technology.
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Professor Zaman completed her master's in English literature at the University of Dhaka in 1963. She earned a second master's degree from the American University in Washington, DC, and obtained her PhD from George Washington University in 1987.
Her teaching career began at Viqarunnisa Noon School and Holy Cross College, after which she joined the University of Chittagong. In 1972, she started teaching in the Department of English at the University of Dhaka, where she worked until her retirement in 2013. Since 2006, she has served as an adviser at IUB's Department of English.
Alongside her academic career, Professor Zaman has made a significant mark in literature. She has authored three novels, three short story collections, and seven children's books. Her acclaimed work A Divided Legacy: The Partition in Selected Novels of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh received the National Archives Award and the Ataur Hussain Award.
Her research on Bangladesh's textile heritage has also been highly praised. In The Art of Kantha Embroidery and Textiles from Bengal: A Shared Legacy, she explores the rich traditions of Bengal's textile arts.
Professor Zaman is also a distinguished translator. She translated Bandhan Hara by Kazi Nazrul Islam into English and has edited several significant anthologies, including 1971 and After: Selected Stories and The Demoness: Best Bangladeshi Stories 1971–2021.
In recognition of her illustrious career, Dr Zaman has received numerous accolades, including the Bangla Academy Translation Award (2016), Anannya Literature Award (2013), and the American Alumni Association Education Award (2017).
