The academic community of Bangladesh is in mourning following the death of Meherunnessa Chowdhury, a pioneering educator and the former Provost of both Rokeya Hall and Shamsun Nahar Hall at the University of Dhaka. Mrs Chowdhury passed away peacefully at her residence in Dhaka on Thursday, aged 94. Her remains were laid to rest at the Banani Graveyard on Friday following funeral rites.
A Lifetime Dedicated to Education
Born into a generation that witnessed the transformative power of female education in South Asia, Meherunnessa Chowdhury’s career was defined by her steadfast commitment to nurturing young minds. Her professional journey began in the early 1960s in Barishal, where she served at the Barishal Government Women’s College. Between 1962 and 1966, she rose through the ranks from a lecturer to eventually serve as the Principal of the institution, a significant achievement for a woman in that era.
In 1967, she transitioned to the University of Dhaka, the nation’s premier seat of learning. She served as a House Tutor at Rokeya Hall throughout the turbulent years leading up to the Liberation War (1967–1971). Following the independence of Bangladesh, her leadership qualities were formally recognised when she was appointed Provost of Rokeya Hall in 1972.
Leadership and Institutional Growth
Mrs Chowdhury’s influence extended across the university campus. She moved from Rokeya Hall to take the helm at Shamsun Nahar Hall, serving as its Provost until 1975. Beyond the residential halls, she was a fixture of student life at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), where she served as a Student Counsellor for nearly two decades, from 1976 to 1993.
Even after her formal tenure at Dhaka University, she remained active in the education sector, contributing her expertise as the Chairperson and a member of the Board of Directors at Lalmatia College.
| Period | Institution / Role | Significance |
| 1962 – 1966 | Principal, Barishal Women’s College | Early leadership in regional women’s education. |
| 1967 – 1971 | House Tutor, Rokeya Hall | Supported students during the independence movement. |
| 1972 – 1975 | Provost, Rokeya & Shamsun Nahar Halls | Post-war institutional rebuilding and administration. |
| 1976 – 1993 | Student Counsellor, TSC (DU) | Mentored generations of students in extracurricular life. |
| Post-1993 | Chairperson, Lalmatia College | Governance and strategic oversight in higher education. |
A Distinguished Family Legacy
Meherunnessa Chowdhury was the wife of the late Aminul Huq, a former Member of Parliament. She is survived by her son, Fuad Chowdhury, a renowned filmmaker and the former Chief Executive Officer of Deepto TV.
Her passing marks the end of an era for the University of Dhaka. She is remembered by her former students and colleagues not merely as an administrator, but as a maternal figure who provided stability and guidance during some of the most formative years of the Bangladeshi state.