Today marks the first death anniversary of A. A. M. S. Arefin Siddique, the 27th vice-chancellor of University of Dhaka, whose transformative leadership and dedication to education left an indelible mark on Bangladesh’s academic landscape.

In his memory, Dr Md. Anwarul Islam, CEO of WildTeam and Former Professor of the Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, reflects on Siddique’s visionary approach, his commitment to nurturing generations of scholars, and the enduring legacy of integrity, innovation and inspiration he instilled in the university and beyond.

I was then the Director of the Biotechnology Research Centre of Dhaka University. One afternoon, a board of members’ meeting was scheduled in the vice-chancellor’s meeting room. Everyone was waiting. I went to the vice-chancellor, Professor Arefin Siddique, to ensure everyone’s presence.
As soon as he got up from his chair, a young student seeking admission entered and said that he had something to say. The student said to the calm vice-chancellor: “My father is very poor and lives in a village. I want to study at Dhaka University.”

Prof Siddique replied, “Yes, apply and take the admission test. If you pass, you will certainly be admitted.”

When the student asked, “What if I don’t pass?” Prof Siddique replied, “Then there is nothing to be done.”

The student again said, “Sir, in any case, please admit me.” Hearing this, there was no sign of annoyance in the vice-chancellor’s eyes, nor did he ignore or disdain the student.

Only after explaining the matter and politely dismissing him did he come to preside over the meeting.

It is worth noting that during his tenure as vice-chancellor, no one had to seek permission to enter his room.

“Stay good” were the last two sentences the vice-chancellor would often say. He used to end his discussions with these words: “Stay good” (valo theko or valo thakben). This was no exception.

After his death, a former student of his department said on a television channel, “Mass communication and journalism are not only taught in the classroom; even when Arefin Siddique Sir was simply standing, the language of mass communication could be learned from his physical expressions.” As his colleague, I witnessed this as well.

It is often said that the people of southern Bangladesh are more hospitable. But Professor Arefin Siddique from Narsingdi proved that hospitality knows no regional boundaries. After his tenure as vice-chancellor is over, he did not lack assistants, yet whenever I visited his house, he would personally bring snacks on a tray and serve it himself. He last entertained me on 30 December 2024.

My zoology teacher and former Dean, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Pro Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University, Professor Dr Md. Shahadat Ali, lost his wife on 18 December 2024. Professor Siddique, my teacher Professor Gulshan Ara Latifa and I attended the funeral on 20 December.
On 29 December, Arefin Sir called and said, “Shahadat Shaheb must be very upset; let’s visit him.” The next day I went to his house in Dhanmondi for that reason.

I had taken off my shoes and was sitting in the drawing room in my socks. He asked why I had taken off my shoes. He brought a pair of sandals himself and, despite my objections, insisted that I wear those. Then he brought snacks with his own hands — I had to finish it all.

After the death of our respected Bhabi, Shahadat Sir was deeply broken. Towards the end of the conversation with Arefin Sir, he smiled and said, “Arefin Shaheb, today, after a long time, it feels like we are sitting at the Dhaka University Club, having tea and chatting.”

On our way back to the car, we spoke a lot. He highly praised the present vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan. As far as I remember, he said: “When I was vice-chancellor, Professor Niaz was the chairman of his department. He always seemed like a positive person.”

Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan also showed the highest respect for him and the university after Arefin Sir’s death.

The nation witnessed the deep respect the vice-chancellor had for his colleagues. He proved that there is no shortage of values in the Dhaka University family — values that Arefin Sir expressed in almost all his speeches.

There was a time when the words “Arefin Siddique and Dhaka University” became almost synonymous.

I have never seen this selfless, ungreedy man upset. Once I heard that he might become the chairman of the University Grants Commission. Eventually, he was not given the position. Many years later, I asked him about it. He replied with a smile: “The head of the government has to consider many things while running the country. In that sense, the right decision was made.” 

The vice-chancellor is the guardian of all teachers, students, officers and employees of Dhaka University. Professor Arefin Siddique spent many sleepless nights performing his duties.
I was then the chairman of the Zoology Department when our first-year student Afia Jahan Chaity died on 18 May 2017 after being admitted to a private hospital. When I informed the vice-chancellor, he immediately said the university was ready to do everything for the student.

Later, the university authorities filed a case against the doctors concerned. Once case was filed, doctors from all over Bangladesh got united and went on a movement and formed a human chain in the capital’s Shahbag. My closest relatives, who were doctors, also became strangers to me instantly. The university proctor told me to request the vice-chancellor to withdraw the case.
When pressure mounted to withdraw the case, the vice-chancellor said firmly: “Give my student back and I will withdraw the case.”

Eventually, after compensation was provided to the family, the case was withdrawn.
Sometimes discussions arose about banning outsiders from entering the campus during holidays. One day I asked his opinion. He said, “Dhaka University is for everyone. If people cannot come here, where will they go? Children and young people will come, see the university and dream.” He often said that the feeling of adapting to us is decreasing day by day.

Just as he thought about society, he also cared deeply about nature. In 2012, on behalf of WildTeam, we organised a rally from Khulna City to Khulna University to raise awareness about the tigers and the Sundarbans conservation. Professor Arefin Siddique joined us to inaugurate the programme: Sundarban Mayer Moton (Motherly Sundarbans).

Sundarbans protect us from storms and floods as a shield and save lives. About four lakh (400000) people depend on the resources of the Sundarbans. Tigers are the natural guardians of the Sundarbans. Therefore, if tigers do not survive, Sundarbans will not survive.

And if Sundarbans do not exist, our southwestern region will not survive either. Through this slogan, local people have been engaged in protecting tigers and the Sundarbans. In 2016, we organised various programmes including a 'Tiger Caravan' to raise awareness about tiger conservation at the national level.

He joined our national awareness campaign, the “Tiger Caravan”, in 2016, supported by USAID.

I had booked a room and an auditorium at the Centre of Excellence of Dhaka University for my only daughter Shahrin’s Gaye Holud programme. Later, I discovered that the director’s office had mistakenly booked the venue for a senior teacher on the same day, even though I had already made the reservation.

Disappointed, I went to Arefin Sir and explained the situation. With his characteristic gentle smile, he said, “Why are you worried? I can organise the event at my house and garden.”

His words made me both happy and embarrassed. Eventually, he helped resolve the problem with the Centre of Excellence booking. My two grandsons, Tanzif and Tawfeeq, are now 12 and 10 years old respectively. Even today, Sir’s generous offer echoes in my mind. I often think that this is exactly how the guardian of Dhaka University should be—sincere, humane and supportive.

One afternoon, Vice-Chancellor Arefin Siddique called me and said, “I am giving you the responsibility of the Provost of Amar Ekushey Hall.”

I replied honestly, “Sir, I have never even served as a house tutor in any hall.”
But within moments, the official letter arrived. I accepted the responsibility, although at that time I was already struggling with many challenges in my life.

One day, while working in the hall office, I heard that students were preparing to march towards Curzon Hall. The reason was that students of Shahidullah Hall had allegedly beaten some students of Amar Ekushey Hall. I immediately went outside and locked the main gate of the hall.

I told the students firmly that if anyone wished to go out, they would have to go ‘over me’. My intention was simply to calm the situation and prevent further confrontation.

Truthfully, I did not initially enjoy the life of a hall provost. Within a few months, I told the vice-chancellor, “Sir, my education and research activities are being disrupted. Please relieve me of this responsibility.”

He smiled and replied, “This is also an academic work, Anwar Shaheb.”
His brief but meaningful remark inspired me deeply. From the first day, I began taking greater care of the students and the hall.

Eventually, I served as provost for six years. During that time, I also served for three years as Chairman of the Zoology Department. My department and Amar Ekushey Hall gradually became my extended family.

I do not know how much I was able to give, but I certainly received a lot in return. Even today, many of my former students remember me in their moments of need and celebration.
The DUCSU elections were held during my tenure as provost (after Arefin sir left his office). With the help of my colleagues, I tried my best to ensure a fair and smooth process. After sending the election results, I spent the entire night worrying whether I had made any mistake.

The next morning, when I opened the Prothom Alo, I showed the news to my wife. The report mentioned that the elections were successfully conducted in Amar Ekushey Hall and Shamsun Nahar Hall. It was a moment of relief and pride.

On the day my tenure ended as provost, the hall students organised a large farewell reception. My wife and I spent a memorable evening with them, sharing laughter and stories.
After the ceremony, I felt an urge to inform Arefin Sir personally that my responsibility as provost had ended. At that time, he was no longer the vice-chancellor and therefore had no way of knowing the exact date of my departure.

I went to meet him and expressed my gratitude for giving me the opportunity to perform such an important responsibility.

He smiled and said, “Your ‘sons’ will surely remember you.”

“Surely” was one of the words he often used. Hearing it from him was always comforting.
By virtue of my position as provost of Amar Ekushey Hall, I also had to serve as convener of the Announcement Stage Committee at the Central Shaheed Minar during International Mother Language Day commemorations.

Within three months of my appointment, February approached. Vice-Chancellor Arefin Siddique called a meeting at the Senate Hall with teachers and administrative officials to discuss preparations for observing the Amar Ekushey with due dignity.

When the agenda of the announcement stage committee came up, a colleague proposed that the responsibility be given to a professor of Bangla Department of the university instead of the provost of Amar Ekushey Hall. I still do not know why such a suggestion was made.

Suddenly, I spoke into the microphone:
“Honourable Vice-Chancellor, the provost of Amar Ekushey Hall also speaks Bangla.”
For a few seconds, the entire Senate Hall fell silent. Then the vice-chancellor calmly moved on to the next agenda item. Eventually, I served as convener of the announcement stage committee for five years.

Even today, the excitement of breaking the midnight silence on February 21 fills me with emotion. Almost every detail—whose voice would be heard after midnight, which songs would be played, and how the programme would proceed—was carefully arranged with the approval of the vice-chancellor.

Every year, the Hon’ble Chief Justice arrived early in the morning to pay homage to the martyrs. The vice-chancellor of Dhaka University would receive him as usual.

On one such occasion, I was responsible for making the stage announcement. I said:
“The Honourable Chief Justice of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is approaching the main altar to pay tribute to the great martyrs.”

Arefin Sir gently stepped towards the stage and corrected me:
“Not ‘of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh’. Say ‘the Honourable Chief Justice of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh’.”

I corrected the announcement immediately.

Even today, I remember my teacher beyond the classroom—Professor Arefin Siddique—with the deepest respect.

Professor Arefin Siddique was not only a respected academic leader but also a compassionate human being whose kindness and values left a lasting impression on countless lives.
Former vice-chancellor Professor A K Azad Chowdhury spoke about his long-time colleague after the Namaz-e-Janaza at Dhanmondi Eidgah Mosque. His words echoed those of Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan at a memorial service on 9 April 2025.

Professor Khan said: “He won the hearts of many people through his extraordinary personality, human values and character.”

Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Mamun Ahmed also remarked that this reflects the beauty of Dhaka University.

“We can only hope that Professor Arefin Siddique will remain alive in our memory, in our practices, in our celebrations and in our prayers.”