Atta ur Rahman
Encyclopedia
Atta-ur-Rahman, D.Phil.
, TI, SI HI, NI, is a leading scientist
and scholar in the field of organic chemistry
from Pakistan
, especially renowned for his research in the various areas relating to natural product
chemistry
. With over 840 publications in the field of his expertise, he is also credited for reviving the higher education
and research
practices in Pakistan
. In 1963, he received B.Sc (Hons.) in Chemistry
, followed by M.Sc in Organic Chemistry
from Karachi University. He received Commonwealth Scholarship
in 1965 to study for Ph.D in Organic Chemistry
under supervision of Dr. J. Harley Mason and received Ph.D at Kings College, Cambridge in 1968.
He was subsequently awarded a Doctorate of Science by University of Cambridge
in 1987, a Doctorate of Education by Coventry University in 2007, a Doctorate of Science by Bradford University in 2010, a Doctor of Philosophy by Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand in 2010 and honorary Doctor of Scıence by Unıversıty of Technology Mara. Malaysıa.
. He remained Fellow at Kings College, Cambridge between 1969 to 1973. In 1977, he became Co-Director of Husein Ebrahim Jamal Research Institute of Chemistry at University of Karachi
to become Director in 1990. He has over 852 publications in leading international journals in several fields of organic chemistry including 662 research publications, 18 patents, 110 books and 59 chapters in books published by major U.S. and European presses. Seventy sıx students have completed their Ph.D. degrees under his supervision.
He is President of Network of Academies of Sciences of Islamic Countries (NASIC) and the Vice-President (Central & South Asia) of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS) Council, and Foreign Fellow of Korean Academy of Sciences. Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman was the President of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences (2003–06), and was again elected President of Pakistan Academy of Sciences in January 2011.
He was the Federal Minister for Science and Technology (14 March 2000 – 20 November 2002), Federal Minister of Education (2002) and Chairman of the Higher Education Commission with the status of a Federal Minister from 2002-2008. The Austria
n government also honoured him with its highest civil award ("Das Große Goldene Ehrenzeichen am Bande", 2007) in recognition of his eminent contributions.
Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman is presently the Coordinator General of COMSTECH, an OIC Ministerial Committee comprising the 57 Ministers of Science & Technology from 57 OIC member countries. He is also the Patron of International Centre of Chemical and Biological Sciences (which comprises a number of institutes, including the Husein Ebrahim Jamal Research Institute of Chemistry and the Dr. Panjwani Center of Molecular Medicine and Drug Development) at Karachi University.
, he has been conferred with four civil awards, including:
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Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
, TI, SI HI, NI, is a leading scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
and scholar in the field of organic chemistry
Organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
from Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, especially renowned for his research in the various areas relating to natural product
Natural product
A natural product is a chemical compound or substance produced by a living organism - found in nature that usually has a pharmacological or biological activity for use in pharmaceutical drug discovery and drug design...
chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
. With over 840 publications in the field of his expertise, he is also credited for reviving the higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
and research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
practices in Pakistan
Education
Atta-ur-Rahman has had a prominent record in Cambridge Overseas School Certificate in 1958, and 'A' Levels in 1960 from the Karachi Grammar SchoolKarachi Grammar School
Karachi Grammar School is an independent, highly selective, coeducational, English-medium school in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.Established in 1847 by the Reverend Henry Brereton, the first chaplain of Karachi, as a school for "English and Anglo-Indo children", it is the oldest private school in...
. In 1963, he received B.Sc (Hons.) in Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, followed by M.Sc in Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
from Karachi University. He received Commonwealth Scholarship
Commonwealth Scholarship
The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan is an international programme under which Commonwealth governments offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other Commonwealth countries.-History:...
in 1965 to study for Ph.D in Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
under supervision of Dr. J. Harley Mason and received Ph.D at Kings College, Cambridge in 1968.
He was subsequently awarded a Doctorate of Science by University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
in 1987, a Doctorate of Education by Coventry University in 2007, a Doctorate of Science by Bradford University in 2010, a Doctor of Philosophy by Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand in 2010 and honorary Doctor of Scıence by Unıversıty of Technology Mara. Malaysıa.
Academic career
Atta ur Rahman started his career in 1964 as a Lecturer at University of KarachiUniversity of Karachi
The University of Karachi is a public university located in Karachi, Pakistan. It serves an on-campus student population of more than 24,000. According to the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, it is ranked among the top three universities of the country...
. He remained Fellow at Kings College, Cambridge between 1969 to 1973. In 1977, he became Co-Director of Husein Ebrahim Jamal Research Institute of Chemistry at University of Karachi
University of Karachi
The University of Karachi is a public university located in Karachi, Pakistan. It serves an on-campus student population of more than 24,000. According to the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, it is ranked among the top three universities of the country...
to become Director in 1990. He has over 852 publications in leading international journals in several fields of organic chemistry including 662 research publications, 18 patents, 110 books and 59 chapters in books published by major U.S. and European presses. Seventy sıx students have completed their Ph.D. degrees under his supervision.
Positions held
- Fellow, Kings College, Cambridge University (1969–1973)
- Professor at H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry at Karachi University
- Coordinator General of COMSTECHCOMSTECHCOMSTECH is an abbreviation for the OIC's Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation for the promotion and cooperation of science and technology activities among the OIC member states. The coordinator general of the Committee is Prof Ata ur Rahman.Department of Public Relations,...
(1996–present) - Federal Minister of Science & Technology (2000–2002)
- Federal Minister of Education (2002)
- Former Federal Minister/Chairman, Higher Education CommissionHigher Education CommissionThe Higher Education Commission , formerly the University Grant Commission, is the primary regulator of higher education in Pakistan. It also facilitated the development of higher educational system in Pakistan. Its main purpose was to upgrade universities in Pakistan to be centres of education,...
, Pakistan (resigned due to govt issues)(2002–2008) - Advisor to the Prime Minister of PakistanPrime Minister of PakistanThe Prime Minister of Pakistan , is the Head of Government of Pakistan who is designated to exercise as the country's Chief Executive. By the Constitution of Pakistan, Pakistan has the parliamentary democratic system of government...
on ScienceScienceScience is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
and TechnologyTechnologyTechnology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
(2002–2008) - Honorary Life Fellow, Kings College, Cambridge University (2007–present)
- Member UNESCO High Level Panel on Science & Technology for Development (2011-present)
- Member Board of Governors, Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver, Canada (2010-present)
- Distinguished National Professor International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences at Karachi University (2011–fpr Life)
- Professor Emeritus, University of Karachi (2011- for Life)
- Patron-in-Chief International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences at Karachi University (2009–present)
- Presıdent Pakıstan Academy of Scıences (2003-2006)(2011-present)
Prizes, honours and awards
Prof. Rahman was elected as Fellow of Royal Society (London) in July 2006 thereby becoming one of the 4 scientists from the Muslim world to have ever won this honour and the only scıentıst to be so recognısed for researches carrıed out wıthın a Islamıc country. He has been conferred honorary doctorate degrees by many universities including the degree of Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) by the Cambridge University (UK) (1987) and an Honorary degree of Doctor of Education by Coventry University UK in November 2007. He was elected Honorary Life Fellow of Kings College, Cambridge University, UK in 2007. Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman was conferred the TWAS Prize for Institution Building in Durban, South Africa in October 2009 in recognition of his contributions for bringing about revolutionary changes in the higher education sector in Pakistan.He was awarded the Engro Excellence Award in Science & Technology 2011 with a prize of Rs. 5 million (US $ 59,000) for meritorious contributions. He then proceeded to use the money in addition to an equal amount from his private finances to start a scholarship for deserving students.He is President of Network of Academies of Sciences of Islamic Countries (NASIC) and the Vice-President (Central & South Asia) of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS) Council, and Foreign Fellow of Korean Academy of Sciences. Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman was the President of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences (2003–06), and was again elected President of Pakistan Academy of Sciences in January 2011.
He was the Federal Minister for Science and Technology (14 March 2000 – 20 November 2002), Federal Minister of Education (2002) and Chairman of the Higher Education Commission with the status of a Federal Minister from 2002-2008. The Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n government also honoured him with its highest civil award ("Das Große Goldene Ehrenzeichen am Bande", 2007) in recognition of his eminent contributions.
Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman is presently the Coordinator General of COMSTECH, an OIC Ministerial Committee comprising the 57 Ministers of Science & Technology from 57 OIC member countries. He is also the Patron of International Centre of Chemical and Biological Sciences (which comprises a number of institutes, including the Husein Ebrahim Jamal Research Institute of Chemistry and the Dr. Panjwani Center of Molecular Medicine and Drug Development) at Karachi University.
National awards
In recognition of his eminent contributions in the field of Organic ChemistryOrganic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
, he has been conferred with four civil awards, including:
- Nishan-e-Imtiaz (2002) (highest national civil award),
- Hilal-e-Imtiaz (1998)
- Sitara-e-Imtiaz (1991)
- Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (1983)
International awards
- TWAS Regional Prize for Institution Building (2009)
- Decoration for Services to the Republic of AustriaDecoration for Services to the Republic of AustriaThe Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria is a state decoration of the Republic of Austria...
in Gold with Sash (2007) - Honorary Doctor of EducationDoctor of EducationThe Doctor of Education or Doctor in Education degree , in Latin, Doctor Educationis, is a research-oriented professional doctorate that prepares the student for academic, administrative, clinical, or research positions in educational, civil, and private organizations.-Differences between an Ed.D...
honoris causa (Coventry UniversityCoventry UniversityCoventry University is a post-1992 university in Coventry, West Midlands, England. Under the terms of the Further and Higher Education Act of 1992, the institution's name was changed from Coventry Polytechnic to Coventry University...
,UK) (2007) - ISESCO Prize (2001)
- ECOEco- Eco may refer to :* eco-, a prefix mostly relating to ecological or environmental terms* .eco, , a proposed top-level domain for the Internet* Eco , a proposed currency* Eco , a computer simulation game...
Prize (2000) - First MuslimMuslimA Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
scientist to receive the UNESCO Science PrizeUNESCO Science PrizeThe UNESCO Science Prize is a biennial scientific prize awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to "a person or group of persons for an outstanding contribution they have made to the technological development of a developing member state or region through...
(1999) - Federation of Asian Chemical Societies Award, HiroshimaHiroshimais the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It became best known as the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon when the United States Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on it at 8:15 A.M...
, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
(1997) - First Prize at the 6th Kharazmi Festival in IranIranIran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
(1993), - The Islamic Organization Prize by Government of KuwaitKuwaitThe State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
(1988) - Honorary Doctorate of Science (Sc.D) from University of CambridgeUniversity of CambridgeThe University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
(1987) - Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy honoris causa(Ph.D) from Asian Institute of TechnologyAsian Institute of TechnologyThe Asian Institute of Technology is an international institution for higher education in engineering, advanced technologies, and management and planning...
(2010) - Honorary Doctorate of Science (Sc.D) from Bradford University (2010)
- Honorary Doctorate of Science (Sc.D) from University of Technology Mara (2010)
- Member UNESCO Hıgh Level Scıence & Technology Panel (2011)
- Vice-President Academy of Science of Developing World (TWAS)
Fellowships
- Fellow of Academy of Sciences for the Developing World
- Fellow of Islamic World Academy of SciencesIslamic World Academy of SciencesThe Islamic Academy of Sciences is a non-profit organisation of distinguished scientists and technologists dedicated to the promotion of science and technology in the Muslim world....
- Foreign Fellow of Korean Academy of Sciences
- Fellow of Pakistan Academy of SciencesPakistan Academy of SciencesThe Pakistan Academy of Sciences The Pakistan Academy of Sciences The Pakistan Academy of Sciences (Urdu: پاکستان اكيڈ مى ﺁف سائس; shortened to PAS, is a learned society for science and technology based in Pakistan. The academy consisted and served as the network of science across the Pakistan as...
- Fellow of the Royal Society,London
- Honorary Life Fellow King's College, CambridgeKing's College, CambridgeKing's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. The college's full name is "The King's College of our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Cambridge", but it is usually referred to simply as "King's" within the University....
Research activities
- Editor-in-Chief/Executive Editor of following international journals:
- Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry (NetherlandsNetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
) - Current Medicinal Chemistry (Netherlands)
- Current Pharmaceutical Design (Netherlands)
- Current Organic Chemistry (Netherlands)
- Combinatorial Chemistry and High Throughput Screening (Netherlands)
- Current Organic Synthesis (Netherlands)
- Letters in Organic Chemistry (Netherlands)
- The Natural Products Journal
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Nanoscience and Nanotechnology-Asia
- Current Organic Chemistry
- Natural Product Research (Founding Editor, UK)
- Current Chemical Biology
- Current Pharmaceutical Analysis
- Current Analytical Chemistry
- Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry (Netherlands
- Editor of an encyclopedic series of books on natural product chemistry, Studies in Natural Product Chemistry, 35 volumes of which have been published under his Editorship since 1990.
- Co-Editor of book series, Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry
- Director of H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, University of KarachiUniversity of KarachiThe University of Karachi is a public university located in Karachi, Pakistan. It serves an on-campus student population of more than 24,000. According to the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, it is ranked among the top three universities of the country...
- Patron-in-Chief of the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of KarachiUniversity of KarachiThe University of Karachi is a public university located in Karachi, Pakistan. It serves an on-campus student population of more than 24,000. According to the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, it is ranked among the top three universities of the country...
See also
- H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry
- Higher Education CommissionHigher Education CommissionThe Higher Education Commission , formerly the University Grant Commission, is the primary regulator of higher education in Pakistan. It also facilitated the development of higher educational system in Pakistan. Its main purpose was to upgrade universities in Pakistan to be centres of education,...
- Salimuzzaman SiddiquiSalimuzzaman SiddiquiSalimuzzaman Siddiqui , HI, MBE, SI, D.Phil., FPAS, FRS. was a leading Pakistani scientist in Natural Product Chemistry. He is credited for pioneering the isolation of unique chemical compounds from the Neem , Rauwolfia, and various other flora. As the founder director of H.E.J...
- Civil decorations of PakistanCivil decorations of PakistanThe Pakistan Civil Awards were established on March 19, 1957, following the proclamation of Pakistan as an independent Republic on March 23, 1956. The announcement of civil awards is generally made once a year on Independence Day, August 14, and their investiture takes place on the following...
External links
- Profile at IAS Website
- Facebook http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=562754752#/pages/ProfDr-Atta-ur-Rahman/50391186019?ref=nf
- Pakistani leaders.com, Dr_Atta_ur_Rehman
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