Scholar · Educator · Academic Leader

Prof. Dr. Mohammad Abdur Rob

M.Sc. · M.Phil. · Ph.D. (Geography)
Vice-Chancellor Manarat International University, Dhaka

Scholar, educator and academic leader in Geography, Environment and Geopolitics. Four decades as a teacher and researcher of rivers, deltas and the environment of Bangladesh. Former Professor (Selection Grade-1) and Chairman, Department of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka.

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Portrait of Prof. Dr. Mohammad Abdur Rob
23.81° N · 90.41° E — Dhaka
40years at the University of Dhaka (1982–2022)
10books and book chapters, in English and Bengali
33+research articles and features listed
50+M.Sc. theses supervised
8Ph.D. and M.Phil. researchers guided
Prof. Dr. Mohammad Abdur Rob in front of a 'Bangladesh in our heart' map mural
Prof. Rob speaking at a seminar
40+years of teaching
and research
About

A geographer with Bangladesh at heart

A fluvial geomorphologist who has spent his career reading the rivers, coasts and cities of Bangladesh, and teaching generations of geographers to do the same.

Born in Sylhet in 1955, he earned his B.Sc. (Hons.) and M.Sc. in Geography from the University of Dhaka with First Class results, then his M.Phil. and Ph.D. from Aligarh Muslim University, India, with doctoral research on the fluvial morphology of the Gangetic Delta.

He joined the University of Dhaka as a Lecturer in 1982, became Professor in 2000 and chaired the Department of Geography and Environment from 2012 to 2015. He first led Manarat International University as Vice-Chancellor from 2008 to 2011 and, after serving on its Board of Trustees, returned in August 2024 as Vice-Chancellor.

He has also served as Chairman of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and President of the Bangladesh Geographical Society, and is a regular voice on national television on the environment and geopolitics.

Born
Sylhet, Bangladesh · 1955
Doctorate
Ph.D., Aligarh Muslim University
Specialisation
Fluvial geomorphology & environment
Languages
Bengali, English, Urdu, Hindi
Leadership

Institutions he has led

Senior roles in higher education, humanitarian work and professional bodies.

Present

Vice-Chancellor

Manarat International University, Dhaka

2008 – 2011

Vice-Chancellor

Manarat International University, Gulshan, Dhaka

2012 – 2015

Chairman

Department of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka

Dec 2006 – Mar 2009

Chairman

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society

2014 – 2016

President

Bangladesh Geographical Society (BGS)

2024 – Present

Chief Editor

Journal of One Initiative Research and Development (ISSN 2958-2776)

Career

Professional experience

  1. Present
    Vice-ChancellorManarat International University, Dhaka
  2. 2024 – now
    Chief EditorJournal of One Initiative Research and Development, Dhaka
  3. 2014 – 2016
    President · Editor, Oriental GeographerBangladesh Geographical Society, Dhaka
  4. 2012 – 2015
    ChairmanDepartment of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka
  5. 2008 – 2011
    Vice-ChancellorManarat International University, Gulshan, Dhaka
  6. 2006 – 2009
    ChairmanBangladesh Red Crescent Society
  7. 2000 – 2022
    Professor (Selection Grade-1)Department of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka
  8. 2000 – 2002
    Director (Executive)Centre for Human Development (CHD) and The Institute for Research and Development (IRD), Dhaka
  9. 2000
    Consultant, Implementation SpecialistResettlement Action Plan, Dhaka Urban Transport Project · Rural Development Movement
  10. 1998 – 2001
    Chairman (Honorary)Institute of Information Technology, Dhaka and Sylhet
  11. 1997 – 2001
    Member, Executive CommitteeCentre for Disaster Management and Research, University of Dhaka
  12. 1994 – 1996
    ConsultantFoundation for Research and Development (FRD), Dhaka
  13. 1993 – 2000
    Associate ProfessorDepartment of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka · House Tutor, Sir A. F. Rahman Hall (1993–96)
  14. 1991
    Research FellowBose Centre for Advanced Studies and Research, University of Dhaka
  15. 1987 – 1993
    Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka
  16. 1982 – 1987
    LecturerDepartment of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka
  17. 1982
    Research Officer (BCS, Trade and Economic Cadre)Planning Commission, Government of Bangladesh
  18. 1980 – 1981
    Research AssociateNorth-Eastern Kolarowa Project (environmental feasibility), Bangladesh Water Development Board
Education

Academic qualifications

1992Ph.D. in GeographyAligarh Muslim University, India
1989M.Phil. in GeographyAligarh Muslim University, India
1977M.Sc. in GeographyUniversity of Dhaka · First Class
1976B.Sc. (Hons.) in GeographyUniversity of Dhaka · First Class
1973H.S.C.Comilla Board · First Division
1971S.S.C.Comilla Board · First Division
Doctoral thesis

Fluvial Morphology of the Gangetic Delta — Department of Geography, Aligarh Muslim University, 1991. His M.Sc. thesis examined Water Supply and Consumption in Dhaka City (University of Dhaka, 1980).

Research

Areas of interest

His work moves between the physical study of rivers and coasts and the human and political geography of South Asia.

Fluvial GeomorphologyApplied GeomorphologyClimatology Marine & Coastal EnvironmentEnvironmental StudiesConservation of Nature Disaster ManagementGeopolitics & Development Studies International Relations: Islamic World, South Asia, Regionalism Resource ManagementSocio-Economic SurveyEthnic & Anthropological Studies Project Organization & Consultancy
Publications

Books

Monographs and textbooks in English and Bengali, published by Bangla Academy and leading Dhaka presses.

Articles

Research articles & features

Journal papers on rivers, deltas, coasts and cities, plus widely read features in the national press. Over a dozen of his research works made lead news in national dailies.

    Supervision

    Research students

    Theses supervised at the University of Dhaka, from river-bank erosion on the Padma to sea-level rise on the Bangladesh coast.

    Level Thesis title Student Year
    Engagement

    Conferences, memberships & public service

    Papers, lectures and symposia at home and abroad, newest first.

      Professional memberships
      Chancellor's NomineeRecruitment committees for Professors and Associate Professors of DU, RU and CU, nominated by the Hon'ble President of Bangladesh
      Life MemberBangladesh Red Crescent Society, since 2007
      Life MemberBangladesh Geographical Society, since 1992
      Member, Editorial BoardJournal of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Dhaka (2009)
      Member, Executive CommitteeCentre for Environmental Studies, Rajshahi University (2005–07)
      Member, Executive CommitteeHuman Rights Forum, Dhaka (1998–2001)
      Member and DirectorCentre for Human Development (CHD), Dhaka (1998–2001)
      Chief AdvisorHoly Family Medical College Journal, Dhaka
      MemberDhaka University Club since 1992 · Executive Committee 1994–95
      MemberNational Geographical and Maritime Institute, Dhaka (1984–85)
      Languages

      Bengali (mother tongue), English (fluent, written and spoken), Urdu and Hindi (spoken)

      Countries visited

      United Kingdom, Norway, India, Turkey

      In the media

      Regular talk-show guest on national television on the environment and geopolitics; 100+ features in national dailies and magazines.

      Updates

      Latest from Facebook

      News, speeches and campus events from the Vice-Chancellor's official Facebook page.

      Live feedfacebook.com/profabdurrob
      Contact

      Office of the Vice-Chancellor

      For official correspondence, please contact the Vice-Chancellor's office at Manarat International University.

      Main campus

      Ashulia

      Ashulia Model Town, Khagan
      Ashulia, Dhaka

      Tel 09666911624-7

      City campus

      Gulshan

      Plot # CEN-16, Road # 106
      Gulshan, Dhaka-1212

      Tel +88-02-55060025
      Fax +88-02-55059924

      Email & social

      Write to him

      dabdurrob@gmail.com

      Facebook: /profabdurrob ↗