Zahurul Karim, a TWAS Fellow since 1998 and former secretary to the government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, has received the 2026 Independence Award of Bangladesh in the field of science and technology.

The award—also known as the Swadhinata Padak—is the highest civilian honour in Bangladesh and is conferred by the government for exceptional contributions to the nation in areas such as science, literature, culture, education, public service, and social work.

Karim, who was recently appointed president of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS), serves as chairman of the Center for Agriresearch and Sustainable Environment and Entrepreneurship Development. His professional expertise spans agriculture, food‑system research, and nutrition.

He has previously held major national leadership roles, first as director-general of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute and later as executive chairman of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council.

Deeply committed to science, he has made significant contributions to advancing agricultural practices and environmental sustainability in Bangladesh, exploring the synthesis, analysis, and documentation of various iron mineral formations.

His recognitions include the Outstanding Scientist Award from the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute and a Commonwealth Scholarship in the United Kingdom. He is currently serving as an international technical advisor with the United Nations Environment Program.

Cristina Serra