A story of going beyond: The youngest PhD holder (UK) in Bangladesh

A story of going beyond: The youngest PhD holder (UK) in Bangladesh
Snapshot taken during chairing a
conference session
The dream of going beyond of the youngest Bangladeshi PhD holder in UK, came true when
the Research Degree Committee (RDC) at University of Greenwich (UoG), UK sat on a
periodic meeting earlier this month and declared the name; Dr Mohammed Maniruzzaman,
as the brightest and best scholar for his outstanding performance in PhD in the whole
university as well as the school. Dr Maniruzzaman just made a record by holding his name
on all the prestigious awards given by RDC at UoG this year. This is the first time in UoG
that a young scholar has had all the awards together without giving a share to the fellow
contestants. Let me take you through all the challenging ladders Dr Maniruzzaman has
come across to see him with success in his current position.
Dr Maniruzzaman, recognised as the youngest Bangladeshi PhD holder (PhD obtained at
the age of 23) in history is currently working as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Faculty
of Science and Engineering at UoG, UK. He took up this post just after completing his PhD
(distinction) in Pharmaceutical sciences/technology beginning of this year, who is still to date
one of the best students in UK. The earlier life and education of Dr Maniruzzaman was not
that much easy as a lot of hurdles and bars tried to stop him to reach his destination. But
with strong mental determination and aim nothing has managed to stop him in his
progressive career throughout. Gold medallist, culturally active, Dr Maniruzzaman finished
his S.S.C from Khalgram High School, Bagmara, Rajshahi with a golden GPA 5 in 2003 and
H.S.C (GPA 5) from Dhaka Residential Model College in 2005, respectively. Following an
admission in the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Dhaka University, he
took up his admission in UoG and completed his BSc Hon’s with distinction in
Pharmaceutical sciences in 2009, being the best international student in undergraduate
level. During his undergraduate study he had to work days and night to earn his living costs
without compromising his performances in education, though there were some financial
support from the school but were quite meagre. In the same year he was awarded an
ORSAS bursary followed by University bursary to pursue his PhD in the formulations of oral
solid dosage forms using hot-melt extrusion (HME) in the same university. During his past
years of research he has attended 6 international conferences and delivered 5 successful
podium presentations on different novel formulation aspects which have motivated him to
publish 13 peer reviewed articles (journal papers) in well recognised international journals
and 2 book chapters (one in Nova publisher and the other one in InTech Science Publisher).
Currently he has another four (4) articles (journal papers) under review.
Despite any ethnic constraints, with a strong research background Dr Maniruzzaman has
managed to bring his research and leadership skills into world’s horizon. Last year in
summer he was awarded the first Association of American Pharmaceutical Scientists
(AAPS) student chapter funding which is known as SPOD funding from AAPS (USA), the
largest pharmaceutical organisation in the world. He is currently the founder chair of UoG –
AAPS Student Chapter promoting diversity of students to the forefront of their professional
developments. Despite the fact of being too busy with research, Dr Maniruzzaman has not
been lagged behind to secure his place in various scientific societies such as Academy of
Pharmaceutical Science (APS), UK; Controlled release society (CRS), USA; AAPS FDD,
USA etc. As recognitions of his strong research potential Dr Maniruzzaman has been invited
to deliver oral talk in various international conferences, such as 3rd SDDS conference, China;
Biopharma conference, London etc and has been awarded different awards (VC award,
School award, communicator award, SPOD award etc) and bursary (ECR travelship bursary,
Dean travelship bursary, ORSAS bursary etc). Dr Maniruzzaman plans to do something for
the betterment of the medicine industry in Bangladesh as well as the rest of the world. As an
example, Dr Maniruzzaman has contacted SQUARE Pharmaceuticals to develop a strong
collaboration in the research and development of various medicines for severe diseases.
Internationally he has brought together various chemical and pharmaceutical companies to
establish (along with his supervisor Dr Dennis Douroumis) the first centre of excellence at
UoG, UK. Now Dr Maniruzzaman hopes to thrive excel further his research potential towards
the benefit of human being specifically in Bangladesh.
Dr Maniruzzaman with his fellow
researchers after a successful
conference

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