Sharifa Khatun

Sharifa Khatun, an accomplished educationist, writer, and Language Movement veteran, is widely celebrated as a champion of Bangalee language and culture.

Born in Feni in 1936, Sharifa Khatun made her presence felt at an early age. As a first-year student at Eden College, she participated in the language movement in 1952. She along with her fellow female students brought out a procession violating Section 144 and joined the protest march. In recognition of her contributions to the Language Movement, Sharifa Khatun was honoured with the prestigious Ekushe Padak in 2017.

Professor Sharifa Khatun dedicated her career to education, beginning her journey as a teacher in 1958. Over the course of five decades, she held various prestigious academic positions and made significant contributions to the field. She served as the director of the Institute of Education and Research (IER) at the University of Dhaka from May 1993 to May 1996 and was also an editorial member of Banglapedia - National Encyclopaedia of Bangladesh.

With a keen eye for combining philosophical perspectives with pedagogical issues, Sharifa Khatun has penned more than 40 journal articles and several influential books. Her works, including "Darshan o Shiksha" (Philosophy and Education, 1998), "Astityabad o Shiksha" (Existentialism and Education, 2013), "Plator Kallipolis" (Plato's Kallipolis), and "Development of Primary Education Policy in Bangladesh" are must-reads for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the field.

Sharifa Khatun's autobiography, "Alo Chayar Dola", is a tour de force, providing an insightful look into her life, times, and the society in which she lived.

The Daily Star proudly pays tribute to Sharifa Khatun for her lifelong dedication to the cause of education and her commitment to fostering freedom of thought and expression.