A tribute to Dr Jamilur Reza Choudhury

I still feel a deep loss at the passing of national professor, renowned scholar and noted engineer Dr Jamilur Reza Choudhury on April 28, 2020. As an eminent engineer, Dr Choudhury played an important role not only in Bangladesh's infrastructure development but its socio-economic development in general. As many senior Bangladeshi professional engineers do, most Japanese professionals who knew Dr Choudhry well, called him by his nickname "JRC" with the highest respect.

The relationship between JRC and Japan goes all the way back to the inception of Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge in 1973. Since then, JRC had been actively engaged in major Japan-Bangladesh cooperative development projects, including Chittagong International Airport, and MRT Line 6 Project. JRC also guided numerous technical cooperative projects such as Building Safety Promotion for Disaster Risk and Urban Building Safety Project. He initiated IT sector development at the early stage that inspired following cooperation from Japan in that sector for realising Digital Bangladesh. His capacity to instantly understand complex issues, break them down to their essence and communicate them eloquently, often with a gentle smile, made him a perfect advisor.

In 2013, the "JICA Recognition Award" was awarded to Dr Choudhury to express JICA's gratitude for his cooperation and longstanding contribution to our activities in many challenging infrastructure projects in Bangladesh. Furthermore, in 2018, Dr Choudhury also received Japan's Highest Civilian Award, "The Order of Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon", in recognition of his great contribution to the economic development of Bangladesh through the two countries' cooperation.

JRC was a true champion for development and his legacy as a renowned scholar, foremost civil engineer and education advocate will live on. His students were not only Bangladeshi but also international, including those from Nepal and Sri Lanka. He once said, "I bring my passion into education, because good engineers are essential for nation building. We should never stop learning and keep making efforts to know the world's best in every field." 

I had the honour of listening to his interview with young engineers last year. I was touched by his very fair, gentle and humble way of asking questions, which indicated great compassion, respect and hope for the younger generation. We will especially miss his guidance and warmth in these very difficult times. 

After the curve of Covid-19 is flattened, infrastructure projects will resume. JRC is no more, but his challenging sprit and his passion to make society better will live long. There will be difficulties but his students, colleagues and followers will overcome them and work tirelessly as JRC did to make his dreams come true. 

On behalf of the JICA Bangladesh Office, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family of Dr Jamilur Reza Choudhury.

Hirata Hitoshi, chief representative, JICA Bangladesh Office.