Faculty Profile

Dr. Mohammad Jahirul Hoque

Professor

Contact Information

  • Office Address: Department of Political Studies, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh
  • Phone: +8801972026516
  • Email: jahirul-psa@sust.edu, vc@metrouni.edu.bd

Biography

Professor Dr Mohammad Jahirul Hoque, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Metropolitan University, Sylhet and one of the renowned institutions of higher education of Sylhet as well as Bangladesh was born in a noble Muslim family in the Shayestanagar Residential Area of Habiganj Pourashova. He passed SSC from General Science Group in 1993 from J. K. and H. K. High School in Habiganj with star marks and HSC from Humanities Group in 1995 from Government Brindaban College, Habiganj. Later, he was admitted to the Department of Political Studies and Public Affairs at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Sylhet and made an outstanding achievement there. He received Bachelor of Social Science (BSS) Honours degree from this Department in 1998 (Examinations held in 2000) with ‘A’ grade and with distinction. His CGPA in BSS examination was the highest among the all graduates in the entire university in that year. For this feat, he received Chancellor Gold Medal (President Gold Medal) in the 3rd Convocation held on 20 January 2020. At the same time, he received the Vice-Chancellor’s Medal and UGC Merit Scholarship-2000 for the highest CGPA in the School of Social Sciences and the University Book Prize for obtaining the highest CGPA in the Department. Later, he received MSS degree with ‘A’ grade and with distinction from the same Department in 1999 (Examinations held in 2002). In that academic year, he received the Vice-Chancellor’s Medal for the highest CGPA in the School of Social Sciences and the University Book Medal for obtaining the highest CGPA in his Department. In 2009, he became the first student at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology who received the Commonwealth Scholarship in the UK. Under the said scholarship, he obtained a Master’s degree in Peace and Development from Applied Global Ethics of Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK with a merit award. After receiving the Commonwealth Scholarship for the second time in 2012, he completed his PhD in 2018 from the Department of Development Studies of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, UK. His thesis titled ‘Marginalisation and Environmental Degradation: The Case of the Khasi People in Bangladesh’ was accepted for the PhD award without corrections.
Mohammad Jahirul Hoque joined as Lecturer in the Department of Business Administration at Leading University in May 2002. He performed an important role in the administration of that institution in his tenure. Later, he was recruited by Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in April 2004 as a Lecturer in the Department of Political Studies and Public Administration. He was promoted to the post of Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Studies in December 2006, Associate Professor in February 2014 and Professor in August 2018. On 5 August 2022, he was promoted to a Grade-2 Professor in the Department of Political Studies at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.
Professor Dr Mohammad Jahirul Hoque served Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in different capacities such as Assistant Provost of Bangabandhu Hall, Member of the Executive Committee of the School of Social Sciences, Member of the Board of Advanced Studies, Member of SUST Research Ethics Board, Member of SUST Digitization Committee called Total SUST and Member of Central Admission Test Committee (2020-2021 and 2021-2022). He also held various important responsibilities including Executive Editor of the Journal of Politics and Administration.
Apart from presenting research works in various national and international seminars, a good number of research articles of Professor Dr Mohammad Jahirul Hoque have been published in the peer reviewed journals from home and abroad. His published books are referred at the university level. He presented papers at different conferences held at the University of Oxford in the UK, Institute of South Asian Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in the University of London, and the Lund University of Sweden. He writes in various national and local newspapers on national and international issues regularly. He is interviewed by different television channels on contemporary issues.
Professor Dr Mohammad Jahirul Hoque is an active organizer of various socio-cultural, educational and developmental activities. He was awarded Life Membership in platforms like Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Bangladesh Political Science Association, Bangladesh Environmental Movement (BAPA), National Heart Foundation Habiganj, Habiganj Diabetic Hospital, Habiganj Sadar Modern Hospital Patient’s Welfare Association, Habiganj Samiti Sylhet, Habiganj Nazrul Academy, and Surabitan Fine Arts Centre, Habiganj. He excelled in sports, culture, scouting and BNCC during his student life. He led the J. K. and H. K. High School Scout Group in the 14th Chittagong Regional Scout Rally in 1993 and the Government Brindaban College Rover Scout Group in the 14th National Rover Moot in 1995. Professor Dr Mohammad Jahirul Hoque is also a member of the Commonwealth Scholarship Alumni Association UK, Leeds Beckett University Alumni Association UK, SOAS University of London Alumni Association UK and Development Studies Association (DSA), UK. He is a Member of Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Habiganj Central, National Council Member of the Bangladesh Environmental Movement (BAPA), Founder President of the Political Studies Alumni Association SUST, Senior Member of Habiganj Jiban Sanket Natyagosthi, President of Habiganj District Branch of National Association of UNESCO Clubs in Bangladesh and the Founding Member of Habiganj Journalist Welfare Association.
He was the Member Secretary of the National Convention on ‘Indigenous Peoples and Environment of Sylhet 2012’ organised by Bangladesh Environment Movement (BAPA), Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN) and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in collaboration with Metropolitan University and Sylhet International University. The manifesto of the three-day conference serves as an outline to protect the marginalized people and endangered environment of Sylhet. Moreover, he served as Joint Member Secretary of the 1st International Conference of the School of Social Sciences, SUST.
His Excellency President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Chancellor of Universities, Md. Abdul Hamid appointed him the Vice Chancellor of Metropolitan University, Sylhet for a four years term in pursuance of the provisions of Section 31(1) of the Private Universities Act, 2010 conveyed through a notification of the Ministry of Education, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh issued on 16 November 2022. Earlier, Honorable State Minister of Education, Honorable Minister of Education and Honorable Prime Minister signed the appointment file of Professor Dr Mohammad Jahirul Hoque as the Vice Chancellor of Metropolitan University. He joined Metropolitan University as the Vice Chancellor on 1 December 2022. He had been granted a leave by the authority of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology for the position of Vice Chancellor of Metropolitan University, Sylhet.
It should be mentioned that Professor Dr Mohammad Jahirul Hoque is the first graduate of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology to be appointed as the Vice Chancellor of any university in the country. Besides, he is currently the youngest among the Vice Chancellors of all public and private universities in the country.

Education

  • PhD in Development Studies (passed without corrections), Thesis Title: Marginalisation and Environmental Degradation: The Case of the Khasi People in Bangladesh, Institution: Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, United Kingdom. Supervisor: Professor Peter P Mollinga, Department of Development Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, United Kingdom. Co-Supervisors: Professor Laura Hammond, Department of Development Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, United Kingdom and Dr Tania Kaiser, Senior Lecturer in Forced Migration Studies, Department of Development Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, United Kingdom. Remarks: I had been awarded Commonwealth Scholarship-2012 to complete the PhD programme. Date of Award: 31 January 2018. Research Tenure: September 2012 to January 2018.
  • Master of Arts (MA) in Peace and Development, Institution: Leeds Beckett University (Former Leeds Metropolitan University), England, United Kingdom. Results: The Degree awarded with Merit, Modules completed: Development Reflective Practitioner in Global Context, Global Perspectives, Investigative Methods, Managing Resources for Development, Peace War and Conflict Resolution Strategies, State Security Paradigms, Working as a Global Citizen. Remarks: I had been awarded Commonwealth Scholarship-2009 to complete this postgraduate programme. Date of Award: 22 October 2010. Study period: September 2009 to October 2010.
  • Master of Social Science (MSS) in Political Studies and Public Affairs with Distinction from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet, Bangladesh. I had been awarded Vice Chancellor’s Medal in recognition of the highest talent and greatest achievement among all graduates of the School of Social Sciences and University Book Prize in recognition of the highest talent and greatest achievement among all graduates of the Department of Political Studies and Public Affairs at SUST.
  • Bachelor of Social Science (BSS) in Political Studies and Public Affairs with Distinction from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet, Bangladesh. I had been awarded Chancellor’s Gold Medal (President Award) in recognition of the highest talent and greatest achievement among all graduates of the University, Vice Chancellor’s Medal and UGC Merit Scholarship-2000 (provided by the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh) in recognition of the highest talent and greatest achievement among all graduates of the School of Social Sciences and University Book Prize in recognition of the highest talent and greatest achievement among all graduates of the Department of Political Studies and Public Affairs at SUST.
  • Level 3 Award in Education and Training (RQF) from Highfield Qualifications from the United Kingdom in 2018.

Research Interests

  • Marginalisation of Indigenous Peoples
  • Ethnicity and Ethnic Politics
  • Environmental Degradation
  • Climate Change
  • Development Issues
  • NGOs and Poverty Alleviation
  • Genocide
  • Agrarian Change and Rural Development

Active Research Project

  • 1. Title of the project: An empirical study on the co-evolution of the processes of climate change and coping strategies in natural resource management in the Haor areas of Bangladesh Research category: Empirical, Field of study: Social Science, Methodology: Qualitative Method, Position: Principal Investigator Funded by: SUST Research Centre, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh.

Previous Research Project

  • 1. Title of the project: Performance of Madrasa Education System: A Comprehensive Study on Sylhet Region, Research category: Empirical, Field of study: Social Science, Methodology: Mixed Method, Position: Principal Investigator, Tenure: 01 Year (July 2011-June 2012), Funded by: SUST Research Centre, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh. Report Submission: 30 June 2012
  • 2. Title of the project: An Investigation of Environmental and Social Effects of Stone Quarrying at the Jaflong in Sylhet District of Bangladesh, Research category: Empirical, Field of study: Social Science, Methodology: Qualitative Method Position: Principal Investigator, Tenure: 02 Years (July 2018-June 2020), Funded by: SUST Research Centre, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh. Report Submission: 30 August 2020.
  • 3. Title of the project: Assessment of forest fragmentation at Raghunandan Hills Reserved Forest in the last three decades, Research category: Empirical, Field of study: Forestry and Environmental Science, Methodology: Mixed Method, Position: Co-Investigator, Tenure: 01 Year (July 2019-June 2020), Funded by: SUST Research Centre, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh. Report Submission: 30 August 2020.
  • 4. Title of the project: Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism Geography of Bangladesh: Study on Sylhet RegionResearch category: Empirical, Field of study: Social Science, Methodology: Qualitative Method, Position: Principal Investigator, Tenure: 01 Year (July 2020-June 2021), Funded by: SUST Research Centre, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh.

External Affiliations

  • Member, The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission Alumni Association, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK, c/o The Association of Commonwealth Universities, United Kingdom.
  • Member, Bangladesh Association of Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows (BACSAF).
  • Member, SOAS Alumni, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, 10 Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG, United Kingdom.
  • Member, Leeds Beckett University Alumni, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, United Kingdom.
  • Member, Development Studies Association (DSA), UK. DSA is the UK based membership organisation for all those studying, researching and teaching in the field of global development for over forty years.
  • Member, ONE (ONE is a grassroots campaign of more than 3 million people committed to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable diseases. UK address is 151 Wardour Street, London, W1F 8WE).
  • Life Member, Bangladesh Political Science Association (BPSA).
  • Life Member, Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA), Central Committee, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Life Member, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Habiganj Unit, Habiganj
  • Life Member, Rughi Kolyan Somity (Patients' Welfare Association), Habiganj Adhunik Sadar Hospital, Habiganj
  • Life Member, Habiganj Diabetic Somity, Habiganj
  • Life Member, Surbitan, Habiganj
  • Life Member, Bangladesh National Heart Foundation, Habiganj Unit.
  • President, Political Studies Alumni Association, Department of Political Studies, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh (January 2019 to till date).
  • Member Secretary, Second Anniversary Celebration Committee of the Leading University, Sylhet, held in February 2004.
  • Member Secretary, National Convention on ‘Indigenous Peoples and Environment of Sylhet’ jointly organized by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN) and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) held at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh in January 2012.
  • Member, Conference Organising Committee (COC), Fourth International Conference on Bangladesh Environment (ICBEN) 2020 held on 26-27 December 2020, jointly organised by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) and Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN). This conference is devoted to the 20th anniversary of the founding of BAPA.

Teaching

  • Human Resource Management (Masters Level)
  • Development Studies (Masters Level)
  • Research Methodology (Bachelor Level)
  • Public Policy Analysis (Bachelor Level)
  • Public Administration in Bangladesh (Bachelor Level)
  • Politics and Administration in Bangladesh (Bachelor Level)

Awards & Recognition

  • Commonwealth Scholarship-2012 to pursue the PhD Degree at the Department of Development Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London in the United Kingdom.
  • Commonwealth Scholarship-2009 to pursue the Masters in Peace and Development at the Leeds Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
  • UGC Merit Scholarship-2000 from the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh for securing the highest CGPA at Bachelor level in the School of Social Sciences at the the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet, Bangladesh.
  • Chancellor’s Gold Medal (President Award) in recognition of the highest talent and greatest achievement among all graduates of the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet, Bangladesh at the Bachelor Level.
  • Vice Chancellor’s Medal in recognition of the highest talent and greatest achievement among all graduates of the School of Social Sciences at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet, Bangladesh at the Masters level.
  • Vice Chancellor’s Medal in recognition of the highest talent and greatest achievement among all graduates of the School of Social Sciences at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet, Bangladesh at the Bachelor level.
  • University Book Prize in recognition of the highest talent and greatest achievement among all graduates of the Department of Political Studies and Public Affairs at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet, Bangladesh at the Masters level.
  • University Book Prize in recognition of the highest talent and greatest achievement among all graduates of the Department of Political Studies and Public Affairs at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet, Bangladesh at the Bachelor level.