Prof Iqbal gets SEED Award

Rotary SEED Award is conferred each year on a Bangladeshi citizen, who is alive, for original, outstanding and lasting contribution in science, education and economic development.

Announcing Iqbal's name as the recipient of Rotary SEED Award 2006 at a press conference at the National Press Club in the city, President of Rotary Club of Metropolitan Dhaka Abu Ashraf Haider said this is the highest prize given in Bangladesh.

The winner of the award will be given Tk 1.5 lakh, a gold medal worth Tk 50,000 and a citation, which will be handed over on August 5.

Iqbal Quadir, the twelfth recipient of the award, was honoured for pioneering universal telephony to Bangladesh people and making self-employment opportunities to more than 225000 poor rural women through his ground-breaking idea of introducing Grameen Phone in the country.

Iqbal is the founder director of the programme in development entrepreneurship at MIT. During 2001-2005, Iqbal has been a fellow and lecturer at the John F Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, teaching graduate classes on how technologies can affect change in developing countries.

During 1993-1999, Iqbal conceived, designed and organised GrameenPhone.

Former president of Rotary Club of Metropolitan Dhaka Dr Anwar Hossain, President-elect Mahbub Talukder, Senior Member Vice-President ATM Shamsuddin and Member Vice-President Journalist Farid Hossain, were present at the press conference.

Dr Muhammad Yunus for Grameen Bank concept, late Professor M Shafiullah for pioneering management education in Bangladesh, Fazle Hasan Abed for Brac's pioneering works, Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury for popularising information technology in Bangladesh, Dr Kamaluddin for his work in combating vitamin A deficiency and Dr Altaf for introducing new and revolutionary technology in shrimp farming, are among the 11 recipients, so far received the award.