Very few teachers have been able to make journalism as simple as Prof Sakhawat

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Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan became a teacher as well as a guardian of the students. Few teachers have been able to articulate the science of mass communication and journalism as simply as he has. Sakhawat Ali Khan’s discipline, class lessons and straightforward presentations are to be studied.

This is how the students evaluated the role of the recently deceased Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan by participating in a memorial meeting on Monday afternoon. Some of them are now teachers-researchers, some are journalists, some are in other professions. Department of Mass Communication and Journalism organized this commemoration under the title of ‘Smriti Tarpan’ at Professor Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium of Dhaka University.

In 1977, undergraduate course was started in the Department of Journalism of Dhaka University. Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan was the chairman of the department at that time. Subrata Shankar Dhar became the first teacher of the department in the first batch of graduates. However, he later moved to the United States. Participating in the memorial meeting of Prof. Sakhawat, Subrata Shankar Dhar said, ‘Sakhawat sir has touched many places in our lives. There was no pomp in his life. Besides being a teacher, he was also the guardian of students.

Kazi Abdul Mannan, a former professor of journalism department, was a colleague of Professor Sakhawat since 1974. Reminiscing at the memorial meeting, he said, Sakhawat Bhai’s sense of humor was very strong. I will miss him.

Prime Minister’s ‘speech writer’ SAM Mahfuzur Rahman was also a student of Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan. The former editor of the private news agency UNB recalled, ‘What our teachers used to say in class, their mannerisms and thoughts are still echoing in our words.’

Saima Haque Bidisha, Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of Dhaka University, who participated in the memorial meeting, said that Sakhawat Sir is one of the senior professors about whom I have always heard positive things. Sir has done the work of building the life of the students very smoothly. He managed to become a guardian not only to the family but to all the loved ones. This matter follows.

Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan has taught in the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of Dhaka University for more than five decades since 1972. After retiring in 2008, he served as a supernumerary professor there for five years. He was the ‘Honorary Professor’ of the department till his death. Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan, one of the pioneers of journalism education in Bangladesh, passed away at the age of 85 on March 9 in Dhaka.

At the beginning of the commemoration of Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan today, Associate Professor Shawnti Haider of the Department of Journalism presented his biography. The commemoration started after observing a minute’s silence to pay respect to Professor Sakhawat.

All the current faculty members of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism are students of Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan. Later they got him as a colleague. In the memorial meeting, some of the current teachers presented Professor Sakhawat in front of the past and present students.

Geeti Ara Nasreen, professor of the department, said, ‘How to be smiling at any time, it was a big thing of sir. No matter how difficult it is, sir, it would have been funny. Sakhawat sir was also the reason for the ease of journalism department. Sir’s countless stories will always remain in our minds.

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Sheikh Abdus Salam, retired professor of journalism department, said, “Some of us are more teachers, some are more politicians. But Sakhawat sir was a man. He will live forever in deeds, words and giving to society.’

Professor Kaveri Gayen said, “I don’t know if anyone else has been able to make journalism and mass communication as easy as Professor Sakhawat.” A teacher can be respected just by being a teacher without any title—he has set an example. At this time he is one of those rare teachers, who does not die.’

Mofizur Rahman, professor of the department, said, “Sakhawat Ali Khan’s combination of boldness and simplicity is rare. His discipline, class lessons and straightforward presentation are to be studied. Companion studies have become essential. If we study him, we can improve ourselves.’

Prof. Abul Mansoor Ahmed of the department mentioned that Professor Sakhawat was very sincere towards the students as a teacher. He proposed to organize at least one memorial meeting of the year in memory of the late teachers of this department including Professor Sakhawat under the initiative of the journalism department or the alumni association of the department.

Associate Professor ASM Asaduzzaman expressed doubts whether storyteller like Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan will be found again.

Assistant Professor Marzia Rahman read some parts from the ‘Manuscript of Kalidasa’s Meghdoot’ translated by Professor Sakhawat along with the introduction.

The family members including Maleka Khan, daughter Sumna Sharmeen, son Naushad Ali Khan were present in the memorial meeting. Sumana Sharmin spoke on behalf of the family. He is associate editor of Prothom Alo.

Sumna Sharmeen said, ‘Students were on my father’s mind. His life was systematic, committed to his profession. He loved the students and the students loved him. He loved poetry, loved games. Journalism has also been cherished by living.

Shamsul Haque, president of the Mass Communication and Journalism Alumni Association (DUMCJAA), said Sakhawat Ali Khan was the chief advisor of the alumni till his death. He was a man of such personality that what he had to say was captivating.