Profile

Sadeka Halim, PhD

Vice Chancellor

Jagannath University

vc@jnu.ac.bd

Professor
Department of Sociology
University of Dhaka
01711538560
sadeka.halim@du.ac.bd
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Daughter of Prof. Dr. Late Fazlul Halim Chowdhury (Former Vice Chancellor, DU) & Shamsun Nahar Chowdhury, Village: Kunjosreepur, Upazila: Choddogram, Thana: Choddogram, District: Cumilla
Academic Qualifications:
2007-2008 Three times Commonwealth Scholar
Commonwealth Post-Doctoral Fellow University of Bath, UK, Department of Economics and International Development
2000 PhD
McGill University, Canada (as a Commonwealth Scholar)
Thesis- Invisible Again: Women and Social Forestry in Bangladesh
1991 M.A
McGill University, Canada (as a Commonwealth Scholar)
Thesis: Rural Development Programs and their Impact on Women: A Bangladesh Study
19XX M.S.S & B.S.S
Secured First Class First & First Class Second position in the Department of Sociology University of Dhaka
1980 H.S.C
First Division, Holy Cross College, Dhaka
1978 S.S.C
First Division, Udayan Uchcha Madhyamik Bidyalaya, Dhaka

DISTINGUISHED TASKS:
Served as among eighteen prominent educationists’ member of the National Education Policy Committee (2009).
Served as a member in the Implementation Committee to celebrate 100 years of the legendary life and Philosophy of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Serving as a member of the selection committee to assess the suitability of candidates, Department of Sociology, South Asian University, New Delhi, India
POSITIONS HELD:
Former First Female Information Commissioner
July 2009 – July 2014 (On deputation)
Former First Elected Female Dean (September, 2017-January, 2021)
Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Dhaka
Former Director
Center for Advanced Research in S
ELECTED POSITIONS HELD AT DHAKA UNIVERSITY:
Elected Syndicate Member (2004-2009)
Elected Former DUTA Executive Member Four Times
Elected Senate Member Three Times
ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL AWARDS:
Annanya Top Ten in Education, 2017
First A.K. Najmul Karim Gold Medalist (Department of Sociology, 1987)
POSITIONS IN OTHER UNIVERSITIES:
Comilla University, Chancellor Nomine Syndicate Member
East West University, UGC Nominee Syndicate Member
Manarat International University, Trustee Board Member
Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Chancellor Nomine
Subject Expert (Sociology, Gender Studies and Anthropology):
University of Barisal
Begum Rokeya University
University of Chittagong
Comilla University
Jagannath University
Bangladesh Open University
Jatiyo Bishwavidyalaya
Pabna University of Science and Technology
Academic Council Member:
Jagannath University
Bangladesh Open University
EXPERIENCES:
Joined in the University of Dhaka in August, 1988 and teaching in the Dept. of Sociology, University of Dhaka for last 35 years. Served as General Secretary of Bangladesh Sociological Association (BSA), Executive member of Women for Women and many reputed non- government organizations and Vice President of Dhaka University Sociology Alumni.
Academic Involvement:
Have always prioritized academic excellence and diligently advocated for minority rights. In due course have extensively worked on gender, environment, development, forestry, indigenous people’s rights in both Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and in plain lands, right to information and many others which eventually are transcribed into an enormous collection of published books, articles, research works, conferences and seminars. She has various international publications, national publications. More than 60 conference papers and around 40 research and consultancy work, have been trying to make a difference since the day one as an academic. As a Senator proposed to establish Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Centre for Gender and Development Studies in the Senate held on 14 June 2020.
Role as Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, DU:
Supervision of building of Social Sciences Bhaban, Launching a Day Care at Faculty of Social Sciences, and Registration with DOI number for the Faculty of Social Sciences, Journal, Social Sciences Review, DU. Took the lead to admit autistic and physically challenged students in the department of Sociology and International Relations (previously Dhaka University was only admitting visually impaired students). Arranged three retreats for the faculties and set up a Day
Decision Making Body:
Served in several decisions and policy making bodies at the University of Dhaka and several other public universities and as well in many government policy making bodies. On regular basis delivers lectures and supervises monographs/ theses on governance, social media, CHT issues, Gender and Politics in National Defence College (NDC), Police Staff College, Ansar Academy, PATC, NAEM,BARD, BILS and various other UN and other International bodies. Also Life Member of Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
International Work:
Served as guest Professor at the BOKU University for Agriculture and Sciences, Vienna, Institute of Forest Sector Policy and Economics and as visiting fellow at the Queens University of Belfast, Ireland under The Higher Education Link Program between Department of Women’s Studies, University of Dhaka and Queen’s University, Belfast. Widely published in National & International Journals.
Involvement with Development Work:
Worked as gender-adviser in Padma Railway link project. Researcher/consultant to DFID, UNDP, OXFAM (Canada), OXFAM GB, NORAD, IFAD, SDC, Save the Children UK, Save the Children Sweden Denmark, and USAID & ESCAP. Also conducted a number of evaluation studies of which “Gender Mainstreaming of Policies of The World Bank, UNDP, FAO and the Line Ministries of GoB” and Needs Assessment and Costing of MDG-3 sponsored by UNDP and GED, Planning Commission, are the prominent among others.
Role as Information Commissioner:
Have diligently carried out every responsibility that was bestowed upon. For example, as the Information Commissioner, strictly followed the job description and almost spent the whole tenure of 5 years on wheels- travelling across the country to almost 40 districts with a motto to ensure the citizens’ right to information and frequently wrote in National Dailies on RTI (Right to Information). Frequently appears in electronic media as a gender and political sociologist.
Role as Human Right Sociologist:
Being a human rights sociologist playing pivotal role for the physically challenged people. Particularly vocal in the university in regard to their admission in different departments. Academic works incorporate human rights issues like Dalits, ethnic and religious minority, rights for women and children, rights for small ethnic minorities and academic activism for all these issues. Highly acclaimed expert on Indigenous Issue.
Exposure:
Being a prominent sociologist, have visited more than 40 countries to give numerous talks and keynotes to uphold the ideas to contribute to the making of a better world. Talks and keynote speeches include the issues of human rights, women and gender, religious minority, small ethnic community, forestry and environment, climate change and development etc.