Atta-ur-Rahman (Urdu: عطاالرحمان; b. 22 September 1942), NI, FRS, FPAS is a Pakistani organic chemist and is currently serving as Professor Emeritus at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences at the University of Karachi and as Chairman of PM Task Force on Science and Technology.[1] He has twice served as the President of Pakistan Academy of Sciences (2003-2006, and 2011–2014).[2] He was the Federal Minister of Science and Technology (2000-2002), Federal Minister of Education (2002) and Chairman Higher Education Commission with status of Federal Minister (2002-2008)[3] He is also the President of the Network of Academies of Sciences in Countries of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (NASIC).[4] After returning to Pakistan from Cambridge after completing his tenure as Fellow of Kings College, Cambridge University, he contributed to the development of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences at the University of Karachi, and transforming the landscape of higher education, science and technology of Pakistan. He is Fellow of Royal Society (London), Life Fellow of Kings College, Cambridge University, UK.,,[5] Academician Chinese Academy of Sciences[6] and Professor Emeritus at University of Karachi[7]
In 1964, Rahman joined the Karachi University as a lecturer in undergraduate chemistry.[15] He remained associated with the Cambridge University between 1969 and 1973, and is presently honorary Life Fellow at the King's College of the Cambridge University.[15] In 1977, he became the co-director of the Hussain Ebrahim Jamal Research Institute of Chemistry at University of Karachi; eventually he was ascended as the Director in 1990.[15] In 1979, Rahman did the post-doctoral research at the University of Tübingen. Upon returning to Pakistan, he joined Karachi University where he lectures and taught chemistry.[15] He was appointed Professor Emeritus at University of Karachi for life.[16]
He carried out important studies on the synthesis of anti-cancer alkaloids present in the plant Catharanthus roseus and analytical studies on organic compounds involving circular dichroism and is generally recognized as bringing a huge positive change in the development of science and technology as well as higher education in Pakistan.[17][18]
His book entitled "Stereoselective Synthesis in Organic Chemistry" (Springer-Verlag) was termed a monumental contribution in the field by the Nobel Laureate Sir Derek Barton in the foreword of the book written by him.[19] His book entitled "NMR Spectroscopy-Basic Principles" was published by Springer-Verlag and translated into Japanese for use in university courses in Japan[20] The Nobel Laureate Herbert C. Brown applauded the contributions of Rahman in science and technology.[21]
Positions held
Fellow, King's College, Cambridge University (1969–1973, 2007– for Life)[22]
In 1999, he joined the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoSci) as its minister, assisting in drafting the official science policy of the country. In 2002, he was appointed as minister of the Ministry of Education (MoEd) as well as becoming the chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) until resigning in 2008.[33] Atta-ur-Rahman has also served as Chairman of the Prime Ministers National Task Force on Science and Technology, Co Chairman of Prime Ministers National Task Force on Information Technology and Telecommunications,[34] and Vice Chairman of the Prime Ministers Task Force on Technology Driven Knowledge Economy[35] during the years 2019 to 2022. He is the President of the Network of Science of Organisation of Islamic Countries (NASIC)[36]
Honours and awards
Atta-ur-Rahman has been selected as one of the 500 most influential personalities of the Islamic World.[37] Institutions have been named after Rahman in China,[38] the Atta-ur-Rahman Institute for Natural Product Discovery (AuRIns) in Malaysia[39][40] and the Academician Professor Atta-ur-Rahman One Belt and One Road TCM Research Center were named after Rahman,[41] as well as the Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences at the National University of Sciences & Technology (Islamabad, Pakistan)[42] and the Atta-ur-Rahman Laboratories, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences at the University of Karachi (Karachi, Pakistan).[43] The US Publisher ARKAT USA has published a special issue of the journal Arkivoc, Vol 2007, in honour of Atta-ur-Rahman FRS which had contributions from top scientists in the field of natural product chemistry.[44] Similarly, the international journal Molecules published by the Swiss publisher MDPI published a special issue of the journal in honour of Atta-ur-Rahman.[45] The World Academy of Science, Italy has introduced a special Prize in his honour (TWAS-Atta-ur-Rahman Award in Chemistry) for young scientists which is awarded once every two years.[46] In recognition of his eminent contributions, Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman has received honorary doctorate degrees from many universities including the University of Cambridge (UK), Coventry University (UK), Bradford University (UK), Universiti Teknologi Mara (Malaysia), Asian Institute of Teknologi (Thailand), University of Karachi (Pakistan), Gomal University (Pakistan), and several other universities[47]
National and international Awards
In recognition of his eminent contributions in the field of organic chemistry, he has been conferred with many civil awards, including:
^ abStaff writer. "Prof Dr Atta-ur-Rahman". Pakistan Herald. Pakistan Herald (Biography). Archived from the original on 6 May 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
^ abcdefPakistan Academy of Sciences. "Profile of Fellow". Pakistan Academy of Sciences. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
^"中国化学会荣誉会士" [Chinese Chemical Society Honorary Fellow in 1997] (in Chinese). Chinese Chemical Society website. Archived from the original on 11 June 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2021.