Khaleda Ekram

Khaleda Ekram (6 August 1950 – 24 May 2016) was a Bangladeshi architect, professor, researcher, and academic. She served as the 12th vice-chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). She was the former dean of the faculty of architecture and planning and head of the department of architecture at BUET. She was the first woman to be appointed as the vice-chancellor of BUET. She held the position from September 2014 until her death in May 2016.

Ekram was awarded 2023 Begum Rokeya Padak posthumously for her contribution to women's education

Early life and education Ekram was born on 6 August 1950, in Dhaka, to Ekram Hussain and Qamrunnessa Hussain. She had three sisters, Kamela Akhter Ishaque, Morsheda Karim, and Masuda Ahmed.

Ekram received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in 1974.

Career Ekram began her career in 1974 as a junior architect at Bastukalabid Limited in Dhaka. However, only two days after her appointment, Teachers' Association of BUET raised their opposition against the new VC, alleging that seniority has been violated in her appointment. They argued that BUET VCs were appointed based on their seniority and Khaleda Ekram was the 26th senior-most professor in BUET and hence was not eligible for the post. Eventually, the controversy died down and Ekram was able to serve 20 months out of her 4-year term until she became seriously ill in 2016. Within this short period of time, she proved her administrative skills and was credited with bringing back the academic discipline by reducing 'session jam' of BUET. She also patronized and facilitated many extra-curricular activities for the students in an attempt to improve their college experience.

Awards and honors Outstanding Alumni Award of the department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Hawaii, Hawaii, USA, November 2010. Chair, Executive Board, East West Center Association (EWCA), Honolulu, Hawaii, USA from July 2007 to July 2010. President, Women Architects, Engineers, Planners Association (WAEPA) Bangladesh from 2009 to 2016. Member, Executive Board, East West Center Association (EWCA), Honolulu, Hawaii, USA from July 2005 to July 2007. Resource person on Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) Visiting Board (a full-scale visit – category 4) of the department of architecture, Manipal Institute of Technology, India, 21–27 Sept. 1997; Rizvi College of Architecture and Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture, & Environmental Studies, Mumbai, India, 4–11 December 2005. Gender Advisor (From Oct. 1992 to Dec. 2004), Gender Strategy Component (from 2001 known as Gender Equality Policy Group), University of Alberta – BUET Institutional Linkage Project, BUET, Dhaka, Funded by Canadian International Development Agency. Honorary Advisor, Bibi Khadeja Kalayan Sangstha, a Nonprofit Welfare Association from 1995 to 2016; raised funds during Natural Calamities, arranged free schooling for under privileged kids, set up cutting and sewing classes for women. Nominated External Supervisor of two graduate students, the University of Karlskrona/ Ronneby, Sweden, January 1993 (Due to unavoidable circumstances the students could not come to Bangladesh). Stood First Class Second in order of merit among 37 students in the B. Arch. Examination, 1974. Anannya Top Ten Awards (2014) Begum Rokeya Padak (2023)

Personal life and death Ekram was married to Architect Haroon ur Rashid. Together they had two daughters, Mariam Ali, an environmentalist, Mashida Rashid, a public health specialist, and a son, Khaled Yasin Rashid, also an environmentalist. She died at the hospital 10 days later. She was buried in her mother's grave at the Banani Graveyard in Dhaka.

Selected publications