In Memory of Professor Dr. Syed Mahbubur Rahman
-----------------------------------------------
August 10, 1988. First day of class at BUET, CSE department. We the first 30 students being introduced by
departmental faculty (all sir): Towfiq, Zunaid, Tahshin Asker, Kamrul Morshed, Masroor Ali headed by Mahbub sir.
We (BUET CSE87) were the parallel first batch of CSE ever in Bangladesh. I was about to hesitate to study CSE,
as questioned then by many: lack of faculty, textbook, lab facility etc. etc. But the very first welcome speech
by Mahbub sir made us confident that everything will be fine. Some one asked him how much we will be learning,
whereas industry expects more etc. etc. Sir convinced us that whatever is covered in classes, just try to understand
and instill ourself and that will be enough. What I learned from him (1988-1992), still today I repeat the same every
new semester to all new students (BTW I have taught more than 4000 CS students in Bangladesh and North America)
Sir used to take our Digital Logic (textbook of Ramesh S. Gaonkar) Automata design class. I still remember his
topics of Mealy vs Moore machine concepts, flip-flop, NAND-NAND realization, processing handy scanner image processing
(msp file) etc. One of his greatest quality of teaching was that he could make us understand difficult concept in plain
simple language and example.
I remember once in Exam Hall, there was some error in questions, sir used to walk in each students' and personally corrected
those.
During 1989, there was a "Computer Day". All the major computer vendors in Dhaka attended the day long stall, event and ceremony.
Sir had huge networking and connection. I remember sir used to organize a number of seminars and those who visited from abroad, they
were given chance to hold seminar in the CSE department as well as in the Gallery of Civil Engineering building.
Because of Mahbub sir, we had a very enriched/huge curriculum consist of 8 semesters of about 192 credits. Most of the courses
had separate lab. We learnt a lot of Electrical Engineering courses, plus a lot of Mathematics in addition to core CSE courses.
All the junior faculty of CSE (Chowdhury Mofizur Rahman, Abul Kashem Mia, Hasanuzzaman and many more) were fan of Mahbub sir.
1989-90, sir's only son born, Marsoor sir informed us all. His name is Tahsin, a super genius, deans list merit scholar,
finished undergraduate in less than three years.
Sir was promoted to be the youngest Full Professor, then he moved to Monash University Australia during 1992, served there till 1999
for 7 years. I was NOT in direct contact with him, but got all the update from my dear friend Manzur Morshed
(sir left Monash and Manzur entered!)
During 1999-2001 I was in Australia, but somehow missed to see sir.
During 2002, I had the opportunity to listen to Mahbub sir's keynote speech @ ICCIT. There were more than 400
audiences, pin drop silent in Bangladesh China friendship conference center. Sir was delivering e-commerce development
contemporary topics. Some one asked regarding m-commerce. The term was not familiar to me. In response to the question,
sir explained a lot, and at the very last told the meaning of m-commerce for mobile commerce. That being said, I have never
seen sir to be annoyed with any students, he was always very calm and quiet. He does a lot of work, but in his face no sign of
tiredness.
I was able to reconnect Mahbub sir during 2013 somehow and till 2021 I was heavily connected. Please be patience for for my
subsequent para of writings, the memory of these past 8 years.
During 2012, I was CS faculty at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. I needed letter of refence (LOR), sir gladly provided
me one. Since then sir was my personal referee for job search, ACM Senior Membership, U.S Green Card application and many more.
During 2014, I joined Winona State University, a member of MNSCU. Mahbub sir's University at Mankato was about 3 and half hours of
driving from Winona. One day IO visited sir's home in Mankato. Despite sir and Bhabi's tight work schedule, they cooked so many items
that my co-traveller (named Bari) was astonished. Sir shown me his office room, department, gym and other notable places of MNSU.
I noticed during the showing, we came across a number of students, almost all of them greeted sir very well and sir was very friendly
to them. I have worked in more than 10 Universities, such a Student-Teacher relationship as maintained by sir amazed me. I think
I must be very friendly to fellow students!
From 2014 till March 2021, I can confidently say that I was sir's top favourite. It has never been the case that I called
him and could not reach. Suppose sir is watering garden, bhabi received the phone, right away sir continue for hours.
Even if he was super busy in departmental meeting, coould let me know that he will call me back by such and such time.
I don't think I will have any more Professor in North America who will give me so much valuable time. Sir was a very patient
listener, and at the end could suggest the very best options.
2019, First North American BUET CSE Get Together, sir happily accepted to be the chief guest. If Kaykobad sir did
not point to us, it could never happen. Sir was very happy, below I am copying what sir had written in response to my
Vote of Thanks.
"""
Dear All,
Thank you all for providing me and my wife such a great and one of the very rare opportunity to meet all of you after a long time.
We would also like to provide our thanks to Emdad, Salahuddin, Ujjal and others for their lead role in organizing the first CSE
reunion and making it such an inviting event. Please accept our heartfelt greetings.
I found this event as a great and very successful one. I am certain that, with this first event you all have
planted a seed for future much bigger events that will provide fruits for our future generations that will benefit all of us.
As indicated during the event, our invitation to visit us will remain open to all of you and we will be very happy to see
you visit us in Mankato at your convenient time.
Please be in touch.
With best wishes.
Mahbub
**************************************
Dr. Mahbubur Syed
Professor and Department Chair
Department of Computer Information Science
Minnesota State University Mankato
273 Wissink Hall
Ph: (507) 389 3226
"""
2020 March, one day sir called me to know how we are doing. Then during August, Munir arranged Zoom meeting with all CSE87
friends for non-stop 4 hours live discussions.
2020 December, thanks to Dr. Latifur Khan bhai to arrange a session with CSE Alumni (a total of 55 showed up, sir was there
as well).
2021 March. One day I called sir for some reason. By the by sir wanted to know the phone number of Sabina (EEE) and Kajol Bhai.
I am NOT sure whether they could talk with sir or not. The lesson I learnt, if some one seek you, no matter how busy you are,
just say hi. Since then 40 days past, I was NOT in touch with Mahbub sir and whether there was any health related issues with him.
2021 April 14, got to know during Iftar from Munir that sir is at ICU , then while praying Taraweeh in congregation,
seen the news from Salem’s post. Right away requested the Imam Hajiz-e-Quran to pray for the departed soul of Mahbub sir.
This is an unique experience for me to get to know some one very near and dear and who no more with us in the Holy month of Ramadan.
As for myself, I lost one of my personal referee for the past 7 years in job searching, U.S. green card application and many more.
During 2019, first North American BUET CSE get together, sir was the chief guest and he was very happy that we have honored him such a way.
May Allah grant Mahbub sir the highest place in Jannatul Ferdous —Ameen
PS: I have read all the emotional postings from the followings: Mukul bhai, Azad Khan, Latif Bhai, Zulker Bhai, Dina Apa,
Masud (CSE89) and many others.
Emdad Ahmed
BUET CSE87
Friday, April 16, 2021
USA