Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan Professor, Department of Philosophy
PROFILE
SHORT BIOGRAPHY
I joined the Department of Philosophy at Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh, as a lecturer in April 1993, and since then I have been encountering and teaching students from a wide range of disciplines, including not only students on diverse disciplines of Arts and Humanities degrees, but also students of Environmental Sciences and IBA of Jahangirnagar University plus students of Open University often with professional experiences.
I taught on core subjects and specialized options at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th year and Master’s level, as well as supervising MPhil and PhD students. The feedback, which I have hitherto received from my students and colleagues, indicates that I am a triumphant and admired teacher. Students find me approachable and easy to talk to and to learn form. Further details of my teaching can be provided on request.
I taught two courses at Undergraduate level as a Postgraduate Tutor at Cardiff University in the UK.
RESEARCH INTEREST
Applied Ethics (especially Medical Ethics, Environmental Ethics, Business Ethics, Development Ethics, and Bioethics); History of Philosophy and Philosophy of Education.
All Publications
:: Funding Sources, Duration and Grant amount ::
1. World Bank : ((It’s an Academic Innovation Fund (Window 2) of the World Bank under the canopy of Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project
(HEQEP), which is run by University Grants Commission( UGC) of Bangladesh)) Duration: July 2014 - June 2017
Sub-project Title: Enhancing Research Capacity and Opportunity for the Postgraduate Researchers (MPhil /PhD) of the Department of Philosophy at Jahangirnagar University. Responsibility: Sub-Project Manager (SPM)
2. Jahangirnagar University Duration: 2004 to 2005 :Title: Implications of Utilitarianism for Environmental Ethics: Problems and Prospects; Responsibility: Principal Researcher.
3. Jahangirnagar University Duration: 2002 to 2003 : Title: Socio-cultural Impacts of Globalization: The Case of Bangladesh Responsibility: Principal Researcher.
4. Jahangirnagar University Duration: 2001 to 2002 : Title: Environmental Impacts of Globalization: The Role of a New Political Vision. Responsibility: Principal Researcher.
5. Jahangirnagar University : Duration: 1996 to 1997 : Title: Media Advertisement and Morality: The Case of Bangladesh Responsibility: Principal Researcher.
6. Jahangirnagar University Duration: 1995 to 1996 : Title: Morality and Society Responsibility: Principal Researcher.
7. Jahangirnagar University : Duration: 1994 to 1995 Title: A Study on Our Moral Responsibilities towards the Environment with Special Reference to Bangladesh Responsibility: Principal Researcher.
:: International and National Conference, Presentation, Workshop and Seminar Papers ::
1. Workshop on Curriculum : Sri Chimney: a Spiritual Development and Philosophy Lecture Series, University of Philosopher of Bangladesh, Chittagong, Bangladesh, March 9, 10, 11&12, 2017
2. Conference Workshop : Reflections on the Nature of SVSU, MI, USA, August, 2016 Teaching Academic Philosophy in Bangladesh
3. Workshop on Teaching and Learning, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh, 2016 : Selecting a Topic for Research and Preparing a Research Proposal in Philosophy .
4. Philosophy Seminar Series 2008, School of English, Communication and Philosophy (ENCAP), Cardiff University, UK. : Des Gasper on the Concept of Development: Attfield’s Reply to Gasper
5. Philosophy Seminar Series 2009, School of English, Communication and Philosophy (ENCAP), Cardiff University, UK. : Revisiting the Concept of Sustainable Development
6. Philosophy Seminar Series 2011, School of English, Communication and Philosophy (ENCAP), Cardiff University, UK. : Environmental Impacts of Development Activities: The Case of Bangladesh
7. International Workshop’2005 on Globalization and Asian Values (26-29 December). Organized by: The Asia Pacific Research Center (APRC), Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe, Japan. : Ethical Implication of the Socio-cultural Impacts of Globalization : South Asian Perspective
8. International Philosophy Conference’ 2002, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh.: Anatomy of Corruption: Philosophical Perspective (I anchored the conference and performed the duty of publishing a proceeding of the conference as the chief editor.)
9. National Conference on Practical Ethics’ 1997, Chittagong University, Chittagong, Bangladesh.: Issues in Practical Ethics
:: Thesis Supervision and Evaluation/ Articles Reviewed ::
1. PhD in Philosophy [Thesis supervised: 6]
2. MPhil in Philosophy [Thesis supervised 2]
3. MA in Philosophy [Research Paper:5 ]
4. PhD Thesis reviewed: [ 15]
5. Article reviewed : [ 25]
:: Electronic and Print Media Affiliation ::
Contributed to more than a: On different areas including political, economic, educational, and Hundred live Talk Shows foreign policy issues as a Nationalist Resource Person.
Published about 70 popular: In several popular daily newspapers; in supplements articles published on different important days and events of BNP.
:: Academic Publications ::
1. Swazo, N.K., Talukder, M.M.H. & Ahsan, M.K. A Duty to treat? A Right to refrain? Bangladeshi physicians in moral dilemma during COVID-19. Philos Ethics Humanit Med 15, 7 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/13010-020-00091-6 [ BioMed Central Ltd unless otherwise stated. Part of Springer Nature.] [PS: Accessed since 9 September 2020 to date: 9848. This article is now in the WHO COVID-19 database with an original COVID WHO ID. For more see:: https://search.bvsalud.org/global-literature-on-novel-coronavirus-2019ncov/resource/en/covidwho-751189]
2. 'Revisiting the Concept of Human Security, Philosophy and Progress ( The journal of the
Dev Center for Philosophical Studies, Department of Philosophy, University of Dhaka) Vols: LIX-LX, January -June, July-December, 2016 ( printed in 2019)
3. 'Robin Attfield’s Version of Biocentric Consequentialism: a Contender for Defendable Ethical Theory', The Jahangirnagar Review Part-C (Journal of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh), Vol-25, 2015.
4. ‘Redefining the Concept of Sustainable Development’, The Jahangirnagar Review Part-C (Journal of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh), Vol-23, 2012-13.
5. ‘The Concept of Sustainability Revisited’, Prajna (Journal of the Department of Philosophy, Chittagong University, Bangladesh), Vol-9, 2012. (Lead author)
6. ‘The Ethical dimension of Environmental Problems: Towards a Policy Framework for Sustainable Development’, Copula (Journal of the Department of Philosophy, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh), Vol-29, 2012.
7. ‘Philosophical Problems for Environmentalism and Species Preservation: a Reply to Elliott Sober’, Copula (Journal of the Department of Philosophy, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh), Vol-28, 2011.
8. ‘Ethical Implication of the Socio-Cultural Affects of Globalization: South Asian Perspective’, Annual Report 2005-2006 (Sub-theme: Human Security), Asia Pacific Research Center (APRC), Kobe Gakuin University, Japan, 2006.
9. ‘Ethical Implication of the Socio-Cultural Affects of Globalization: Bangladesh Context’, The Jahangirnagar Review Part-C (Journal of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh), Vol-15 & 16, 2005.
10. ‘Community of Inquiry as a Response to Crisis’, Copula (Journal of the Department of Philosophy, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh), Vol-22, 2005.(Lead author)
11. ‘Root and Impacts of Environmental Challenges: Towards a Theoretical Solution to Environmental Problem’, Copula (Journal of the Department of Philosophy, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh), Vol-18, 2001.
12. ‘Anthropocentrism vs. Non-anthropocentrism: Examining the Justification of Dichotomy’ The Jahangirnagar Review Part-C ‘(Journal of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh) Vol.13, 2002. (Lead author, written in Bengali)
13. ‘The Challenges to the Environment and Civilization: an Ethical Overview’, Loco Proshason Shamoeqee (Journal of Bangladesh Public Administration Training Center, BPATC) Vol-20, 2002. (Lead author, written in Bengali)
14. ‘Philosophical Exploration of the Traditional Concept of Site: a Profile ’, Pratnatattva (Journal of the Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh) Vol-5, 1999. (Lead author, written in Bengali)
15. ‘Moral Issues in Archeological Studies: an Analysis’, Pratnatattva (Journal of the Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh), Vol-8,2002.(Lead author, written in Bengali)
16. ‘Environmental Pollution and our Moral Responsibility: Bangladesh Context’, Copula (Journal of the Department of Philosophy, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh) vol-13, 1996. (Written in Bengali)
17. ‘Philosophy of Science and the Scientific Basis of Archaeological Activities: an Outline’, Pratnatattva (Journal of the Department of Archaeology, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh) vol-3, 1996. (Lead author and written in Bengali)
:: Completed Paper under Review ::
Title : Pandemic Vaccines and the Global Public Good: A Call For Distributive Justice ( coauthored)
Under review: Asian Bioethics Review
Note: The paper is available as a preprint on Research Gate
:: Chapters in an Edited Book ::
1. 'Robin Attfield’s Version of Biocentric Consequential : a Contender for Defendable Normative
Ethical Theory', in Contemporary Moral Philosophy& Applied Ethics : An Anthology, ed. by
Swazo, N.K Century Publishers (Dhaka: North South University & Century Publication, 2018), Chapter 4
2. ‘The Ethical Dimension of Environmental Problems: Towards a Policy Framework for
Sustainable Development’, ed. by Swazo, N.K Century Publishers (Dhaka: North South University & Century Publication, 2018), Chapter 10
:: Grants and Awards ::
2009-10: Charles Wallace Bangladesh Trust, UK.
2010: The Hammond Trust, British Council, Manchester, UK.
2010 : The Mount Batten Fund, Cardiff University, UK.
2008-10: Overseas Research Studentship (ORS) Award, UK.
2008: Jahangirnagar University Scholarship for Higher Studies/ Training, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
2007: ENCAP PGR Bursaries, Cardiff University, UK.
1999: Jahangirnagar University Scholarship for Higher Studies / Training, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Academic Info
PhD: School of English, Communication and Philosophy( ENCAP), Cardiff University, UK (2013); Thesis Title: Sustainable Development and Environmentalism: an Ethical Framework for Policy and Decision Making in Developing Countries, with Special Reference to Bangladesh.
MA: Faculty of Philosophy, Sofia University, Bulgaria (2000); Thesis Title: The Challenges to the Environment and Globalization: Ethical Landmarks for Political Decisions.
MA: Department of Philosophy, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh (1990). 1st Class 1st ( First in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities)
BA (Honours): Department of Philosophy, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh (1989). 1st Class 3rd
Experience
2013 to date (Date of joining :14-04-2013) : Professor, Department of Philosophy, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh.
2009 to 2012: While completing my PhD, I worked as a Postgraduate Tutor in the School of English, Communication and Philosophy (ENCAP) at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom for 36 months.
2003 to 2013: Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh.
1997 to 2003: Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh.
1993 to1997 (Date of joining : 05-04-1993): Lecturer, Department of Philosophy, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh.
Activity
July 2019 to Date : General Sectary: Bangladesh Philosophical Society( BPS)
August 2023 to date: Life member , Asiatic Society of Bangladesh (ABS)
February, 2014 to January 2015 : Secretary, Jahangirnagar University Teachers’ Association (JUTA), Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh.
November,2004 to April 2007: Chairman, Department of Philosophy, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh.
November,2004 to April 2007: Executive Editor, Copula (Journal of the Department of Philosophy), Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh.
January, 2003 to 24 April 2007 : Advisor, Leo Club of Jahangirnagar University Greater, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh.
January, 2005 to 24 April 2007: Secretary, Jahangirnagar University Teachers’ Association(JUTA), Bangladesh.
May, 2005 to 24 April 2007 : Syndicate Member (elect), Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh.
May, 2005 to 2009 : Senate Member (Elect), Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh.
June 1995 to June 1997: Academic Council Member (elect), Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh.
July 2005 to 24 April 2007 : Provost, B K Zia Hall, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh.
Contact
Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan
Professor
Department of Philosophy
Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh.
Email: kamrul@juniv.edu