Sukomal Barua (born 1955) is a Bangladeshi educationist. He is a Professor in the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies at University of Dhaka.[1] He has been awarded the prestigious Ekushey Padak in 2006 by the Government of Bangladesh for his contribution to education.[2] He is a member of advisory council in Bangladesh Nationalist Party.[3]
Sukomal Barua | |
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সুকোমল বড়ুয়া | |
Born | 1955 (age 68–69) |
Nationality | Bangladeshi |
Other names | Sundarananda Bhikkhu |
Occupation | Educationist |
Parents |
|
Awards | Ekushey Padak |
Barua was born in 1955 in Dhemsha Union, Satkania Upazila, Chittagong District to Ganash Chandra Barua and Buddhimati Barua.[4]
Barua first worked at Rangunia College as a lecturer. Later he worked at Hasina Jamal Degree College where he was the first principal.[5] He then joined University of Dhaka as a professor of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies.[4] He became chairman of Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies in University of Dhaka.[6] He is an adjunct professor of Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology.[7]
Barua served as the secretary general of "Religions for Peace Bangladesh". He was in central committee of the organization named "Asian Conference of Religions for Peace".[5] He was first principal of Dhaka International Buddhist Monastery.[8] He served as the president of the Gurudwara Management Committee Bangladesh and Dr. Ambedkar Foundation. He was vice-president of the Bangladesh Interreligious Writers and Journalists Association, and the Bangladesh chapter of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace.[5][9]
He is President of the Bangladesh Chapter of World Buddhist Federation and Chairman of Council for Interfaith Hermony in Bangladesh.[6]
Barua has a daughter, Sanghamitra Barua Manosi.[4] She introduced Sukomal Barua Gold Medal at University of Dhaka.[4] She formed a trust fund of four lakh taka in 2014. The money is given to the students of Pali and Buddhist Studies from Dhaka University who are awarded gold medals annually.[10][11] In 2017, the size of this fund stood at 10 lakh taka.[12]