Letters from alumni

Dr. Md. Sohel Rana
Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh
Professor, Department of Pharmacy

It was April 1998 when I had the privilege of being at Okayama University to pursue my Ph.D degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences under the supervision of Professor Keietsu Tamagake. I recall that in addition to focusing on my research work, I also enjoyed every moment of the experience of being a student at Okayama University. I still have fond memories of playing tennis with faculty members and games of inter-department softball with friends.

However, my most pleasant memories were with my sensei, Professor Tamagake who used to take us out on trips. We will never forget the memories of Disney land or Tokyo Tower, the Golden Temple in Kyoto, deer in Nara, sand beaches or 'nashi garden' in Tottori. But my greatest recollection of my time at Okayama University was the birth of my daughter there. The lovely moment of seeing the new born baby in Saisekai Byoin is still fresh in my mind.

After coming back to Bangladesh in March 2002, I resumed teaching at the Pharmacy Department of Jahangirnagar University. I have had several administrative responsibilities, including being the Chairman of the Department!

Pharmacy as a profession was not very widespread and popular when I took the helm. I was given the ominous job of making a popular profession out of it in every aspect. I am currently supervising a research lab where more than 35 students are working on two existing projects, namely, Formulation Development & Drug Interaction and Natural Products Research.

Japan is giving tremendous support in these developments. We also have collaborative research programs with universities in South Korea, Australia, and England. Every year, many students from our lab pursue undergraduate and graduate studies in these countries.

I sincerely hope that we can continue to grow strong bonds with Okayama University to create more opportunities for exchange and collaborative research programs.

Further information
Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh
http://www.juniv.edu/