Piash Karim
Manjur Karim Piash (Bengali: মনজুর করিম পিয়াস; 1958- October 13, 2014) popularly known as Piash Karim was a professor, researcher and political commentator with specializations in political economy, political sociology, nationalism and social theory.[1][2] After independence, he completed his Bachelors from the University of Dhaka and went to the US for higher studies. In his long career as a teacher, he taught at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Culver–Stockton College and BRAC University.[3] Karim had authored several of books and journals on nationalism and sociology.[4]
Early life and education
Karim was born in 1958 in Comilla. His father M.A. Karim was a member of the founding committee of the Comilla unit of Awami League, and served as the treasurer of Awami League district unit for a long time.[5] Piash Karim received his primary education from Comilla Modern School and secondary education from Comilla Zila School. He completed his higher secondary education from Adamjee Cantonment College, Dhaka.[6]
Later, Karim obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Dhaka. He completed his masters and PhD in Sociology at Kansas State University after moving to the United States.[7] He was arrested by Pakistan Army of occupation during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 for distributing leaflets in favour of the freedom movement of Bangladesh.[8]
Career
Karim, after completing his masters and PhD, served as a faculty member of two American universities for seventeen years.[9] He joined the University of Nebraska–Lincoln as a faculty member and was promoted to a Professor of the university. Later, he worked as a Professor at Culver–Stockton College, Missouri for another few years. In 2007 he returned to Bangladesh and joined BRAC University as a Professor of Economics and Social Sciences Department. In Bangladesh, he wrote several articles on nationalist politics, civil society and media activism.[10]
Personal life and death
Karim was married to Dr. Amena Mohsin, a Professor of International Relations at the University of Dhaka. His only son lives in Dhaka. On October 13, 2014, he died in a cardiac arrest on his way to Square Hospital from his home at the age of 56.[11] Nobel Laureate and prominent economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus mourned his sudden death terming him as a "fearless and principled intellectual".[12]
References
- "Piash Karim passes away". The Daily Star. October 14, 2014.
- "Professor Piash Karim". BRAC University. October 14, 2014.
- "Professor Piash Karim". BRAC University. October 14, 2014.
- "Professor Piash Karim". BRAC University. October 14, 2014.
- "Minister: Piash's father helped freedom fighters in 1971". Dhaka Tribune. October 14, 2014.
- "Piash Karim passes away". New Age (Bangladesh). October 14, 2014.
- "Piash Karim passes away". The Daily Star. October 14, 2014.
- "Pakistan army detained Piash Karim for supporting war, says law minister". Bdnews24.com. October 19, 2014.
- "Professor Piash Karim". BRAC University. October 14, 2014.
- "Professor Piash Karim". BRAC University. October 14, 2014.
- "Piash Karim passes away". New Age (Bangladesh). October 14, 2014.
- "Yunus mourns Piash Karim". Bdnews24.com. October 14, 2014.