Former DU VC Arefin Siddique hospitalised after stroke, condition critical

Former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique has been hospitalised in critical condition after suffering a stroke.

His younger brother, Sakrin Arefin, confirmed the matter to bdnews24.com on Thursday evening.

“He was walking at home while talking in the afternoon when he suddenly fell to the floor. We rushed him to BIRDEM (Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine, and Metabolic Disorders) Hospital immediately. After initial tests, doctors confirmed he had a stroke,” Sakrin said.

Asked about the latest condition, he added, "He is not doing well and is in the ICU.”

Prof Arefin is receiving treatment at the intensive care unit, or ICU, of the Neuroscience Unit at the Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital and Research Institute in the capital.

Diabetic Association President Prof AK Azad Khan says, “From my last conversation, I learnt he has suffered a major stroke. His condition is very critical.”

He was a faculty member of Dhaka University’s mass communication and journalism department.

He previously served as the president and general secretary of the Dhaka University Teachers’ Association.

On Jul 15, 2020, he was appointed chairman of the state news-agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, or BSS, board of directors.

In 2009, Prof Arefin became the 27th vice-chancellor of Dhaka University.

Although his ancestral home is in Narsingdi’s Raipura, he was born in Dhaka on Oct 23, 1953.

He completed his Master’s in journalism at Dhaka University and earned a PhD from the University of Mysore in India in 1985.