DUCSU’s only female VP Mahfuza Khanam dies at 80
Published: 12 August 2025, 3:50:08
Professor Mahfuza Khanam, the only female ever elected Vice President (VP) of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), has passed away at the age of 80.
She was taken to Health and Hope Hospital in Panthapath on Tuesday morning after feeling unwell, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.
Mahfuza Khanam had been living on Indira Road in Dhaka with her husband, former Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed. The news of her passing was confirmed by Barrister Shafique’s chambers.
She is survived by two sons and a daughter. Her elder son and daughter are both doctors, while her youngest son, Mahbub Shafique, is a lawyer.
A pioneering figure in student politics, Mahfuza Khanam made history in the 1966–67 DUCSU election by being elected VP as a candidate from Chhatra Union.
She completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics from Dhaka University in 1966 and 1967 respectively. Although she was awarded a scholarship to University of Sussex in 1968, the then Pakistan government denied her a passport due to her political activism.
Mahfuza Khanam served as a teacher in various government colleges and eventually became Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education. She was also a member of Dhaka University Senate.
Over her distinguished career, she held several prominent roles including General Secretary of Asiatic Society of Bangladesh and Chairperson of national children’s organization, Khelaghar Ashor.
In recognition of her contributions to education, she was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2021.
Cultural organization Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi has expressed deep sorrow and respect at her passing.
