Iajuddin Ahmed (1931- ) President of Bangladesh (6 September 2002- ). Born at Nayagaon village of munshiganj on 1 February 1931, Iajuddin Ahmed passed matriculation from Munshiganj High School in 1948 and ISc in 1950 from Haraganga College, Munshiganj. He passed BSc in 1952 from the university of dhaka and in 1954, passed MSc in Soil Science from the same university. Then he left for higher studies in the USA and did MS in 1958 and PhD in 1962 both from Wisconsin University. Upon his return home after completion of higher studies Iajuddin Ahmed joined as an assistant professor in the Department of Soil Science, University of Dhaka.

Professor Ahmed served as the chairman, Department of Soil Science, University of Dhaka (1968-1969; 1976-1979), Provost, Salimullah Muslim Hall, University of Dhaka (1975-1983), Dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences from 1989 to 1991, Chairman of the Public Service Commission (1991-1993), Chairman, University Grants Commission (1995-1999), and Vice Chancellor, State University of Bangladesh (2002). Professor Ahmed also worked as visiting professor in Cornell University (USA) in 1984 and the German Technical University and Gottingens University of Germany in 1984. He has authored 125 research articles.

Major areas of his research are the effects of salinity on paddy plants of the coastal areas and storage of plant food under the ground for their supply to plants according to needs. His invention of a new method of underground plant food storage drew attention of scholars at home and abroad. In recognition of his contribution to the development of education, Iajuddin Ahmed was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 1995. He also received the Ibrahim Memorial Medal in 1987-88, and Atish Dipankar Medal in 1990.

In 1991, Iajuddin Ahmed served as an Advisor to the Interim government and was in charge of the ministries of food and cultural affairs. Elected on 5 September 2002 as unopposed, Professor Iajuddin Ahmed took oath as the President of Bangladesh on 6 September 2002. [Helal Uddin Ahmed]