ISLAMABAD, Oct 7: Dr Syed Tajjamul Hussain’s death is an irreparable loss to the scientific community of Pakistan. Late Dr Tajjamul was honest, dedicated and a passionate scientist who spent his entire life for the development of the National Centre for Physics (NCP).

This was stated by the chairman of NCP Board of Governors Dr Ishfaq Ahmad at a memorial reference for Dr Tajjamul.

The late professor was the director of the Department of Nano-Sciences NCP and had died last week.

The chairman said, “Dr Tajjamul was firm and determined in his project planning, and had developed several linkages with different research and development organisations.

His contributions are remarkable and young scientists should follow his footsteps to be successful.”

Similarly, Director General NCP Dr Hamid Saleem said the vacuum created by the death of Dr Tajjamul could not be filled and he played a pivotal role in establishing the nano-science department at NCP.

“Dr Tajjamul devoted his days and nights to the department, and was one of the pioneers. His dedication and devotion brought international fame to NCP,” he said.

Director South Asian Strategic Stability Institute Dr Maria Sultan said passion and dedication with his work was Dr Tajjamul’s prime qualities.

“He brought new ideas and transferred it to other people. I have never seen such a dedicated person,” she added.

Furthermore, Dr Tajjamul’s student, Asma Siddiqa, said she considered him one of the greatest scientists.

“I think a teacher never dies. Instead, he lives in the hearts and minds of his students, and that is why I feel Dr Tajjamul is alive in our hearts and minds,” she said.

Likewise, Dr Tariq Mehmood, a colleague of Dr Tajjamul, said, “I first met him in 2004 at the Quaid-e-Azam University, and found him uncompromising. He financially supported several students to get better opportunities abroad.”

Dr Tajjamul Hussain has served in various international and national organisations. He was the senior research associate and visiting professor in University of Alberta, Canada and University of California, Berkley.

Over 100 students obtained their M Phil and PhD degrees under Dr Tajjamul’s supervision. He had more than 300 international research papers in addition to books, patents and conference papers.