This time Scientific Bangladesh has interviewed Dr. Nawshad Haque. He has PhD in chemical 
engineering. Over time, he has developed skills and experiences in diverse fields. Here are his story and insights
1.Scientific Bangladesh: Would you like to tell us about your academic and research life? In another way, how would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?
Dr. Nawshad Haque: I am a researcher working in public sector R & D over 18 years after my PhD in Chemical Engineering. I offer industry workshops and also teach at universities and co-supervise PhD students and undergraduate vacation scholars. My mission is to use science for development.
2.Scientific Bangladesh: What has made you a researcher and/or a teacher? In another way, what is the story behind your becoming a researcher?
Dr. Nawshad Haque: One of my Professors (Late Professor Kamaluddin in Chittagong University) inspired me to be a researcher. He just came back from Edinburgh University with a PhD during my undergraduate study in Forestry and brought research culture with him. I closely worked with him from my 2nd year to final year assisting him to design his experiments on clonal propagation for Sissoo tree improvement. He instilled a few research ethics and passion in me which I still find useful in my career.
3.Scientific Bangladesh: How do you manage funds for research? From where you get funds for research?
Dr. Nawshad Haque: We get funds from various sources, mainly mining and energy industries, multinationals, and governments, State, Federal both national and international, and international aid agencies.
4.Scientific Bangladesh: Do you think Bangladeshi researchers apply enough for international funds?
Dr. Nawshad Haque: I do not know but I suspect the number of applicants is limited.
5.Scientific Bangladesh: Inadequate fund for research is a major problem in Bangladesh. What would you say in response to pointing fingers by many to this basic problem worldwide, not only in Bangladesh?
Dr. Nawshad Haque: Funds were always a problem. However, if the idea is good, sound, and impactful, often somehow fund becomes available in my experience. Researchers need diligent persistence and patience. I have to note insecurity of funds and jobs of the researchers is a problem for many to seriously take research as a career. This varies between fields though and I think researchers also need to think about the application of their research. The impact of research which is a positive economic, environmental, or social change, is the key. If research outcomes have a positive impact that is worthy of investment. If an entrepreneur can make money and create jobs using research outcomes and results, that is the true success of a researcher.
6.Scientific Bangladesh: What is your research area? What type of research facilities/ infrastructures you have or developed over years and how?
Dr. Nawshad Haque: My research area is about technology evaluation using chemical engineering principles, flowsheeting, techno-economic, and life cycle assessment methods which is an internationally recognized tool for environmental performance assessment (e.g. energy, carbon, water, and waste footprints of a product). I have developed a team of researchers in my organisation and in selected countries with an understanding of the basic principles of LCA, software, and relevant resources required. I have published widely in this field that is used internally and also by industry leaders and executives for decision making about low-cost technologies and with low environmental impact in the mining, energy, and resources field.
7.Scientific Bangladesh: Tell us about your publications and patent, if any. Tell more about your most loved publication/s and/or patents.
Dr. Nawshad Haque: I have mainly published in Drying Technology which was my PhD topic. Then I moved to life cycle assessment and published in mainly the Journal of Cleaner Production. Several of our life cycle assessment of metal papers (e.g. steel, aluminum, copper, and gold) are pioneer work in this field and highly cited. We have also published on various aspects of rare earth elements that are required for everyday items such as mobile phones and electronic gadgets. I have also studied and published on processing and recovering values from electronic waste such as end-of-life mobile phone waste generated in Bangladesh. One of my objectives is always to use my expertise for the development of emerging economies, particularly Bangladesh. I have trained many Bangladeshi scientists and officials for capability development and also government executives in other countries.
8.Scientific Bangladesh: Do you have any research that has been commercialized? What should Bangladesh do to encourage commercialization of research outputs?
Dr. Nawshad Haque: I have made a contribution to developing some of the tools and software that have been commercialized in large timber processing and mining sites in Australia, New Zealand, and South America. Bangladeshi scientists and PhD students’ need mentoring by applied scientists with commercialization experiences in developed countries such as in Australia (e.g. scientists from CSIRO and Australian universities).
9.Scientific Bangladesh: Would you like to share your google scholar, LinkedIn, or any other profile?
Dr. Nawshad Haque: Yes –
CSIRO: http://people.csiro.au/H/N/Nawshad-Haque.aspx, TPG: www.users.tpg.com.au/nawshadul,
Google Scholar :http://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=iUht9sYAAAAJ&hl=en,
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nawshad-haque-9b79381
10.Scientific Bangladesh: Tells us about research grants and awards you have obtained till now.
Dr. Nawshad Haque: Numerous from industries, governments, and other sources over AU$5 M during my career.
11.Scientific Bangladesh: How important are experience of working as a journal editor and peer-reviewed? How is your experience in those cases?
Dr. Nawshad Haque: Initially as a researcher you publish, then you start reviewing actively and you move upwards in rank to work in the editorial team. I have worked in all those capacities. It helps you obviously to understand the peer-review process deeply. Also, you get a chance to understand the landscape of your research fields where other researchers in your fields are working on.
12.Scientific Bangladesh: How many researchers (PhDs and Masters) have you developed by this time? In other words, share your supervising story.
Dr. Nawshad Haque: 10 PhD students have graduated under my co-supervision and 50 undergraduate students completed vacation scholarship placements. I am currently supervising 4 students, with 3 more to join our team. I have developed a multilateral project with assistance from colleagues for 10 joint PhD projects between Bangladesh BCSIR, RMIT University, and CSIRO on various topics that will assist in the development of scientific research capacity in Bangladesh, that is expected to start soon. Supervision of PhD students helps for my own career enhancement to learn new development in the topic of research and to contribute to the global talent pool. It is indeed a rewarding experience to see a researcher grow over time and becomes an independent expert in the field of their study.
13.Scientific Bangladesh: What 1. qualities and 2. skills you expect in prospective researchers?
Dr. Nawshad Haque: Diligence, perseverance, patience, focus and passion for research, and good research ethics. Sustainable Development Goals can be a good compass.
14.Scientific Bangladesh: What are the professional organizations of researchers you involved with? How important it is for researchers to join such professional bodies?
Dr. Nawshad Haque: I am elected Fellows of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Australian Institute of Energy. These are peak professional associations in mining and energy. I am also a member of The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS, US-based), and the Australian Life Cycle Assessment Society (ALCAS). I was a professional member of Engineers Australia, Institute of Foresters of Australia, and a Fellow the Institute of Wood Science (now merged within IOM3). I think it is very important to join professional associations and bodies for networking and get up-to-date information and developments in that field by joining, organizing, and presenting at various events such as symposiums, seminars, and conferences, etc.
15.Scientific Bangladesh: Do you think different professional bodies of scientists playing their due role in Bangladesh? What are your suggestions for the leading professional organizations of scientists?
Dr. Nawshad Haque: I am not too much aware, but I think they should offer more professional development related events for their members. I understand some engineering associations are doing, such as the Bangladesh Society of Mechanical Engineers. I attended their conferences in Dhaka in 2006 and 2012. Others should do the same.
16. Scientific Bangladesh: How important is leadership ability to become a great researcher? Should researchers take leadership training? Did you ever get training on Leadership?
Dr. Nawshad Haque: Communication and leadership is key for a researcher. In many cases, research is now undertaken by large teams. I have completed various leadership training while I worked as a Research Team Leader (RTL) for five years at CSIRO and currently I am working as Project Leader for hydrogen energy which also requires excellent leadership skills.
17. Scientific Bangladesh: If asked what will be your three suggestions for the Science Ministry of Bangladesh?
Dr. Nawshad Haque: I) Empower and Enhance Scientific Skills of Researchers and Heads of Research Organisations. II)Ensure Better Recruitment, and Incentives for Researchers, and III) Increase Focused and Strategically Selected International Connectedness in Research by Researchers in Bangladesh.
18. Scientific Bangladesh? Would you like to add any more points for our readers?
Dr. Nawshad Haque: We need to promote science from kindergarten, in primary, secondary, and higher studies. Promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education should be undertaken by all and in every part of society. We need to create a community of citizen scientists who will be science literate and embed scientific and logical thinking in their lives. Science should be used as a tool for the development of the society and new industry, jobs, and growth solving our daily myriads of problems.
19.Scientific Bangladesh: Would you like to suggest a title for your interview?
Dr. Nawshad Haque: Science is an excellent tool for the development, jobs, and sustainable growth of any society
20. Scientific Bangladesh: Would you want to contribute regularly in Scientific Bangladesh and have a profile as an Author? If yes, then register at https://scientificbangladesh.com/registration-2/
Dr. Nawshad Haque: Yes, thanks.