Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat
Husain congratulated and thanked BRAC University for launching a Master of
Science in Medical Physics program today (Monday, 26 October 2026), citing that
the government was on way to purchase 17 medical linear accelerators.
A medical linear accelerator is a machine used in external
beam radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells by delivering high-energy X-rays
or electrons to tumors while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.
Moreover, 8 cancer hospitals will be established in 8
divisions, the number of beds at upazila hospitals would be increased to 151
and one “family well-being center” will be established for every three wards
for basic healthcare screenings, he said.
Addressing the launching of the master’s program at BRAC
University, Vice-Chancellor Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar said the university
always works for human well-being and with the government to take the country
forward.
Giving an overview of the program, its coordinator,
Professor Hasin Anupama Azhari of the Department of Mathematics and Physical
Sciences (MPS) at BRAC University, explained that it applied the principles of
physics and engineering to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.
Comprising four semesters and 48 credits, the two-year
program focuses on radiation oncology, diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine and
radiation protection, ensuring the safe and effective use of advanced medical
technologies, she said.
The curriculum is of international standards, making use
of clinical and laboratory-based education in dosimetry, treatment planning,
medical imaging, quality assurance and research, she added.
Moreover, Square Hospitals Ltd has agreed to provide the
program’s students access to clinical equipment, she said.
Professor Dr Jalal Uddin Mohammad Rumi, director
(administration) of the Directorate General of Health Services, cited how
medical physicists were an integral part of his practice as a brain surgeon,
identifying specific parts of the brain to treat epilepsy.
The Heidelberg University in Germany has expressed keen
interest to collaborate with BRAC University in this program, said Professor
Emeritus Dr AFM Yusuf Haider of the University of Dhaka, also an adviser to the
program.
This program’s introduction represents BRAC University’s
commitment to advancing postgraduate education, promoting interdisciplinary
research and developing skilled professionals in this important field, said
Professor Hasibun Naher, chairperson of the MPS department.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Arshad Mahmud Chowdhury,
Registrar Dr David Dowland, Professor Dr Golam Abu Zakaria, former director and
chief medical physicist of Gummersbach University Hospital and the program’s
adviser and coordinator; Dr Md Toufiq Hasan Firoz, director of a project on the
establishment of the integrated cancer, kidney and heart treatment centers
Across Bangladesh’s eight divisional cities, Professor Dr. Mostafa Aziz Sumon,
director of the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, Dhaka; and
Professor Dr Syed Md Akram Hussain, chairman of the Department of Clinical
Oncology at Bangladesh Medical University.
The launch of the MSc in Medical Physics program advances several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).
