Nazir Ahmed (physicist)
Pakistani experimental physicist (1898–1973)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nazir Ahmed[a] OBE (1 May 1898 – 30 September 1973) was a Pakistani experimental physicist and the first chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) from 1956 to 1960.[3]
Nazir Ahmed | |
|---|---|
Ahmed (right) with Queen Elizabeth II | |
| Born | 1 May 1898 |
| Died | 30 September 1973 (aged 75) |
| Alma mater | Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College University of Cambridge |
| Known for | Nuclear power generation programme |
| Relatives | HMS Choudri (brother-in-law) |
| Awards | Gold Medal from Pakistan Academy of Sciences |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Experimental Physics |
| Institutions | Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), Technological Laboratory, India Federal Bureau of Statistics |
| Ernest Rutherford[1][2] | |
He was also the first vice president of Pakistan central Cotton Committee from 1948 to 1956.
Life
Ahmed attended the University of Cambridge, receiving a PhD in experimental physics, working with Ernest Rutherford[1] in 1925.[4] His PhD thesis was titled "Absorption and scattering of γ-rays".[5]
In 1926, Ahmed joined Arthur Holly Compton's expedition to Kashmir to study the effects of altitude and latitude on cosmic rays.[1]
In 1930, Ahmed came back to British India, where he was appointed assistant director at the Technological Laboratory, Central Cotton Committee of India, and became its director after one year.[4] While living in Bombay, he married Razia, a member of the Khader Nawaz Khan family of Madras and the Carnatic Sultanate; her sister Rafia married Ahmed's friend, Commodore HMS Choudri.[6]
On 9 June 1938, George VI appointed Ahmed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
In 1945, Ahmed was appointed member of the Indian Tariff Board.[4][7]
Ahmed was involved in efforts to build a heavy water plant in Multan, but the Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation turned down his request.[8] In 1960, he was transferred to Ministry of Science and Technology under the administration of President Ayub Khan.
Fellowships
- A fellow of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences (1953–1970).[9]
Award named after Ahmad
- To honor his services, Dr. Nazir Ahmad Award was named after him by the Pakistan Academy of Sciences.
Research papers
- Tubewell Theory and Practice, published by Pakistan Academy of Sciences – (Nazir Ahmed) (1979).[10]
- Survey of Fuels & Electric Power Resources in Pakistan, published by Pakistan Academy of Sciences – (Nazir Ahmed) (1972).[10]
Notes
- Also spelled as Nazir Ahmad