Engineer Dr. Mohammad Ahad Ullah Recognized for Contributions to Earthquake-Resistant Structures and Modern Highway Development

Civil engineer Dr. Mohammad Ahad Ullah has been recognized as one of Bangladesh’s leading technical experts for his long-standing contributions to earthquake-resistant construction, highway engineering, and national infrastructure development.

With more than 23 years of professional experience, Dr. Ahad Ullah has played a significant role in strengthening Bangladesh’s communication network through advanced engineering practices, research, and project leadership.

Early Contributions in Earthquake Engineering

Before specializing in highways and transport systems, Dr. Ahad Ullah made notable contributions in the field of earthquake engineering during his academic years at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

His early research focused on “soft stories” — open ground floors commonly used for parking in multistoried buildings, which are considered highly vulnerable during earthquakes. He also studied the shear and tensile strength of brick masonry structures, helping establish scientific guidelines for assessing building resistance against lateral seismic forces.

Engineering professionals say such research remains highly relevant for urban centers like Dhaka, where earthquake resilience is a growing concern.

Advanced Research in Transportation Engineering

Later, while pursuing a Master’s degree in Transportation Engineering at BUET in 2012, Dr. Ahad Ullah conducted research under the supervision of Professor Dr. Md. Shamsul Hoque.

His studies focused on the durability of Bangladesh’s highways and the use of locally available materials to address challenges such as heavy rainfall, humidity, and overloaded vehicles.

Historic PhD Research in Australia

In 2013, Dr. Ahad Ullah began doctoral studies at Curtin University, Australia. His PhD research centered on the management and sustainability of Bangladesh’s highway network.

According to available information, he became one of the first Bangladeshi researchers to complete a PhD specifically dedicated to the country’s highway sustainability and management issues. His research findings were later published in six international journals.

Return to Bangladesh

Despite career opportunities abroad after completing his PhD in 2017, Dr. Ahad Ullah chose to return to Bangladesh to apply his expertise to national development.

His decision has been praised as an example of commitment to public service and reversing the trend of skilled professionals settling overseas.

Major Infrastructure Projects

Throughout his career, Dr. Ahad Ullah has worked on a range of major projects involving transport modeling, road safety audits, and traffic impact assessments.

Among the projects associated with his work are:

Dhaka-Tangail 4-Lane Highway under SASEC Road Connectivity

Eastern Bridge Improvement Project supported by JICA

Dhaka-Chattogram Highway upgrades

Amin Bazar Bridge construction

He has also been linked to the use of modified asphalt technology aimed at extending pavement life on key highways.

A Vision for Modern Bangladesh

Industry observers describe Dr. Mohammad Ahad Ullah as a dedicated engineer whose work spans both structural safety and transport modernization.

From earthquake-resistant design research to highway sustainability, his career reflects the growing importance of local expertise in building a safer and more connected Bangladesh.