Autobiography Dr. Abdul Quadeer Khan
Doctor Abdul Qadeer Khan was born in Bhopal on April 1, 1936.
After receiving his early education in Bhopal, he left for Karachi where
he obtained the Degree of Bachelor of Science in 1960 from the University of Karachi.
Subsequently he went to West Germany and
studied in Berlin where he achieved high competence through attending several
courses in metallurgical engineering.
He obtained the degree of Master of Science (Technology) in 1967
from DelftTechnological University, Holland.
Dr. Khan received his Doctor of Engineering Degree from the
University of Leuven, Belgium in 1972.
After completing his formal education Dr. Khan started his
career as a Materials Expert.
He worked as an expert in several organizations in Europe, including the Uranium Enrichment Plant in Holland, which provided him state-of-the-art experience in
nuclear technology.
In 1976, he joined the Engineering Research Laboratories (ERL)
in Pakistan to set up an Uranium enrichment industrial plant.
As a tribute to his services rendered to the defense of
Pakistan, the then President of Pakistan, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, renamed
the Engineering Research Laboratories, Kahuta as Dr. A. Q. Khan Research
Laboratories (KRL) in 1981.
Over the years, the Laboratories became a focal point for a
large number of scientists, engineers and technologists.
Dr. Khan guided them through the tasks that have led to
unparalleled advances in missile and uranium enrichment technologies. This
breakthrough eventually resulted in the historic explosions of six nuclear
bombs on May 28 and May
30,1998 and
the successful test firing of Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles namely
"Ghauri", on April
6, 1998 and
on April
14, 1999, respectively.
The research areas of Dr. Khan are Metallurgy, Materials Science
and Nuclear Engineering. As an active scientist and technologist, he has
published 190 research papers in reputable national and international journals
and two patents in the U.K. are registered in his name. Dr. A. Q. Khan has authored a large
number of books on Metallurgy.
Dr. Khan has received six honorary degrees of Doctor of Science,
respectively from the University of Karachi (July 25, 1993), Baqai Medical
University, Karachi (December 11, 1998), Hamdard University, Karachi (March 6,
1999), Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, N.W.F.P. (April 16,1999), University
of Engineering & Technology, Lahore (December 9, 2000) and Sir Syed
University, Karachi (March 25, 2001). For his important and eminent
contributions in the field of science and technology, the President, Islamic
Republic of Pakistan conferred upon Dr. Khan the award of Nishan-i-Imtiaz on 14 August, 1996 and 14 August, 1998. He is also a recipient of Hilal-i-Imtiaz. Dr.
Khan is the only Pakistani to have received the highest civil award of
"Nishan-i-Imtiaz" twice.
He has been awarded 63 gold medals and 3 gold crowns by various
national institutions and organizations. He is a Fellow of Kazakh National
Academy of Sciences, the first Asian scientist with this honour. He is also a
Fellow of the Islamic Academy of Sciences. Being a Fellow of Pakistan Academy
of Sciences, he was elected President of the Academy an impressive 3rd time in
January 2001. He is also a member of a large number of national and
international professional organizations, which include Pakistan Institute of
Metallurgical Engineers; Pakistan Institute of Engineers; Institute of Central
and West Asian Studies; the Institute of Materials, London; American Society of
Metal (ASM); The Metallurgical Society of the American Institute of
Metallurgical, Mining and Petroleum Engineers (TMS); Canadian Institute of
Metals (CIM) and Japan Institute of Metals (JIM).
He is an ardent supporter of higher education. As the Project Director
of GIK Institute of Science and Technology, he has invested his energies in
developing the Institute into an exemplary high technology institution. He sits
on the Boards of Governors and Syndicates of more than two dozen universities
and institutes. He has contributed immensely to the establishment of
educational institutes in Pakistan.
These include several colleges, schools, institutions and academies. So wide
are his community services that his contributions extend to the construction of
mosques, tombs, dispensaries and community health centres to alleviate the
plight of poor communities.
Hilal-i-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan on 14-8-1989 and
decorated by the President of Pakistan Mr. Ghulam Ishaq Khan on 23-3-1990
Nishan-i-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan on 14-8-1996 and
decorated by the President of Pakistan Mr. Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari on 25-3-1997
Nishan-i-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan on 14-8-1998 for
the second time, thus making Dr. Khan the only Pakistani to have been decorated
with the highest civil award twice. The Award was decorated by the President of Pakistan Mr.
M. Rafiq Tarar on 23-3-1999
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