Ataul Hakim joins as commandant of National Defence College

Lieutenant General Ataul Hakim Sarwar Hasan joined as new commandant of National Defence College with the promotion to lieutenant from major general on November 30.

He was the vice-chancellor of Bangladesh University of Professionals, said a press release on Tuesday.

General Hasan is succeeding Lt Gen Sheikh Mamun Khaled, who retired earlier this month.

Born in Old Dhaka and grew up in Tejkunipara, Farmgate, he passed SSC examinations from University Laboratory School in 1980 and HSC from Dhaka College in 1982, according to his profile on the BUP website.

General Hasan was commissioned in the Corps of Infantry in December 1984. He holds a PhD degree in security studies from Jahangirnagar University.

He obtained three master’s degrees in Defence Studies (National University), War Studies (BUP) and Security Studies (BUP).

He is a graduate of Defence Services Command and Staff College of Bangladesh and Staff College of Brazil.

He was founding GOC of the 10 Infantry Division at Ramu, Cox’s Bazar. As GOC, he also commanded Logistics Area, Dhaka Cantonment and 55 Infantry Division, Jashore Area.

General Hasan served as staff officer at the Army Headquarters. He worked as ‘Strategic Planner’ in the Combined Planning Group of United States Central Command Headquarters (USCENTCOM), Tampa, USA.

He has the experience of serving as colonel staff of an Infantry Division. He served as the director of the Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence Bureau of Defence Services Forces Intelligence.