DHAKA, March 26, (V7N) – Bangladesh’s Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed has been awarded the Lifetime Fellowship by Wadham College, Oxford University, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to law, justice, and human rights.

The prestigious honorary fellowship was officially presented to Justice Refaat on March 26, according to a press release.

Robert Hannigan, warden of Wadham College, in a letter to the chief justice, wrote:
"I am writing with great pleasure to let you know that the governing body of Wadham College has resolved to elect you to an honorary fellowship. I do hope you will feel able to accept this honour."

The honorary title grants lifetime recognition, allowing Justice Refaat to attend annual events, receive invitations to formal dinners, and access college facilities.

The Bangladesh Supreme Court hailed this achievement as a moment of pride for the country's judiciary and legal system, stating that it reflects the growing international recognition of Bangladesh’s legal institutions.

Justice Refaat, an alumnus of Wadham College, had previously completed his postgraduate law degree with first-class honors from the renowned institution. He later obtained a Master’s and PhD from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, in collaboration with Harvard University.

In August 2024, Justice Refaat was appointed as the 25th Chief Justice of Bangladesh following the July Uprising, having previously served as the most senior judge in the High Court Division.

His legal career began in 1984 when he enrolled as an advocate in the Dhaka District Court, followed by admission to the High Court Division in 1986. In 2003, he was appointed as an additional judge, later becoming a permanent judge in 2005.

Justice Refaat also worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as an immigration law expert and specialized in banking law in the early stages of his legal career.

Justice Refaat hails from a distinguished legal and academic family. His father, Barrister Syed Ishtiaque Ahmed, was Bangladesh’s first additional attorney general and later served as attorney general.

His mother, National Professor Dr. Sufia Ahmed, was a renowned academic at Dhaka University’s Department of Islamic Studies and a veteran of the 1952 Language Movement. She played a key role in the protests of February 21, 1952, breaking Section 144 during demonstrations.

For her contributions, she was awarded Ekushey Padak (2002) and Sufia Kamal Award (2015).

This latest honor further cements Justice Refaat Ahmed’s reputation as one of Bangladesh’s most respected legal minds, bringing global recognition to the country’s judiciary.

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