Dhaka, March 19 -- Prof Kazi Shahidullah, former chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), has died at the age of 72 while undergoing treatment for cancer in Australia.

Syed Muhammed Abul Faiz, the present chairman of the commission, lamented the passing of Shahidullah, who he said was "an academician with a clean image".

"His death is an irreparable loss for us," Faiz said after Shahidullah's death on Wednesday.

"The commission is deeply saddened and expresses its condolences to his family members. The UGC is preparing to issue a formal message expressing its condolences."

Shahidullah was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2022.

He had been undergoing treatment in Australia since 2023.

He resigned from his post as UGC chair...