The passing of a renowned pioneer in bio-gas solution, academic, freedom fighter, and loving father.
Renowned scientist, academic, civil servant, and freedom fighter, Md. Abdul Gofran passed away on the morning of 2nd December, 2025. He was 88 (eighty-eight) years old. His family members found him in his eternal sleep, peacefully in bed in his home. He was surrounded by loved ones and spent the previous night joyfully with his family.
He left behind his wife, aged 83. He also left behind 2 sons and 2 daughters, several grandchildren, and countless loved ones. His son, Justice Md. Ashraful Kamal is currently a judge of the High Court Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
Md Abdul Gofran was born on 1st January 1937 in Choumoni, Begumganj, Noakhali. He was a freedom fighter in the Liberation War; significantly, he fought in the Betiyara War in Feni.
Md Abdul Gofran was a pioneer of green energy in Bangladesh and devoted decades to the discourse and expansion of eco-friendly energy. He is recognised for advancing low-cost, community-based biogas solutions in Bangladesh, promoting simple and locally adaptable technologies that expand clean-energy access in rural areas. His work focused on practical, frugal innovation that supports sustainable development and improves household livelihoods. Mr. Gofran was a long-term biogas consultant at Grameen Shakti. He served as the Chairman of the Bangladesh Biogas Development Foundation (BBDF). His contribution to the renewable energy sector in Bangladesh spanned beyond biogas into work in the field of solar energy as well.
He conducted several studies, developed strategies and guidelines for the alleviation of poverty in urban areas, particularly addressing the slum problems in Bangladesh.
He was an international guest lecturer for PhD students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he represented Grameen Shakti in 2014. He attended the LCEDN–University of Strathclyde (Glasgow) 8th Annual Conference in 2019, where he delivered a presentation titled “The Potential of Biogas/AD in Bangladesh.”
His family seeks the blessings and prayers of loved ones and those who knew him well.