Born at Bheramara, Kushtia, Bangladesh and originally hailing from Shingia, Jessore. Dr. M. Shamsher Ali obtained his Master of Science (MSc) degree in Physics from the University of Dhaka in 1960 and PhD in Theoretical Nuclear Physics from Manchester University , UK in 1965. Dr. Ali, well known as the Founder Vice-Chancellor (1992-96) of Bangladesh Open University, had also served as Professor of Physics at the University of Dhaka from 1982 to 2006. Prior to teaching, he had worked at the Pakistan and Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commissions for about 21 years in various important positions including Directorship of Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka (1970-78). Dr. Ali has been elected as President of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences for the period of 2004-2012. He is currently the Vice-Chancellor of Southeast University, Dhaka,Bangladesh.