CURRICULUM VITAE

MOHAMMAD TOWHIDUL ISLAM

PhD in Intellectual Property Law (Macquarie, Sydney), LLM in International Human Rights
Law (UEL, London), LLM, LLB with Honours (Dhaka), UN/UNITAR Fellowship in
International Law (Hague Academy); attendant at the WIPO-WTO Colloquium for
Intellectual Property Teachers (Geneva); Professor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka,
Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh; Phone: +880 2 9661900 ext. 6835/6811 (Off.), E-Mail:
towhid@du.ac.bd

CAREER OBJECTIVE
• To do research aiming at recommending policies and their implementation in cases of
protection and promotion of human rights, good governance, access to justice, and
trade facilitation.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION
• PhD in Intellectual Property Law at the Macquarie University, Sydney in 2011
• UN/UNITAR Fellowship in International Law at The Hague Academy of
International Law, The Hague from 10 July 2006 to 18 August 2006
• LLM in International Human Rights Law (International Environmental Law,
International Refugee Law) at the UEL, London in 2004
• LLM (Intellectual Property Law, International Humanitarian Law) at the University
of Dhaka in 1997
• LLB with Honours (Public International Law, Business Law, Property Law, Public
Law, Private Law) at the University of Dhaka in 1996

MAJOR AWARDS AND FUNDING

• MQRES
• WIPO Funding
• Merit Scholarship (Academic)

TEACHING AND RESEARCH AREAS

• Intellectual Property Law – national and international (Patent Law, Trademark Law,
Copyright Law, Design Law, GI Law, and contemporary issues in Intellectual
Property Law)
• International Trade Law
• International Human Rights Law
• International Refugee Law
• Property Law (Land Law)
• Legal Environment of Business (Business Law)
• Corporate Law (Company Law)

SELECTEED BOOKS AND MONOGRAPHS

1. M T Islam, TRIPS Agreement of the WTO: Implications and Challenges for
Bangladesh (Cambridge Scholars Publishers, New Castle upon Tyne, UK, 2013)
 2. M T Islam, Land Law: Text, Cases and Materials (2nd Edition, CHRLR, Dhaka,
2018)

PEER REVIEWED (REFEREED) ARTICLES

1. M T Islam, ‘Protection of Public Interests through a Human Rights Framework in the
TRIPS Agreement: Realities and Challenges’
(2009) 4(8) Journal of Intellectual Property Law and Practice (Oxford) 573-582
2. M T Islam, ‘Implications of the TRIPS Agreement for Bangladesh: Prospects and
Concerns’
(2009) 6 Macquarie Journal of Business Law 1-19
3. M T Islam, ‘Problems and Politics of IPRs Protection from WIPO to WTO: The Case
Study of Bangladesh’
(2009) 21(2) Sri Lanka Journal of International Law 1-59
4. M T Islam, ‘TRIPS Protection of IPRs as Private Rights: Implications on the Right to
Health’
(2009) 13(1) Mediterranean Journal of Human Rights (University of Malta and
University of Ena, Italy) 55–79
5. M T Islam, ‘TRIPS Agreement and Economic Development: Implications and
Challenges for Least-Developed Countries like Bangladesh’
[2010] (2) Nordic Journal of Commercial Law 1–48
6. M T Islam, ‘TRIPS Agreement and Public Health: Implications and Challenges for
Bangladesh’
(2011) 17(1) International Trade Law and Regulation (Sweet & Maxwell: London)
10–39
7. M T Islam, ‘TRIPS Agreement and Agriculture: Implications and Challenges for
Bangladesh’
(2011) 8(2) Manchester Journal of International Economic Law 38-84
8. M T Islam, ‘Linking Intellectual Property Rights with Plant Genetic Resources:
Myths and Realities for Food Security in Least Developed Countries such as
Bangladesh’
[2012] WIPO-WTO Colloquium Papers 11-30
9. M T Islam, ‘Cross-border GI Protection: Challenges and Ramifications for
Bangladesh’
[2017] [2017 Asian Edition] WIPO-WTO Colloquium Papers 21-31 (with co-
author).

REVIEWED (REFEREED) ARTICLES

1. M T Islam, ‘The Legal Regime of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Protection in
Bangladesh: Options and Challenges’ (2018 published in 2019) 29 Dhaka
University Law Journal 21-40
2. M T Islam, ‘Nature of Land and Pre-emption Suits: Demystifying Ambiguities’ (2018
published in 2019) 29 Dhaka University Law Journal 71-86 (with co-author)
3. M T Islam, ‘Intellectual Property Perspectives of Women’s Traditional Knowledge in
Bangladesh’
(2016 published in 2017) 27(1) Dhaka University Law Journal 27-40 (with co-
author)
4. M T Islam, ‘Mandating Corporate Directorship for Women in Bangladesh: Options
and Challenges’
 (2015 published in 2017) 26(1) Dhaka University Law Journal 47-72 (with co-
author)
5. M T Islam, ‘TICFA and Intellectual Property Rights: Implications and Challenges for
Subsistence Needs in Bangladesh’
(2013 published in 2016) 24(2) Dhaka University Law Journal 49-66 (with co-
author)
6. M T Islam, ‘Introducing Geographical Indications in Bangladesh’
(2013 published in 2016) 24(1) Dhaka University Law Journal 51-82 (with co-
author)
7. M T Islam, ‘Corporate Governance in the Stock Market of Bangladesh: Justification
for a Viable Legal Framework’
(2012) 23(2) Dhaka University Law Journal 57-78 (with co-author)
8. M T Islam, ‘Shareholders’ Right to Distribution: A Misnomer’
(2012) 23(1) Dhaka University Law Journal 19-44 (with co-author)
9. M T Islam, ‘TRIPS Agreement and Bangladesh: Implications and Challenges’
(2007) 18(2) Dhaka University Law Journal 57-80
10. M T Islam, ‘The Modus Operandi of International Trade Law Rules: A Critical
Overview’
(2007) 18(1) Dhaka University Law Journal 43-78.
11. M T Islam, ‘The Legal Regime of Management and Settlement of Khas Land in
Bangladesh’
(2007) 4 Rajshahi University Law Journal 117- 138 (with co-author)
12. M T Islam, ‘Death Penalty under Different National Legal Systems and Assessing Its
Compatibility with International Human Rights’
(2006) 17(2) Dhaka University Studies Part-F (Journal of the Faculty of Law) 147-
192
13. M T Islam, ‘Trademark Licensing: Bangladesh Perspective’
(2006) 17(1) Dhaka University Studies Part-F (Journal of the Faculty of Law) 87-
112
14. M T Islam, ‘Development of Land Laws and Land Administration in Bangladesh:
Ancient Period to Modern Times’
(2005) 16(2) Dhaka University Studies Part-F (Journal of the Faculty of Law) 203-
246
15. M T Islam, ‘Non-Muslims’ Rights in Islam and Its Compatibility with International
Human Rights’
(2005) 16(1) Dhaka University Studies Part-F (Journal of the Faculty of Law) 123-
149
16. M T Islam, ‘Equality between Men and Women in Islam Especially in Respect of
Inheritance and Its Compatibility with International Human Rights’
(2004) 15(2) Dhaka University Studies Part-F (Journal of the Faculty of Law) 163-
207
17. M T Islam, ‘Protection of Refugees against Refoulement’
(2004) 15(1) Dhaka University Studies Part-F (Journal of the Faculty of Law) 215 -
238

SELECT POST-EDITORIALS, COLUMNS AND INTERVIEWS (NEWSPAPER)

1. M T Islam, ‘How Bangladeshi women can power change through innovation’ The
Daily Star (Dhaka) (Op-Ed)
 26 April 2018 <https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/perspective/how-bangladeshi-
women-can-power-change-through-innovation-1567639>
2. M T Islam, ‘Need for Protecting IPR’ The Daily Star (Dhaka) (Anniversary
Supplement)
25 February 2017 <http://www.thedailystar.net/education-employment/need-
protecting-ipr-1366612>
3. M T Islam, ‘Patenting Globally with a Single Application’ The New Age, Dhaka
(Dhaka) (Op-Ed)
23 September 2016 <http://archive.newagebd.net/252866/patenting-globally-single-
application/>
4. M T Islam, ‘Accession of Bangladesh to the Patent Co-operation Treaty’ The Daily
Observer (Dhaka) (Op-Ed)
23 September 2016 <http://www.observerbd.com/details.php?id=34567>
5. M T Islam, ‘The future of Bangladesh to be an IPRs-owner country’ The Daily Star
(Dhaka) (Interview)
26 April 2016 <http://www.thedailystar.net/law-our-rights/law-interview/the-future-
bangladesh-be-iprs-owner-country-1214773>
6. M T Islam, ‘TRIPS Agreement and Bangladesh’ The Daily Star (Dhaka) (Op-Ed)
02 February 2016 <http://www.thedailystar.net/law-our-rights/trips-agreement-and-
bangladesh-210949>
7. M T Islam, ‘Integrating intellectual property office in Bangladesh’ The Daily
Observer (Dhaka) (Op-Ed)
01 July 2015 <http://www.observerbd.com/2015/07/01/97256.php>
8. M T Islam, ‘Royalties for Music’ The Daily Star (Dhaka)
28 April 2015 <http://www.thedailystar.net/law-our-rights/royalties-music-79417>
9. M T Islam, ‘Protecting Jamdani with Geographical Indications’ The Daily Star
(Dhaka) (Op-Ed)
06 November 2014 <http://www.thedailystar.net/op-ed/protecting-jamdani-with-
geographical-indications-48901>
10. M T Islam, ‘Universally accessible pension system’ The Daily Star (Dhaka) (Op-Ed)
10 July 2014 <http://www.thedailystar.net/print_post/universally-accessible-pension-
system-32596>
11. M T Islam, ‘TRIPS transition for pharmaceutical patents’ The Daily Star (Dhaka)
(Op-Ed)
15 May 2014 <http://www.thedailystar.net/op-ed/trips-transition-for-pharmaceutical-
patents-24100>
12. M T Islam, ‘Taking Intellectual Property Rights Seriously’ The Daily Star (Dhaka),
29 April 2014 <http://www.thedailystar.net/newsarchive/taking-intellectual-property-
rights-seriously-22024>
13. M T Islam, ‘TRIPS Agreement: Concern for DCs and LDCs’ The Daily Star (Dhaka),
1 March 2008 <http://thedailystar.net/law/2008/03/01/index.htm>
14. M T Islam, ‘Death Penalty: Is It in Violation of Human Rights?’ The Daily Star
(Dhaka),
29 June 2003 <http://archive.thedailystar.net/law/200306/05/rcorner.htm>

SELECT CONFERENCE PAPERS

1. M T Islam, ‘Protection of Copyright and Accessing Education Materials at Low
Prices: Finding a Sustainable Solution for Bangladesh’
 (Society of International Economic Law Biennial Conference held at the American
University Washington College of Law, Washington DC, USA from July 12 – 14,
2018. (Fully funded by the American University Washington College of Law)
2. M T Islam, ‘Powering Change through Innovation and Creativity: Intellectual
Property Rights and Bangladeshi Women’
(World Intellectual Property Day 2018 Seminar ‘Powering Change: Women in
Innovation and Creativity’ held at the Faculty of Law, University of Dhaka organized
jointly by the Faculty of Law, University of Dhaka and Department of Patents,
Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) under Ministry of Industries, Government of
Bangladesh on 26 April 2018)
3. M T Islam, ‘Copyright Dilemma at Nilkhet Book-shops: Options and Challenges for
Bangladesh in Protecting Copyright and Accessing Educational Materials at Low
Prices’
(3rd Works-in-Progress Conference IPScholars Asia 2018 held at the Singapore
Management University, Singapore on 1-2 March 2018) (Fully funded by the
university grants)
4. M T Islam, ‘Protection of Traditional Knowledge: Finding an Appropriate Legal
Framework for Bangladesh’
(ATRIP 2017 Congress, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New
Zealand, 23 - 26 October 2017) (Fully funded by the WIPO)
5. M T Islam, ‘Protection of Intellectual Property Rights: Options and Challenges’
(Faculty of Legal Studies Lecture Series, South Asian University, New Delhi, India,
05 August 2017) (Commissioned lecture)
6. M T Islam, ‘The Legal Regime of Plant Varieties Protection, Seeds and Farmers’
Rights in Bangladesh’
(SAWTEE Workshop on Reimagining the Governance of Genetic Resources and
Intellectual Property for Agriculture and Food Security in Asia, Kathmandu, Nepal,
2-3 August 2017) (Fully funded by the SAWTEE)
7. M T Islam, ‘Intellectual Property Issues in Scientific Innovation and Communication'
(Handholding Workshop for Swedish International Development Agency Young
Investigators and Co-investigators at the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease
Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, 02 May 2017) (Commissioned lecture)
8. M T Islam, ‘Cross-border GI Protection: Challenges and Ramifications for
Bangladesh’
(WIPO-WTO Colloquium for Intellectual Property Teachers in Asia held at
Singapore Management University, Singapore in 2017) (Fully funded by the WIPO)
9. M T Islam, ‘Incentivizing Women’s Traditional Ingenuity through Intellectual
Property Rights: Options and Challenges for Bangladesh’
(2nd Works-in-Progress Conference IPScholars Asia 2017 held at the Singapore
Management University, Singapore on 27-28 February 2017) (Fully funded by the
university grants)
10. M T Islam, ‘Patent and Sui Generis Plant Varieties Protection under the TRIPS
Agreement: Options for Bangladesh in the South Asian Landscape’
(SAWTEE Regional meeting on Conservation, Use and Exchange of Crop Genetic
Resources: Promoting Regional Cooperation for a Food-Secure, Climate- Resilient
South Asia, Kathmandu in 26-27 August 2015) (Fully funded by the SAWTEE)
11. M T Islam, ‘BITS and Intellectual Property: Implications and Challenges for LDCs
like Bangladesh’
(Asian Society of International Law Regional Conference, Dhaka in 2014)
 12. M T Islam, ‘TRIPS Agreement and Food Security: Implications and Challenges for
Bangladesh’
(WIPO-WTO Colloquium for Intellectual Property Teachers held at WIPO and
WTO, Geneva in 2012) (Fully funded by the WIPO)
13. M T Islam, ‘Protection of Intellectual Property Rights in Bangladesh: Problems and
Prospects’
(Conference on Intellectual Property held at IONA College, New York in 2010)
(Fully funded by the Macquarie University grants)
14. M T Islam, ‘TRIPS Agreement and Human Rights: Protecting Public Interests in
Developing Countries at the Cross-roads’ (Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Indian
Society of International Law held at the Indian Society of International Law, New
Delhi in 2009) (Fully funded by the Macquarie University grants)
15. M T Islam, ‘TRIPS Agreement and Human Rights’ (Postgraduate Colloquium for law
students held at Macquarie Law School in 2008)
16. M T Islam, ‘Human Rights in the Constitution of Bangladesh and the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights: A Comparative Study’ held in the UN/UNITAR
Fellowship in International Law at The Hague Academy of International Law, The
Hague in 2006 (Fully funded by the UNITAR)

MAJOR TRAINING AND COURSES

• WIPO-WTO Colloquium for Intellectual Property Teachers in Asia held at Singapore
Management University, Singapore in February 20-22, 2017
• WIPO-WTO Colloquium for Intellectual Property Teachers held at WIPO and WTO,
Geneva in June 2012
• Teachers’ Training Program on International Humanitarian Law organized by the
Faculty of Law, University of Dhaka in collaboration with the International
Committee of the Red Cross, 2006.
• Advanced Research Workshop for the university teachers organized by the
Department of Law, University of Dhaka, 2006
• Teachers’ Training Program organized by University of Dhaka, 2004
• Training Program on Environmental Law at the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers
Association 04 March 2000 to 08 March 2000
• Internship in Human Rights at Ain O Salish Kendra (Non-Government Organization
working for Human Rights in Bangladesh) from September 1999 to December 1999
• Intensive Trial Advocacy Course at the Bangladesh Bar Council conducted jointly by
Bangladesh Bar Council and Australian Bar Association, December 1999
• Bar Vocational Course at the Bangladesh Bar Council from September 1999 to
November 1999
• Clinical Legal Education Program at the Faculty of Law, University of Dhaka
conducted jointly by Faculty of Law, University of Dhaka and Ford Foundation, USA
in 1996

EXPERIENCE AS AN ACADEMIC
• Professor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
from 24 January 2016 to till date
• Associate Professor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000,
Bangladesh
 from 14 January 2012 to 23 January 2016
• Assistant Professor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000,
Bangladesh
from 2 May 2006 to 13 January 2012
• Lecturer, Department of Law, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
from 30 October 2003 to 1 May 2006
• Coordinator, Dhaka University Law Clinic, Department of Law, University of Dhaka,
Dhaka 1000
• Associate Editor, Dhaka University Law Journal, Faculty of Law, University of
Dhaka, Dhaka 1000
from 2011 - 2018
• Member, Curriculum Development Committee for LLB (Honours), LLM and MPhil
at the Department of Law, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000
• Assistant House Tutor, Zia Hall (students’ dormitory), University of Dhaka, Dhaka
1000, Bangladesh
from 10 January 2005 to 20 July 2007

EXPERIENCE AS A THESIS SUPERVISOR

• Mr Md. Zakir Hossain (Registrar General, Supreme Court of Bangladesh), PhD
Thesis Title: ‘Parochial Predicaments of Criminal Justice System in Bangladesh:
Towards Alternatives’ (completed)
• Ms Syeda Nasrin (Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh), PhD Thesis Title:
‘Share Management and Securities Exchange Laws of Bangladesh: Determining
Efficacy and Fallouts’ (completed)
• Mr Ayub Ali (Senior Lecturer, Southeast University, Bangladesh & Advocate,
Supreme Court of Bangladesh), PhD Thesis Title: ‘Settlement of Land Disputes in
Bangladesh’ (ongoing)
• Ms Chowdhury Mowsumee Fatema Bar-at-Law (Advocate, Supreme Court of
Bangladesh), PhD Thesis Title: ‘Legal Framework of Amalgamation of Companies in
Bangladesh: Realities and Challenges’ (ongoing)

EXPERIENCE AS A RESOURCE PERSON

• Guest Lecturer (Legal Environment of Business), Institute of Business
Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka
• Guest Lecturer (Intellectual Property Law), Bangladesh Agricultural Research
Institute (BARI)
• Guest Lecturer (Intellectual Property Law), Bangladesh Agricultural Research
Council (BARC)
• Guest Lecturer (Intellectual Property Law), Bangladesh Institute of Management
(BIM), Ministry of Industries, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
• Guest Lecturer (Corporate Law, Right to Information Law), Investment Corporation
of Bangladesh (ICB) Training Institute, Dhaka
• Resource person (Land Law) at the Judicial Administration Training Institute (JATI),
Dhaka
• Resource person at the national celebration of the World Intellectual Property Day,
Dhaka 2015
 • Keynote paper presenter at the national celebration of the World Intellectual Property
Day, Dhaka 2014
• Resource person at the national celebration of the World Intellectual Property Day,
Dhaka 2013
• Guest Lecturer (Intellectual Property Law), LLM Programme, Macquarie University,
Sydney

EXPERIENCE AS AN EXPERT (CONSULTANT)

• Expert Member, Ministry of Industries, Government of Bangladesh for the agenda
‘National Intellectual Property Policy 2018’
• Expert Member, Ministry of Industries, Government of Bangladesh for the agenda
‘Accession of Bangladesh to the Patent Cooperation Treaty’ 2016 -2018
• Expert Member, Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) under
Ministry of Industries, Government of Bangladesh for its project ‘Accession of
Bangladesh to the Patent Cooperation Treaty’ 2016
• Coordinator, Law Clinic, Department of Law, University of Dhaka [a project
implemented by BLAST with the collaboration of Maxwell Stamp (PLC) – Funded
by the UK Government, the British Council and the Centre for Effective Dispute
Resolution (CEDR)]
from January 2016 - till date
• Advocate, Haque and Associates, Dhaka, Bangladesh
from 1999 to 2000

PROFESSIONAL LICENSE/AFFILIATIONS
• Member, International Association for the Advancement of Teaching and Research in
Intellectual Property
• Member, Society of International Economic Law
• Member, Amnesty International
• Member, Bangladesh Law Association
• Member, Bangladesh Bar Council
• Member, Intellectual Property Association of Bangladesh
• Life Member, Transparency International Bangladesh

REFERENCE
(List available on request)