Prof. Dost Mohammad: Ever-Green Chinar of KU’s Academic Landscape
The University of Kashmir and the wider academic community mourn the passing of Prof. Dost Mohammad, a respected scholars. His departure is more than an institutional loss—it is the fading of a gentle light that illuminated countless lives.
Prof. Dost Mohammad’s journey spanned decades of service in the University of Kashmir, where he held several key positions—Head of the Department of Economics, Dean Social Sciences, Dean Colleges, and Chairman of the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE). Yet those who knew him insist that it was never the chair he occupied that mattered; it was the character of the man who sat on it. His former colleague Prof. G.M. Bhat describes his presence in the Department of Economics as “the golden age of collegiality and dignity”. He built the department brick by brick. His sweat and dedication laid its foundation. Students adored him, colleagues respected him, and everyone who interacted with him walked away with a sense of comfort and trust. In classrooms, he was unmatched in clarity and depth.
A former student, Ibrahim, still remembers the precision with which he taught International Trade.
“We used to call him the ‘Surgeon of Trade’ and the ‘J.S. Mill of Economics’,” he says. “He dissected economic theory with such ease that even the most complex concepts seemed simple.”
Prof. Shahid Rasool, remembers: “In 1990, when Prof. Dost Mohammad was the officiating Coordinator of AVRC (now EMMRC), and also the Dean Social Sciences, his encouragement and support helped the Electronic Multi-Media Research Centre grow during its most fragile infancy. But his greatest strength lay in the quiet courage with which he defended and uplifted others—especially the teachers of the university. As an active office bearer of the Kashmir University Teachers Association (KUTA), Prof. Dost Mohammad spoke with principled conviction, never with intimidation. Prof. Rafiuddin remembers that he never hesitated to voice a genuine concern. “He was fearless and principled. To him, teachers were not just colleagues—they were family. Their dignity, their welfare, their rights mattered to him more than anything.”
I shall narrate here one incident: A teacher in the university found his increments withheld due to bureaucratic complications. At the same time, he was dealing with a severe domestic medical emergency and was confused. Prof Dost Mohammad personally took charge of the case—walking from office to office, collecting documents, clarifying rules, speaking to officials, and removing every administrative hurdle. Within days, the withheld increments were released, and the teacher was able to meet his medical expenses in time. Without him, that colleague would have lost years of service benefits. A young teacher in the university had been struggling for years to secure his due promotion. His file had moved back and forth between committees, repeatedly delayed for reasons that were neither academic nor procedural. The teacher was growing disheartened and had almost resigned himself to the belief that the system had forgotten him. It was then that Prof. Dost Mohammad stepped in. He called the teacher to his office, listened patiently to the entire ordeal, and reassured him with his characteristic warmth: “When something is right, it must not be allowed to sink in files.” What followed was classic Dost Mohammad. He did not raise his voice, he did not accuse anyone, and he did not make a spectacle. Instead, he meticulously traced the file’s journey—through sections, desks, and committees—identifying the exact points where it had stalled. He spoke to the concerned officers, clarified doubts, corrected discrepancies, and ensured that due academic merit was acknowledged without bias or delay. Within a short span, the long-pending promotion was finally granted. The teacher expressed his gratitude. But Prof. Dost Mohammad only smiled and said: “Your work earned this. I only helped it reach where it belonged.” Years later, that same teacher still recounts this moment with emotion, saying, “He restored my faith—not just in the system, but in humanity.”
Such acts were not exceptions—they were the essence of who he was. Even when he sat at the highest tables of authority, he lived with unmatched humility. During his tenure as Dean Colleges, a casual employee began exhibiting disruptive behaviour. Many recommended disciplinary action, even dismissal. Soon after, news reached that the employee’s mother had passed away. Prof. Dost Mohammad quietly went to his home, without protocol or publicity, offered condolences, supported him emotionally and financially, and simply listened. That one unannounced visit changed the man’s life. He reformed completely, becoming one of the most dutiful staff members. When news of the Professor’s death reached him, he wept and said, “When all others remained silent, it was he who stood by me.” His compassion extended beyond the University of Kashmir. At Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, his contributions were foundational. Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Jawaid Iqbal described him as “an exceptional teacher and a visionary mentor whose influence shaped the academic culture of the university.” Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, Prof. Nilofer Khan, echoed this sentiment: “He was a committed academician who witnessed the university grow from a sapling into a mighty chinar.”
His administrative legacy at Centre for Distance Education is unparalleled. At a time when technology was limited and distance learning was in its infancy, he brought clarity and structure through meticulous planning. His Training Manual for Liaison Officers became the first professional guide for stakeholders in distance education. His celebrated document, “From the Chairman’s Desk,” typed with almost calligraphic care, became a beacon for new learners.
As Coordinator for launching Economics in Distance Mode, he ensured thousands of working professionals gained access to higher education. But none of these achievements capture the essence of the man. It was his gentleness, his sincerity, his ability to listen without judgment, and his instinct to help without hesitation that defined him. Dr. Mohammad Ayub Saudagar, one of his scholars, sums up the emotional truth behind his personality: “He treated me like a family. At moments when my confidence broke, he held my hand and helped me cross the most difficult academic thresholds.” In an era when authority often distances individuals from those they lead, Prof. Dost Mohammad lived the opposite reality—he drew people closer. His humility softened administrative corridors. His ethics strengthened institutional culture. His compassion became the invisible backbone of those around him.
Today, as we remember Prof. Dost Mohammad, we honor a life lived with dignity and purpose.
A life committed to education, to justice, to humanity. A life that shaped institutions, nurtured students, empowered teachers, and brought warmth to every space he entered.
May Almighty Allah (SWT) grant him the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous, illuminate his grave with Divine mercy, and give strength to his family and all those who mourn this irreplaceable loss.
Dr Showkat Rashid Wani, Associate Professor, Centre for Distance and Online Education, University of Kashmir
