The symposium titled 'Creating and translating nutrition and biochemical sciences for the benefit of mankind' also highlighted his development of numerous cost-effective and scientifically elegant solutions to critical nutritional deficiencies and diseases.

Speakers on the first day of the two-day symposium recalled his contributions to research including discovering the physiological role of vitamin C in the prevention of neurolathyrism as moderator of nerve impulses.

Speaking as chief guest, President Iajuddin Ahmed said, "Prof Ahmad brought an extraordinary degree of commitment and left a legacy that would be pursued by many others. Through his long and prolific career and research, he made contributions that now stand as a legend in his field."

Presenting a keynote paper on the life and work of Prof Ahmad, Prof Irwin H Rosenberg of USA said, "Beyond his founding the Departments of Biochemistry, Pharmacy and the Institute of Nutrition and Food Sciences at Dhaka University, he was a leader of the scientific community at large."

Education Minister Dr M Osman Farruk, Prof William B Greenough of John Hopkins University and Prof Marshall Larry Reiner of Massachusetts, USA, Dr Naiyyum Choudhury, former chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, and Charles Larson, acting director of ICDDR,B also spoke on the occasion.

Prof Kamaluddin Charitable Trust and ICDDR,B have jointly organised the symposium.

Prof Kamaluddin was the first to produce successfully experimental lathyrism in animals (guineapigs and monkeys) in the history of this disease that has afflicted millions in Asia, Europe and Africa.