B.S. Abdur Rahman, educationist and founder of B.S. Abdur Rahman University, passed away here on Wednesday at the age of 88.
Born in Kilakarai in a middle class family, he followed in his father’s footstep who was a pearl trader in South Asia. From trading in diamonds, he moved to education when he set up Crescent Engineering College in 1984. It was upgraded as B.S. Abdur Rahman University in 2009. “It was one of the first 10 self-financing engineering colleges to be set up in the State,” recalled S. Mohamed Tajuddin, Director of Placement.
Mr. Rahman is credited with launching 14 educational institutions and two orphanages. “He believed in empowerment of women through education. The Thassim Beevi Abdul Kader College for Women in Kilakarai, the Crescent School in Nungambakkam are examples of this,” said S. Prince Arockia Doss, director for International Collaboration at the University, who joined Crescent Engineering College in 1985 as a lecturer.
“He was an affectionate person who built people. The University is in the hands of qualified professionals as he promoted excellence. Our university has more women faculty than men,” Prof. Doss said.
Mr. Rahman has also left his imprint on Chennai’s landscape. His East Coast Constructions and Industries built the Gemini flyover and the lighthouse at the Marina beach. The company was also involved in the construction of Apollo Hospital on Greams Road, where he breathed his last, Mr. Tajuddin said. Mr. Rahman is survived by six children, including two daughters and four sons.
The entrepreneur and philanthropist focussed on women’s education
