Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan, one of the pioneers of journalism education in Bangladesh, died on Sunday night at a hospital in the capital. He was 85.

Family members said that he had suffered a stroke a few days ago and received treatment at a hospital before being taken back home.

On Sunday night, he again fell seriously ill. He was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him dead.

His namaz-e-janaza will be held at 10:00am today (Monday) at the central mosque of the University of Dhaka.

Later, his body will be taken to his ancestral home at village Dhanua under Shibpur upazila of Narsingdi, where he will be laid to rest.

Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan is survived by his wife, a daughter, a son, two grandchildren, and numerous students and admirers.

His daughter is Sumona Sharmin, associate editor of Prothom Alo.

Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan retired from the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Dhaka in 2008.

After his retirement, he served the department for five more years as a supernumerary professor. Until his death, he was an honorary professor of the department.

He also worked as a part-time adviser to the Department of Journalism at Daffodil International University. In addition, he served as the dean of the School of Social Science at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh.