Lieutenant General Md Saiful Alam, SBP, OSP, SUP, awc, psc, PhD

National Defence College

SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF COMMANDANT, NDC

LIEUTENANT GENERAL MD SAIFUL ALAM, SBP, OSP, SUP, awc, psc, PhD

Lieutenant General Md Saiful Alam was commissioned from Bangladesh Military Academy on 27 June 1986 in East Bengal Regiment. In his long 38 years of illustrious career, he served in all types of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments in different tiers of Bangladesh Army. He is the present Colonel Commandant of the Corps of EME. The General was the Quarter Master General of Bangladesh Army before taking over the responsibility as the Commandant of National Defence College on 11 February 2024.

For his outstanding performance in the Military Academy, General Saif was adjudged as the best all-round cadet of his course and received the prestigious ‘Sword of Honour’. He was adorned with ‘BMA Gold Medal’ for best academic performance and was also awarded with the ‘Tactics Plaque’ for displaying highest tactical skill during the training in Bangladesh Military Academy.

  The General is an eminent scholar who has studied extensively in multiple disciplines. Beside obtaining a masters in Defence Studies from the National University of Bangladesh, he also obtained a Diploma in Strategic & Defence Studies from Malaya University, Masters in Business Administration from Royal University and Masters in Strategic Studies from US Army War

College. Most importantly, the General has obtained PhD Degree in Security and Strategic Studies on “Sino-Myanmar Connectivity: Regional Implications and Policy Strategy for Bangladesh” from Bangladesh University of Professionals.

  Lieutenant General Saif attended several professional courses both at home and abroad. His important foreign courses include Junior Command Course in India and Company Commander Course in Malaysia. He is a graduate of both Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur and Armed Forces Staff College, Malaysia. He has also successfully completed Army War Course in US Army War College. He was awarded with the Commandant’s Paper Trophy in both the courses for the best research paper.

  The dynamism of the General is the product of his vast experience in all three types of appointments available in the Army i.e. Command, Staff and Instruction. He commanded two Infantry Regiments, an Infantry Brigade and two Infantry Divisions. He was the founding General Officer Commanding of 7 Infantry Division located at Lebukhali beside Commanding 11 Infantry Division in Bogura.

  Lieutenant General Saif was a distinguished ‘Maker of the Leaders’ in Bangladesh Military Academy. The General also served as an Instructor of Tactics Wing in School of Infantry & Tactics and Directing Staff of Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur. Besides, the General was Commandant of two premier training institute of Bangladesh Army: School of Infantry and Tactics and Bangladesh Military Academy. As a staff, he served as the Grade three staff officer of a brigade, Grade two staff officer and Colonel Staff of an Infantry Division and Director, Internal Affairs Bureau of Directorate General of Forces Intelligence. Later, he also had a tour of duty as Director General of Directorate General of Forces Intelligence.

  Lieutenant General Saif has visited a number countries to attend internationally acclaimed professional courses and seminars. He completed a course on Leadership Development at National Institute of Public Administration in Malaysia. He participated various international seminars in overseas countries - Multinational Cooperation Program in the Asia Pacific (MCAP) in Japan, Pacific Armies Management Seminar (PAMS) in Indonesia and Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition in Saudi Arab are notable among others. Besides, the General has developed distinct expertise on UN Peacekeeping Operations and related affairs. In addition to his physical deployments under the Blue Helmet twice, he participated in Multinational Platoon Exercise (MPE) at BIPSOT. He has also completed 21 courses under UNITARPOCI and participated in Peace & Stability Course at US Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute. He has also attended a course on the Implementation of Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) organized by Organization of Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

  The General was one of the most successful Quarter Master General of Bangladesh Army with significant accomplishments. He performed as the Chief Coordinator for conceptualizing and executing the Logistics Field Training Exercise- first ever in Bangladesh Army since inception. Furthermore, he conceived the idea of Inter Formation Agro Production Competition and steered its successful conduct for three consecutive years. He streamlined the Real Estate Master Plan of Bangladesh Army to address the force expansion according to Forces Goal- 2030. Meanwhile, he not only finalized the starting of Narayanganj DOHS Flat Project but also intimately monitored and supervised the allotment of three other DOHS (Cumilla, Chattogram and Jashore) in the fastest possible time. Under his supervision, MRE has been introduced to the Army which is customized according to own taste and requirement. Beside finalizing the Fixed TA/ DA for the members of Armed Forces, he led the reviewing of many complex documents- Passage Regulations (Provisional) and Logistic Directive are notable among many others. Under his direct supervision, the elections of RAOWA and four DOHS (Banani, Mohakhali, Baridhara and Mirpur) were conducted in year 2023 with festivity in presence of maximum number of voters than the previous years. As Chairman of CSD, he turned it to a service oriented yet profitable organization. His efficient management boosted the profit almost four times while reducing prices of almost 22,000 items.

  The General has participated in two critical UN Peacekeeping missions. He served as a contingent member at United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) in 1993-1994. He also commanded a Bangladeshi Contingent in The Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) in 2008-2009. He received the Force Commander's Certificate of Appreciation for extraordinary performance during his assignment in Congo.

  Lieutenant General Saif was awarded with Senabahini Padak (SBP), Osamanno Seba Padak (OSP) and Sena Utkarshata Padak (SUP) for his extraordinary contribution to the Army as well as the nation in his long distinguished career. He, as GOC 11 Infantry Division, played an instrumental role for restoring the extremely volatile law and order situation within area of responsibility while the formation was deployed in aid to civil administration and was awarded Senabahini Padak- the most prestigious and highest peacetime medal in Bangladesh Army. He was awarded Osamanno Seba Padak for his significant role in reducing the impact of Corona pandemic outbreak, preventing deterioration of rule of law and sustaining socio-economic normalcy of the country as Director General, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence. Besides, the general was decorated with Sena Utkarshata Padak for securing top position in three Army level courses.

  Meanwhile, his career is radiated by countless accomplishments and laurels. His unit received the Inter Unit Efficiency Trophy in the Formation for consecutive two years under his command. He was awarded with the CAS Commendation for his instrumental contribution in preventing MT accident during his command. Lieutenant General Saif is a Marksman in firing. Beside achieving numerous trophies in various formation level competitions, he also became the Best Firer in CAS Trophy Firing for two times.

  The General is a sports enthusiast and an avid sportsman. His sublime skill in Basketball, Football, Hockey, Table Tennis and Golf is notable among many other games. He was awarded with BMA colour in Basketball for becoming Best Player in two consecutive years. He was also the College Champion in Table Tennis in the Cadet College. The General is a keen golfer and has won countless trophies in different tournaments beside winning the Generals Cup Golf Tournament.

  Please note that he is a unique General who has been awarded Sword of Honour, Gold Medal, Tactics Plaque and BMA Colour in Basketball while commissioning from BMA. He is the only General who has not only served but also played leading role in the four premier training institute of Bangladesh Army/ Armed Forces i.e. BMA, SI&T, DSCSC and NDC. He is also the only officer who has served four consecutive tenure as General outside Dhaka – Commandant SI&T, Commandant BMA, GOC of newly raised 7 Infantry Division and 11 Infantry Division.

Lieutenant General Md Saiful Alam is a son of a valiant Freedom Fighter. His father played a significant role against the Occupation Forces in the present Gopalganj district under Sector 8. Beside participating in the Guerilla Warfare, he contributed immensely in organizing the Freedom Fighters in the area. The General is happily married to Lubna Afroz and the couple is blessed with two daughters.