An eminent educationist, Professor Muhammad Shamsul Huq was Vice Chancellor of the University of Rajshahi (1965-69) and the University of Dhaka (1975-76). He served as the Central Minister of Education and Scientific and Technological Research during 1969-71. As the President's Adviser on Foreign affairs during 1977-78 and Foreign Minister during 1978-82, he played a key role in the shaping of Bangladesh's foreign policy.