Rafiqul Islam (1 January 1934 – 30 November 2021) was a Bangladeshi educationist, scholar, writer, linguist and cultural activist. He was the president of Bangla Academy since May 2021 until his death. He was inducted as a National Professor by the Government of Bangladesh in July 2018. He was a vice-chancellor (2007–2011), professor emeritus and adviser to the Centre for Bangla Studies of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB). He served as the chairman of the Nazrul Institute Trustee Board. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2001 and Independence Day Award in 2012 by the Government of Bangladesh.