Shamsher Ali was born in Bheramara, Kushtia, Bangladesh, to parents from Shingia, Jessore.
Shamsher Ali obtained his Master of Science (MSc) degree in physics from the University of Dhaka in 1960 and PhD in theoretical nuclear physics from Manchester University, UK in 1965.
Prior to teaching, he worked at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy.
He also worked the Pakistan and Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commissions in various positions including directorship of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Dhaka (1970–78).
[3] He then served as the vice-chancellor of Southeast University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.