Full Name: Dr. Atiur Rahman

Affiliation: University of Dhaka

Current Position: Bangabandhu Chair Professor

Date of Birth: December 13, 1953

Place of Birth: Bangladesh

Home District: Jamalpur

Nationality: Bangladeshi

Profile:

Dr. Atiur Rahman (born 13 December 1953) is a Bangladeshi development economist, writer and banker. He served as the 10th Governor of Bangladesh Bank on May 2005 to March 15, 2016, which is the central bank of Bangladesh. He has also been called "the banker of the poor" for his contributions in developing the economy of Bangladesh.

Rahman has been a renowned economist in his varied roles as a University Professor, researcher, banker and a leader in pro-poor, environment-friendly and gender-sensitive development paradigm. He was a Professor of Economics in the Department of Development Studies (2006-2009), University of Dhaka, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Shamunnay, a centre for excellence in development research in Bangladesh. He also served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Unnayan Shamannay, a non-profit organization for research, development and cultural learning. His previous roles also include Director of Sonali Bank, the largest commercial bank in Bangladesh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Janata Bank, the second largest commercial bank in the country and a long tenure as a Senior Research Fellow at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS). He conducted various research works on economic development and published extensively on the micro-finance revolution in Bangladesh. For many years, Rahman also steered the Credit Development Forum (CDF) in Bangladesh as Chairman. He has been a known public face advocating for more humane development including pro-poor participatory budgeting. He is considered an authority on matters related to the fiscal budget in Bangladesh.

Rahman studied at Mirzapur Cadet College for his secondary and higher secondary education, followed by his undergraduate and graduate studies at the Department of Economics of the University of Dhaka where he obtained his B.A. (Honors) and M.A. in Economics, achieving academic distinctions at all levels. He was awarded the Commonwealth scholarship and went to the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London to pursue his M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics (1983). His Ph.D. thesis "Peasants and Classes" published later as a book by the Oxford University Press is an acclaimed reference book in development research. Subsequently, he was awarded a Commonwealth Development Fellowship at the University of Manitoba in Canada (1989), a Ford Foundation Post Doctoral Fellowship at The University of London (1991-1992), and a Visiting Research Fellowship, at the Institute of South-East Asian Studies, Singapore (1998-1999). He was also a visiting/adjunct professor in a number of universities, both home and abroad.

Besides, he has been directing a number of socio-cultural organizations including Biswa Sahitya Kendra and Monajatuddin Smriti Sangsad. He served as Project Director/Team Leader on 22 international and 58 national projects related to socio-economic development and participated in 75 international and around 250 national workshops. He also served as the General Secretary of Bangladesh Economic Association and as a life member of Asiatic Society, Bangladesh and Bangla Academy.

Rahman is a champion of indigenous development paradigm rooted in the Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore that has a strategic thrust on agricultural and rural development for the predominantly agrarian and rural Bangladesh. He is an eminent expert on poverty alleviation and one of his major research areas is poverty alleviation of char (shoal) dwellers.

Rahman has published more than 65 books in English and Bangla, besides, numerous papers in national and international journals. His book titled‘Peasants and Classes’ which has been published by both Oxford University Press, Delhi and Zed Books, London- is considered a semi-classic and taught all around the world. He has been awarded profusely both at home and abroad for his seminal work and professional performance. His significant achievements include:

• ‘The Best Central Bank Governor Asia and Pacific, 2015’, awarded by the Banker of the Financial Times.
• ‘The Central Bank Governor of the Year for Asia 2015’, awarded by the Emerging Markets of the Euromoney.
• Winner of the ‘GUSI Peace Prize International 2014’, awarded by GUSI Foundation Manila.
• ‘Indira Gandhi Gold Plaque 2011’ for his outstanding contribution towards human progress, Asiatic Society, Kolkata.
• ‘A Regulator with a human Face’, awarded by Dhaka University.
• ‘Sheltech Award 2010’ for financial inclusion.
• National Literary Award (Bangla Academy Award) for 2015.

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