The Man Steering NSU and Grameen Bank: Dr. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury
Early Foundations and Academic Excellence Born on January 10, 1963, Professor Chowdhury had a strong start in education. He
Early Foundations and Academic Excellence
Born on January 10, 1963, Professor Chowdhury had a strong start in education. He studied statistics at Jahangirnagar University, earning a bachelorโs degree in 1986 and a masterโs in 1987. He achieved first-class results in both, ranking sixth in his undergraduate class and fourth in his master’s class.
His career began in 1988 with research and a short teaching role at Dhaka City College. Later that year, he joined the Islamic University in Bangladesh to teach statistics in the Department of Management, building the foundation for his future career.
Advanced Studies and International Research:
Professor Chowdhury then went to the United States for higher studies. At Northeastern University in Boston, he earned a masterโs degree in Operations Research in 1996 and a PhD in Industrial Engineering in 1999, focusing on statistical methods for quality improvement. He then completed postdoctoral research in industrial statistics at the University of Calgary in Canada by 2002.
During and after his studies, he taught internationallyโworking at Northeastern University (1999โ2001), the University of Calgary, and as an assistant professor at the University of Windsor in Canada (2002โ2005).
Institutional Leadership and National Contributions:
In May 2005, Professor Chowdhury returned to Bangladesh as an associate professor at North South University (NSU), becoming a full professor in 2008. Beyond teaching, he took on key leadership roles like BBA program director, dean, and career services director. Between 2005 and 2012, he helped transform the university’s Career and Placement Center, notably by organizing National Career Fairs to connect students with employers.
His leadership skills soon led to major roles at other universities:
- Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Eastern University: May 2014 โ May 2017
- Vice-Chancellor, Primeasia University: May 2017 โ October 2020
- Visiting Professor: Yunnan Normal University, China
- Vice-Chancellor, North South University: Appointed in September 2024
Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury Visits RMBS
Beyond higher education, Professor Chowdhury was also appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of Grameen Bank. This role extended his institutional leadership into financial inclusion, connecting his longstanding involvement in social business with the bankโs mission of providing financial opportunities to people living in poverty
Scholarship, Social Business, and Global HonorsS: Professor Chowdhury is also dedicated to research and social business. He has written more than 70 books, book chapters, and research papers. Working closely with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, he helps promote social business through academic events and is the founder and president of the Professional Society for Social Business.
His international contributions have consistently drawn global recognition. On May 8, 2025, Nanjing Audit University in China awarded him an honorary professorship, further cementing a career rooted in cross-cultural academic cooperation.
A Continuing Legacy:
Today, Professor Chowdhury’s leadership roles at North South University and Grameen Bank connect two important fields: education and financial inclusion. His journey shows how he grew from a statistics student and teacher into a major leader who helps students, researchers, and borrowers all across Bangladesh.
