Dr. Atiur Rahman, Bangabandhu Chair Professor, University of Dhaka is thenewly elected Chairman of the Executive Committee(EC) of the Center for Advance Research in Arts and Social Sciences (CARASS), University of Dhaka. He earned BSS and MSS degrees in economics from the University of Dhaka. With a Commonwealth scholarship, he went to SOAS University of London to complete his Ph.D. in 1977. His thesis later came out as a book under the title Peasants and Classes published by the Oxford University Press.

Popularly known as the ‘Poor Peoples’ Economist’ and a ‘Green Governor’,Professor Atiur Rahmanis a many timeawarded central bank governor with a human face. Alife-long campaigner for sustainable development focusing on financial inclusion and green growth Dr. Rahman has demonstrated his commitment for empowering the poor and the disadvantaged both as a researcher, teacher,and a regulator. After a long spell of research tenure at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) he joined Dhaka University as a Professor of Development Studies in 2006. He was picked up as the tenth Governor of Bangladesh Bank by the Government in 2009 where he served about seven years. He returned to Dhaka University in March 2016 and continues to serve the University as anhonorary Professor at the same Department. In addition,he is currently the chair of the board of directors of the national think tank Unnayan Shamannay and its subsidiary Shamunnay.  He is a Fellow of Bangla Academy and Life Member of Asiatic Society, Bangladesh and Bangladesh Economic Association.He is also a trustee of Bangladesh Economist’s Forum (BEF).He is also contributing globally for improving the state of inclusive sustainable development as a Special Adviser to Social Innovation Japan(SIJ), a diverse platform of change-makers led by Professor Emeritus Sei Yonekura of Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo. He has also served as a member of the Advisory Board of UNEP’s ‘Inquiryon Designing Global Sustainable Finance’ and continues to share his green mind with the group.

The defining feature of his tenure as the Governor of the central bank of Bangladesh was his decisive drive reorienting the institutional objectives and ethos to support a pro-poor, inclusive and sustainable development model through his flagship initiatives of financial inclusion and environmentally benign financial services including world famous mobile and agent banking innovations.He is currently devoting his time in inspiring his students at the Dhaka University about how to overcome the multifaceted challenges of development in addition to his research, public advocacy and writing. Until recently, he was traveling a lot around the world advocating inclusive sustainable development, green finance movement and promoting peace building through participatory development.

He 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 Euro money.
  • 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.