Advisory Board

Engr. A S M Qashem

Member, Advisory Board, DADUS

A. S. M. Quasem is a distinguished industrialist, visionary entrepreneur, and respected business leader, currently serving as the Chairman of Newage Group of Companies—one of Bangladesh’s leading names in the apparel and garment export industry. With a career spanning several decades, Mr. Quasem has made significant contributions to the growth and global competitiveness of Bangladesh’s textile sector. Born in 1942, Mr. Quasem graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in 1963. In 1984, he founded Newage Garments Ltd., laying the foundation for what would become a diversified business group. Today, Newage Group includes three modern garment manufacturing units, a composite knit textile mill, and a state-of-the-art button manufacturing plant. The group employs over 12,000 people and boasts an annual turnover exceeding BDT 10 billion. Beyond his industrial accomplishments, Mr. Quasem has played a prominent role in national and international trade forums. He has held several leadership positions, including President of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (1997), President of the Bangladesh Employers Federation (1999–2000), and multiple terms as Vice President of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – Bangladesh. He also served as the Founder Chairman of the BIMST-EC Business Forum (1998–2000), contributing to regional economic collaboration. His expertise in international trade policy and development led to consultancy roles with the International Trade Centre (ITC), UNCTAD, and the World Trade Organization (WTO), through which he undertook assignments in Africa, Central and South America, and Bangladesh. Mr. Quasem is equally committed to social responsibility. He established the Gulshanara Razzaque Welfare Foundation, which runs a free primary school for 600 underprivileged children in Dhaka and a 30-bed general hospital in Dohar, providing essential healthcare services to rural communities. He is also a Board Member of RADDA MCH-FP Centre, a well-established NGO focused on maternal and child healthcare. As a member of the Advisory Board of DADUS (Daridra Durikoron Sangstha), Mr. Quasem brings a wealth of strategic insight, business expertise, and a deep-rooted commitment to social development. His guidance significantly strengthens DADUS’s mission to empower marginalized communities through sustainable and impactful initiatives.

Mr. Mahmudur Rahman Khan

Member, Advisory Board, DADUS

Mahmudur Rahman Khan is a seasoned Information Technology Consultant with over 30 years of global experience in systems engineering, product and program management, and business process analysis and optimization. His professional expertise spans across diverse sectors, with a strong focus on leading-edge technology solutions and organizational transformation. Mr. Khan holds certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute and as a Certified Scrum Master and Product Owner from the Agile Scrum Alliance. These credentials reflect his proven ability to manage complex programs and drive innovative product development in dynamic, cross-functional environments. Over the course of his career, Mr. Khan has led and coached numerous U.S.-based and international teams in hardware and software development. His long-standing association with Honeywell Aerospace Division saw him serve in several high-level engineering leadership roles, culminating in his position as Chief Engineer for Cabin Communications Systems, where he spearheaded the development of advanced communication technologies for commercial aviation. Mr. Khan is the Founder and President of Clarus Aero LLC, a technology company focused on aviation communication solutions. At Clarus Aero, he led the strategic design, development, and marketing of a low-cost Iridium Satcom-based communication gateway and Wi-Fi In-Flight Entertainment solution tailored for narrow-body, single-aisle commercial aircraft. His leadership at Clarus Aero underscores his commitment to practical innovation and his ability to deliver value-driven technology products to the global market. Academically, Mr. Khan holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of North Dakota and a Master in International Management (MIM) from the Thunderbird Graduate School at Arizona State University, USA. As a member of the Advisory Board of DADUS (Daridra Durikoron Sangstha) Mr. Khan brings a wealth of technical insight, strategic thinking, and global perspective to the organization. His passion for technology-driven impact and efficiency aligns with DADUS’s mission to create sustainable solutions for poverty alleviation and community development.

Mr. Taufiqur Rahman

Member, Advisory Board, DADUS

Taufiqur Rahman is a distinguished international development expert with over 35 years of extensive global experience across international NGOs, multilateral financing institutions, donor agencies, and global health organizations. His expertise spans strategic program development, operational leadership, and high-impact portfolio management in complex and geographically diverse settings. Mr. Rahman has worked with a range of prominent international institutions, including the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, WHO/UNITAID, UNAIDS/WHO, AusAID, and multiple U.S. and U.K.-based international NGOs. Over the course of his career, he has successfully managed large and complex development portfolios, including a $2 billion portfolio at the Global Fund and over $300 million at UNITAID. His work has taken him across Asia and North Africa, where he has operated in challenging environments requiring nuanced understanding of local dynamics and strategic implementation. He possesses well-honed skills in portfolio management, operational planning, program design and proposal development, strategic partnerships, change management, and results-based management. His additional expertise includes monitoring and evaluation (M&E), data-driven strategy development, research and evaluation, capacity building, and team and relationship management. He has a proven track record in multi-sectoral partnership management, advocacy, technical collaboration, and resource mobilization, with a strong commitment to promoting country ownership and sustainable development. Programmatically, Mr. Rahman's work spans across sectors such as health, education, nutrition, health financing, health systems strengthening, governance, and the environment. His strategic and technical leadership has contributed to the advancement of global initiatives in these fields. Academically, Mr. Rahman holds an MBA and a BA from the University of Wisconsin, USA, an Advanced Certificate in International Health Management from Boston University, USA, and a degree in Information Systems from Sydney, Australia. As a Member of the Advisory Board of DADUS (Daridra Durikoron Sangstha), Mr. Rahman brings unparalleled international experience, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to social development. His contributions continue to guide DADUS in aligning its mission with global best practices and achieving sustainable impact for marginalized communities.

Maj. Gen (Retd.) Mohammad Ishtiaq

Member, Advisory Board, DADUS

Major General Muhammad Ishtiaq, NDC, PSC, is a respected retired military officer and seasoned diplomat, known for his distinguished service to the nation in both defense and international relations. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to leadership, discipline, and national development. Born into a respected Muslim family, Major General Ishtiaq began his academic journey at Jhenaidah Cadet College, where he received a foundation in discipline and academic excellence that would define his professional life. He went on to join the Bangladesh Army, where he served with distinction and professionalism, ultimately rising to the esteemed rank of Major General. Throughout his military career, he held key command and strategic roles, contributing significantly to national defense and institutional development. Expanding his service beyond the military, Major General Ishtiaq was appointed as the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Turkey, serving from August 17, 2007, to December 23, 2009. In this diplomatic role, he played a vital part in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting Bangladesh’s interests on the international stage. Following his retirement from active government service, Major General Ishtiaq has continued to contribute to the country’s development through advisory roles in various organizations. He currently serves as a Member of the Advisory Board of DADUS (Daridra Durikoron Sangstha), where he brings valuable leadership, strategic insight, and governance experience to support the organization’s mission of poverty alleviation, community empowerment, and sustainable social development. Major General Muhammad Ishtiaq’s multifaceted career in military, diplomatic, and advisory service reflects his unwavering dedication to the progress and welfare of Bangladesh.

Maj. Gen (Retd.) Professor Dr. Liza Chowdhury

Member, Advisory Board, DADUS

Major General (Retd.) Professor Dr. Liza Chowdhury is a trailblazing figure in Bangladesh’s military and medical sectors, renowned for her pioneering contributions to healthcare leadership, military service, and women's empowerment. Her distinguished career reflects a lifelong commitment to advancing public health and social development, both within the armed forces and in civilian life. Dr. Chowdhury holds an MBBS degree, along with professional qualifications including MCPS, DGO, and FCPS in Gynecology. She has further specialized through international fellowships in infertility and reproductive medicine from India and Germany. Her medical expertise spans gynecology, obstetrics, laparoscopic surgery, and infertility treatment, making her one of the foremost experts in women’s health in the country. She made history by becoming the first female Major General and the first female Surgeon General of the Bangladesh Army, where she played a pivotal role in modernizing and strengthening military medical services. Her leadership extended to prominent roles at the Armed Forces Medical College and Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka, where she made significant contributions to medical education, clinical training, and institutional development. Currently, Dr. Chowdhury practices at Hitech Multicare Hospital Ltd., while remaining actively engaged in public health advocacy and community-based healthcare initiatives. She is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, leading various health and social programs aimed at improving access to quality healthcare and promoting gender equity in both rural and urban communities. As a Member of the Advisory Board of DADUS (Daridra Durikoron Sangstha), Major General (Retd.) Dr. Liza Chowdhury brings exceptional medical knowledge, strategic leadership, and a deep commitment to social welfare. Her guidance supports the organization’s mission to enhance community development, improve maternal and child healthcare, and alleviate poverty across underserved populations in Bangladesh.

Dr. Mahboob Rahman Khan

Member, Advisory Board, DADUS

Dr. Mahboob Rahman Khan is a highly respected medical professional with extensive experience in family medicine, executive health screening, and public health initiatives. Currently serving as a Consultant at United Hospital Dhaka, Dr. Khan is deeply committed to delivering quality healthcare and contributing to social welfare through both clinical practice and community outreach. Dr. Khan began his medical career in the mid to late 1980s, working in Upazila Health Centers in Kaliganj and Tongi, where he provided essential medical services to underserved communities. During this time, he actively supported Bangladesh’s National Family Planning Program, promoting reproductive health and conducting procedures such as vasectomies and tubal ligations. To expand his clinical capabilities, he received specialized training in Nephrology and Neuromedicine at IPGM&R (now BSMMU), focusing on the diagnosis and management of complex conditions. In 1997, Dr. Khan earned his MD degree in the United States, where he gained valuable clinical experience across diverse healthcare settings. After returning to Bangladesh in 2011, he joined United Hospital Dhaka, where he has played a key role in advancing preventive healthcare, wellness programs, and comprehensive executive health screenings for individuals and organizations. Dr. Khan’s dedication to humanitarian service is reflected in his active involvement in crisis response efforts. In October 2017, he led United Hospital’s medical team to Teknaf, providing critical healthcare support to Rohingya refugees displaced by humanitarian conflict. His medical leadership in such contexts underscores his commitment to serving vulnerable populations in times of need. As a Member of the Advisory Board of DADUS (Daridra Durikoron Sangstha), Dr. Khan brings valuable medical insight, clinical experience, and public health perspective to the organization’s initiatives. His contributions significantly enhance DADUS’s capacity to deliver impactful healthcare services and support its broader mission of poverty alleviation and community development.

Aklima Rakhe

Member, Advisory Board, DADUS

Ms. Aklima Rakhe is a seasoned professional with over 6 years of comprehensive experience in Human Resources and Administration. Her expertise spans employee relations, organizational development, and office operations, with a consistent track record of enhancing workplace efficiency and fostering a positive organizational culture. She is currently serving a private organization, where she plays a key role in overseeing administrative functions, managing facilities, and supporting cross-departmental initiatives. Ms. Rakhe holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance and has completed specialized training in Human Resource Management from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka.