Anwarul Azim Arif

Md. Anwarul Azim Arif (1 May 1951 – 19 March 2026) was a Bangladeshi academic and banker. He was the vice-chancellor of University of Chittagong and International Islamic University Chittagong. Arif was the one time chairperson of Social Islami Bank Limited.

Arif was also the chairman of the central executive committee of the Central Shariah Board for Islamic Banks of Bangladesh.

Early life Arif completed his master's degree in commerce at the University of Chittagong. He completed his MBA at the University of the Philippines. He joined National Bank as a probationary officer in 1984.

From 2011 to 2015, Arif was the vice-chancellor of the University of Chittagong. They had resigned following bad behavior of Bangladesh Chhatra League activists with them. After his appointment nine directors of the bank resigned which included Hakim Md. Yousuf Harun Bhuiyan, one of five shareholders and head of Hamdard Laboratories (Waqf) Bangladesh. Former chairman of the bank, Major (Retired) Md. Rezaul Haque, was removed and replaced by Arif as part of the Chittagong-based S. Alam Group of Industries conglomerate's consolidation of control over the bank. Arif was appointed a representative of Hasan Abason Limited, a subsidiary of S. Alam Group of Industries.

In July 2021 to August 2024, Arif was the vice-chancellor of International Islamic University Chittagong.

Death Arif died on 19 March 2026, at the age of 74. He had long been suffering from diabetes and was undergoing hospital treatment at the time of his death.