Atiur Rahman

Early life Atiur Rahman was born in a village in Jamalpur district on 13 December 1951. His father, who was a landless farmer, had received no schooling. Atiur Rahman went to school, but had to quit after third grade due to their financial situation. 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.

Career Atiur Rahman served as a planning officer in the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation in 1975. He served as director of the state-owned Sonali Bank, the largest in Bangladesh.

In 2001, the government appointed him as chairman of the board of directors of the Janata Bank, In 2006, he joined the University of Dhaka in the Department of Development Studies as a professor. Atiur Rahman focused on poverty alleviation, engaging in first-hand research to find the causes of poverty and means of remedy. He worked specifically with shoal dwellers.

Central bank governor On 29 April 2009, Atiur Rahman was appointed as the 10th governor of Bangladesh Bank, the central bank of the country, for a tenure of four years. He assumed the title on 3 May 2009 and was reappointed until July 2016. Atiur Rahman worked to bring automation and digitization into the banking sector by creating the National Payment Switch. He introduced automated check clearing for banks in Bangladesh using local currency cheques; starting mobile banking; establishing the Bangladesh Electronic Funds Transfer Network (BEFTN); and instituting the Bangladesh Automated Clearing House (BACH). BEFTN is a system of transferring money from one bank account directly to another bank without paper money changing hands. Bangladesh foreign exchange reserves quadrupled during his tenure. In March 2016, Atiur Rahman resigned from his post following the 2016 Bangladesh Bank heist. Before the resignation was made public, Atiur Rahman stated that he would resign if it would benefit his country. Two days after his resignation, he returned to his position as professor at the Department of Development Studies at the University of Dhaka. He was honored as the 'Bangabandhu Professor' of University of Dhaka.

After his tenure as a governor, he rejoined the Department of Development Studies. The Dhaka University Syndicate appointed him as a 'Bangabandhu Chair' on 1 November 2019. He serves as Chairperson of Unnayan Shamannay.

Publications Atiur Rahman is a regular newspaper columnist who writes on poverty, public expenditure, economic development, public welfare, and other socio-economic issues. He had published 45 titles as of 2009, of which 16 are in English and 29 in Bengali. He writes books mainly socio-economic issues, for example, his recent publication about Rabindranath Tagore's socio-economic thoughts and research. Partial list:

Bengali language Nai Nai Voy, Hobe Hobe Joy, Panjeree, Tabo Bhovone Tabo Bhovne: Anyaprokash, Agami Diner Bangladesh: Ekusa sataker Unnayana Bhabana, Pathak Samabes, Alo andharer Bangladesh: Manab Unnayaner Sambhabana O Cyalenja, Mawla Bradarsa, Apaunnayan: Samakalin Bangladesher Arthaniti, Samajniti, Pyapirasa, Asahajoger Dinguli: Muktijuddher Prastutiparba, Sahitya Prokash, Bangladesher Arek Nam: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, Sahitya Prakash, Bangladesher Unnayan Kon Pathe, Dipty Prokashony, Bhasha Andolan Theke Muktijuddha: Atiur Rahmaner 7 Ti Grantha Pathaker Samikaran, Riddhi Prakash, Bhashar Larai Bachar Larai, Nawroz Kitab Maha Bangobondhu Sohojpat, Chalochchitra O Prokashona Odhidoptor Janaganer Bajet: Amsagrahanamulaka Pariprekshita, Pathaka Samabesa, Nirbachita Prabandha, Anyaprakash, Muktijuddher Manush: Muktijuddher Swapna, Sahitya Prakash, Susaner Sandhane Anyaprakas, Svapnera Bangladesh, Khunje Phera, Dipti Prakasani, Taba Bhubane Taba Vabane: Rabindranather Arthasamajik Vabana-bisayayak Racanasangkalan, Anyaprakash, Unnayan alap: Arthaniti, Paribesa O Unnayana Bitarka, Pathaka Samabesa,

English language Beel Dakatia: The Environmental Consequences of a Development Disaster, University Press, (984-05-1258-7) Early Impact of Grameen, a Multi-Dimensional Analysis: Outcome of a BIDS Research Study, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies and Grameen Trust, (984-31-1416-7) Education for Development: Lessons from East Asia for Bangladesh Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, (981-230-132-1) Peasants and Classes: A Study in Differentiation in Bangladesh Zed Books, Limited, (0-86232-346-0) Peasants and Classes: A Study in Differentiation in Bangladesh: Hardcover, Zed Books, Limited, (0-86232-345-2) People's Report, 2002–2003, Bangladesh Environment by United Nations Development Programme, Bangladesh, Unnayan Shamannay (Organization : Bangladesh) Unnayan Shamannay, (984-32-0866-8) People's Report, 2004–2005: Bangladesh Environment by United Nations Development Programme, Bangladesh, Unnayan Shamannay (Organization : Bangladesh) Sustainable Environment Management Programme (Bangladesh), Unnayan Shamannay, (984-32-3225-9)

Recognition Central Banker of the Year (2015) from the Asia-Pacific region, in recognition of his achievement in supporting lending to farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) without compromising growth and macroeconomic stability, by the London-based Financial Times owned magazine, The Banker; Central Bank Governor (2015), Asia by The Emerging Markets Newspaper (UK based financial newspaper of the Euromoney Group). The British Parliament lauded Atiur Rahman for women's empowerment on 8 March 2015. GUSI Peace Prize International (2014) for his work in the field of economics focusing on the welfare of poor people. World No Tobacco Day Award (2012) by the World Health Organization (WHO). Indira Gandhi Gold Plaque (2011) Atish Dipankar Gold Medal (2000) Chandrabati Gold Medal (2008) Dharitri Bangladesh National Award (1421, Bengali) on 30 December 2015 Bangla Academy Literary Award (2016). Bangabandhu Chair of the University of Dhaka (2019).

Personal life Atiur Rahman married Shahana Rahman, who is a professor of pediatrics at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and they have three daughters.