Ms. Khushi Kabir elected as new Chairperson of Human Development Foundation

At its 31st Annual General Meeting, held on 27th December 2025, the Human Development Foundation (HDF) formed a Governing Board for the next two years. Renowned social worker and human rights activist Ms. Khushi Kabir, Eminent Social Worker and Coordinator, Nijera Kori was elected Chairperson of the Board. Other elected members of the board include:

• Prof. Dr. Zakir Hossain Raju, Professor and Head of the Department of Media & Communications and the Director of the Centre for Social Science Research (CSSR), Independent University, Dhaka. (Honorary Treasurer, HDF)
• Dr. Muhammad Abdul Mazid, Former Secretary to GoB and Chairman, NBR
• Dr. Rowshan Ara Firoz, Professor (Retired), University of Dhaka. Joint Director, Kendrio Kanchi-Kanchar Mela.
• Prof. Dr. Abdul Khaleque, Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology, North South University
• Dr. Abul Hasan Muhammad Bashar, Professor & Head, Vascular Surgery Department, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Dhaka
• Dr. Ashir Ahmed, Associate Professor, Faculty of Information Science and Electrical Engineering Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. 
• Mr. Md. Hedayet Ullah, General Manager, Social Development Foundation (SDF) Dhaka. 
• Dr. Md. Ataur Rahman, Professor, Department of Water Resources Engineering, BUET, Dhaka-1000.
• Ms. Nosrat Zahan, Additional Director, Bangladesh Bank.

In Remembrance and Respect

The Human Development Foundation (HDF) family is deeply saddened by the passing of three of its former Honorable Chairmen: Major General (Retd.) Prof. Dr. A. R. Khan, Kazi Fazlur Rahman, and Dr. Hamida Akhtar Begum.

1. Major General (Retd.) Prof. Dr. A. R. Khan (1926–2026)

Major General (Retd.) Prof. Dr. A. R. Khan was a distinguished Bangladeshi physician, military medical officer, and former caretaker government adviser. He passed away at the age of 98 on August 5, 2026, at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka.

• Public Service & Healthcare: Served as Adviser for the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Ministry of Religious Affairs in the 1996 caretaker government, making extensive contributions to national healthcare.
• Institutional Leadership: Associated with the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, National Heart Foundation, National Liver Foundation, and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society. He also chaired several philanthropic and educational organizations.
• Scholarship: An Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London, he authored over 25 books on medical science.
• Service to HDF: Served as a Board Member from 1997 to 2012 and as Chairman from 2014 to 2023.

Throughout his distinguished life, Dr. A. R. Khan made remarkable contributions to medicine, education, research, and humanitarian service. His dedication to human welfare remains an enduring legacy.

2. Kazi Fazlur Rahman (1932–2025)

Born on November 1, 1932, Kazi Fazlur Rahman was an eminent Bangladeshi educationist, administrator, social worker, and litterateur. He passed away at the age of 93 on December 13, 2025, in Dhaka.

• Academic Excellence: Studied Statistics at the University of Dhaka and the London School of Economics, followed by advanced studies in Public Administration at Harvard University (Kennedy School) and Development Economics at Oxford University.
• Statesmanship & Governance: Served as an adviser to the country's first caretaker government, exemplifying wisdom, integrity, and impartiality. He later served as Secretary to the Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Education, and as a Member of the Planning Commission (Cabinet Secretary rank).
• International & Social Impact: Held senior positions at the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. As Chairperson of the Radda MCH–FP Centre from its inception, he helped build a strong foundation for maternal and child healthcare.
• Literary Contributions: A lifelong devotee of literature, he authored three novels, seven short story collections (six in Bengali, one in English), and a five-volume diary series. He was recognized by UNICEF for his contributions to education.
• Service to HDF: One of the original 10 sponsor members of HDF, serving as Chairman from 2003 to 2016.

3. Dr. Hamida Akhtar Begum (1941–2025)

Born on December 31, 1941, Dr. Hamida Akhtar Begum was an eminent psychologist and distinguished social science scholar. She passed away at the age of 83 on October 21, 2025, in Dhaka.

• Academic Credentials: Earned her B.A. Honors (1961) and M.A. in Philosophy (1962) and Psychology (1963) from the University of Dhaka, followed by a Master's and Ph.D. with distinction (1969, 1973) from the University of Manitoba, Canada.
• Academic Leadership: Served the University of Dhaka for over five decades (1964–2018) as a professor, researcher, administrator, and Chair of the Department of Psychology. She authored approximately 80 academic publications.
• Social Advocacy: A dedicated advocate for women's development, she contributed significantly to national social development initiatives and was featured in Who's Who, Bangladesh Women at a Glance (2011) and Marquis Who's Who in the World (15th Edition, 1997).
• Service to HDF: One of the 10 founding sponsor members of HDF, she served as Honorary Treasurer for over two decades and as Chairman from 2023 to 2026.

The Human Development Foundation was extraordinarily fortunate to receive the guidance, vision, and unwavering support of these three remarkable leaders. We honor their immense contributions with profound gratitude.

May their souls rest in eternal peace in Jannah.