HRD Profile: Minhaz Samad Chowdhury

Executant at the Bangladesh Digital Services (BDS)

Joint Secretary General & Director of Human Resource Development (HRD)

Minhaz Samad Chowdhury is a development professional, human rights advocate, governance practitioner, and technology-integrated institutional strategist currently serving as the Joint Secretary General and Director of Human Resource Development (HRD) at the Rural Economy and Agricultural Development Organization of Bangladesh (READO Bangladesh). His appointment is effective for a three-year tenure starting from 10 December 2025.

With over three decades of grassroots development involvement, combined with professional experience in human rights enforcement, organizational governance, and information technology leadership, Mr. Chowdhury contributes multidisciplinary expertise to sustainable development and institutional capacity strengthening initiatives in Bangladesh.

Leadership Role at READO Bangladesh

In his leadership role, Mr. Chowdhury contributes to strengthening READO Bangladesh’s governance and programme delivery systems through:

• Strategic policy and governance development

• Human resource capacity building and leadership training

• Safeguarding, ethics, and compliance system strengthening

• Youth empowerment and civic leadership development

• Institutional partnership and stakeholder engagement

• Rights-based community development programme implementation

His leadership supports READO Bangladesh’s mission of promoting sustainable livelihoods, inclusive governance, and social protection initiatives across rural and vulnerable communities.

Human Rights Advocacy & Legal Engagement

Mr. Chowdhury has served as an Independent Human Rights Defender since 2007, advocating for justice-centred governance and minority protection systems in Bangladesh.

He also served as:

Associate Public Defender

Bangladesh Society for the Enforcement of Human Rights (BSEHR), Sylhet District
📅 1 September 2008 – 31 December 2017

In this role, he supported legal awareness programmes, human rights documentation, and advocacy initiatives addressing discrimination, governance accountability, and protection of vulnerable populations.

Technology and Corporate Leadership Experience

Mr. Chowdhury possesses strong professional experience integrating technology and organizational systems into development and corporate management.

Associate IT Director

JAC International (Construction Builder Firm), Dhaka
📅 1 January 2008 – 31 December 2015

During this tenure, he contributed to organizational digital management systems, operational workflow modernization, and strategic IT support for infrastructure and corporate development operations.

Early Grassroots Development & Education Leadership

Mr. Chowdhury began his development career through community-based education and socio-economic initiatives in Sylhet Division.

KGABSSL – Villagers’ Socio-Economic Development Organization

• Chairman (1994 – 1997)

• Secretary (1997 – 2000)

• Director, Non-Formal Education Programme (1997 – 1999)

Bangladesh Women’s Health Coalition (BWHC – Zakiganj Chapter)

• Advisory Committee Member (1994 – 2000)

Friends in Village Development of Bangladesh (FIVDB)

Associate Organizer – Child Education Programme
📅 1 January 2000 – 20 September 2007

Through this programme, he successfully contributed to establishing eight primary schools in Kanaighat Upazila, Sylhet, improving rural children’s access to primary education.

Development Philosophy

Mr. Chowdhury promotes a rights-based development approach grounded in:

• Human dignity and social justice

• Inclusive and participatory governance

• Community empowerment and youth leadership

• Transparent and accountable institutional systems

• Education as a foundation for sustainable peace and social development

Professional & Institutional Engagement

Mr. Chowdhury actively contributes to policy advocacy, youth empowerment initiatives, digital civic education, and community awareness programmes through grassroots and institutional platforms.

Institutional Association

Organization: Rural Economy and Agricultural Development Organization of Bangladesh (READO Bangladesh)
Position: Joint Secretary General & Director of Human Resource Development (HRD)
Tenure: 10 December 2025 – 9 December 2028
Country: Bangladesh