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. He currently serves as the Joint Secretary General and Director of Human Resource Development (HRD) at the Rural Economy and Agricultural Development Organization of Bangladesh (READO Bangladesh), with a three-year tenure effective from 10 December 2025. He also works as an Executant at Bangladesh Digital Services (BDS).

With over three decades of grassroots development engagement and multi-sector professional experience spanning human rights enforcement, organizational governance, information technology, and corporate leadership, Mr. Chowdhury brings a rare multidisciplinary perspective to sustainable development and institutional capacity-strengthening initiatives in Bangladesh.

Leadership Role at READO Bangladesh

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

• Strategic policy formulation and institutional governance

• Human resource capacity building and leadership development

• Safeguarding, ethics, and compliance system strengthening

• Youth empowerment and civic leadership initiatives

• Institutional partnership development and stakeholder engagement

• Rights-based community development programme implementation

His leadership directly supports READO Bangladesh’s mission of promoting sustainable livelihoods, inclusive governance, and social protection for 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, minority protection, and accountability mechanisms in Bangladesh.

Associate Public Defender

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

In this role, he contributed to legal awareness programmes, human rights documentation, and advocacy initiatives addressing discrimination, governance failures, and the protection of vulnerable populations.

Technology, Corporate & Design-Sector Leadership

Mr. Chowdhury also possesses extensive professional experience in technology management and corporate leadership, particularly within the construction, interior, and built-environment design sector.

Associate IT Director

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

He supported digital systems development, operational workflow modernization, and strategic IT functions for infrastructure and corporate development operations.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

PERLEX
📅 29 December 2010 – 31 December 2016

As CEO, Mr. Chowdhury led an interior and exterior environment solutions firm specializing in customized furniture and integrated design services, ensuring seamless alignment between architectural structures and interior living or working spaces.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Europa Bangladesh
📅 1 January 2017 – 31 December 2022

At Europa Bangladesh, he continued executive leadership in the interior and exterior design sector, overseeing projects focused on holistic design approaches, customized furniture solutions, and integrated architectural-interior environments.

Voluntary Human Rights & Community Service

Alongside professional responsibilities, Mr. Chowdhury has maintained long-term voluntary engagement in human rights protection and organizational development.

Volunteer Human Rights Defender

Ethnic Community Development Organization (ECDO)
📅 1 February 2009 – 4 March 2021

He supported advocacy and community engagement initiatives aimed at protecting ethnic and minority communities.

Volunteer – Human Resource Development (HRD)

Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF)
📅 1 December 2019 – 31 January 2021

MSF is committed to protecting and promoting human rights and human dignity across Bangladesh. Mr. Chowdhury contributed voluntarily to human resource development and internal capacity strengthening, supporting MSF’s work with survivors of human rights violations.

Early Grassroots Development & Education Leadership

Mr. Chowdhury began his development journey through grassroots education and socio-economic initiatives in the 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, expanding access to primary education for rural children.

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

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