Our Team

Driven by Experience. United by Purpose.

Introduction

At ICHD, we believe knowledge is a powerful tool for creating lasting social change. Over the years, we’ve developed a wide range of research publications, training materials, policy papers, and child-friendly resources to support educators, parents, policymakers, and child development practitioners.

Founding Members

Dr. Manzoor Ahmed

Founder & Education Pioneer

A visionary leader in Bangladesh’s education sector, Dr. Ahmed has dedicated his career to promoting child rights, quality education, and social equity both nationally and globally.

Dr. Manzoor Ahmed

Founder & Education Pioneer

Dr. Manzoor Ahmed is a Professor Emeritus at BRAC University in Dhaka, Chairperson of Bangladesh ECD Network (BEN), Adviser to the Council of Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) and Chair of Board of Management of Institute of Child and Human Development (ICHD). He was the founding director of BRAC University Institute of Educational Development. Dr. Ahmed has served for over two decades in senior positions in UNICEF including Senior Education Adviser, and country director in China, Ethiopia and Japan. Earlier he also served as senior researcher at the International Council for Educational Development in Connecticut, USA. He was involved in pioneering work with Philip Coombs on developing concepts and practices in non-formal education. He was a member of the interagency planning team for the World Conference on Education for All in 1990 in Jomtien, Thailand and the launch of the global EFA movement. Dr. Ahmed went to the American University of Beirut for his undergraduate degree, and later attended Dhaka University, University of Northern Colorado and Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. Ahmed’s professional, research and writing involvement continues in educational policy and planning aiming for quality with equity in the national learning systems comprising formal schools, early childhood development, non-formal education and lifelong learning.

Ms. Mahmuda Akhter

Managing Director | Early Childhood Development Specialist

A renowned Early Childhood Development expert in Bangladesh and beyond, Ms. Akhter leads ICHD’s strategic direction, program development, and capacity-building initiatives.

Ms. Mahmuda Akhter

Managing Director | Early Childhood Development Specialist

Ms. Mahmuda Akhter is the Executive Director of the Institute of Child and Human Development (ICHD). She is also the Vice-Chair of Bangladesh ECD Network (BEN) and the Convener of South Asia Forum of Early Childhood Development Professionals (SAFECDP). She is a member of Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood (ARNEC) Steering Committee and a Member of the Technical Advisory Group of Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN), a global network for early childhood. She is a member of National ECCD Technical Committee under the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs. She was the founding Head of ECD Resource Centre at BRAC Institute of Educational Development, BRAC University from 2005 to 2011. Ms. Mahmuda worked as the National Consultant-ECCD of UNICEF Bangladesh, worked closely with NNS and IMCI at DGHS and provided technical support to develop the Comprehensive Integrated ECCD Strategy (Under-3) for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (2022-2026) and a national action plan. Under the guidance of Ms. Mahmuda Akhter, a significant number of research studies was conducted in the field of Early Childhood Development. She had a lead role in designing and developing the Post Graduate Certificate, Diploma and Master Degree Program in Early Childhood Development at BRAC IED jointly with Columbia University USA and Open Society Institute London. She has been working as a faculty in this program of BRAC IED, BRAC University since 2008.

Dr. Ananya Raihan

Founder Member and Director

A visionary leader in ICT for development, dedicated to expanding access to information, social equity, and rural empowerment through innovation and research in Bangladesh and beyond.

Dr. Ananya Raihan

Founder Member and Director

Dr. Ananya Raihan is currently the Executive Chairperson of Dnet. Dr. Raihan completed his MS in Economics (specializad on: Economic Cybernetics) in 1990 and was awarded Ph.D. in Economics in 1994 from V.M. Glushkov Insstitute of Cybernetics, National Academy of Science, Ukraine. Dr. Raihan started his professional career at Kharkov State University, Ukraine as an Assistant Professor in 1993. He also served as a Research Fellow, at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), a civil society think tank in Bangladesh, and immensely contributed at Bangladesh Insstitute of Bank Management (BIBM) as an Associate Professor and Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) as a consultant. He performed professional work for a number of international and regional organisations including UNCTAD, WTO-ITC, SAARCFINANCE, OXFAM, CENTAD, SAPANA, SCCI, UNESCO and ICTSD. Dr Raihan was awarded the Ashoka Fellowship in 2004 in recognised on of his contribution as a social innovator in the area of ICT for the rural community. Dr. Raihan has a diversified research interest which includes access to information and knowledge, international trade, financial sector reform, corporate social responsibility and SME development. He was the founder secretary General of Bangladesh Telecentre Network (BTN), which aims to build up information and knowledge system for the poor and marginalized by 2011 under its ission 2011.

Mr. Taku Furukawa

Founder Member and Director

A passionate entrepreneur dedicated to improving child and human development through innovative business solutions, combining decades of experience in finance, technology, and sustainable development.

Mr. Taku Furukawa

Founder Member and Director

Mr. Taku Furukawa is an entrepreneur working with strong passion to improve the environment for child and human development. With more than two decades of career in business sector, he has wide experience and a good understanding of finance, business management and entrepreneurship. His mission is to promote innovative ideas and technologies to make significant change for better life in developing world, especially for children. In 2004, after serving 15 years in commercial banking business, Mr. Furukawa founded Kite Image Technologies, Ltd. (President: 2004~), a Japanese corporation developing handwriting character recognition technologies. In 2006, Kite has established Kite Educational Design Inc. In 2010, he established Kite Bangladesh Limited (Chairperson and CEO: 2010~), a joint venture company between Kite and D. Net, with the mission of creating holistic and comprehensive environment for child and human development in Bangladesh. Mr. Furukawa has been also involved in various other organizations to support developing countries. He is visiting faculty at Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo since 2009, where he teaches sustainable business in developing countries. Born in 1966 in Tokyo, Japan, he has Bachelor of Law from University of Kyoto.

Advisory Board Members

Dr. Cassie Landers

Professor, Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University, USA

Dr. Cassie Landers

Professor, Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University, USA

Dr. Cassie Landers is Professor, Department of Population and Family Health at Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University. She did her doctorate from Harvard University on comparative human development. She also did her masters in maternal and a child health from Harvard University and did her masters in Public health from Columbia University. She has been serving as a Senior education consultant at the Open Society Institute UK, In this capacity, she was the Academic Advisor for the development of Masters Program in ECD at, IED, BRAC University. At present she is guiding the thesis program on ECD in IED, BRAC University. Dr. Landers has developed a Behavioral Paediatrics training course under WHO auspices for pediatric residents and medical students in developing countries. She was a Senior Research Fellow, Ready to Learn, the International Center on Care and Education of Children of Academy for Education Development, Washington DC. She is the coordinator of an international, inter-agency group designed to strengthen programs benefiting young children and their families in the International Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and Development and a consultant to UNICEF; New York, She was also a Senior Research Scientist in the Division of Health Promotion Research at the American Health Foundation; New York. She is the author of many books, articles published in journals and developer of a number of videos.

Dr. Faith Lamb-Parker

Senior Research Scientist, Bank Street College of Education, USA

Dr. Faith Lamb-Parker

Senior Research Scientist, Bank Street College of Education, USA

Dr. Faith Lamb-Parker is a Senior Research Scientist at Bank Street College of Education, where she directs the National Center on Cultural and Linguistic Responsiveness — one of six centers supporting Early Head Start, Head Start, and broader early childhood education communities through training and resource development. Dr. Lamb-Parker has extensive international experience, working in South Africa, Bangladesh, and Liberia using a community-based, co-construction approach to design and implement early childhood and family programs. From 1995 to 2010, she served as Assistant Clinical Professor at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, where she led research and evaluation initiatives, taught courses in infant and child development, and directed the international practicum program. Since 2007, Dr. Lamb-Parker has been a Senior Education Consultant to the Open Society Foundations' Early Childhood Division in the UK. In this role, she contributed significantly to BRAC/IED’s Early Childhood Development Master’s Program, advised on parent and family engagement, and helped co-develop the GROE tool — an international classroom quality assessment and teacher development resource now in use in Bangladesh. Her recent publications focus on global early childhood education and family well-being. Dr. Lamb-Parker earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the New School for Social Research and an M.S. in Early Childhood Development from City College of New York.

Dr. Indrani Talagala

Former Head, Early Childhood & Primary Education, Open University of Sri Lanka

Dr. Indrani Talagala

Former Head, Early Childhood & Primary Education, Open University of Sri Lanka

Dr. Indrani Talagala is a leading expert in Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) in Sri Lanka. She serves as a Consultant for the National Policy on ECCD 2017, working under the Children’s Secretariat of the Ministry of Child Development and Women’s Affairs. She is also a visiting academic at the Faculty of Education, Open University of Sri Lanka, and a member of the Ministry’s National Committee on ECCD. Dr. Talagala formerly served as Head of the Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education at the Open University of Sri Lanka, where she has been contributing since 1989. Earlier in her career, she worked as a teacher and course guide developer at the Curriculum Development Centre of the University of Sri Lanka. Her contributions to ECCD include developing home-based learning materials for primary school children (Grades 1–5) in conflict-affected regions, commissioned by the Ministry of Education. She has also presented numerous research papers at both national and international conferences. In collaboration with Dr. S. Fernandopulle, she conducted the mid-decade assessment of the Education for All (EFA) Goal 1, published by the Ministry of Education in 2008. Dr. Talagala has also supported the IED, BRAC University as visiting faculty for its ECD program, mentoring students and advising on thesis development. She holds both an MPhil and a PhD in Early Childhood Care and Development from the University of Colombo.

Late Dr. Syed Fazley Hossain

Former Associate Professor in Jahangir Nagar University

Late Dr. Syed Fazley Hossain

Former Associate Professor in Jahangir Nagar University

Mr. Syed Fazley Hossain holds a Doctorate in Inorganic Chemistry from Glasgow University, UK. He began his academic career as an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Jahangirnagar University, where he served from 1974 to 1979. From 1978 to 1980, he worked as a Research Associate at Kansas State University, USA. Over the next 25 years, he held various academic and industrial research positions across the United States, contributing to advanced scientific research and development in the field of chemistry. Since retiring, Mr. Hossain has been actively engaged in social and philanthropic initiatives in Bangladesh, leveraging his academic background and international experience to support education and community development.

Dr. Nafeesur Rahman

Disability & Development Consultant | Public Health and Policy Advocate

Dr. Nafeesur Rahman

Disability & Development Consultant | Public Health and Policy Advocate

Dr. Nafeesur Rahman is a seasoned expert in disability rights and inclusive development, currently working as a freelance Disability & Development Consultant since 2017. He served as the Director of the National Forum of Organizations Working with the Disabled (NFOWD) from 2002 to 2016, leading national-level advocacy and inclusion efforts in Bangladesh. Earlier in his career, Dr. Rahman held various roles at ActionAid Bangladesh, and also worked as a Medical Officer at The Specialized Hospital (Pvt.) Ltd. and Dhanmondi Nursing Home Ltd. As a consultant, he has worked with prestigious organizations including Center for Disability in Development (CDD), GIZ, Oxfam, the National Institute of Ophthalmology, and even the Government of Myanmar. His areas of expertise include policy advocacy, training and facilitation, IEC material development, networking, and conducting program reviews and evaluations. Dr. Rahman is a recipient of the Eisenhower Fellowship under its Multi-Nations Program — a prestigious international honor dating back to 1953. As one of only two fellows in the program's history from the disability field, he traveled across the U.S. meeting disability rights leaders and expanding the global network of NFOWD. He holds an M.B.B.S. degree from Mymensingh Medical College, Bangladesh, awarded in 1990.

Ms. Janet Jamieson

Former Chair, Community Services, Red River College, Canada

Ms. Janet Jamieson

Former Chair, Community Services, Red River College, Canada

Ms. Janet Jamieson is the former Chair of Community Services at Red River College in Winnipeg, Canada, where she managed programs in Early Childhood Education, Child and Youth Care, Disability and Community Support, along with various community-based projects. She has worked collaboratively with numerous community organizations in Manitoba to deliver contextualized education programs and has been an active presenter at professional conferences. She also serves on several local and national committees. Janet has a particular interest in knowledge translation through the development of educational resources. She has co-produced several video series, including Our Children, Our Ways: Early Childhood Education in First Nations and Inuit Communities, Family Resource Programs, Listening to Babies, and Tuning into Toddlers. She is also the lead author of the widely used online multimedia resource, The Science of Early Child Development (SECD). Internationally, she has collaborated with IED-BRAC University, the Aga Khan Foundation, the Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and Development, and the World Bank to develop an international version of SECD, which is now being used globally as both a course and a resource. Ms. Jamieson holds an undergraduate degree from Queen’s University and a Master of Arts in Child Study and Education from the University of Toronto.

Board of Management

Dr. Manzoor Ahmed

Founder & Education Pioneer

Dr. Manzoor Ahmed

Founder & Education Pioneer

Ms. Mahmuda Akhter

Managing Director | ECD Specialist

Ms. Mahmuda Akhter

Managing Director | ECD Specialist

Dr. Happy Kumar Das

Director

Dr. Happy Kumar Das

Director

Dr. Happy Kumar Das is a Professor, Institute of Education and Research (IER), University of Rajshahi received his PhD majoring Child Education in Japan. Dr. Das started his career as Material Developer at BRAC Education Program in 2003. In 2011, he joined Institute of Educational Development (IED), BRAC University Faculty Member. He was responsible for course work and coordination for national and international faculty members for MSc in ECD. He worked for NAPE, DPE and MoPME as Team Leader (Professional Studies) to develop teaching materials, training manuals and implementation guideline in Diploma in Primary Education (DPEd) program. He worked for UNICEF as Parenting Education consultant (2014) and developed Harmonized Para Workers Guide and Training Package for early child development and parenting education Integrated Community Development Project (2015-2016) in CHT-Bangladesh. He played his role as Academic Reviewer and Writer, Critical Reader and Group Leader of Professional Studies in DPEd program for the last three years. Apart from these, he is also working as the National Representative of ARNEC (from 2017) in Bangladesh. He was engaged in several national and international research studies with ARNEC for ECE Transition Study (2012), UNESCO Bangkok (in 2015 and 2016) for ECE Financing, DFAT-Australian High Commission for PEDP-3 Quality Study (2016) and Assessment of Technical Assistance for PEDP-3 (2017), DFID- Government of United Kingdom for DPEd Alternative Study (2016) and DPEd Pre-service Study (2017), etc. He was also a team-member of the National Pre-Primary Education Assessment in 2016 jointly initiated by MoPME and UNICEF Bangladesh. Till 2017, he was associated with the Longitudinal Study on the Implementation of Each Child Learns (ECL) of PEDP-3. He leaded the study entitled “Concept Paper on Education for Rohingya People” on behalf of UNESCO Bangladesh immediately after the Rohingya influx in September 2017 from November 2017 to January 2018 and all of this experience equipped him for Team Leader in this assignment.

G M Rakibul Islam

Director

G M Rakibul Islam

Director

G M Rakibul Islam works as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Educational Administration at Noakhali Science and Technology University in Bangladesh. He also works as an Assistant Director at the Research Cell of the University. He is involved in teaching and research for more than 10 years. Besides, Mr. Islam has been working with the Education Team of Access to Information (a2i) Programme of Bangladesh Government. He has also worked with a2i Programme of Bangladesh Government, in TQI-II project of the Ministry of Education, Government Teachers’ Training College Rangpur, Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, and in British Council Bangladesh. He has vast experience working in government organizations as a BCS (Education) Cadre officer. Mr. Islam graduated in Science Education from the Institute of Education and Research of University of Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2009; and from the same institution, he completed postgraduate in Nonformal and Continuing Education in 2010. He has successfully completed his second MA in Educational Leadership with Distinction from the University of Manchester, UK with Equity and Merit Scholarship. He has been practicing qualitative and quantitative study in educational settings both in national and international context. He led several baseline, evaluation and impact studies of Sesame Network, USA; Save the Children International, IID, ARCED Foundation, UNICEF, a2i and so on. He writes regularly in national dailies and also conducts research on different issues of education. His research interest includes ICT in education, teacher education, educational leadership, school improvement, and education policy. Mr. Islam has published his scholarly works nationally and internationally as book chapters and journal articles. In this study, Mr. Islam will work as Education Specialist and Qualitative Study Expert.

Md. Shahriar Shafiq

Director

Md. Shahriar Shafiq

Director

Md. Shahriar Shafiq is a Lecturer at the Department of Education of Noakhali Science and Technology University has received his graduation and post-graduation degree in Social Science Education and Nonformal & Continuing Education from the Institute of Education and Research (IER) of Dhaka University. Before that, he worked as a teacher trainer and educator in the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education for years. Along with his teacher educator role, Mr. Shafiq worked as an Attached Officer in the Education team of the Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme for 3 years where he played an important role including project development and implementation for primary education, coordination, and collaboration with government organizations and policymakers, donors and development partners and private sector providers of education field. He worked as a team member in various study and project teams in the field of education and development for different national and international organizations including the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. Ministry of Education, ICT Division, Save the Children International, Plan Bangladesh, Room to Read, USAID, UNICEF, and UNESCO. Moreover, he conducted studies as well as developed tools and education support packages for ECD, primary, and secondary education in the country.

Md. Mehedi Hasan

Director

Md. Mehedi Hasan

Director

Md. Mehedi Hasan is working as the Coordinator of the Bangladesh ECD Network (BEN). He is a Youth Advocate of ARNEC for Climate Change and ECD in Bangladesh. He is also a voluntary Coordinator of the South Asia Forum of Early Childhood Development Professionals (SAFECDP). Earlier he worked as Program Manager at the Institute of Child and Human Development (ICHD) to manage a Government Program titled "Early Brain Development Skill Enhancement Program" which was a three years program under the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs to provide training on Early Childhood Care and Development and Parenting Education for about 2,400 government and relevant officials and councilors in national level, city corporation, division, district and municipality level in 34 districts in Bangladesh. He has been working closely with BEN since 2007. He worked for a year in Kite Bangladesh Ltd. as Assistant Manager, Communication. He worked in the BRAC Institute of Educational Development first as an administrator and later as a Coordinator. Mr. Mehedi coordinated study teams in a number of significant studies in the field of ECD at national and regional level. He has extensive experience in organizing national and regional conferences, seminars, workshops and trainings. He received international training in facilitation skill development and critical thinking. Mr. Mehedi did his Bachelor and Master degree in English from Jahangirnagar University and later received an MBA in Strategic & International Management from the University of Dhaka.