Iqbal Quadir
Founder of Grameenphone
Iqbal Z. Quadir founded Grameenphone and has worked at the intersection of entrepreneurship, technology, and economic development. He advises the Forum on institution-building and widening access to technology.
Our story
The people behind the programmes
AI Forum Bangladesh brings educators, technologists, and partner organisations together to make applied AI easier to understand and use responsibly.
Why we exist
AI training needs context
AI is changing how people research, communicate, analyse information, and make decisions. Most professionals do not need another abstract introduction. They need to understand what the technology can do in their own field, how to test it, and where its limits matter.
The Forum works with companies, professional bodies, universities, and public institutions to design practical sessions around those questions. We have delivered programmes in capital markets, healthcare, business, research, and public service.
Our journey
Programme milestones
Select a point on the timeline
The beginning
AI Forum Bangladesh founded
An independent organisation set up to bridge the gap between Bangladesh’s AI talent and real opportunity.
Milestone 01 of 05
How we work
How we design a programme
The working principles used when a session moves from an initial conversation to the room.
Value 01 / 06
Start with the people
We begin with the work participants already do, then show where AI can help and where human judgement must remain in charge.
Lead trainer & academic lead
Professor Khondaker A. Mamun
- Professor of Artificial Intelligence, United International University (UIU)
- Vice President, AI, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Washington University of Science and Technology (WUST), USA
- Founder and Director, Advanced Intelligent Multidisciplinary Systems (AIMS) Lab, UIU
- Founder and Director, Institute of Research, Innovation, Incubation and Commercialisation (IRIIC)
- Founder, CMED Health
Professor Mamun leads the design and delivery of every AI Forum Bangladesh professional training programme, including engagements for the Dhaka Stock Exchange, LankaBangla Securities, Sonali Intellect, and healthcare institutions across the country and abroad.
“We want to democratise artificial intelligence across Bangladesh, transforming theoretical potential into practical, industry-led value.”
Advisory board
Experience across research and industry
The advisory board brings perspectives from telecommunications, engineering, physics, healthcare, education, sustainability, and communications.
Yasir Azman
CEO of Grameenphone
Yasir Azman is Chief Executive Officer of Grameenphone. His experience spans telecommunications leadership, digital services, and large-scale organisational transformation in Bangladesh and the region.
Professor M. Zahid Hasan
Eugene Higgins Professor of Physics, Princeton University
Professor M. Zahid Hasan is the Eugene Higgins Professor of Physics at Princeton University. His research covers quantum materials, topological phenomena, and spectroscopy. He advises on research culture and links between scientific inquiry and emerging technology.
Professor Shafi Ahmed
Surgeon, educator, and Chief Medical Metaverse Officer
Streamed the world’s first live surgery via Google Glass
Professor Shafi Ahmed is a colorectal surgeon and medical-technology educator. He is a consultant at The Royal London and St Bartholomew’s Hospitals and co-founded Medical Realities. His advisory work focuses on clinical education and the responsible use of emerging technology in healthcare.
Sara Ahmed
Distinguished Engineer, Uber
Sara Ahmed is a Distinguished Engineer at Uber with more than two decades of experience in software and geospatial systems. Her work has included Uber Maps, Uber Eats, Bing Maps, and augmented-reality platforms at Microsoft.
Professor Osama Khan
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Aston University
Professor Osama Khan is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Aston University. His work covers academic strategy, curriculum development, student experience, and digital education in UK higher education.
Munir Merali
Executive Chairman, Synergies Sourcing Bangladesh
Munir Merali is Executive Chairman of Synergies Sourcing Bangladesh. He brings experience in supply chains, renewable energy, partnerships, and business operations across South Asia.
Nazim Farhan Chowdhury
30 years in media, branding, and corporate strategy
Nazim Farhan Chowdhury has worked for more than 30 years across media, brand strategy, investment, and corporate communications. He advises the Forum on public communication and organisational growth.
Core team
The people doing the work
Sumaiya Mutiatur
Marketing & Partnerships
Sumaiya Mutiatur leads partnership outreach, programme communications, and engagement with participating organisations.
Sadik E Tawheed
Technology & Programmes
Sadik E Tawheed works across programme delivery and technology, coordinating digital initiatives and the teams that support them.
Md. Rasel Parvez
Design
Md. Rasel Parvez is responsible for visual design across the Forum’s programmes, communications, and digital presence.