RESEARCHERS
Dr Ezaz Ahmed
Dr Ezaz Ahmed is a lecturer of Human Resources Management at the Central Queensland University, Australia. Ezaz has been a researcher and academic since graduating his MBA program in 1999. Ezaz has lectured at the MBA and BBA programs in the University of South Australia, BRAC University, Asian University of Bangladesh and in the International Islamic University Chittagong. Before commencing the PhD program in Australia, Ezaz was a full time Lecturer at the School of Business in BRAC University (BU) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Before starting academic career, Ezaz was a Relationship Manager in a multinational bank in Bangladesh and managed a total credit portfolio of BDT 300 Million. Studied in Bangladesh, India and Australia, he was a resource person (teaching and research) to universities, training and research organizations in Bangladesh. He has also worked as a researcher and resource person at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Bangladesh Office and at Bangladesh Insurance Academy (BIA). Research articles authored by Ezaz have been accepted for presentation in international conferences and published in international academic journals. Ezaz is also a reviewer of AIUB Journal of Business and Economics (A journal of American International University, Bangladesh).
Dr. Md. Mahfuz Ashraf
Dr. Md. Mahfuz Ashraf is a visiting researcher in Brainstorm Bangladesh and is a full-time faculty in Department of Management Information Systems, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Ashraf was awarded PhD from University of South Australia in 2008. Ashraf's PhD training in IT, sponsored by Australian Government International Post Graduate Scholarship (IPRS), gave him a unique opportunity to learn extensive academic research (analytical/report writing) and produce scholarly research papers worldwide within the domain of Information Communication Technology (ICT) for Development.
Dr. Ashraf's scholastic training is broad and encompasses a number of the various areas: Marketing, Information Systems (IS) and Information Technology (IT). Based on his doctoral research experience and prior education, Ashraf bring to his work a nuanced and sophisticated understanding of interpretive research methodologies and theories drawn from a wide range of fields including information systems (understanding social/contextual issues of diffusion-adoption-implementation of IT), and development economics (capability approach). Ashraf's doctoral study focused on exploring socio-economic impact with an emphasis on understanding human behaviour, attitudes and perceptions towards ICT-led development projects in rural areas of developing countries. Ashraf did several research works in IS, e-commerce, Decision Support Systems (DSS) and application of Database Management Systems. Ashraf also supervised three masters thesis on organizational perspectives of IS design and application.
Md. Abdul Quayyum
Md. Abdul Quayyum, an MBA in Management Information System (MIS) from Dhaka University, is a researcher, freelance journalist, social worker and communication expert specializing in the development, media, information technology, and public relations. Currently, Quayyum is working in the Sector Program Support of the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector (Phase II) of Bangladesh. The program is funded by Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), and implemented by the Local Government Division of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. He has also worked in a Reform program in the Revenue Administration of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), People's Republic of Bangladesh, which was operated by the UK-Department for International Development (DFID).
Before his professional involvement with the development organizations, Quayyum obtained his Bachelor in Social Science and Master in Social Science in Mass Communication and Journalism from the Dhaka University. As a freelance journalist, Quayyum was a contributor in the Daily Ajker Kagoj (the then leading daily newspaper published in Bengali) and a monthly Information and Technology (IT) magazine named "E-Bishmoy". Quayyum had completed his Internship at Bangladesh Television (the only state owned channel in Bangladesh). As a communication expert, Quayyum's research interests include various communications tools including web, desktop publications, photography and video documentary. Photos taken by Quayyum have been published in international online magazines. A champion in chess and table tennis in the department of Mass Communication and Journalism of the Dhaka University, he is an accredited photographer of Dhaka University Photographic Society.
Tasnim Sohrab
Tasnim Sohrab, a Civil Engineer and researcher specialized in the fields of project management, customer relationship management, information technology, corporate management, cost management, permanent marketing innovation and civil works. After completing her graduation in Civil Engineering from Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET), she obtained her Master in Business Administration (MBA) in Management Information System (MIS) from the University of Dhaka.
Tasnim is employed with a multinational telecommunication company namely ZTE Corporation (Bangladesh) Ltd. She has also worked with the world's no. 1 cement manufacturing company Holcim and the leading construction company in Bangladesh, Concord Group of Companies. Tasnim has attended various training programs overseas and in Bangladesh on leadership, human resources policy, branding & communication, AR management & control, basic marketing principles process, corporate management, products & production process excellence, corporate social responsibility (CSR) etc. Tasnim was also involved with a number of student associations during her academic life. She is the former Vice President of Mymensing Association, RUET; former Advisor of Adda , cultural organization of RUET; former member of Photography Society of RUET (PSR), and former member of Debating Society of RUET (DSR).
Dr Manzur Ashraf
Dr Manzur Ashraf (member, IEEE) received his PhD in telecommunications from Institute for Telecommunications Research, University of South Australia in 2009. He did his BSc in Computer Science and Engineering from BUET in 2001 and worked as a lecturer in BRAC University and East West University. From Sept 2008 to June 2009, he worked in Adtrans Ltd, South Australia as a System Analyst. Recently he has been working as a Research Associate at the Deaprtment of Computer Science, Engineering and mathematics, Flinders University in a Mobile Autonomous Robotics project. From January 2010, he will join at The University of Adelaide as a Research fellow in The Sustainable Energy Research Institute. He has also been working as a visiting lecturer at University of Ballarat since April 2009. His diversive expertise include Networking, Sustainable development and energy, Artificial intelligence, Software engineering, Data mining, etc. Some of his works are at http://www.manzur-ashraf.com/research/manzur_research.htm
Dr ABM Abdullah
ABM Abdullah is working as a lecturer at the University of South Australia (UNISA). Abdullah's research interest includes: E-commerce management, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), managing quality and productivity in the organizations, model based decision making, decision support systems, and employee psychological contract. Apart from these thriving areas, Abdullah is also interested in conducting research in the areas of sustainable and eco-friendly development, and virtual education (distance learning).Prior to joining at UNISA, Abdullah was working as a lecturer at North South University. After completion of his master's program from the University of Arkansas, USA, Abdullah worked as a teaching fellow in the College of Business, University of North Texas (UNT) for more than two years. He was also attached with the university's Information Systems Research Center (ISRC) as a research associate.Abdullah has authored a number journal articles and refereed conference proceedings. His recent articles have appeared in the Journal of Electronic Commerce Research (JECR), International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, Performance Improvement Quarterly, International Journal of Technology and Multimedia, and Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction.
In addition to his teaching and research activities, Abdullah also posses valuable industry experience. He had worked as a "Corporate Trainer" for Intel Corporation for almost two years in Canada. Abdullah is an active member of various professional and academic bodies like: Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) and Decision Sciences Institute (DSI), USA. He has also completed the Malaysian Futures and Options Registered Representative (MFORR) certification examination. Abdullah is a recipient of number of scholarships and academic awards. He has been awarded University of South Australia's President Scholarship (UPS) and School of Management scholarship for pursuing his doctoral degree. Abdullah has also received Walton College of Business Scholarship for pursuing his MBA degree from the University of Arkansas and university scholarship for pursuing his undergraduate degree from the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM). He has been awarded "PETRONAS best student award" for outstanding academic performance at the undergraduate level.
Omar Faisal
Omar Faisal has done his M.Sc in ICT for Development (ICT4D) from Stockholm University, Sweden. His bachelor's degree was also computer and systems sciences. He is the author of few ICT popular Bengali books in Bangladesh and India (west Bengal). Active member of Swedish postgraduate ICT4D research network IPID and Finish research group Unipid. The author is specializing in development through using of ICT tools. Omar has mainly focus on mobile based application for set driven to developing countries. Recently he done few research papers about m-banking perspective in Bangladesh, Mobile based health care systems in Bangladesh and Mobile based bus ticketing scheme. Omar was involving ICT journalism from the year of 1999, and published hundreds of ICT based articles, pointed out digital divide, found out technical gaps in grass roots level in Bangladesh. He is member of ICT journalist professional organization; Bangladesh ICT Journalist Forum (www.bijf.org). Omar's main goals are empowering the rural people through ICT motivated tools.