Online Desk  :   Dr Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, a Sydney-based Bangladeshi economist, has stepped into the spotlight as the newly appointed special assistant to Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, wielding the rank of State Minister and executive powers over the Finance Ministry. But who is this academic-turned-policy insider?  Born and raised in Chattogam, Chowdhury’s journey began with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from Jahangirnagar University in the 1970s. He then crossed continents to earn another master’s and a PhD from the University of Manitoba, Canada, in the 1980s, before settling in Sydney, Australia, to teach.

A globally recognised scholar, Chowdhury is currently a visiting professor at Western Sydney University’s School of Social Sciences and Psychology and the University of New South Wales’ Australian Defence Force Academy School of Business. His career spans prestigious roles, including a stint as Professor of Economics at Western Sydney University (2001-2012) and teaching positions at the National University of Singapore, the University of New England (Australia), and the University of Manitoba. From 2008 to 2016, he held senior positions at the United Nations in New York and Bangkok, tackling economic policy on an international stage.

Chowdhury’s academic footprint is vast. He founded the Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, serving as its managing editor from 1995 to 2008, and now co-edits it while sitting on the editorial board of the Economic and Labor Relations Review. With over 25 books authored or edited and more than 100 research articles published, his work dives deep into East and Southeast Asian economics and macro-development. Notably, he edited two English-language books on Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, bringing the Bangladeshi leader’s legacy to a global audience.   In 2024, Western Sydney University named him Emeritus Professor, a rare honour celebrating his lifetime of leadership and contributions. Now, this Chattogram native brings his expertise home, poised to shape Bangladesh’s financial future from the corridors of power.