Dr. Rokeya Akhter has been at the forefront of transformative change as the Executive Director of SAIST since 2020, combining her expertise with a role as a National Individual Consultant and Gender Specialist for the SACP Project under the Ministry of Agriculture & IFAD. Her academic journey is marked by a PhD from the University of Dhaka in 2017, following her earlier achievements of a BSS and MSS in Sociology from the same university in 1996 and 1997, respectively. Dr. Akhter's research contributions are both profound and diverse. Her work, including the notable publication "Culture of Arbitrariness in Madrassa" in the SAJSS, reflects her commitment to critical social issues. She has been pivotal in conducting impactful studies, such as the need assessment for SBCC strategy for Nutrition Specific Behaviour Changes in 2019 and coordinating research for the LEAN Project's Baseline study.

Her international presence was highlighted when she presented her research on the rise of agro-industry at the Annual Conference of the Association for South Asian Studies in Toronto, Canada, in 2017. Dr. Akhter has also guided baseline studies for the safety of women and girls in urban areas under Action Aid Bangladesh and contributed to electoral governance research with The Asia Foundation. Dr. Akhter's dedication extends to participating in various professional development programs, enhancing her expertise in nutrition-sensitive training, food security classification, electoral governance, and leadership. Her involvement with international and local bodies, including the Association for Asian Studies and the International Sociological Association, underscores her commitment to societal advancement and gender equality. Dr. Akhter's journey is a testament to her relentless pursuit of knowledge, empowerment, and advocacy, making her a distinguished figure in academic and professional circles.

Mr. Juwel Rana is the Founder and serves as the Director of Research and Innovation at the SAIST Foundation. His inspiring journey began during his undergraduate studies at the University of Dhaka, where he laid the groundwork for the SAIST Foundation. Initially taking shape as YRIDB and SAYRID on 15 July 2010, this endeavor was fueled by the passion and collaboration of a dedicated group of young researchers. Together, they set out to make a significant impact, showcasing the power of youthful ambition and collective effort in driving positive change. He has pursued a dual Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in European Master of Public Health (EMPH) from the University of Sheffield, the UK, and EMPH in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences from the EHESP School of Public Health, France, under the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Scholarship. He also completed an MSS and BSS in Sociology from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Before joining the Department of Public Health at North South University, Mr. Juwel worked as a J1 Research Scholar at the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA.

Mr. Juwel Rana’s major scientific interests are to develop or improve epidemiologic methods related to risk prediction, repeated measures, multivariate analysis, causal mediation analysis, causal inference, mixture analysis, simulation study, big data, and application of machine learning approaches. He applies these techniques in perinatal epidemiology (early childhood development, developmental delays and disorders, child mortality), maternal & reproductive health, non-communicable diseases, and environmental epidemiology.

He published more than 60 research papers in peer-reviewed journals such as The Lancet, The Lancet Public Health, Neuroepidemiology, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Alzheimer & Dementia, Scientific Reports, International Journal of Environmental Research, Exposure and Health, Reproductive Health, BMC Medicine, Frontiers in Medicine, and Journal of the American College of Cardiology. He serves as the managing editor of the South Asian Journal of Social Sciences (SAJSS), regional editor of Global Dialogue, and member of the reviewer board in respective journals of the field, including the International Journal of Environmental Research, Scientific Reports, BMJ Environmental & Occupational Medicine, Public Health Nutrition, Brain and Behavior, and PLOS One. He is an active member of different professional networks, such as The Society for Epidemiologic Research and the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology.

Research Profile: PubMed ORCiD Google Scholar ResearchGate 

Publications (Selected)

Shahin Aktar is the IT and Data Manager at SAIST Foundation. He joined the SAIST Foundation in 2016 as a research assistant and worked on many research projects. He oversaw the research team's making of questionnaires, data collection, literature review, sampling, and arranging research-related intensive courses, workshops, seminars, and discursive dialogues, among other things. Shahin Akhtar acquired his BSS and MSS in Sociology from Dhaka International University in 2015 and 2016, respectively, and he completed a course on Research Methodology from the Center for Advanced Research in Social Science, University of Dhaka. He is a member of the Regional Editor (Bangladesh) of Global Dialogue, A Quarterly Magazine of the International Sociological Association (ISA).

He opted to pursue a career in information technology because he has had a great interest in programming since childhood. He began studying software programming and earned a postgraduate Enterprise Systems Analysis & Design diploma using C# under the IsDB-BISEW IT Scholarship. In addition, he completed a professional course in relational database management systems (RDMS), and under the Skills for Employment Investment Program (SEIP), he completed another professional course in BIG DATA, DATA ANALYTICS, AND DATA SCIENCE. Before joining Nextel Communication as a full-struck software developer, he applied for the Microsoft Certification Exam and successfully passed the most challenging exam with a score of 944 out of 1000 marks. He obtained the prestigious Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) Certificate. He completed his M.Sc. in Computer Science with a major in Software Engineering at the University of South Asia and pursued an M.Sc.  in Applied Statistics and Data Science at Jahangirnagar University. Moreover, he likes to go to new places, has done a lot of cultural exchange programs, and is a mountaineer.

Md. Masud Rana is a BSc Engineer in Electrical Engineering from Stamford University, Bangladesh. His professional journey is marked by a commitment to leveraging his expertise for meaningful contributions in the field. At SAIST, as a Field Research Assistant, Masud has applied his knowledge to support critical research to understand and mitigate environmental pollution exposures. His work has significantly contributed to advancing environmental engineering practices, particularly in addressing pollution challenges.

Beyond his research role, Masud has played a pivotal role in implementing STEM education programs at SAIST, utilizing experimental and play-based pedagogy to inspire primary and secondary school children about STEM subjects. This innovative approach has not only fostered a deeper understanding and enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics among young learners but also highlights Masud's dedication to educational excellence and his ability to make engineering principles accessible and engaging to the next generation.

As an esteemed Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) member, his insights and expertise have furthered the development of engineering practices within Bangladesh. Masud's work exemplifies a profound commitment to enhancing engineering and research communities through his practical research and educational initiatives, underlining his invaluable contributions to the field.

Mohesh Roy is a dedicated Field Research Assistant at the SAIST Foundation, where he applies his extensive knowledge in economics to contribute to field research projects. Mohesh pursued his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Economics from the University of Chittagong, a prestigious institution recognized for its academic excellence. At the SAIST Foundation, Mohesh is involved in conducting comprehensive field research, data collection, and analysis, focusing on the economic aspects of various development projects. His work plays a crucial role in informing policy recommendations, program design, and implementation strategies. His expertise in economics, combined with his practical experience in field research, makes him an invaluable asset to the SAIST Foundation and its mission to foster sustainable development through evidence-based research and policy advocacy.

Toufica Sultana co-founded the South Asian Institute for Social Transformation (SAIST) and has made significant contributions as a lecturer (currently on leave) at the GED Cell, Eastern University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. She has enriched her academic and teaching portfolio by serving as adjunct faculty at prestigious institutions such as North South University and City University, where she taught various courses, including Introduction to Sociology, Bangladesh Studies, Sustainable Development, and Environment and World Civilization, starting in 2016. Her teaching journey also includes a stint as a teaching assistant in the Department of Sociology at the University of Saskatchewan.

Beginning her professional career as a staff researcher at the Research and Evaluation Division (RED) of BRAC, Toufica has always been passionate about research. Her dedication is evident through her involvement in quantitative and qualitative research projects in collaboration with renowned institutions like Toronto Metropolitan University, McGill University, University of Saskatchewan, and SAIST. Currently, she focuses on research exploring the impact of maternal education and labor market policies on child supervision in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), as well as the utilization of mental health services among Canadians.

Research Profile: ResearchGate GoogleScholar 

Jakera Rahman is a dedicated and proficient team member of SAIST who is currently serving as an Operations Associate. She is steadfastly committed to advancing knowledge and fosters collaborations across diverse disciplines to address intricate challenges. Her proficiencies encompass program execution, team leadership, data collection, communication, literature analysis, financial management, and adeptness in statistical software. These competencies enable her to significantly contribute to program implementation, data acquisition, human resources, financial oversight, and report composition. Her professional journey commenced as a Research Assistant engaged in the project titled "Effectiveness and Scalability of Programs for Children who are Out of School and At Risk of Dropping Out in Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh," funded by IDRC and GPE-KIX with SAIST Foundation. She operated at the grassroots level in this capacity, actively overseeing data-gathering initiatives, liaising with stakeholders, executing programs within urban slum environments, and crafting comprehensive financial reports. She holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSS) and a Master of Social Sciences (MSS) degree from the Department of Economics at Noakhali Science and Technology University. Her academic pursuits seamlessly align with her dedication to community service through research-oriented endeavors. In summary, Jakera Rahman's professional trajectory epitomizes a fusion of academic acumen and hands-on experience, underscoring her unwavering commitment to applying her expertise for meaningful contributions to research, program implementation, and community welfare.

Helal Uddin is the Director of Education and Training at the SAIST Foundation. Mr. Helal also serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Sociology Department at East West University, Bangladesh. He holds an Erasmus Mundus Master's in Public Health in Disasters jointly offered by Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, and the University of Oviedo, Spain. He also earned his BSS and MSS in Sociology from the University of Dhaka. Before joining East West University, he served as a Lecturer of Sociology at Eastern University, Bangladesh.

Before joining at East-West University, he held the esteemed position of Assistant Director of Research and Innovation at the South Asia Institute for Social Transformation (SAIST). His strong translation skills rewarded him with the position of Regional Editor of Global Dialogue, a quarterly magazine of the International Sociological Association (ISA). His research interests focus on social determinants of health, childhood adversity, and child and adult health.

Research Profile: ResearchGate GoogleScholar ORCID