 Dr Md. Abdur Rahman
After 11 years of dedicated and tireless service as the Country Director of Symbiosis
Bangladesh, Dr Md. Abdur Rahman has announced his retirement this week effective 30 June
2025.
As a friend of Symbiosis Bangladesh since its inception in 1995, Dr Rahman took on this role as
Country Director at a pivotal time for our organisation. His many years of experience within the
Government Health Ministry were evident in his ability to effectively administer and lead the
organisation over this time.
His personal motto, “Achieve big in a simple way”, was the hallmark of Dr Rahman’s
contribution as his leadership enabled the organisation to become more efficient through lean
times, and his innovation enabled his team to coordinate the eventual graduation of a network
of 94 locally run community based organisations.
Dr Rahman has always sought to do what is best for the organisation, its staff and the people
with whom we work. As such, he is also committed to working closely with the incoming
Country Director, Abu Bakkar Mia, our current Chief Financial Officer, to ensure a smooth
leadership transition.
Abu Bakkar Mia
Bakkar first joined Symbiosis Bangladesh in 2007 and worked closely with the founding Country
Director, Mr Akand, for three years. Bakkar was also a key support person for Dr Rahman, who personally recommended Bakkar as his successor due to his diligence and leadership capacity,
as well as his commitment to the vision and values of Symbiosis.
The Symbiosis Board is pleased to appoint Bakkar to the role of Country Director of Symbiosis
Bangladesh from 1 July 2025.
When interviewing him for the role, the panel was impressed by
Bakkar’s concern for the poor and marginalised which comes from his own humble beginnings,
and his passion to see people develop and grow in their capacity by working together.
Our partnership with Dr Rahman continues through his ongoing role as the Chair of the local
entity, Symbiosis Foundation, who is currently piloting a new project in a new area. This
locally-led organisation has been a part of the Symbiosis family since its establishment in 2003.
We trust that this new era will enable both organisations, Symbiosis Bangladesh and Symbiosis
Foundation, to grow and flourish in their unique, respective capacities to empower the poor of
Bangladesh and epitomise our core approach of working together for good.