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Saima Wazed is a licensed School Psychologist, nationally certified in the United States, and a specialist in Clinical Psychology. A graduate from Barry University in Florida, she is an expert on neurodevelopmental disorders and mental health, and an accomplished speaker whose efforts has led to international awareness, policy and program changes, and the adoption of three international resolutions at the United Nations and World Health Organization. Even though she is not a parent of a child with autism, she has been engaged in this field professionally, encouraging others, whether with direct connection to NDDs or not, to be supportive of her work. Her other interests are multi-modal therapy and crisis intervention counselling, and development of multi-disciplinary/multi-stakeholder partnerships, among others.
She is currently an Advisor to the DG of WHO on Mental Health and Autism, and a member of the WHO’s Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health. She has been recently appointed as the Thematic Ambassador of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, for the thematic domain ‘Vulnerability’. Additionally, she is the Chairperson of the Bangladesh National Advisory Committee for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and Chief Advisor for National Mental Health Strategic Plan Working Group. She is also the focal Person for Disability for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Government of Bangladesh, to ensure that mental health and issues related to persons with disabilities are incorporated into the international guidelines developed by UNISDR. She was WHO’s Goodwill Ambassador for Autism in the South-East Asia Region prior to which she was WHO’s regional champion for autism in South Asia. Born on 9th December 1973, Ms. Wazed has been educated in Bangladesh, India, and the United States. Currently she is pursuing her doctoral degree from Barry University and is also the Chairperson of her own NGO – Shuchona Foundation – a not-for-profit advocacy, research and capacity-building organization based in Dhaka. She is the daughter of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, and the mother of three daughters and one son. |
Saima Wazed Chairperson |
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Professor of ENT
Former Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka
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Dr. Pran Gopal Datta Vice Chairperson |
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Consultant of neurology
Managing Director of the Neurology Foundation, Dhaka Training Coordinator at the Institute of Pediatric Neurodisorder & Autism at BSMMU, Dhaka Rapporteur of the National Steering Committee for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Bangladesh
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Dr. Muzharul Mannan Executive Member |
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Managing Director of KJS Enterprises Ltd.
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Saifullah Abdullah Solenkhi Executive Member |
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Dr. Ruhal Haque is a politician and the former Minister of Health and Family Welfare. He is a Member of Parliament of the Jatiyo Sangsad of Bangladesh, representing the district of Satkhira. He was made the president Swadhinata Chikitshak Parishad, a doctors association, by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
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Dr. A. F. M. Ruhal Haque, MP Executive Member |
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Nazmul Hassan Papon is a Member of Parliament of the Jatiyo Sangsad of Bangladesh, representing the district of Kishoreganj. He is also the President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, a successful businessman and active philanthropist. |
Nazmul Hassan Papon, MP Executive Member |
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Shirin Munir is an expert on special education for persons with disabilities. She is currently lecturing part-time in the Department of Education & Counseling Psychology at the University of Dhaka.
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Shirin Zaman Munir Executive Member |
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Muhammad Shamsuzzaman is an associate professor of government and politics at the Asian University of Bangladesh. He is also a parent of a child with autism spectrum disorder.
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Muhammad Shamsuzzaman Treasurer |
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Dr. Mehraj Jahan is an Assistant Professor in the College of Sustainability Sciences & Humanities, Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Additionally, she is an Independent Researcher, Sociologist, Consultant Coordinator at Network of Asian Women (NAW), Singapore and Bangladesh, and member of AWARE (Association of Women for Action and Research) in Singapore.
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Dr. Mehraj Jahan Executive Member |
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Zain Bari Rizvi’s work experience covers both the development filed and private sector in Bangladesh and the USA. A passionate advocate of raising awareness about Autism in Bangladesh, she took over the role of Treasurer at Shuchona Foundation’s Executive Committee utilizing her academic credentials and expertise in the financial sector. |
Zain Bari Rizvi
Executive Committee |