The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London conferred an ‘Honorary Doctorate’ to internationally acclaimed economist and Emeritus Professor of the University of Dhaka Dr. Atiur Rahman recently.

The ceremony was held at the friends' house, Easton Road, London, where SOAS University of London’s President Zainab Badawi formally handed over the certificate to Dr. Rahman, according to a press release.

Lord Michael Hastings, CBE, the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the University made the welcome remarks. Along with newly graduated students from the University, Dr. Satoshi Miyamura (Economics) and Dr. Yanis Dafermos (Reader in Economics) were present at the event.

The university declared nomination of Dr. Rahman for the said honorary degree last May for his contributions towards poverty alleviation as an economist and as the founder chairperson of the think tank organization Unnayan Shamannay.

The university specially considered Dr. Rahman’s role in pushing forward financial inclusion and climate-friendly finance while he served as the Governor of Bangladesh Bank.

Dr. Rahman is the first Bangladesh citizen to receive this award. Vice Chancellor of the SOAS University of London- Professor Adam Habib made the closing remarks at the event.

In his remarks, after receiving the award, Dr. Atiur Rahman reaffirmed his willingness to continue to work for expanding climate-friendly financial services. Later, he delivered a special public lecture titled “Central Banking and Climate Change: The Bangladesh Case” at the Brunei House within the SOAS University Campus.

University students, teachers, and researchers participated in the event which was conducted by Dr. Yanis Dafermos.

In this keynote presentation, Dr. Rahman highlighted the importance of the climate-friendly role of central banks and monetary policy in the current context along with delineating Bangladesh’s achievements and challenges regarding green and sustainable finance.