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About
the Author
Abdun
Noor has devoted his entire professional life of 44 years to foster
development among least developing countries of Africa, Asia,
Middle East, Latin America and Caribbean; of which 35 years were
from the World Bank. Abdun has earned his PhD in Educational Administration
from Michigan State University (1965); and studied at Graduate
School of Education of Stanford University (1987). He joined the
World Bank in 1970.
Abdun’s
development contribution encompasses five distinct dimensions
of work. First, he has engaged for diversified policy reforms
and analytical research work for education and manpower development
across 30 least developing countries. As a young policy planner
during early seventies, he has articulated for the World Bank
its policy initiative on “Education and meeting of Basic
Human Needs”, 1979; for the UNESCO he has written a think
piece on “Managing Adult Literacy Programs” which also
became his key note presentation at the Arusha International Literacy
Conference convened by the Unesco in 1984. Abdun has advanced
the cause of non formal education in a civil society, the role
the NGO’s could play to discern that contribution, within
World Bank; and organized and directed the first tripartite high
level meeting of Clients, NGOs, and The World Bank representing
12 east and south African countries at Nairobi in 1983.
Second,
Abdun have managed long-term educational and institutional policy
reforms at central planning, policy and decision-making levels.
He has lead preparation of the education and manpower development
program of the First Five Year Plan of the Governments of Bangladesh
(1973), and the Fourth Five Year Development Plan of Pakistan
(1968). Abdun has lead the World Bank’s technical assistance
program on education and manpower development for Iran and Saudi
Arabia (1974); and contributed to the design of their programs
of higher education, adult literacy, teacher training and manpower
development. Abdun has served as the counterpart Technical Advisor
to the Minister of Higher Education in Ethiopia and helped in
designing the plan for development of institutions of higher education
of Ethiopia (1984).
Third,
Abdun conducted extensive operational work in project management,
including design, implementation, management, and evaluation of
human resources development, and poverty alleviation projects
across the globe from seventies to nineties; as a portfolio manager
in the East African Region during nineties he has overseen the
implementation of 30 human resource development projects worth
US$ 2 billions.
Fourth,
Abdun has carried out design and delivery of innovative learning
and training courses on The World Bank’s Operations and Portfolio
Management for senior staff of the World Bank; Islamic Development
Bank; European University of Peace; and Austrian Study Center
for Peace and Conflict Resolution and for Arab Bank for development
of Africa.
And
finally, recognized as a Playwright, Novelist and Essayist, in
his country Bangladesh and abroad, Abdun has carried out his creative
writings throughout the period of 1952-2002. Abdun’s writings
reflect the internationalism of his life and span the globe. The
first novel, PEGUSUS, 1980, is based on the life of Guyana; the
second novel, ”SHUNNA BRITTO” -The Empty Circle- 1990,
is based on the life of expatriate immigrant Indians sub continentals
residing is USA; the third novel, UTTARAN, Transition of A Married
Women” 2003, is based of midlife crisis of a modern Bangladeshi
in her own land.
Abdun
has just published an epic novel, “ BICHOLITO SOMOY - The
Uncertain Time-, of over thousand pages in two volumes, covering
rise of Bengali nationalism during the period of 17th century
India. The publisher is Magnum Opus.
In addition, Abdun has written many plays, which were broadcast
over TV Channels in Bangladesh, were translated and staged in
abroad. His English play “Quest” had been staged and
repeatedly performed in Washington DC. Furthermore, as a live
Public Television Broadcaster, Abdun continues to compare discussion
forums on culture and development for different TV channels of
Washington DC and Bangladesh.
Abdun
is the proud father of two sons and a daughter. The eldest son,
Waseem 34, graduated from Stanford University as a presidential
scholar and earned his doctorate in economics from the Columbia
University. The daughter, Nausheen, 24, graduating from the University
of Pennsylvania served as an executive consultant with Gap International
and currently pursuing graduate studies at SOAS. The youngest
son, Wameek 22, graduating from the Vassar College, served as
a staff of the Corporate Executive Board at Washington DC and
to returned to SAIS of John Hopkins University in September 2005.
Najma, his wife of 37 years, is a teacher. They both live in Potomac,
MD
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