HomeSyed Fazle Farhan

Work & academic

The longer story of the work.

A fuller record of professional experience, academic work, and the questions that connect them.

Professional experience

Digital Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem Development Project logo

July 2026–present

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Innovation & Commercialization Specialist

Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, ICT Division, Government of Bangladesh

I lead the strategic design and oversight of startup acceleration and university innovation initiatives under the World Bank-funded Digital Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem Development Project. My work includes programme architecture, implementation frameworks, terms of reference, performance indicators, commercialisation pathways, startup selection, investor engagement, and coordination among government, universities, financial institutions, accelerators, and private-sector partners.
University Innovation Hub Program logo

January 2024–June 2026

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Program Manager

University Innovation Hub Program, Infratech Consultants Limited

I directed the implementation of a nationwide, World Bank-funded university startup incubation programme. I built much of the programme's operational infrastructure from the ground up, including its operating procedures, incubation curriculum, governance manuals, monitoring systems, and implementation processes. I also coordinated delivery partners and supported university teams and startup founders through programme implementation.

June 2024

Dhaka, Bangladesh

AI Trainer

EMK Center

I designed and delivered a workshop on generative AI adoption and advanced prompting for university students and young professionals through a US Embassy-funded initiative.
Lean Nation logo

September 2021–November 2023

Remote

Digital Consultant

Lean Nation

I supported the digital modernisation of a growing food-subscription company by introducing agile workflows, mapping end-to-end business processes, and improving coordination across marketing, customer service, procurement, operations, and delivery.

2014–2020

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Earlier professional experience

Bank Asia · Digicon Technologies · UCC Limited

My earlier roles in banking, business development, and business analysis gave me practical experience in regulatory compliance, international remittance operations, market research, bid development, client relationships, and technology-led business growth.

06

Speaking & facilitation

I have won public-speaking and debate awards and have served as a speaking coach, evaluator, and competition judge. These experiences continue to shape how I facilitate programmes, communicate complex ideas, and work with diverse stakeholders.

Academic work

Queen Mary University of London logo

2021

London, United Kingdom

MSc Economics

Queen Mary University of London

My dissertation examined the relationship between mobile-phone ownership and labour-force participation in Bangladesh. The research combined econometric analysis of a large national dataset with academic and institutional literature. My research interests included econometrics, international economics, labour participation, technology adoption, and development.
Independent University, Bangladesh logo

2019

Dhaka, Bangladesh

MSc Economics

Independent University, Bangladesh

My research examined how changes in fuel prices affect household welfare. The programme developed my interests in development economics, public finance, econometrics, and the relationship between policy decisions and household outcomes.
University of Dhaka logo

2019

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations

University of Dhaka

This programme complemented my economics background with a broader understanding of international institutions, diplomacy, political economy, and global development.
Independent University, Bangladesh logo

2016

Dhaka, Bangladesh

BSc Economics

Independent University, Bangladesh

My undergraduate thesis studied fertility trends in Bangladesh through time-series analysis. I specialised in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, with a minor in English literature.