Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Syed Muntasir MAMUN, PhD, PGD (Oxon)
Chief Innovation Officer & Director General
International Trade, Investment & Technology
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| syedmuntasir@mofa.gov.bd | dgitni@mofa.gov.bd | cio@mofa.gov.bd | |
| Academia | Google Scholar |
Profile Summary
Global strategist and technology diplomat with 24+ years of experience integrating artificial intelligence, digital governance, and economic diplomacy into national and multilateral frameworks.
- Founder of the first AI Lab in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — advancing public-sector AI capability and digital diplomacy
- Architect of the “Zero Digital Divide” Initiative, launched at UNGA 2023
- Author of Blockchain: Gaming & Collusion – A Reading in Political Economy
- Deeply committed to global AI governance, ensuring innovation aligns with human-centered design and inclusive development
Education
| Degree | Institution | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Graduate Diploma in Strategy & Innovation | University of Oxford (Saïd Business School) | AI Innovation Systems & Public-Sector Technology Foresight |
| PhD in International Trade & Technology Policy | University of Dhaka (IBA) | Leadership research with University of Colorado |
| MBA & BBA (Finance) | Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka | Financial modeling and operations management |
| Post-Graduate Diploma in International Humanitarian Law | NALSAR University of Law, India | Technology, ethics, and law of armed conflict |
Key Expertise
- AI Governance & Ethics — Expert in developing global frameworks for responsible, transparent, and inclusive AI adoption
- Strategic Foresight & Policy Design — Integrating technology foresight with diplomatic strategy for peacebuilding and sustainability
- Innovation Architecture — Creator of MOFA-a2i Innovation Lab and Minimum Viable Innovation Engine (MVIE) using Oxford’s TMO framework
- Global AI Systems & Collaboration — Cross-regional research on institutional resilience, digital inclusion, and AI accessibility
- Multilateral Technology Diplomacy — AI policy advocacy within UN, OIC, D-8, and Commonwealth systems
Professional Experience
Chief Innovation Officer & Director General
International Trade, Investment & Technology
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh | July 2021 – Present
- Established the first Neural Network AI Lab within a sovereign foreign office — pioneering government-led AI research and application
- Engineered full-stack AI-driven service architecture for 81 Bangladeshi missions worldwide — deployed end-to-end for under US$ 30,000
- Conceptualized and launched the “e-Quality Centre for Zero Digital Divide”, officially unveiled at UNGA 2023
- Led and hosted national AI-diplomacy events — including Bangladesh Business Summit 2023, 2025 and Economic Diplomacy Week 2022
- Directed full-scale digital transformation through Mission Activity Tracker and Global e-Nothi systems
- Provided 40+ full-length advisory to Bangladesh Government on trade, investment and tech
Director General (ICT Wing)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs | July 2021 – December 2024
- Complete digital transformation of Ministry and 81 Missions abroad
- Implementation of AI design and Neural Network Challenge Fund 2023
- Development of Centralized Appointment and Tracking Systems (CSAT/CATs)
- Creation of Mission Activity Tracker (MAT)
- Deployment of Unified/Identical Websites for 81 missions
- Implementation of Global MyGov Platform and E-Nothi/D-Nothi
- Establishment of MOFA Digital Archives
Director (International Organizations & Maritime Affairs)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs | 2017 – 2020
- Negotiated and coordinated multilateral frameworks on the Blue Economy and SDG 14 (Life Below Water)
- Supported international legal action for Rohingya accountability at the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
- Formulated Bangladesh’s first Maritime Cooperation Frameworks with China, India, and the United States
- Articulated accession to IOCINDIO
Director & Counsellor (Political)
Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi | 2005 – 2017
- Served as Special Assistant to the High Commissioner, Counsellor (Political), and Head of Chancery (July 2010 – June 2015)
- Concluded the historic Land Boundary Agreement through a Constitutional Amendment after 65 years of negotiations
- Managed mission operations valued at US$183.30 million with a 78-member staff
- Negotiated Bangladesh’s first-ever power trade agreement for 500 MW, later expanded to 1200 MW
- Secured two US$1 billion Lines-of-Credit from India
- Director for East Asia and Pacific at MOFA (June 2015 – February 2017)
- Managed 2016 Presidential Visit from China, negotiating US$98 billion in investments
- Handled Prime Ministerial Visit to Japan, securing US$6 billion ODA loan with 36 key areas of collaboration
- Conducted the first Foreign Office Consultation with Australia since Bangladesh’s independence
Academic & Research Engagements
- Visiting Scholar — University of Oxford (Saïd Business School & China Centre, St. Hugh’s College)
- Co-Lead, Inclusive Digital Model Project, TMCD — promoting inclusive AI ecosystems in developing economies
- Visiting Professor — China Agricultural University
- Research Areas: Global AI equity, recursive models, and AI governance in bottom-of-pyramid contexts
- Authored 50+ scholarly and policy papers on AI, blockchain, digital economy, and innovation diplomacy
Distinctions & Honors
Rector’s Medal — Bangladesh Public Administration Training Center (Best All-Round Civil Service Officer)
Foreign Service Commendation — Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia (Excellence in international diplomacy)
Valedictorian — Foreign Service Specialized Course & Mid-Career Diplomats Program (Top-ranked among international cohort)
UNGA 2023 Recognition — Lead architect of the e-Quality Centre for Zero Digital Divide
Select Affiliations
- Member, AI for Africa (London)
- Life Member, Oxford Union (Oxfordshire)
- Member, American Society for Public Administration (DC Chapter)
- Editorial Board Member, Journal of Management and Training for Industries (Japan)
- Advisor, SILKROAD4.0
- Rotary International, Paul Harris Fellow
Languages
| Language | Proficiency |
|---|---|
| English | Native-level |
| Bangla | Native |
| French | Proficient |
| Arabic, Hindi, Urdu | Working |
| Russian | Basic |