About Me:
I am a PhD student in Taxation at the UC Business School, University of Canterbury. Before commencing my doctoral studies, I had over 13 years of professional experience in tax administration, including serving as a Joint Commissioner of Taxes at the Income Tax Intelligence & Investigation Unit (ITIIU) of the National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh. This practical exposure to tax policy design and implementation inspired my academic interest in understanding how fiscal instruments influence taxpayer behaviour and revenue outcomes.
My PhD journey demonstrates my dedication to integrating theory and practice in Taxation. I am especially interested in evidence-based tax policy, building institutional trust, and governance in developing economies. Beyond academics, I enjoy reading, mentoring students, and participating in policy debates on sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Research Interests:
Tax amnesty and voluntary disclosure program
Tax expenditure, tax gap, and fiscal transparency
Tax compliance, tax morale, and behavioural responses
Public finance and tax policy in developing countries
Education:
Ongoing PhD in Taxation at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, supported by UC Doctoral Scholarship
Master of Economics from Yamaguchi University, Japan, supported by a fully funded JDS Fellowship from JICA
Master of Arts in English from the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh
Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in English from the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh
Supervisors:
Senior Supervisor: Adrian Sawyer
Co-supervisor: Andrew Maples
Conference/Seminar/Workshop Presentations:
4th World Bank Tax Conference
5th World Bank Tax Conference
ADBI Annual Conference 2023 on Sustainable Development Goals: Midway Assessment and the Road Ahead,
30th Yamaguchi International Education Research Conference
Networking and Socializing program with Japanese government officials in Tokyo
Management of Income Tax at the National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT) and the Direct Taxes Regional Training Institute (DTRTI), India
Government Office Management at UCTC, UPM, Malaysia
Japanese Development Experience at GRIPS, Tokyo
On Conducting Financial Investigations by OECD
The exchange program of the Yamaguchi Youth Chamber, Japan
Risk-Based Audit by IMF
Workshops on Tax Expenditure by the World Bank and the ADB
Awards and Honours:
Fully funded UC Doctoral Scholarship, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Fully funded JDS Scholarship provided by JICA, Yamaguchi University, Japan
Other:
Joint Commissioner of Taxes, National Board of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh (On Deputation) (2024-Present)
Deputy Commissioner of Taxes (2018-2024)
Assistant Commissioner of Taxes (2012-2018)
Senior Officer, Standard Bank Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh (2010-2012)
Lecturer in English, Feni Girls’ Cadet College, Bangladesh (2010)
Appointed as Yamaguchi City Tourism Ambassador (honorary) for three years by the Yamaguchi City Hall, Japan.
Member of Bangladesh Civil Service Taxation Association
Former Social-Welfare Secretary, Taxes Club, Chattogram
General Executive (2026) at 180-degrees Consulting, UCSA, University of Canterbury.
Why did you choose UC?
I chose UC Business School because of its supportive supervision environment, strong research culture in Taxation & accounting, and emphasis on high-quality, policy-relevant research. UC’s commitment to academic rigor and global engagement made it an ideal place to pursue my doctoral studies in Taxation. The University’s commitment to Tangata Tū, Tangata Ora—engaged, empowered, making a difference—closely aligns with my motivation to undertake doctoral research that contributes meaningfully to policy and practice.
Best things about study at UC:
The best aspects of studying at UC Business School include the collegial research environment, approachable and supportive faculty, and access to excellent research resources. I value the intellectual freedom to pursue interdisciplinary perspectives, the strong postgraduate research community, and the opportunity to engage with both academic and policy-oriented audiences through my PhD work.
