Mr. A. K. Azad, one of the sponsors and Director of Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC., completed his B.Sc. Honors in Applied Physics from University of Dhaka. He is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank. He comes of a respectable Muslim family of Faridpur in 1959. He is one of those who pioneered the growth of the RMG sector in Bangladesh in the early 1980s. A very energetic and sincere industrialist, Mr. Azad is the Managing Director of Ha-Meem Group of Companies, one of the leading business conglomerated in the country. As the highest exporter of RMG products, he has been continuously declared as a Commercially Important Person (CIP) since 1997 and his companies have been awarded time and time again the National Export Trophy.

Mr. Azad has affiliations with different trade, social, professional and philanthropic organizations. He is the former president of the FBCCI and Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI). At present, he is the Vice President of the International Chamber of Commerce-Bangladesh.

Alongside trade, commerce and industry, Mr. Azad is also involved in print & electronic media. He is the founder of the Daily Samakal, a leading Bengali daily newspaper and also the founder of Channel 24, a popular TV channel in the country. At present, he is President of the Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB).

Mr. Azad is a man of a pleasant personality and amiable disposition. His contribution to the education sector is also commendable. He was former President of Dhaka University Alumni Association (DUAA) for two terms. During his tenure, the Dhaka University Alumni Association became more proactive than ever before.