he love of family is life’s greatest blessing
DEDICATION
This biography is dedicated with heartfelt gratitude and deep admiration to the family of Dr. Md. Abdul Quader. Behind every great leader stands a pillar of unwavering support, love, and encouragement. To his family—who have been his strength, his guiding light, and his greatest source of inspiration—this work is a tribute to your patience, sacrifices, and steadfast belief in his mission.
Your love and support have allowed him to pursue his vision of serving humanity, transforming lives, and making the world a better place. His achievements are not his alone but a reflection of the values, resilience, and compassion instilled within him by his loved ones.
May this biography serve as a lasting testament to his extraordinary journey and to the family that has stood by him every step of the way.
Phase 1 : The Humble Beginnings
In the year 1961, nestled within the serene landscape of Hazrahati, a small village in Mirpur Upazila, Kushtia, Bangladesh, a boy entered the world, unaware of the extraordinary journey that lay ahead of him. The village, surrounded by lush green fields and the ever-present sounds of nature, was home to a close-knit community where people shared not only their joys but also their struggles. It was in this humble setting that Dr. Md. Abdul Quader took his first breath, beginning a life that would one day inspire and transform thousands.
Born into a modest yet principled family, young Abdul Quader grew up in a household that placed immense importance on honesty, integrity, and hard work. His father, a hardworking man, worked from dawn to dusk, ensuring that there was food on the table, while his mother, a devoted homemaker, instilled in him the values of compassion, discipline, and resilience. Though their means were limited, their wealth lay in the richness of their moral principles.
Life in Hazrahati was simple yet filled with deep human connections. The people in the village relied on each other, and their sense of community was unshakable. Festivities were celebrated together, hardships were endured as one, and the spirit of collective responsibility was deeply ingrained in the minds of young children.
From a very young age, Dr. Abdul Quader displayed an insatiable thirst for knowledge. While other children played in the fields, he would often be found sitting beside the village elders, listening intently to their stories about history, science, and morality. He was fascinated by the power of education, realizing that it had the ability to change lives.
His mother often recounted how, as a child, he would ask endless questions about the world—why the sky changed colours at dusk, how birds knew their way home, and why some people had more food than others. His mind was always at work, seeking answers to life’s mysteries, a quality that would later define his path.
Life in the rural heartland of Bangladesh was not without its difficulties. The village had limited access to basic amenities such as electricity, proper healthcare, and educational resources. Schools were scarce, and those that existed often lacked adequate infrastructure, qualified teachers, and learning materials.
Unlike many of his peers, Dr. Abdul Quader’s ambition was not limited to personal success he dreamt of uplifting his community. Even as a child, he could not bear to see suffering around him. Whenever he saw a neighbor struggling, he would extend his help in any way possible be it fetching water for an elderly villager or assisting younger children with their lessons.
By the time he reached adolescence, it was clear that Dr. Abdul Quader was not just another village boy; he was a visionary in the making. He knew that the road ahead would not be easy education was expensive, resources were scarce, and the path to success was filled with obstacles.
With this conviction in his heart, he set forth on a journey that would take him from the narrow lanes of Hazrahati to the vast arenas of medicine, humanitarian service, and national recognition. His humble beginnings would serve as the foundation upon which he would build a legacy of hope, resilience, and transformation.
Phase 2 : The Seeds of Leadership
For Dr. Md. Abdul Quader, education was never just a personal ambition—it was a gateway to empowerment, transformation, and service to society. His early life in Hazrahati had already exposed him to the hardships faced by rural communities, and he was determined to bridge the gap between opportunity and adversity.
Despite financial constraints and the limited educational resources available in his village, he excelled in academics, driven by an unwavering sense of purpose. With each passing year, his thirst for knowledge only grew stronger, and he soon realized that to make a lasting impact, he needed to equip himself with advanced skills ones that would enable him to lead and uplift others.
His journey led him to Islami University, Bangladesh, a prestigious institution known for its emphasis on academic excellence and ethical leadership. Here, he pursued an MBA in Management, a decision that would shape his understanding of organizational leadership, strategic planning, and the ability to create meaningful change.
Attaining a higher education, however, was no simple feat. Unlike many of his peers who came from privileged backgrounds, Dr. Abdul Quader had to work tirelessly to sustain himself. While studying, he took on various small jobs, tutoring younger students and assisting in administrative tasks to cover his expenses.
Many nights were spent under the dim light of university libraries, poring over books on leadership theories, economics, and management strategies, absorbing knowledge with a hunger that was almost palpable. He wasn’t just studying for himself—he was studying for the countless individuals who lacked access to education, for the villagers who needed a leader, and for the nation that required change-makers.
The financial strain was heavy, but it never once deterred him. He embraced struggle as part of his self-discipline and resilience-building process. Each obstacle only made him more determined, reinforcing his belief that true leaders are those who rise not because they are given opportunities, but because they create them.
Dr. Abdul Quader’s education at Islami University was transformative in more ways than one. It wasn’t just about acquiring theoretical knowledge; it was about understanding how leadership could be used as a tool for societal progress.
While still in university, Dr. Abdul Quader didn’t wait for graduation to start applying what he had learned. He took the initiative to mentor and support his peers, helping them navigate their academic and professional challenges.
As part of his MBA curriculum, he participated in various internships, leadership programs, and management workshops, gaining firsthand experience in organizational operations. He worked closely with professionals from diverse fields, observing how leadership functioned in corporate environments, government institutions, and nonprofit organizations.
By the time he completed his MBA in Management, Dr. Abdul Quader was no longer just a student—he was a leader with a mission. His education had given him the tools to understand and navigate the complexities of leadership, but more importantly, it had strengthened his resolve to serve society.
Phase 3 : The journey of SETU
By 1983, Dr. Md. Abdul Quader had already established himself as a visionary leader deeply committed to social progress. His experiences in academia and early leadership roles had shown him the realities of inequality, poverty, and lack of opportunity that plagued Bangladesh’s disadvantaged communities.
Growing up in Hazrahati, he had seen firsthand how limited access to education, healthcare, and financial resources kept generations trapped in a cycle of poverty. He understood that change wouldn’t come from policies alone but from grassroots initiatives that empowered people to uplift themselves.
His unwavering belief in self-reliance, dignity, and collective development inspired him to take a bold step. In 1983, driven by the vision of transforming lives through structured community development, he founded SETU—a name that itself carried a profound meaning.
"SETU" means “bridge” in Bengali, symbolizing connection, transformation, and opportunity. The organization was founded on the principle that a bridge is not just a physical structure but a metaphor for change—one that connects the marginalized to resources, knowledge, and opportunities for a better future. Dr. Quader envisioned SETU as: A bridge between the privileged and the underprivileged, A link between knowledge and action, A path toward economic and social empowerment.
The initial days of SETU were marked by struggles, uncertainties, and financial constraints. With no large funding or government support, Dr. Quader and his small team relied on personal savings, community donations, and voluntary efforts to kickstart their mission.
Launching an organization with such ambitious goals was not easy. Some of the major challenges faced in the early years included lack of initial funding – with no external donors, the team had to pool resources and seek small contributions from well-wishers and community members, skepticism from local communities – many people, conditioned by years of hardship, were hesitant to believe in a new initiative promising change. Gaining trust was a slow and deliberate process, opposition from vested interests – some powerful groups and landlords were threatened by the idea of economic independence for marginalized people and resisted SETU’s efforts, logistical and infrastructural difficulties – rural Bangladesh had limited roads, no reliable communication systems, and poor access to educational and health institutions, making the work even more challenging.
Dr. Quader understood that poverty was multi-dimensional and required a holistic approach. Thus, SETU was built around key pillars of development, ensuring that its impact was deep-rooted and sustainable.
SETU established training centres to equip people with practical skills such as tailoring and handicraft production, agricultural training and sustainable farming techniques, and basic financial literacy and entrepreneurship development.
Dr. Quader believed that education was the most powerful tool for social transformation. Under SETU’s leadership, numerous non-formal education centres were set up in rural villages, offering free primary education for underprivileged children, adult literacy programs for illiterate community members, and scholarships for promising students from low-income backgrounds. The impact was profound—children who had never set foot in a classroom were now dreaming of becoming doctors, engineers, and teachers.
Healthcare accessibility in rural Bangladesh was alarmingly low. To address this, SETU launched mobile medical camps in remote areas, affordable clinics offering maternal and child healthcare, and awareness programs on hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention. These efforts significantly lowered infant mortality rates, improved general health conditions, and empowered communities with knowledge about disease prevention.
Phase 4 : Impacting Lives
By the late 1980s, SETU had evolved from a small grassroots initiative into a well-structured, multi-dimensional organization impacting thousands of lives. At the heart of this transformation was Dr. Md. Abdul Quader—a visionary leader who did not merely conceive ideas but translated them into meaningful action.
His leadership was driven by a profound sense of responsibility. He understood that sustainable development required a holistic approach—one that addressed education, healthcare, economic empowerment, gender equality, and environmental sustainability in unison.
Through relentless dedication, he built an organization with over 800 committed staff members, each aligned with the mission of uplifting society’s most vulnerable. However, Dr. Quader never measured SETU’s success merely in terms of numbers. For him, the true measure of success was the transformative impact on people’s lives.
A true leader does not work alone. Dr. Quader’s impact was magnified by the 800+ dedicated staff members at SETU, each playing a crucial role in executing projects, engaging with communities, and ensuring sustainable outcomes.
He did not see his employees as mere workers but as changemakers. Through leadership training, mentorship, and professional development, he empowered his team to become leaders in their own right.
For Dr. Quader, leadership was never about titles, statistics, or awards. It was about real change, in real lives, in real time.
His leadership was not just an idea—it was a living, breathing reality, shaping the future of Bangladesh one person, one community, one initiative at a time.
And the journey was far from over.
Phase 5 : A Global Footprint
Dr. Md. Abdul Quader’s journey did not stop at transforming lives in Bangladesh. His vision, expertise, and relentless commitment to social change resonated far beyond national borders, earning him a place on the global stage. His leadership at SETU and his unwavering dedication to sustainable development, poverty alleviation, and policy advocacy led to his involvement in some of the world’s most prestigious platforms.
With SETU achieving remarkable milestones in community development, Dr. Quader was soon recognized as a thought leader in social entrepreneurship, grassroots empowerment, and policy formulation. His insights, drawn from decades of hands-on experience, were invaluable in shaping international discussions on sustainable development, climate action, and human rights.
His influence extended beyond his homeland as he became a respected voice in international forums, engaging in high-level policy discussions and offering real-world solutions to global challenges. His work took him to over 60 countries, where he not only represented Bangladesh but also contributed actively to the global dialogue on development and sustainability.
Consultative Status at ECOSOC – Influencing Global Policy SETU’s success in community development and poverty reduction earned it special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)—one of the highest recognitions for an NGO on the global stage. This consultative status allowed Dr. Quader and his organization to: Contribute policy recommendations to global decision-makers, Engage with UN agencies and world leaders in shaping sustainable development policies, Present research and case studies from Bangladesh, showcasing real-life solutions to global poverty and inequality, Participate in UN General Assembly side events, where critical issues like climate change, gender equality, and sustainable.
Climate change was one of the biggest challenges facing Bangladesh, with rising sea levels, unpredictable monsoons, and frequent floods threatening livelihoods. Recognizing the urgency, Dr. Quader became actively involved with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. (UNCCD)
Dr. Quader’s commitment to learning and collaboration took him across continents—from Asia to Africa, Europe to the Americas. With each visit, he brought back new knowledge, perspectives, and partnerships that further enriched SETU's work.
Dr. Quader’s commitment to learning and collaboration took him across continents—from Asia to Africa, Europe to the Americas. With each visit, he brought back new knowledge, perspectives, and partnerships that further enriched SETU's work.
Beyond policies and projects, Dr. Quader became a mentor and role model for aspiring social entrepreneurs and development leaders worldwide. He delivered keynote speeches at prestigious universities (Harvard, Oxford, NUS, etc.) on sustainable development and leadership, authored research papers and policy briefs, many of which influenced development strategies at international organizations, and mentored young changemakers through fellowships and leadership programs, ensuring a new generation of leaders carried his vision forward.
Dr. Quader’s global engagements were never driven by the pursuit of personal recognition or accolades. His mission extended far beyond individual prestige; rather, it was deeply rooted in a profound sense of duty to uplift the most vulnerable members of society. He believed that true leadership was not about personal gain but about being the voice for those who had none, about advocating for the overlooked, and about creating opportunities for those born into adversity.
Legacy and Impact
Dr. Md. Abdul Quader’s legacy is one of unwavering dedication, transformative leadership, and an unyielding commitment to social change. Through his visionary leadership, he has not only built institutions but also nurtured generations of changemakers who continue to carry his mission forward.
Dr. Quader's founding of SETU in 1983 was not just the establishment of an organization; it was the beginning of a movement. By impacting over 200,000 families, SETU has empowered the marginalized, offering them opportunities for education, financial stability, healthcare, and sustainable development. His work has redefined community-driven development in Bangladesh, setting benchmarks for grassroots social change.
Dr. Quader’s contributions extend far beyond Bangladesh. With special consultative status at ECOSOC and observer status at UNFCCC & UNCCD, he has influenced international policy, ensuring that voices from underserved communities are heard on global platforms. His participation in discussions across 60+ countries reflects his commitment to shaping a more equitable world.
As the Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Mohammadpur, Dhaka, Dr. Quader has exemplified the spirit of service above self. His leadership in Rotary has led to impactful projects in healthcare, education, and poverty alleviation, reinforcing his belief that true change begins at the community level.
Even as time moves forward, Dr. Quader’s legacy remains deeply rooted in the countless lives he has touched. His influence is not measured in accolades but in the empowered individuals who continue his work. His story serves as a guiding light for future generations, proving that one individual’s passion can lead to a better, more compassionate world.