Professor Muhammad Yunus
is the Managing Director
and founder of Grameen
Bank which currently
operates 1143 branches
providing credit to over
2.4 million poor people
residing in 39501
villages in Bangladesh.
He originated the
concept of the banking
without collateral for
the poorest of the poor.
Professor Yunus studied
economics in the USA
from 1965 to 1969 while
on fellowships from
Fullbright and from
Vanderbilt University,
where he received his
Ph.D. in Economics.
Returning to Bangladesh
in 1972, he started his
professional career at
the University of
Chittagong as Professor
of Economics and Head of
its Department. He
started the Grameen Bank
Project in 1976 and saw
it to its realisation in
1983, and he continues
to hold the post of
Managing Director. The
Grameen Bank offers
small loans for
self-help to the rural
population, especially
to women.
Among many international
awards Professor Yunus
has received, there are
the Ramon Magsoyscy
Award (1984) from
Philippines; Aga Khan
Award for Architecture
(1989) from Switzerland;
Mohamed Shabdeen Award
for Science,
Socioeconomic (1993)
from Sri Lanka; World
Food Prize (1994) from
USA Simon Bolivar Prize
(1996) from Venezuela;
Man for Peace Award
(1971) from Italy,
Prince of Austurias
Award for Concord (1998)
from Spain; Ozaki (Gakudo)
Award from Japan;
Ghandhi Award (1998)
from India; Sydney Peace
Prize (1998) from
Australia. In 1999, he
was awarded the Roma
Award for Peace and
Humanitarian Action as
well the Golden Pegasus
1999 in Italy.
Within Bangladesh, he
received the President's
Award (1978); Bank Award
(1985); and Independence
Day Award (1987), the
highest national award.
He has also received
several honorary degrees
from academic
institutions around the
world. He Chaired the
Policy Advisory Group of
CGAP (Consultative Group
to Assist the Poorest).
Professor Yunus was
appointed as member of
many national and
international
committees, commissions,
Board of Advisors and
Directors, including
Sustainable Economic
Development, World Bank,
UN Expert Group on Women
and Finance, UN
Foundation, etc. He was
Cabinet Minister in the
Caretaker Government of
Bangladesh.
