Lt Gen Aminul Karim joins Cosmos Foundation

Dhaka, 4 Feb  – Lt Gen (retd) Dr Mohd Aminul Karim, a distinguished military strategist and academic, has joined the Cosmos Foundation and the Bay of Bengal Institute as Honorary Board Member, a move expected to further strengthen the organisations’ contributions to strategic policy research and regional discourse.

Lt Gen (retd) Karim, a former commandant of the National Defense College of Bangladesh, brings a wealth of experience in security studies, international relations and leadership. 

He previously served as the military secretary to former President Iajuddin Ahmed and held senior academic positions, including as a professor and dean at the School of Business and Entrepreneurship (SBE) at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).

In addition, he was a senior research fellow at the Asia Europe Institute, University of Malaya, and a visiting professor at several globally renowned institutions, including the University of Malaya, China Foreign Affairs University, and Ohio State University.

Welcoming Lt Gen (retd) Karim to the Cosmos Foundation and the Bay of Bengal Institute, Enayetullah Khan, Chairman of both the organisations, said, "His deep expertise and strategic insights will help propel our institutions to new heights. With his guidance, we expect to enhance our engagement in regional policy discussions and play an even more effective role in shaping Bangladesh’s positioning in the Bay of Bengal and beyond.”

His appointment follows another key leadership addition to the Bay of Bengal Institute, with former diplomat Tariq Ahmad Karim assuming the role of President on January 7. Ambassador Karim, known for his extensive experience in international diplomacy, has set forth a vision to elevate Bangladesh’s strategic influence in the region.

The Cosmos Foundation continues to attract global thought leaders to its advisory board, including Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, former Foreign Affairs Adviser (Foreign Minister) of Bangladesh, Ambassador Farooq Sobhan, and international experts such as former Slovenian President Dr Danilo Türk, Indian diplomat Ambassador Krishnan Srinivasan.

As the philanthropic arm of the Cosmos Group, the Cosmos Foundation remains dedicated to policy research, strategic discourse, and promoting the art and culture of Bangladesh. Its initiatives, including Bangladesh’s first-ever festival for disabled artists in collaboration with UNESCO, reflect its commitment to fostering a more inclusive and intellectually vibrant society.