Syed Humayun Kabir - Website Featured Image
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ABOUT OUR FOUNDER

The Founder

Syed Humayun Kabir, former chairman of Renata Ltd. (previously Pfizer Bangladesh Limited) and Founder of SAJIDA Foundation, was among the country's most respected business professionals and philanthropists. Aside from his illustrious career, those who knew him speak of a man of unflinching integrity, and of a life well lived with a strong sense of ethics who always saw the good in people. So, he took the unique step of vesting the majority of Renata's shares with SAJIDA Foundation.

1931

HOW IT ALL
BEGAN

Born in Calcutta in 1931, Syed Humayun Kabir was one of five children of his father, Syed Golam Kabir, and mother, Sara Kabir. He lost his mother at the tender age of four. His father's government career meant that he moved across various schools while growing up. Mr Kabir obtained an Honours degree in Chemistry from the University of Dhaka. He subsequently received his post-graduate degree in Pharmacy from the University of Strathclyde in Scotland.

1931

Having lost their mother at
a very early age,
Syed Humayun Kabir,
Kaniz Fatema, Alia Amin,
and Zohra Amin held a
tight bond with their father
during their formative years.

1957

THE EARLY
YEARS

Mr. Kabir started his career in 1957 as Assistant Manager at Rashidpur Tea Estate in Sylhet, where he married Sajida Fahmi. In 1963, Mr. Kabir moved back to Dhaka to join Pfizer Bangladesh Ltd. as Senior Manager.

1957

“In all economic development activities of our Chamber, he volunteered to render guidance, help, and cooperation. He discharged the onerous responsibilities of the President of this Chamber between 1974 and 1984. Our Chamber respectfully remembers his contributions to the Chamber's cause."

SYED NASIM MANZUR
PRESIDENT
METROPOLITAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

1957 distributing relief early 1960's

Distributing relief to the children of
plant workers, early 1960s.

1972

From Pfizer to Renata
TAKING OVER THE REINS

Transitioning to become Pfizer Bangladesh Ltd.’s first Managing Director, Mr. Kabir worked his way up to become one of the most successful CEOs in Pfizer’s global business empire.

1972 with Bangabandhu

Syed Humayun Kabir handing over donations on behalf of Pfizer Bangladesh Ltd. to the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, after the great famine of 1974.

Pfizer to Renata

Conversion of Pfizer Bangladesh Ltd.
to Renata Ltd.

1993

SAJIDA:
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Despite Syed Humayun Kabir's remarkable success in the corporate world, he was a simple, humble, compassionate, and conscientious man who was deeply devoted to helping the poor, disadvantaged and underserved. Thus, the model for a unique social enterprise emerged as SAJIDA Foundation, based on Mr. Kabir's vision and commitment to serving those in need. SAJIDA owns 51% shares of Renata Limited, an enterprise that invested the majority of its holdings in charity. Syed Humayun Kabir's humble and philanthropic worldviews have structured the organisation’s unique set of values.

1993 Sajida

A promise that lasted
a lifetime; A gift
impacting millions

“SAJIDA Foundation served as a manifestation of Humayun's belief in the true meaning of his faith that all wealth is but a trust, which should be invested in doing good for the less privileged.”

REHMAN SOBHAN
BANGLADESHI ECONOMIST
FOUNDER, CENTRE FOR POLICY DIALOGUE

1993 Sajida Hospital

Inauguration of SAJIDA Hospital, Keraniganj

2015

A LASTING
LEGACY

SAJIDA Foundation has come a long way since 1993, when it was presented as a gift to his wife, Sajida Kabir for their 25th wedding anniversary. The organisation has grown on the shoulders of passionate workers and the collective effort to understand on-ground needs before addressing them.

2015 with Family

Syed Humayun Kabir
with his family

Our-Founder-Syed-Humayun-Kabir

Mr. Kabir passed away at the age of 83, leaving behind an indelible legacy that lives on with SAJIDA's work and a life that continues to inspire people to serve those less privileged and those left behind.

“His excitement and encouragement was an invaluable contribution to BRAC’s success. He has passed on his ideals and principles to his family organisation, SAJIDA Foundation.

I hope that Syed Humayun Kabir will be remembered as a pioneer for both BRAC and SAJIDA Foundation and both will be part of his legacy."


SIR FAZLE HASAN ABED
FOUNDER & CHAIRPERSON
BRAC

A Life Led by Conscience

Celebrating Syed Humayun Kabir

September 1, 2021 marked the 90th birthday of our Founder, Mr. Syed Humayun Kabir. In celebration of an extraordinary life, we sat with our young changemakers, and listened to their take on our Founder's ideals and precious lessons learned.


Career Highlights

Year Title Organization Title & Organization
1957-1963 Assistant Manager Rashidpur Tea Estate, Sylhet Assistant Manager
Rashidpur Tea Estate, Sylhet
1972-1994 Chairman & Managing Director Pfizer Laboratories Ltd. (Bangladesh) Chairman & Managing Director
Pfizer Laboratories Ltd. (Bangladesh)
1972-2015 Member Governing Body of BRAC Member
Governing Body of BRAC
1979-1980 Chairman Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) Chairman
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI)
1981-1982 President Bangladesh Employers Association President
Bangladesh Employers Association
1982-2001 Chairman Governing Body of BRAC Chairman
Governing Body of BRAC
1984-1985 President Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) President
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI)
1986-1988 Senior Fellow Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies Senior Fellow
Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies
1991-2003 Executive Director SAJIDA Foundation Executive Director
SAJIDA Foundation
1991-2003 President Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) President
Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI)
1993-2015 Founding Member and Trustee Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Founding Member and Trustee
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)
1994-2015 Chairman Renata Limited Chairman
Renata Limited
1996-2001 Founder Chairman Transparency International Bangladesh Founder Chairman
Transparency International Bangladesh
2001-2005 Member, Trustee Board Transparency International Bangladesh Member, Trustee Board
Transparency International Bangladesh
2001-2008 Director BRAC Bank Ltd. Director
BRAC Bank Ltd.
2004-2015 Patron SAJIDA Foundation Patron
SAJIDA Foundation

Commemorations