Dhaka: International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh ( icddr,b)’s board of trustees has appointed former Health Secretary Syed Monjurul Islam as its deputy executive director and chief operating officer.

Monjurul Islam, who went on retirement in October 2016 after a successful career as a senior member of the Bangladesh Civil Service, will bring knowledge in health, finance, project/programme management, governance, bilateral funding and working with donors, as well as team building, said an icddr,b press release on Thursday.

He has previously represented the government on a wide range of committees, which include The Global Fund, GAVI and the icddr,b Board of Trustees.

"The competition for this post was intense, and Mr Monjurul Islam has emerged at the head of an impressive field. His intimate knowledge of health, Bangladesh, and international organisations will strengthen icddr,b's work in conducting research to improve the health of the people of Bangladesh and other low and middle income countries,” said Dr Richard Smith, chair of the icddr,b board of trustees.