ICMAB honours excellence in accounting and finance research

Quality research in accounting and finance is key to strengthening governance, transparency and accountability, said Hossain Zillur Rahman, chairperson and senior trustee of BRAC.

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at an award-giving ceremony, titled "ICMAB Research Excellence Award 2025", organised by the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB), at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka on Monday.

Highlighting the social relevance of academic inquiry, Rahman said institutions like ICMAB serve as an important bridge between academia, policymaking and professional practice, helping to promote inclusive and sustainable development.

Speaking at the event, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, president of ICMAB, said research is the backbone of evidence-based policy, professional excellence and sustainable economic development. "Through the ICMAB Research Excellence Award, we aim to recognise and encourage rigorous research that addresses real-world challenges and contributes to national and global knowledge," he added.

A total of 14 top research papers were selected under the ICMAB Research Excellence Award 2025 and recognised across three major award categories, according to a press release.

The Award of Excellence, carrying a prize money of Tk 100,000, was jointly awarded to Anup Kumar Saha and Imran Khan.

The Award of Distinction, with a prize money of Tk 75,000, was conferred on Md Mamunur Rashid, Dewan Mahboob Hossain and Md Saiful Alam.

The Award of Merit, carrying a prize money of Tk 50,000, was awarded to Sohel Mehedi, Shamsun Nahar and Dayana Jalaludin.

In addition, five Awards of Appreciation were presented to other selected researchers, each carrying a prize money of Tk 20,000, in recognition of their valuable research contributions.

Tarek Rana, associate professor at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, presented a keynote paper, titled "Accounting and Finance Research in Emerging Markets: Trends, Gaps, and Future Research Directions", offering insights into the evolving research landscape of emerging economies.

Md Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan, chairman of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC); Prof ASM Amanullah, vice-chancellor of the National University; and Prof Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, vice-chancellor of North South University, among others, were also present.