MdNurulHoque, a Master of Public Informatics graduate from the Class of 2024 at Rutgers University, has embarked on a journey from finance to data-driven policymaking. Hailing from Chittagong, Bangladesh, Nurul also holds a certificate in Artificial Intelligence and served as Vice President of the Public Informatics Student Group at Rutgers. His personal interests include watching historical documentaries and political commentaries, taking long road trips with friends and family, and urban exploration.
After earning an undergraduate degree in Finance, Nurul spent over seven years in Bangladesh's private financial sector. His work focused on due diligence and financing sustainable development projects such as infrastructure, power plants, and energy-efficient brick projects.
Seeking to expand his expertise, Nurul pursued a master’s degree in development economics. "As my career progressed, my interests shifted towards data-driven policymaking to address complex societal issues," he said. He completed an online micromasters program in Data, Economics, and Development Policy at MIT. "This provided a robust foundation for the development of policy theories and experimental research in social science, particularly randomized control trials."
This experience deepened his commitment to data-driven policymaking and inspired him to pursue the Bloustein School’s Master of Public Informatics program.
Nurul aims to leverage his combined expertise in finance, data analytics, and policy analysis to develop data-driven policies that promote social justice, equity, and sustainability. "Professor Jim Samuel’s course in Artificial Intelligence was instrumental in my decision to pursue the AI concentration and shape my career interests," he said.
The course focuses on the intersection of AI and public informatics and explores how these disciplines can address complex societal challenges while improving AI-driven value-creation strategies for organizations.
"By harnessing the power of AI and machine learning," Nurul stated, "I hope to create positive change by bridging the gap between data-driven insights and impactful policy implementation. Ultimately, I want to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future for all."
