Rate My Professor Delwar Akbar

Professor Delwar Akbar serves as Professor in Regional Economies and Supply Chains and Director of the Centre for Regional Economies and Supply Chains (CRESC) within the School of Business and Law at CQUniversity. He earned his PhD from the University of Queensland in 2005, along with a Master of Population Studies from the same institution, a Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education from CQUniversity, and MSc and BSc degrees from Jahangirnagar University in Bangladesh. Akbar's academic career commenced in Bangladesh as Lecturer and Head of the Discipline of Geography at Bangladesh Open University from 1996 to 1998 and at the College of Development Alternative from 1995 to 1996. He joined CQUniversity in 2008 as a Post Doctoral Research Fellow and Lecturer in the Centre for Environmental Management, advancing through roles including Senior Post Doctoral Research Fellow and Lecturer (2011-2015), Research Fellow and Senior Lecturer (2016-2019), Associate Professor (2020-2022), and his current professorial position since January 2023. Earlier positions include Research Officer and Sessional Lecturer at the University of Queensland's School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management (2006-2008), and consultancies in economic and transport modeling.

Akbar is recognized as a regional economist specializing in rural and regional economics, value chain analysis, property and health economics, economic impact assessment, and regional development. Since joining CQUniversity, he has led or contributed to 73 research and consultancy projects, securing over $11 million in funding, including four Category-1 grants. He has authored more than 140 refereed papers, book chapters, and project reports. Key publications include 'Urbanization-globalization-CO2 emissions nexus revisited: empirical evidence from South Africa' (Heliyon, 2019), 'Performance analysis of an integrated fixed bed gasifier model for different biomass feedstocks' (Energies, 2013), 'A proposal for engaging a stakeholder panel in planning post-mining land uses in Australia’s coal-rich tropical savannahs' (Land Use Policy, 2018), and 'A comprehensive review of the recent development and challenges of a solar-assisted biodigester system' (Science of The Total Environment, 2021). His work integrates economic models with supply chain, services, and planning frameworks, and develops collaborative business models to enhance rural economic dynamics and international trade. Awards include Highly Commended Paper at ANZRSAI Conferences (2019, 2015), Best Paper Award (2014), CQU Service Award (2018), and Dean's Commendation for outstanding PhD thesis (2005). He has held leadership roles in the Australia and New Zealand Regional Science Association International, serving as President (2021-2023), Vice-President (2019-2020), and Secretary (2015-2018).