Md Nurul Hoque

Master of Public Informatics, Class of 2024

Chittagong, Bangladesh 
Certificate: Artificial Intelligence (AI) 
Activities at Rutgers: President, Public Informatics Student Group
Personal interests: watching historical documentaries and political commentaries, taking long road trips with friends and family, urban exploration — visiting abandoned houses, buildings, and other locations. 

After completing an undergraduate degree in finance, Nurul dedicated more than seven years to the private financial sector in Bangladesh, focusing on due diligence and financing sustainable development projects, including infrastructure, power plants, and energy-efficient brick projects.

Seeking to broaden his expertise, he 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. “I 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.”

The experience deepened Nurul’s commitment to data-driven policymaking and inspired him to pursue the Bloustein School’s Master of Public Informatics program.

Nurul hopes to leverage his combined expertise in finance, data analytics, and policy analysis to spearhead the development of data-driven policies and programs that promote social justice, equity, and sustainability.

“Professor Jim Samuel’s course in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) was instrumental in my decision to pursue the AI concentration and shape my career interests,” he said. Last summer, he also worked on a project involving generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs), funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

“By harnessing the power of AI and machine learning, I hope to create positive change by bridging the gap between data-driven insights and impactful policy implementation,” he said. “Ultimately, I want to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future for all.”

His experience at the Bloustein School has exceeded his expectations, providing both a fulfilling academic journey and valuable industry connections. “Serving as the president of the Public Informatics Student Group (PISG) has helped me develop communication and leadership skills, enabling me to bridge the gap between graduate students and industry leaders,” he said.

“Additionally, the flexibility in scheduling, course offerings, and concentration areas were the primary reason for my choice. Its location in the New York metropolitan area also offers many opportunities for industry exploration and networking, which I believe will be instrumental in guiding my career.”