In a remarkably short period of time, Mahbubul Hoque who started his career with only one computer and four students carrying just Rs 85 in his pocket in February 2001, turned up as one of the most influential Edupreneurs of India who established number of educational institutions under the patronage of ERD Foundation -Guwahati This great pioneer of education was at some point of time in extreme crisis, parentless who hails from a remote village called Purbagul, Patharkandi, situated in the district of Karimganj in Assam. He was raised amidst umpteen struggles against poverty having lost both his parents at an early age. From a very tender age, he had taken the onus of his studies upon himself by taking tuition classes in his own vicinity and also by selling home-grown vegetables in the market. This is not all, the untimely demise of his elder brother in a tragic accident suspected to be a conspiracy, who was also financing him partially, further escalated his woes. But unfazed by all the financial difficulties, he went on with his studies and secured 2nd rank in matriculation in the whole State from Karimganj High Madrassa, did his 10+2 from GC College Silchar, B.Sc.(Hons)with distinction and MCA with flying colors from prestigious Aligarh Muslim University in the year 2000 by securing 1st Class 2nd Rank.

Although, he had got lucrative job offers from different MNCs and IT industries of the country as well as abroad but he decided to come back to his native place and mould his career as an Educational Entrepreneur. His first educational venture was Central IT College which he started in the year 2001 with only 4 students and an old computer which he carried from Aligarh. He managed finance by assembling computers and selling them off in the market to set up a computer laboratory. In his initial days of struggle, he lived in the institution premises itself, spent his nights sleeping on office sofa as he could not afford to rent a house for permanent stay. Even at one point of time nobody was ready to let-out their building neither for his stay nor to accommodate his institution. Fortunately because of his persuasion and relentless effort, Central IT College became the second largest study-centre of Sikkim Manipal University in the whole country. That was just the beginning and after that he did not have to look back. He continued his struggle in the field of education and succeeded to achieve milestone one after another traversing several impediments to set up the institutions in Assam and later in Meghalaya.

In order to strengthen the educational infrastructure in Assam and other parts of North East, Mahbubul Hoque set up the Education, Research & Development Foundation (ERDF) in 2005 under his chairmanship. Under the aegis of the Foundation, he has established a premiere educational institutions starting from Central IT College. To meet the quality educational need of the rural areas, he established Central Public School, Patharkandi in 2008 and Central Public School, Badarpur in 2010. Both are affiliated to CBSE, New Delhi.

The year 2009, saw the establishment of Regional Institute of Science & Technology (RIST) at 9th Mile, Meghalaya – a state of the art Engineering College affiliated to North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) and approved by All India Council of Technical Education, New Delhi.

One of the most ambitious projects of ERDF, the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) was established in a picturesque landscape surrounded by tranquilled greenery in the Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya in the year 2011 located only 3 KM from Khanapara, Guwahati. Team USTM has charted out a roadmap and mission to achieve: “Mission Bronze”—to become a top university in the North East by 2020, “Mission Silver”—to become one of the top universities in the country by 2025 and “Mission Gold”—to become one of the world class universities by 2030. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Centre for Coaching and Guidance (FACC) was set up in 2012 to encourage and guide students for Civil service and Competitive examinations. Year 2015 saw the establishment of Khairun Nessa Begum Women’s College, Badarpur which is affiliated to Assam University, Silchar which was a bold step of the foundation to break the barriers in Female Education especially for the downtrodden rural women from the minority communities. ERDF have mission to promote this women college as Women University in near future.

Few institutions under various statutory bodies have been established by ERDF in the recent past are School of Business Sciences, Approved by AICTE, New Delhi, University School of Physiotherapy, Prof Qoumrul Hoque School of Education recognized by NCTE, New Delhi, University School of Law & Research recognized by Bar Council of India, New Delhi & recently first Pharmacy college namely School of Pharmaceutical Sciences 9th Mile, Meghalaya, Approved by Pharmacy Council of India, New Delhi.

Allama T R College of Pharmacy recently affiliated to Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Science, Guwahati & Approved by Pharmacy Council of India, New Delhi is the latest and 12th venture of ERDF established at Taleem City, Srigouri, Badarpur under Karimganj district of Assam.

Today, ERDF has emerged as the Largest Institutional network of the North East India, catering quality education from KG to PG to Ph.D having an enrollment of 7500 students, out of which more than 20% students belong to underprivileged & backward class of the society availing free & concessional education in all the institutions of ERDF. Nearly 550 teaching fraternity and 300 other administrative & operational staff are shouldering their responsibility as partner in progress for all the institutions to fulfill the mission of ERDF.

Mahbubul Hoque have helped and guided many people to establish institutions. He has always encouraged the capable people and organizations to set up Educational institutions, as he believes that the nation building process can be strengthened only through the promotion and expansion of Education. He has also addressed more than 15 lakhs students in various occasions and motivated them to go for higher education & guided them for various competitive examinations. He always emphasize that the institution stake holders must motivate students to become socially responsible professionals, so that after completion of their study they can shoulder the responsibility as obedient children of parents, family, his own village and so forth, thereby contributing for the growth of the Nation. The students should imbibe the spirit of Nationalism within them without displaying selfishness in their behaviour. Therefore it is the utmost duty of the stakeholders to inculcate the culture of social & moral responsibility among the students before they pass out from the Institution.

Mahbubul Hoque has a strong determination to continue his mission of spreading Education to every nook & corner of the region. Under the VISION 2030, the ERD Foundation has a plan of establishing number of Institutions for the upliftment of education, especially in the rural areas. Medical College & Hospital, one women college in the vicinity of Guwahati with residential facility, Promotion of one Science village in Barak Valley & one Educational TV Channel emphasizing Education are the few priorities. To materialize all plans, ERDF will collaborate with likeminded persons and organizations for speedy implementation. ERDF has also the mission to connect ASEAN Countries through Education, Culture & Sports in the line of Act East Policy of Govt. of India & so under his leadership, arrangements have already been made in a strategic manner to organize the second International Convention of Vice Chancellors at USTM, inviting all the Vice Chancellors of various Universities from these Countries. The first convention of Vice Chancellors (ICVC-2019) of Universities from North East & Vice Chancellors of Bangladesh was held at SUST, Syllhet, Bangladesh.

Mr. Hoque have a mission to streamline whole education system under one roof to make it hassle free for students and parents where aspirants can get exposure, motivation and guidance so that they can easily get the reply of questions- What to Do NOW ? and WHAT is NEXT….?

He has a very strong desire to create a big team of honest and dedicated workers who can transform his plans and ideas into reality. He wants to envision all the educational institutions, led by the team of honest and hard working workers, dedicated for the upliftment of the society. He says, “If u have the right DREAM, then you must be passionate to enforce DEDICATION, DEVOTION with HONESTY and PERSUASION to materialize the dream and achieve Excellence. Name, Fame, Dignity & strength comes and goes but actions done for the goal, and the Mission always remains for the generations to come”. He always advises deserving boys and girls to be a dreamer & recalls the quote of Dr. Kalam that “Dream is not that which you see while sleeping it is something that does not let you sleep”. He always gives the example of the SUN saying that the Sun always shines bold, bright and selflessly. He forwards the example of the Sun to the students to imbibe these properties in their life, being the best creations of Almighty. A Candle once lightened diminishes itself by giving light to others. Education is the light that eradicates ignorance & transforms the whole society with wisdom. Be Educated, to Educate & enlighten others to lit the Candle of Knowledge.