All of the MPH students completed their dissertation in mid January and successfully passed the final core course of the program on January 23, 2006. The School organised a Graduates' Forum on January 27, 2006 at the Sasakawa Auditorium, ICDDR, B to celebrate the impending graduation of the entire first batch of MPH students. The 25 students took this opportunity to share their experiences at the School and also present their research findings to invited guests. Professor Demissie Habte chaired the forum; and Dr. AMR Chowdhury gave the welcome address. The keynote address was given by Dr. Jon Rohde co-chair of International Advisory Board of the School of Public Health and Dr. David Sack, Executive Director, ICDDR, B also spoke on the occasion. Three awards were given: two F.H. Abed Awards for overall performance (social and academic) and one ICDDR,B Award for best dissertation. There was an oral presentation of selected dissertation reports and all students organized poster presentations of their research work, which was shared with the invited guests on the rooftop of the auditorium. Twenty-five MPH students had their Master of Public Health degrees conferred upon them by the Chancellor of the University at the BRAC University 1st Convocation on January 28, 2006. Ms. Victoria Nakabirwa from Uganda received the Chancellors and Vice-Chancellor's gold medals for achieving highest CGPA amongst all the postgraduate students.