Mr. F H Abed, Founder and Chairperson of BRAC and President, Governing Board of BRAC University received the Gleitsman Foundation International Activist Award 2003 on April 14 at the Harvard University. Mr. Abed was given this year's Award for his outstanding contribution in Eradication of Poverty. The Award wad presented by Mr. Allan Gleitsman the Chairman of the Foundation. The Gleitsman International Award is announced every year since 1989 to honour individuals in the international community " who have inspired change and motivated others in the realm of social activism." The winners are selected on the basis of exceptional perseverance, selflessness and leadership in striving to combat social injustice in their community, nation or the world. Among others, Mr. Nelson Mandela received this award in 1993. Mr. Michael Dukakis, former Governor of Massachusetts and 1988 Democratic Presidential candidate addressed the ceremony as the Guest of Honour. Mr. Abed also addressed a seminar and a number of classes of Harvard University.