Congratulation to Mr. F H Abed!
FH Abed BRAC Founder and Chairperson and President of BRAC University Governing Board, Fazle Hasan Abed, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters by Yale University in the United States for his pioneering work in alleviating poverty and human suffering at its 306th Commencement Ceremony on Monday. Abed was conferred his degree by Richard C. Levin, the President of the University.
Following excerpt read as his citation
"Your work has improved the lives, livelihood, and lifespan of many millions of Bangladeshis, particularly girls and women. Beginning by supplying seeds to farmers and fishing nets to fishermen, you created BRAC, one of the world's large humanitarian organizations, providing education, health services, and financial support. With singleminded determination, you have given the poor the means to achieve economic independence, always demon rating respect for the dignity of every citizen. Your organization is now offering hope for developing nations throughout the world. For your dedication to your country, and your pioneering work in alleviating poverty and human suffering, we are proud to award you the degree of DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS."
Previous awardees include Nobel Laureates Amartya Sen, Wangari Maathai and Bishop Desmond Tutu. Recipients over the years have been models of excellence and service to our students, to our graduates, to our community and to the world", said Levin. Yale University, Established in 1701, is one of the eight Ivy League universities in the United States.
During his US trip, Mr. Abed also presented the 34th Annual H.K. Hayes Memorial Lecture, held on 31 May at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul. Previous speakers at this lecture series include prominent political leaders and heads of leading international organizations.
Mr. Abed later attended the annual meeting of the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) of the World Bank in Sweden as a member of its Executive Committee.