The launching dinner of the Master of Public Health Program through the James P. Grant School of Public Health was held at BRAC Centre on nchedFebruary 11, 2005. This international School of Public Health will have a particular focus on health issues of the south to improve material health and combat HIV/AlDS, malaria and other major diseases. Mr. F H Abed Founder & Chairperson of BRAC and President Governing Board BU announced the launching of the program at BRAC Centre welcoming the first batch of students. Twenty five students-15 national and 10 International in the first batch received full scholarship for a period of one academic year to attend the Masters Program. The international students are from Afghanistan, India, Kenya, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Uganda and the United States. The School will have both national and international faculty with institutional affiliations with Columbia University USA, University of Amsterdam, Uppsala University, (Sweden), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Harvard University USA, George Washington University USA, Umea University (Sweden), the Karolinska Institute (Sweden) and Johns Hopkins University USA. Dean of the school Dr. M R Chowdhury introduced the students to the audience. These students are drawn from all walks of life, and represent government and international organisations, donor agencies and public health bodies. The function was also attended by Professor J R Choudhury, VC BU, Professor Demissie Habte, the first International Director of the School and former Director of ICDDR, B, Richard Cash, an alumnus of ICDDR,B and Professor of Harvard University School of Public Health and the Chairs of all Departments of BU.