Tamara Hasan Abed, Chairperson, Board of Trustees of Brac University (BRACU) read out Sir Fazle’s speech at the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of BRACU’s permanent campus on 26 October 2019 at capital’s Merul Badda. Here’s the full speech of Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, KCMG, founder and chairperson emeritus, BRACU Board of Trustees-
Board of Trustee members, faculty, students, alumni and guests,
I am humbled to be here with you today, at a momentous occasion for all who have been a part of Brac University.
At BRAC, we believe that education is the most important tool for people to realize their true potential. We founded Brac University in 2001 with the aim of building socially conscious, empathic and capable leaders of the future.
Universities have a crucial role to play in achieving social justice. Our hope is that our students will take the mission of BRAC forward. It means that as they embark on their futures, they will remain connected with the social realities on the ground and will be capable of tackling real challenges, especially of those living in poverty and inequity.
Universities also enjoy a unique freedom that no other organisations do, in that their role is to question the state of the world. It is important that the focus on knowledge, innovation and research remains unbiased. Universities are dynamic and forward-thinking communities, and, over the centuries, they have proven themselves to be some of a small number of institutions that stand the test of time. BRAC University will also need to continually evolve and strive towards global excellence through world-class research and innovation that changes people’s lives for the better.
It is a truly gratifying moment to unveil the foundation of our new campus. This is the first campus of its kind in Bangladesh that will use renewable energy to power the majority of its spaces. Natural ventilation and lighting will be prioritised to reduce our carbon footprint. Almost half of the land will be left open to accommodate water bodies and greenery, to celebrate the beauty of the natural landscape of Bangladesh.
In the end however, what truly matters is what happens inside the campus. I hope that this campus will facilitate a learning experience that will inspire excellence for all - the students, the teachers, the researchers and everyone involved with the university who will contribute to solve some of the toughest challenges the world is about to face.
It takes us all, to build a world, that works for us all.
Thank you.