Feature

BRAC EDF's Rendezvous with Mr. Fazle Hasan Abed

Rudmila Ahmed & Iftekhar Ul Karim

THREE people were laying bricks and a passerby asked them what were they doing. The first one replied, “Don't you see I am making a living?” The second one said, “Don't you see I am laying bricks?” The third one said, “I am building a beautiful monument.” Three people doing the same thing gave totally different replies. The question is: did they have different attitudes? And would their attitude affect their performance? The answer is a clear yes.

It was a Wednesday afternoon; there was a soft drizzle outside. A room full of eager students, faculty members of BRAC University, distinguished guests, and press people were waiting for the entrance of that especial person - Mr. Fazle Hasan Abed- invited by the Entrepreneurship Development Forum (EDF) for the first time ever in the history of BRAC University, or any other university for that matter.

'The Entrepreneur of the Entrepreneurs' this is how Salehuddin Sir often defines Mr. Abed. As he entered BRAC Centre Conference Room at exactly four 'o clock, the entire room full of about two hundred people stood up to give a standing ovation. Accompanied by BRAC University's Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed and the Dean of BRAC Business School Professor Iftekhar Ghani Chowdhury, Mr. Fazle Hasan Abed shared words of encouragement and his experiences with the students present there. He also said that students of BRAC University should contribute to the society in every possible way.

The function was anchored by EDF's third President, Abdullah Tahir Chowdhury, and the Writing and Publication Director Rudmila Ahmed and the head facilitator was Iftekhar Ul Karim, International Relations and Communications Director of EDF. The EDF of BRAC University took the initiative to award him, commemorating him as the Best Social Entrepreneur of the World. As the person who conceptualized BRAC, the world's largest NGO, Mr. Fazle Hasan Abed has not only brought pride to our country but also has reached out to other countries that needed rebuilding after a catastrophe or war.

As the afternoon moved on, the students present at the gathering were given the opportunity to personally interact with the person who have won numerous awards and is a renowned philanthropist. They asked questions about entrepreneurial activities both at home and abroad, shared their feelings, and extracted information from the dialogue. The entire question and answer session was facilitated by the Pro-Vice Chancellor. It was truly a memorable experience for all.

Dr. Abed is the recipient of the first Clinton Global Citizenship Award, the Ramon Magsaysay Prize and the UNICEF Maurite Pate Award, and recently the degree of Doctors of Laws from Columbia University for his comprehensive approach to fighting poverty. Maybe, among such prestigious awards, the small award that he received from EDF will not be quoted in the pages of history but what will remain ever green are the moments he spent with us… advising us…answering us…and sharing his true stories.