BRAC University (BRACU) and BRAC commemorated the sixth death anniversary of their founder Sir Fazle Hasan Abed through a programme titled 'Young Abed: Crossroads of Courage and Conviction' on the university's campus in the capital on Thursday, said a press release.
At a panel discussion, Asif Saleh, Executive Director of BRAC, said, "Sir Fazle Hasan Abed always carried a hunger for knowledge within him. He was eager to pass it on, to make others more curious."
Tamara Hasan Abed, Managing Director of BRAC Enterprises, said, "Sir Abed always followed what his heart told him. By following my father's philosophy, I have also found success in my life."
BRACU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Syed Ferhat Anwar said, "Abed bhai used to say that we must ask ourselves why we exist. Once we find the answer, we discover the meaning of life."
Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, Managing Director and CEO of BRAC Bank, said, "Abed bhai never worked for personal recognition; serving humanity was always the core purpose of his work."
Researcher Afsan Chowdhury; Paroma Husain, director of BRAC's Accelerating Impact for Young Women program; Senior Lecturer Tawhid Anwar; and Rana Tabassum, BRACU valedictorian, also took part in the discussion.
Excerpts from "Hope Over Fate", the biography of Fazle Hasan Abed, were read out by Dr. Imran Matin, Executive Director of BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD); and Dr Rubana Ahmed, Proctor of BRACU.
Asif Saleh, Tamara Hasan Abed, and Syed Ferhat Anwar presented certificates to six students, who reflected on Sir Abed's youth and posted the most compelling prose, poetry, and visual art on social media as a part of a contest.
The programme also featured a play titled "If Abed Bhai Were Here". Recitations and musical performances were presented by students of Monon, BRACU's cultural organisation.
Lady Syeda Sarwat Abed, founder and adviser of BRAC Institute of Languages and spouse of Sir Abed, also shared her memories.
