The American Alumni Association (AAA), an association of graduates of American colleges and universities in Bangladesh, has awarded outstanding American Alumni for their tremendous contributions towards the growth of Bangladesh.
The ceremony was held at the Grand Ballroom of The Westin Dhaka on Thursday.
Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan attended the event as the chief guest, while PM’s Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman attended as the co-chair of the event. AAA President Nusrat Feroz Aman, Treasurer Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed, other members and other distinguished guests participated in the ceremony.
Professor Dr Rounaq Jahan, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), was awarded the Life Time Achievement Award.
The other winners are Saima Wazed, chairperson of the executive committee of Shuchona Foundation, was awarded for education; Bimalangshu R Dey, an associate professor of medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard University, for Service to Society; Dr Qudsia Huda, head of disaster risk management and resilience at WHO Headquarters, for public affairs & international development; Prof Syed Munir Khasru, chairman of the Institute for Policy, Advocacy, and Governance (IPAG), for Policy & Governance; Sonia Bashir Kabir, founder of SBK Tech Ventures, for Innovation/Business; Prof Ehsan Hoque, chief scientist of Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Artificial Intelligence, for Science & Technology; Iresh Zaker, managing director of Asiatic Experiential Marketing Ltd and Good Company for Art & Culture.
Dr Mashiur Rahman said: “I am particularly impressed by the diversity of the awardees.
“They represent a wide range of fields, from education and healthcare to business and government. This diversity reflects the strength and vitality of the AAA and its commitment to making a difference in Bangladesh. I would like to congratulate the awardees on their well-deserved recognition. Your work is an inspiration to us all. And, I would like to thank the AAA for its important work in promoting American education and Bangladeshi development.”
AAA President Nusrat Feroz Aman said: “Their work is inspiring, and it is a testament to the power of American education. Our awardees have shown us what is possible when Bangladeshis are given the opportunity to study in the United States.
“They have worked at home and abroad with the knowledge and skills to make a real difference in the lives of their fellow citizens. And they are doing just that.”
In his speech, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan congratulated the awardees and recognized their outstanding contributions in each field.
He said: “To attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), all its citizens need to step forward and strengthen different sectors through education, innovation, service to society, public affairs, science and technology, and also in arts and culture. I appreciate the efforts made by the American Alumni Association to recognize outstanding contributions, and I congratulate the AAA Awards winners.”
The AAA Awards is a prestigious recognition to highlight the contributions of Bangladeshis who have graduated from American colleges and universities.
She said these individuals are making a significant impact on Bangladesh's development in various fields, and their work is a testament to the power of American education. After the award-giving ceremony, Justice Obaidul Hassan provided his concluding remarks.
