Philosopher Peter Singer Receives BRAC University's First Honorary Fellowship, in Memory of Sir Fazle Hasan Abed
BRAC University has awarded an honorary fellowship to Australian philosopher Professor Peter Singer. It is the first honorary fellowship conferred by the university, and an honorary fellowship is a university's highest honour.
At a ceremony on Thursday (29 October) at BRAC University's Merul Badda campus, the honour was presented to him by Tamara Hasan Abed, chairperson of the board of trustees, and Vice-Chancellor Professor Syed Farhat Anwar.
The honour was conferred in tribute to the memory of Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, founder of BRAC and BRAC University. The philosopher has made important contributions worldwide to discussion of ethics, altruism and animal rights.
At the ceremony, Vice-Chancellor Professor Syed Farhat Anwar read the citation. In it he highlighted Professor Singer's contributions to moral philosophy, international development and bringing positive change to society.
Singer's notable works include the 1972 essay 'Famine, Affluence and Morality', the 1975 book 'Animal Liberation', and founding 'The Life You Can Save' and serving as chair of its board. He has written more than 50 books.
Professor Anwar said Professor Singer's work has similarities with Sir Fazle Hasan Abed's thinking. He also said the honour reflects BRAC University's commitment to excellence in education and research and to creating positive impact in society.
Tamara Hasan Abed said, 'Your work raises a simple question in our minds. That is, if we have the ability to help others, what should we do? Because this question is also especially important for BRAC University.'
She said they want students to think about how to use the opportunities gained through study and to think about benefiting other people through their own work. Welcoming him in the year of Professor Singer's 80th birthday, she said they feel deeply honoured to welcome him, for the first time in Bangladesh and at BRAC University, as one of their own.
Responding to the honour, Professor Singer said receiving this recognition from a university founded on the ideals of Sir Fazle Hasan Abed is special to him. He also said everyone at BRAC University seeks truth and knowledge, and there is opportunity here to think independently, ask questions and express one's own views.
Before the fellowship ceremony, Professor Singer took part in a discussion with BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh. Asif Saleh recalled November 1971, when Singer was a young philosopher at Oxford watching Bangladesh's Liberation War and millions of refugees taking shelter in India. Asif Saleh said Singer wrote the essay 'Famine, Affluence and Morality' in response to that situation, and through this essay, published in 1972, Singer's five decades of work on the responsibilities of people in rich countries toward poor people began.
On his first visit to Bangladesh, Professor Singer praised the country's progress. Describing Bangladesh as a vibrant country, he also called its progress a 'story of inspiration'. During the visit he toured BRAC's Ultra-Poor Graduation programme, run to improve the living standards of ultra-poor people.
On effective altruism, he said the movement's goal is for people to adopt helping others as one of life's most important goals, and it is also important to see how effective that work is. In this context he gave the example of BRAC's Ultra-Poor Graduation programme—the programme was first run experimentally and evaluated, expanded after evidence of effectiveness was found, and later launched in several more countries.
On using business profits for public welfare, he said capitalism can be reformed. For this he recently helped form an initiative called 'Profit for Good', whose purpose is for businesspeople to spend part of their profits on public-welfare work. He said, 'We are encouraging companies to pledge to donate at least 10 percent of their profits to good causes.'
On artificial intelligence, he said that with just an internet connection, people anywhere in the world can receive high-level advice on healthcare. But AI will bring major changes to many people's jobs and employment, and maximum effort must be made to prevent workers' incomes falling and that money instead going to technology companies in rich countries. As one possible way to tackle the problem, he suggested companies whose technology causes people to lose jobs could be required to contribute funds to a universal basic income system for workers.
Guests at the ceremony included Australia's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle, members of BRAC University's board of trustees, teachers and students from various departments, and members of the BRAC and BRAC University families.
