BRAC University honours Peter Singer

BRAC University today conferred its first honorary fellowship on Australian philosopher Peter Singer for his contributions to moral philosophy, international development and social impact.

The fellowship was presented by the university's Board of Trustees Chairperson Tamara Hasan Abed and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Syed Ferhat Anwar at its Merul Badda campus in the capital, said a press release.

The university described the fellowship, conferred in memory of BRAC founder Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, as its highest honour.

Speaking at a discussion with BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh before the ceremony, Singer warned that artificial intelligence could disrupt employment and shift wealth from workers to technology companies in affluent countries.

He suggested requiring companies whose technologies cause job losses to contribute to a universal basic income. AI could also help people across the world access high-level healthcare advice, he said.

Singer stressed the importance of work that gives people purpose, citing handprinting and embroidery at Aarong.

Saleh recalled that Singer's essay, "Famine, Affluence and Morality", published in 1972, was prompted by the plight of Banaglee refugees during the 1971 Liberation War.

Singer, who is visiting Bangladesh for the first time, also cited BRAC's ultra-poor graduation programme as an example of how an initiative could be tested, evaluated, and expanded based on evidence.

"Your work asks a simple question: when we have the means to help, what should we do?" Tamara said.

Accepting the fellowship, Singer said the recognition was particularly meaningful because of the university's ties to Sir Fazle Hasan Abed's ideals.