The American Alumni Association (AAA) hosted another edition of its signature Brain Gain Series on Monday at the United Commercial Bank PLC Head Office in Gulshan, celebrating the power of ideas, collaboration and global experience in driving national progress.
The evening featured Asif Saleh, executive director of BRAC and a life member of AAA, who delivered a keynote on “Social Development and Enterprises: A Global Perspective.” His address drew a diverse audience of AAA members, business leaders, development professionals and policy thinkers.
Drawing from his global career—from Goldman Sachs in New York and London to his leadership roles at UNDP Bangladesh and now at BRAC—Saleh said sustainable progress in Bangladesh depends on collaboration across public, private and non-profit sectors. He noted that innovative social enterprise models inspired by global best practices can transform local communities and drive inclusive development.
The session began with remarks from AAA President and UCB Chairman Sharif Zahir, who said the association has long served as a bridge between global knowledge and national progress. The discussion was moderated by former AAA President Nusrat Aman, who guided a lively exchange on the evolving role of social enterprises and the ways US-educated professionals can contribute to Bangladesh’s development journey.
The Brain Gain Series, launched in 2011, aims to turn the long-debated “brain drain” into a dynamic “brain gain” by connecting Bangladeshi professionals educated abroad with national development efforts. Over the years, it has become a platform for global graduates to share expertise and inspiration with those driving change at home.
Asif Saleh’s participation embodied that mission. Recognised as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader in 2013 and an Asia 21 Fellow in 2012, he reflected the essence of global learning applied to local impact—a message that resonated deeply with the AAA community and reinforced its vision of linking knowledge with action for Bangladesh’s future.
