Both the CRL and the ICDDR,B have contributed enormously towards addressing the public health problems in Bangladesh. Their contributions have global implications. This has been made possible with the untiring and selfless efforts of many Bangladeshis over the years of their work at the Centre, together with the work of a few dedicated Western colleagues. However, the Centre unfortunately has also been responsible for some of its work, particularly related to vaccine trials, which have proved quite detrimental to the interests of Bangladeshis.

Those who had provided their valuable time and efforts in the activities of the Centre over the years since 1960 formed the ICDDR,B Alumni Association in 2002 upon their retirement from the ICDDR,B. The overriding objective of the Alumni Association is to enable the former staff of the Centre to continue to advance the mission and vision of the Centre on a purely voluntary and honorary basis as the bridge between the existing and the former staff, and serve as the ambassadors of the Centre, both within the country and outside.

After the formation of the Alumni Association in 2002 with around 400 former staff of the Centre, an Executive Committee was elected and a constitution was framed. The Alumni Association continued its activities, as per the constitution. However, suddenly on December 8, 2006 at the last general meeting of the Alumni Association, when the office-bearers of the new Executive Committee were proposed, Dr David Sack, the immediate past Executive Director, quite arbitrarily and without any lawful authority, opposed the election of the new Executive Committee, and announced dissolution of the Association. This came as a big shock to over 250 alumnus who left the Centre totally frustrated and dejected. In this way, Dr. David Sack is denying the alumnus their right and privilege clearly in violation of the Association's constitution.

Through your daily, I would like to draw the attention of the relevant authorities of the government of Bangladesh as well as the Board of Trustees and the senior management and staff of ICDDR,B to set the Centre in order and once again allow the Alumni Association to carry on with its activities unhindered, as per the constitution.