A Bangladeshi-American entrepreneur has donated USD 1 million to the University of California, Berkeley, to help it establish a center to support research aimed at improving lives in Bangladesh.

Born in Chittagong (Bangladesh), Subir Chowdhury donated USD 1 million to help the center move well beyond the headlines to support research that will improve lives in Bangladesh and showcase the country's culture, history, talent and resilience in the face of intense trials, the university said in a statement.

"It's my dream come true," said Chowdhury.

The center will emphasise exchange and scholarship programs to take UC Berkeley student and faculty researchers to Bangladesh to study, work and exchange ideas.