NSU hosts Social Business Innovation Summit 2026

North South University (NSU), through its School of Business and Economics (SBE), in collaboration with Yunus Centre, organised the Social Business Innovation Summit 2026 at the university auditorium.

Sponsored by Dhaka Bank PLC, United Commercial Bank PLC and Capitec Asset Management Ltd., the summit brought together policymakers, academics, researchers, entrepreneurs and social business practitioners from Bangladesh and abroad to discuss sustainable solutions through social business, according to a press release.

Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan attended the programme as the chief guest.

The event featured welcome remarks by Professor Nasar U. Ahmed, pro-vice chancellor of NSU, a host's introduction by Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury and opening remarks by Lamiya Morshed, executive director of Yunus Centre and Grameen Healthcare Trust.

Among those present were Professor Faiz H. Shah, executive director of Yunus Centre–Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand; Professor AKM Waresul Karim, dean of the School of Business and Economics at NSU; Dr. Chien-wen Shen, associate dean of the School of Management at National Central University, Taiwan; Professor Abdur Rab, vice chancellor of the International University of Business Agriculture and Technology; and Professor Dato' Ir. Dr. Mohd Saleh Bin Jaafar, vice chancellor and president of Albukhary International University, Malaysia.

Addressing the programme, Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan said: "The events of 2024 showed us the important role that students and teachers can play in shaping the nation's future. I am proud that the students and faculty of North South University stood up when the country needed them. I believe private universities will continue to contribute, not only by educating future leaders in the classroom, but also by promoting civic responsibility and serving the nation whenever called upon."

The summit also featured a plenary session titled "Beyond Profit: Redefining Business for the Next Generation" and a series of breakout sessions covering food security, environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, inclusive finance, healthcare innovation, gender equity in social entrepreneurship, financing social innovation and the role of academia in advancing social business.

A startup and social business innovation session and a day-long exhibition showcasing student ventures, startups and social enterprises were also held as part of the programme.

According to the organisers, the summit aims to inspire young entrepreneurs and strengthen collaboration among academia, industry and development organisations to promote sustainable and socially driven innovation.