Ashoka University signs a MoU with Yunus Social Business

NEW DELHI, APRIL 6: Ashoka University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yunus Social Business India centre.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus and Ashoka University's Pro Vice Chancellor, Sankar Krishnan finalized the partnership on April 6th, 2018 at the Ashoka University, Sonepat premises.  The partnership is also in collaboration with HEC Paris, an international business school established in 1881.

The MoU is aimed at developing and expanding a framework of cooperation between Yunus Centre and Ashoka University to promote Professor Muhammad Yunus’s vision of alleviating poverty by implementing the concept of Social Business. Yunus Social Business (YSB) is a non-profit venture fund that turns philanthropic donations into investments in sustainable social businesses

Prof. Muhammad Yunus who has pioneered the concepts of microcredit and microfinance also visited the campus to address students about the various facets of Social entrepreneurship in the context of his book 'A World of Three Zeroes.'

Speaking at the Press Conference, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus “Every social problem is an entrepreneurial problem. It is these students who are the entrepreneurs of the future and we need to nurture them in every possible way. I am delighted to announce our partnership with Ashoka University today. For the growth of future entrepreneurs Yunus Social Business Centre (YSBC) and Ashoka University will organize student exchange and learning visits, so that the students can learn first-hand techniques and programs which have been set up to assist the economic development of the poor in developing countries.

He added further that one senior faculty member (preferably at the Professor level and preferably from the School of Business or Economics with significant work experience will be appointed as a director of the Centre with at least one full time equivalent staff “

Speaking on the partnership, Ashoka University's Pro Vice Chancellor, Sankar Krishnan said, “It’s an honor for us to partner with the prestigious Yunus Social Business India centre. At the university, we have ‘The Centre for Entrepreneurship’ that nurtures the entrepreneurial endeavors of all students, fellows, faculty and founders alike. We hope with the creation of Yunus Social Business Centre and the deep social consciousness that comes out of a liberal arts education will help in solving society’s most pressing problems. Prof. Md Yunus has agreed to take a class on Social Entrepreneurship at Ashoka University this semester which benefit the students immensely.

Both entities intent to promote via mutual understanding and co-operation in areas of common interest in education, research, information gathering and action plans so as to depend and understanding of each other’s cultures and values that drive business and social changes. One of the goals which will be accomplished through this also includes organizing student exchange and learning visits.