United News of Bangladesh

In recognition of his lifelong work on microcredit, social business, and the empowerment of the poor, Chief Adviser Professor Yunus on Friday was conferred an Honorary Doctorate Degree by Japan’s renowned Soka University. The prestigious degree was conferred upon the Bangladesh Chief Adviser at a special ceremony held at the university's conference hall. He also delivered a special lecture at the university in the presence of its students, academics and dignitaries on various topics of global significance. While delivering his lecture at Soka University, Prof Yunus urged the youth to build 'three zero clubs' to save the planet from destruction, stating that it will not sustain under the current civilisation. "The civilisation we are building today is a self-destructive civilisation that will kill (the planet)," he said. Prof Yunus said human beings will not be able to survive under the current civilisation as environmental destruction is taking place all around the world. Highlighting his 'three zero theory' — zero carbon emission, zero wealth concentration, and zero unemployment — he said everyone is trying to maximise his or her profit. The majority of the world’s wealth is in the hands of a very few people now, the Chief Adviser said, adding that wealth concentration is a curse for all. He also focused on the problems of unemployment and the challenges ahead due to the rise of artificial intelligence. Speaking about the 'three zero clubs', the Chief Adviser said five people together can create a club by committing that they will not use fossil fuels. Calling upon the younger generation to be creative in building a new world, he said jobs take people away from creativity. Noting that humans are born to be entrepreneurs, Prof Yunus said: "If you do not have creativity, you are nothing... every human being has creativity." He also emphasised the need to establish social business clubs to foster entrepreneurship. The Chief Adviser asked students to imagine the creation of a new world, saying, "Imagination gives you the power to unleash yourselves." He also shared with the audience how he began his journey with microcredit in a small village near Chittagong University, where he was a professor in the economics department. Prof Yunus arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday afternoon to attend the 30th Nikkei Forum: Future of Asia and hold bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Peking University confers honorary doctorate upon Professor Yunus

The World University of Leadership and Management has awarded Youth Bangla Global Foundation chairperson and noted philanthropist Seema Hamid an honorary doctorate degree for her contribution to social development. Chancellor of the university Randi D. Ward, handed over the degree to Seema Hamid at a ceremony in Dubai, UAE, on Saturday. Read more: Kumar Nadesan only Sri Lankan among 27 selected globally to receive India’s Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award Four people were awarded doctorate degrees at the ceremony. Among them, two each were awarded honorary doctorate degrees and professional degrees for their contributions in various fields, according to a press release. Seema Hamid has been awarded with the special honour for her social service and significant contributions to women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship and leadership development, employment creation, and environmental activism. Seema Hamid has been awarded by various local and international institutions for her role in social service, women’s empowerment, and leadership development. Read more: Anti-Corruption Award: US Embassy in Dhaka congratulates journalist Rozina Islam Last year, she received the Global Youth Leadership Award at the 'Global Youth Leadership Summit-2022' held in Bangkok, Thailand. She received the 'Durga Samman 2022 Award' in India for social service and women's development the same year.

Momotaz Begum, leading Bangladeshi folk singer and MP, has been conferred an honorary doctorate by an Indian university. According to a post on her Facebook page on Monday night, the singer received this honorary degree from Global Human Peace University in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu for her contributions to folk music in her three-decade-long career. "Momotaz Begum has been awarded the prestigious 'Doctor of Music' by the university's founder and chairperson Dr P Manuel on April 10. The degree was presented to her, honoring her career and legacy for numerous achievements such as being the only music artist with a world record of 800 music albums, playing her role as a singer through upholding the pride of Bengali music in front of the entire world, popularising folk music in the society, achieving multiple National Awards in Bangladesh and engaging in many socio-cultural activities," the post read. Apart from enthralling Bangladeshi audiences the world over for the past 30 years, Momotaz Begum has also been actively engaged in politics since 2009. She is currently serving as a Jatiya Sangsad member representing the ruling party from the Manikganj-2 constituency.