Yunus urges PKU students to imagine for a changing world
Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Saturday called on students to embrace imagination as a tool to change the world while addressing a function at Peking University (PKU) in Beijing.
“A university or educational institution is not only a place to learn what happens, but also to imagine,” Prof Yunus said, emphasizing that imagination is the greatest force on earth.
He came up with the statement after receiving an honorary doctorate conferred by Peking University in recognition of his contributions to social innovation and economic empowerment.
The ceremony, held at the university conference hall, was attended by PKU Council Chair He Guangcai and President Gong Qihuang, among other dignitaries.
In his speech, Dr Yunus reminded the audience that all great achievements began with imagination.
“Things happen because somebody imagined. Imagination is more powerful than anything we can bring together,” he said.
“If you imagine, it will happen. If you do not imagine, it will never happen,” he told the students, encouraging them to think beyond conventional boundaries and strive to turn the impossible into reality.
Prof Yunus urged students to think about the most unusual and unheard-of ideas, noting that while such ambitions might seem impossible at first, human progress has always been about turning impossibilities into reality.
“That is our job. And we can make it happen,” he said, inspiring students to push the limits of creativity and innovation.
Prof Yunus said, “Peking University, a centre of knowledge, wisdom, innovation and excellence, is my second home because you have accepted me as an honorary professor.”
Regarding the role of the academic environment, he said, “Our task is not only to learn about the present world but also to shape the future for the next generations. The academic world should foster an environment where people feel at home while preparing for the world they aspire to create.”
About the new Bangladesh, Prof Muhammad Yunus said, “This recognition reaffirms my commitment to realizing the dreams of millions of young people. We were at the forefront of transformational change in Bangladesh just last year, driven by a vision to create a new Bangladesh-one free from poverty, hunger, unemployment, and hardship.”
He also said that Bangladesh has embarked on a series of reforms aimed at ensuring transparent and democratic governance, implementing inclusive economic policies, and guaranteeing equal opportunities for all to thrive to turn this vision into reality.
“Our reform initiatives remain a top priority. Our goals are clear, and our action plan is comprehensive,” he said.
“To build a stronger and more resilient Bangladesh, we are focusing on economic transformation through entrepreneurship, increased investment in education and technology, and stronger international cooperation,” he pointed out.
About poverty, he said that poverty is not the result of a personal shortcoming-it is not their fault.
Rather, it is a consequence of the system we have created, a system that perpetuates inequality and hardship. It is flawed thinking, embedded in our structures, that leads to poverty, he said.
“My struggle has always been to identify the flaws in the system we uphold and teach to the younger generation so that we do not repeat the same mistakes in the future,” he stressed.
About the role of university, he said, “Universities should prepare young people to become successful entrepreneurs rather than just job seekers. Job is a continuation of the tradition of slavery. Human beings are not fit for slavery.”
About the role of education, he said that the purpose of education is to empower individuals to harness their creative potential and change the world.
“A university is not just a place to learn about the past, but also a space for imagination. Imagination is the greatest power on earth.
If you imagine it, it will happen. If you don’t, it will never come to fruition. Looking back, things have happened because someone dared to imagine them. Imagination is more powerful than anything you can create or gather,” he said.