Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Saturday said that universities should focus on developing young people into successful entrepreneurs rather than mere job seekers.
The chief adviser made the comment while delivering a speech at Peking University (PKU) in the Chinese capital.
"I keep on promoting the idea that all human beings are born to be entrepreneurs, not job seekers," he said, emphasizing that working a job is a misguided notion and a continuation of the tradition of slavery.
Earlier, Yunus was conferred an honorary doctorate by PKU in a ceremony held at the university's conference hall.
Encouraging students to always think big and aim to change the world, he said: "A job forces you to do things that your supervisors want you to do."
Sharing his vision of creating a new civilization for the greater good, the chief adviser said: "This is an imagination. But imagination is where the journey begins. Let us begin the journey."
He asserted that human beings are not born to be job seekers but rather creators.
An educational institution is not only a place to learn about what happens but also a place to imagine, he added.
"Imagination is the greatest power. If you imagine, it will happen. If you do not imagine, it will never happen," Yunus said.
As he prepares to return home on Saturday, wrapping up his hugely successful visit, he asked students to reflect on the past.
"Things happened because somebody imagined them. Imagination is more powerful than anything else we can bring together," he noted.
He encouraged students to imagine even the most unconventional and unheard-of ideas, despite how impossible they may seem. "But the human journey is about making the impossible possible. That is our job, and we can make it happen."
Expressing his connection with PKU, he said: "I feel the PKU is my home as I was accepted as an honorary professor of the university. I am part of you, though I couldn't spend much time with you."
Yunus described PKU as a centre of knowledge, wisdom, innovation, and excellence.
He said he felt honored to receive an honorary doctorate degree from such a prestigious university.
He mentioned that receiving the honor reminded him of his commitment to realizing the dreams of millions of youth who were at the forefront of transformational change in Bangladesh last year.
"Their vision was to build a new Bangladesh free from poverty and hunger," Yunus said.
Highlighting the reform agenda of his government, the chief adviser said that it is working toward building a democratic and resilient Bangladesh, focusing on entrepreneurship where equal opportunities for all will flourish.
"People are not poor by birth," he said. "A flawed economic system, where not everyone is given a fair chance, makes them poor."
He observed that people suffer due to many prevailing wrong ideas in society.
Focusing on the immense potential of women, the Nobel Peace Laureate said that even the poorest woman in Bangladesh can become an entrepreneur by taking a loan of $20. "Women can be entrepreneurs all around the world," he added.
Speaking about the purpose of education, Yunus asked: "What should be the purpose of education? The purpose of education is to enable us to go out and bring all creative capacity to change the world."
He emphasized the need for carbon-free economic systems to protect the planet from destruction.
The chief adviser also elaborated on his “Three-Zero Theory"—zero carbon emissions, zero poverty, and zero unemployment.
He highlighted his “social business” theory, describing it as a business model that solves social problems.
Asking students not to contribute to carbon emissions, he urged everyone to build themselves as “three-zero” individuals.
