Yunus Center at AIT

27/08/2026

📢 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS/PAPERS: 13th Social Business Academia Conference (SBAC) 2026!

The Yunus Center AIT is proud to stand alongside the Yunus Centre, Dhaka as co-organizers bringing this premier international platform to Chiang Mai, Thailand! 🇹🇭✨

Academic research holds a powerful key to navigating global inequalities, economic changes, and climate vulnerabilities. Grounded in Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus's vision to shape a 3ZERO World: zero net carbon emissions, zero wealth concentration to end poverty, and zero unemployment through entrepreneurship, SBAC 2026 acts as a unified hub for system-level transformation.

💡 Theme: Building Cultures of Peace through Research and Education

📍 Host City: Chiang Mai, Thailand

🗓️ Conference Dates: November 25–26, 2026

👉 Submit via the Official SBAC Portal: https://sbac.yunuscentre.org/

⏱️ Key Deadlines (BST, UTC+6):

-Abstract Submission Opens: August 25, 2026 (Tomorrow!)
-Abstract Submission Deadline (800–1,000 words): October 1, 2026
-Review & Acceptance Notification: October 15, 2026
-Presentation Submission Deadline: November 1, 2026

📚 Featured Tracks:
We invite academic papers, case studies, evaluations, and theoretical submissions across 9 critical tracks:

1. Health & Sport
2. Education
3. Technology and Artificial Intelligence
4. Finance and the SDGs
5. Marketing and Entrepreneurship
6. Environment, Disaster Management, and Pollution Control
7. Wealth Concentration
8. Peace and Justice
9. Food Security

🔗 Act Now & Submit:
Review complete formatting guidelines, track details, and log your official submission directly through the portal:
👉 Submit via the Official SBAC Portal: https://sbac.yunuscentre.org/

📧 For any specific coordination inquiries, email the committee directly at: [email protected]

08/08/2026

On 6 August 2026, participants of the Taiwan–Thailand Social Business Exchange Program continued their classroom session, building on the reflections and design opportunities they developed from their field visits and group work.

After identifying potential design opportunities from their experiences at social businesses and community initiatives during the field trips, the participants took their ideas a step further by exploring the root causes behind the problems they had identified.

- Problem Tree

Working in groups, participants used the Problem Tree approach to break down their selected social or environmental challenges. They explored the underlying causes of the problem, as well as the effects and consequences that arise from it.

This allowed them to move beyond simply identifying what the problem is and begin asking why the problem exists in the first place.

- Solution Tree

The groups then moved from identifying problems to exploring possibilities through the Solution Tree exercise.

Using the causes they had identified, participants worked together to consider what could be changed, what interventions might address the root causes, and how those changes could contribute to better outcomes for the communities involved.

- Developing the Solution Statement

The final step was turning their thinking into a clear solution statement, bringing together their understanding of the problem, the people affected, and the opportunity they had identified into a more focused direction for their proposed solution.

Through this process, participants moved from field observation → evidence → insight → design opportunity → root cause → solution, developing a more structured approach to tackling real-world social challenges.

The session encouraged participants to think critically, collaborate across cultures, and approach social problems not only by asking “How can we solve this?”, but also “Why does this problem exist, and what needs to change?”

08/08/2026

On 5 August 2026, participants of the Taiwan–Thailand Social Business Exchange had full day of classroom-based learning, reflection, and collaborative problem-solving following two days of field visits.

The morning began with Human Bingo, an interactive icebreaker that encouraged participants to connect with one another, discover shared experiences, and start the day with new conversations.

The session then moved into a group reflection and design exercise, where participants revisited their experiences from the field visits to STEPS Café, Wat Chak Daeng, and Zero Baht Shop.

Working in groups, they were challenged to look beyond what they had simply observed and ask deeper questions.

The exercise encouraged participants to move from observation → insight → opportunity, applying what they had learned from real-world social businesses to identify possibilities for positive change.

In the afternoon, the groups presented their ideas to one another. Participants had the opportunity to vote for the solutions they found most promising, after which the selected ideas were presented to the wider group.

The presentations were followed by feedback and reflections from the facilitators, helping the participants further develop their ideas and think critically about the feasibility, impact, and potential of their proposed solutions.

After two days of field visits, the classroom became a space where experiences were transformed into ideas, bringing together different perspectives from Taiwan and Thailand to explore how social business and design thinking can respond to real social challenges.

08/08/2026

On 4 August 2026, participants of the Taiwan–Thailand Social Business Exchange Program continued their learning journey with visits to two inspiring social initiatives in Thailand: STEPS Café and Wat Chak Daeng.

At STEPS Café, participants learned about how social business can create meaningful employment opportunities for neurodivergent young people.

Through training and hands-on work in areas such as coffee preparation, baking, food service, and administrative support, STEPS helps individuals develop workplace skills, confidence, and pathways toward sustainable employment.

The visit offered our participants an opportunity to understand how an inclusive workplace can recognize different abilities and learning speeds, while creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and grow.

The participants then visited Wat Chak Daeng, where they explored an innovative approach to tackling plastic waste through recycling and the circular economy.

The initiative began from a simple concern: seeing increasing amounts of plastic waste accumulating around the temple and the Chao Phraya River. Today, the temple has developed a resource-recovery system that collects and processes discarded materials, turning them into useful products.

Participants learned how recycled plastic bottles can be transformed into items such as robes, clothing, masks, and other everyday products, demonstrating how materials that would otherwise become waste can be given a second life.

Beyond recycling, Wat Chak Daeng also promotes waste separation, environmental education, volunteer participation, and community engagement, encouraging people to become part of the solution.

Together, these two visits offered our Taiwanese participants two different perspectives on social business in practice, from creating inclusive employment opportunities to transforming environmental challenges into community solutions.

08/08/2026

On 3 August 2026, as part of the Taiwan–Thailand Social Business Exchange Program, participants from Taiwan visited the Zero Baht Shop at On Nut 14 Rai Community in Bangkok, where they had the opportunity to experience an inspiring example of social business in action.

During the visit, participants explored how the Zero Baht Shop collects and exchanges recyclable materials, transforming everyday items such as plastic bottles, glass, and aluminium cans into value that can circulate within the community.

Rather than simply focusing on waste collection, the initiative demonstrates how environmental sustainability, community participation, and social welfare can come together. Residents can bring recyclable materials to the shop and exchange them for essential household goods, creating a system where recycling directly contributes to community wellbeing.

Participants also learned how the model extends beyond environmental action. The income generated through the shop contributes to community welfare initiatives, including support for older residents, education, transportation, and other community needs.

For our Taiwanese participants, the visit offered an opportunity to see social business beyond the classroom, experiencing firsthand how a solution rooted in a local community can create environmental, social, and economic value at the same time.

At the Yunus Centre at AIT, we believe that meaningful learning comes from connecting theory with real-world experiences, communities, and social entrepreneurs who are creating change from the ground up.

08/08/2026

Yunus Centre AIT (YCA) is pleased to welcome the Foundation for Yunus Social Business Taiwan to participate in the “Taiwan–Thailand Social Business Exchange Program”.

The program officially began on 2nd of August with an opening ceremony at AIT, marking the start of an exciting learning and cultural exchange focused on social business, innovation, and the creation of solutions to real-world social challenges.

During the opening session, Professor Faiz Shah welcomed the participants. He introduced them to the work of the Yunus Centre AIT, along with the vision and philosophy of Professor Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Laureate and pioneer of the social business movement.

The students will spend their time at AIT learning about the principles of social business, exploring innovative approaches to social and environmental challenges, and engaging with students and communities from different backgrounds.

Through workshops, discussions, field visits, and collaborative activities, the exchange aims to encourage young people to ask questions, share ideas, build connections, and imagine new ways of creating positive social impact.

20/07/2026

30/06/2026

The Social Business Innovation Summit 2026, presented by Dhaka Bank PLC, hosted a breakout session focused on the intersection of corporate responsibility and institutional research. The session, titled "ESG & Social Business: Academic Perspectives". Speakers gathered to deliver a joint academic plenary examining how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks apply to the social business model.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Nurunnabi from Prince Sultan University, Saudi Arabia, served as the moderator for the panel. The panel of speakers included Professor Faiz H Shah, Executive Director of the Yunus Centre at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Thailand; Dr. Chien-wen Shen, Associate Dean of the School of Management at NCU Taiwan; and Dr. Faisol Chowdhury, BBA Director at North South University (NSU). The discussions were supported by organizing partners and sponsors, including the NSU School of Business and Economics, the Yunus Centre, UNESCO, CapitalTec, and United Commercial Bank (UCB).

The dialogue centered on structuring academic insights into actionable ESG data for modern enterprises. As the panelists discussed strategies to align institutional research with regional development needs. The event concluded with a shared commitment between the international representatives to continue developing collaborative frameworks that integrate academic research into practical sustainable business practices.

30/06/2026

Today, North South University (NSU) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, hosted the Social Business Innovation Summit 2026 (SBIS 2026), organized by its School of Business and Economics in collaboration with the Yunus Centre. The event convened policy makers, academics, researchers, and entrepreneurs under the theme "Create. Sustain. Transform." as traditional market frameworks increasingly shift toward sustainable, impact-driven corporate structures.

A central component of the day's agenda featured the Plenary Session held at the NSU Main Auditorium, Titled "Beyond Profit: Redefining Business for the Next Generation", this segment focused on shifting business paradigms toward social innovation and addressing systemic challenges like youth unemployment. As the panel brought together institutional leaders to discuss how future business practices can target these challenges while maintaining functional economic models. Ms. Lamiya Morshed, Executive Director of the Yunus Centre and Grameen Healthcare Trust, delivered opening remarks during the broader program and participated in the day's initiatives.

During the panel, Prof. Faiz H Shah challenged the misconception that profit-making and humanitarian objectives are separate. He emphasized that true corporate reputation depends on being a good community citizen, noting that future organizations must shift from a "passionate pursuit of profits" to a "passionate pursuit of responsibility". He specified that sustainability requires building social responsibility directly into an organization's DNA rather than relying on superficial, outsourced corporate social responsibility (CSR) optics.

The panel featured a designated lineup of speakers and presenters, including Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury (Vice Chancellor, NSU), Prof. Faiz H Shah (Executive Director, Yunus Centre AIT), Prof. AKM Waresul Karim (Dean, SBE, NSU), Dr. Chien-wen Shen (Associate Dean, School of Management, NCU), Professor Ilex Lam (City University of Hong Kong), Prof. Abdur Rob (VC, IUBAT), and Professor Dato' Ir. Dr. Mohd Saleh Bin Jaafar. These experts outlined frameworks for embedding social responsibility directly into the education and strategies of future market leaders.

30/06/2026

Today, North South University in Dhaka, Bangladesh, hosted the Social Business Innovation Summit 2026, convening global leaders, academics, and policymakers under the theme: "Create. Sustain. Transform." As the global economy stands at an inflection point where corporate strategies must shift from pure financial returns to address inequality, climate vulnerability, and public trust through the integration of ESG frameworks, impact investing, and inclusive business models.

A major highlight of the session included an address by Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Honourable Member of Parliament for the People's Republic of Bangladesh, who spoke on sustainable development and Bangladesh's distinctive position in driving simultaneous economic progress and social advancement. The proceedings underscore a corporate mandate: empowering the next generation of social innovators to ensure that modern market forces work to solve systemic challenges like youth unemployment and healthcare gaps.

Professor Nasar U. Ahmed, Pro-Vice Chancellor of North South University, opened the session, introducing the institutional framework for the day's discussions. Following his remarks, Ms. Lamiya Morshed, Executive Director of the Yunus Centre, delivered her address, acknowledging Professor Dr. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury for his long-standing commitment to social business education since 2012. In her speech, marking 50 years of Grameen Bank and 20 years since the Nobel Peace Prize, she emphasized that the core theme of creation, sustainability, and transformation demands the courage to solve systemic injustices. She highlighted the growing global footprint of Yunus Social Business Centres across 117 universities and the development of the upcoming Grameen University, designed to give students tools to become entrepreneurs rather than job seekers to counter rising unemployment.

The next generation is using questioning and entrepreneurship to drive us toward Three Zeros - zero net carbon, zero wealth concentration, and zero unemployment.