Yunus Launches Master Degree Programme in Rajiv Gandhi Institute in India
Yunus Centre Press Release ( Sep 2, 2015):
Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus is in India for a seven day visit from 31 August to 7 September.
He was invited to deliver a special lecture at the Rajiv Gandhi National Institution of Youth Development (RGNIYD) in Sriperumbudur, 40 kilometers from Chennai, and to launch the new programme of offering master degree in Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation, at the Institute. Mr. Rajeev Gupta, Central Secretary of Youth Ministry flew over from Delhi to Chennai to receive Professor Yunus and be present at all the ceremonies. Imprint of both feet of Professor Yunus was ceremoniously taken on Plaster of Paris to display in the institute to inspire young students of the institute.
Rajiv Gandhi Institute was founded in memory of Rajiv Gandhi at the place where he was assassinated. This is a special institute under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Government of India implementing programmes for youth all over India. The Institute announced a programme to turn unemployed youth into entrepreneurs through social business. The event was jointly organized by the Rajiv Gandhi Institute and CIRDAP, an intergovernmental organization comprising 15 countries, headquartered in Dhaka. Dr Cecep Effendi, Director General of CIRDAP came from Dhaka to be present in the ceremony and extend support from CIRDAP for follow up programmes out of Professor Yunus's visit. A team from Yunus Centre was also invited to carry out a workshop on social business for 50 participants including students and entrepreneurs at the institute as a first step towards longer term collaboration with Professor Yunus.
In the evening, Professor Yunus delivered a special lecture at an event of industrialists and businessmen of Chennai, organized by TiE, the Indus Entrepreneurs and Villgro the largest social enterprise incubator in India. Around 300 top business people and entrepreneurs attended the lecture. Professor Yunus challenged the audience to use their power, and resources to try out social business to solve a problem that they care about.
On the morning of September 2, Professor Yunus was received and felicitated by the Governor of Tamil Nadu, His Excellency Mr. Konijeti Rosaiah at the Raj Bhavan. Mr. Rosaiah who was the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, was very interested to learn about the work of Grameen and the social business initiatives of Professor Yunus and its use in addressing the problem of youth unemployment in Tamil Nadu.
In the afternoon, Professor Yunus delivered a lecture at an event organized by Young Indians, a group of young professionals and business people affiliated with the Confederation of Indian Industries, who work to engage young people in building ethical and moral leadership among the young and become more proactive in giving back to society.
Professor Yunus leaves for Bangalore on September 2 evening where he is invited by Dr. Devi Shetty to launch a brand new healthcare City founded by Dr Devi Shetty in Mysore.
Caption for image one: Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus launched the new programme of offering master degree in Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation, at the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, in Tamil Nadu. It is an institute of national importance under the Government of India's Ministry if Youth Affairs. Also seen in the photo are Rajeev Gupta, Secretary of Youth Affairs Government of India, Ms Latha Pillai, Director, Rajiv Gandhi institute, and Dr. Cecep Effendi, Director General of CIRDAP.
Caption for image two: Tamil Nadu (India) Governor His Excellency Mr. Konijeti Rosaiah presenting a gift of a painting to Nobel Laureate Professor Yunus when he received him at Raj Bhavan on the morning ofSeptember 2.
Source: Yunus Centre
Updated Date: 8th January, 2017