Yunus Centre Press Release (27 March, 2023)

On  22 March 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and economist Professor Muhammad Yunus visited Adelphi University in New York to speak about the importance of building a new civilization based on true human values, with a focus on the pivotal role that the youth can play in driving this transformative change. Adelphi University was founded in 1896 as a private university located in Garden City, New York, and has been committed to social responsibility, global citizenship, and effecting positive change in the world for over 125 years.

During Professor Yunus' visit, the President of Adelphi University Christine M. Riordan and Professor Yunus' on behalf of Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing (GCCN) signed an MOU to establish a formal collaboration aimed at promoting positive change within their respective communities. In January, a team led by Dr Deborah Hunt, Dean of Nursing School and Dr Ani Jacob of Adelphi University visited Bangladesh to study GCCN nursing college's activities and operations and meet it's principal and board. Professor Yunus' visit to Adelphi University which comes as a follow up of that visit, included a tour for Professor Yunus by top university officials of the state-of-the-art nursing school and facilities of Adelphi University, reinforcing their shared goal of inspiring youth to drive societal transformation.

Adelphi University's nursing program prioritises holistic patient care, evidence-based practice, and hands-on clinical experience, taught by experienced faculty, with graduates highly sought after in the nursing field and their Center for Nonprofit Leadership is similarly committed to supporting nonprofit organisations and social enterprises in fostering positive transformations in their respective communities. The centre provides valuable training, resources, and support to nonprofit leaders to enable them to enhance their organisations' effectiveness and sustainability.

An event, titled “An Afternoon with Professor Yunus: Creating a World of Three Zeros,” took place at the Adelphi University Ballroom in Garden City, New York, in support of the Hagedorn Lectureship on Corporate Social Responsibility. The President of Adelphi University, Christine M. Riordan, and Executive Vice President Christopher K. Storm also spoke at the event, which was moderated by Deborah Hunt, dean of the university's College of Nursing and Public Health.

In his address, Professor Yunus discussed the history of microcredit activities in Bangladesh and the background of the establishment of Grameen Bank, which has effectively created a prosperous, independent financial institution that caters solely to impoverished people by challenging the conventional banking system. He also spoke about the objective and current status of the establishment of Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing in Bangladesh with the support of Glasgow University, United Kingdom, whose aim is to provide quality healthcare education to disadvantaged communities which aligns with Adelphi's commitment to public health and community service. This shared ethos has the potential to inspire more collaboration and action towards building a more equitable and sustainable world. A large number of attendees, including students and community members, gathered to listen to Professor Yunus's inspiring speech. At the end of the program, Professor Yunus took questions from the students.

Adelphi University also organised a dinner for important supporters of the university at New York City in the Racquet and Tennis club in honour of Professor Yunus where Bharat Bhise, a leading donor to the university, Bob Willumstad, former CEO of American International Group (AIG), Michael Campbell, retired chair of Dominick & Dominick, a Division of Wunderlich Wealth Management, Steven Isenberg, former President of LA Times, Christine M. Riordan, President of Adelphi University, Andrea Jung, CEO of Grameen America Inc. and other friends of the university were invited. University president and professor Yunus briefed the guests about the collaboration between Adelphi University, USA  and Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing (GCCN), Bangladesh.

Adelphi University's commitment to social responsibility, global citizenship, and community service aligns with Professor Yunus' philosophy of social entrepreneurship, sustainable development, and empowering marginalised communities through financial inclusion. The university's emphasis on empowering the next generation of leaders to make a positive impact on society reflects Professor Yunus' call for young people to take an active role in creating a more just and equitable world. The university is already going through the process of creating the Yunus Social Business Centre (YSBC) at the university within the coming months. And with this new addition, the number of Universities with  Yunus Social Business Centre will reach 103  in a total of 39 countries.

Photo-1: President of Adelphi University Christine M. Riordan and Professor Yunus' on behalf of Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing (GCCN) signed an MOU to establish a formal collaboration aimed at promoting positive change within their respective communities.

Photo 2: Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, Christine M. Riordan,  President of Adelphi University, Dr Deborah Hunt, Dean of Nursing School, Dr. Ani Jacob of Adelphi University, Susan Gibson, Hans Ritzs, Monika Yunus, Mr. Bharat Bhise and other members of the team celebrating the historic moment of the GCCN-Adelphi MOU signing.

Photo 3: Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus with the faculties of Adelphi University Nursing School. Professor Yunus visited the campus during his visit to Adelphi University.

Photos 4 and 5: Professor Muhammad Yunus addressing the event titled “An Afternoon with Professor Yunus: Creating a World of Three Zeros,” organized by Adelphi University. The event was attended by a large number of community members and students and At the end of the program, Professor Yunus took questions from the students.

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