Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok launches 'Yunus Professional Masters Degree’

The Yunus Professional Masters in Social Business and Entrepreneurship at Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand was launched yesterday, March 31, in a global virtual ceremony organised by AIT.

The programme was addressed by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus and AIT President, Professor Eden Woon, according to a press release issued by the Yunus centre.

Professor Faiz Shah, Director of Yunus Centre at AIT, the Academic Head of Yunus Professional Masters Programme presented the details of the content of the programme.

He said this Master's Programme is a one-of-a-kind Master's program, to translate the vision of Nobel Peace Laureate, thought leader in social business and enterprise-led development, Professor Muhammad Yunus. 

Professor Yunus pointed out in his speech that problems of the world are created in the classrooms of the academic institutions. They pass on to their students only a narrow selfish narrative of the world   He said, education is like watching the same side of the moon again and again, for ever and ever, never allowing the students to ask the question what is on the other side of the moon. In our campuses we have to build new rockets and spacecrafts to take us to the forbidden side of the academic moon. This Master's degree will be the initiative in AIT to build that rocket to explore the other side. He highlighted the extreme urgency in solving global problems. He said, "we don't have time to relax, it is time to roll up our sleeves and get things done fast."

In his inaugural speech President Eden Woon pointed out that "Professor Yunus has inspired millions around the world. This programme will be highly attractive in this day and age when the world is not doing very well. I think this will be a highly popular course. It is one of the most meaningful programmes anybody could study."

AIT, the leading university in ASEAN, is located in Bangkok, the entrepreneurial heartland of Asia. Yunus Professional Masters will start enrolling students in August. It is likely to appeal to its intended audience of mid-career professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs.

This will a curated programme, built from School of Environment, Resources and Development and School of Management of AIT, containing an integrated practicum led by Professor Yunus, and connected with the Social Business Academia Network connecting 91 universities located in five continents.

This programme will play a key role in creating new surge of youth entrepreneurship and social business led development approaches.

This Master's programme is a 30-credit programme in the span of one academic year. The Sandbox and Incubator components remain integral to the programme. Students learn development precepts and management principles through regular coursework, and acquire practical exposure through the Internship integrated into the Yunus Colloquium.The flexible instructional design combines online, in-class, and experiential learning. 

This Master's Programme brings together Thailand's top-ranking business programme, sustainability faculty ranked among the world's top 2%, and a curriculum designed for business creators. AIT has accomplished the rank of top 20 in a global ranking for its commitment and performance around integrating the UN SDGs, particularly eliminating poverty, into the curriculum and research.

There were also Flash panel and Q&A with Ms. Mariana Botero, Associate Director Arabella Advisors, from Colombia, Mr. Alex Wang, CEO Youthink Center, from China, and Mr. Mathew Kuruvilla, CEO of Ecosolve, from India. The Live Launch was hosted by Professor Faiz Shah, Professor Lakeesha Ransom, from the School of Management, and Director of AIT's Enterprise Engagement, and Mr. Callum Mackenzie, Director of Programmes at the Yunus Thailand Foundation. As part of the launching event Faculty of Yunus Masters Programme and partners of the Programme were introduced to the participants.

For more information and enrolment for this masters programme please visit : https://www.yunusmasters.ait.asia/