BM Desk:
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the chairman of the International Advisory Board at Moscow’s Financial University under the Russian Federation government.
The announcement was made after a high-level strategic meeting on November 23, where Dr. Yunus, along with Professor Stanislav Prokofiev, the university’s rector, and other colleagues, discussed future collaborations.
The Financial University, ranked among the top five universities in Russia with 3,000 academic staff, hosted the meeting. Dr. Yunus, known for his contributions to social business, had previously delivered a lecture at the university, sharing insights on creating a new civilization focused on social business principles and striving for three zero goals – zero net carbon emissions, zero wealth concentration, and zero unemployment.
The International Advisory Board, a deliberative collegial body, aims to leverage international expertise for strategic development, expert analysis, and proposals related to academic, research, and innovation activities at the university.
During the meeting, the rector explained the board’s role in shaping the university’s academic programs and future research directions. Expressing admiration for Dr. Yunus’ social business concept, he revealed plans to integrate the idea into the university’s academic programs. Students would be encouraged to develop and implement social business projects during their academic years, with financial support provided by the institution.
Key attendees at the meeting included Professor Mikhail Eskindarov, President of the University; Professor Ekaterina Kameneva, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs; Professor Kirill Babaev, Director of the Center for International Scientific and Educational Projects; Liliya Prikhodko, Head of the International Relations Department; and Mikhail Mamuta, Head of the Service for the Protection of Financial Services to Consumers and Minority Shareholders at the Bank of Russia, the Central Bank of Russia.
Dr. Muhammad Yunus is a Bangladeshi economist, banker, and social entrepreneur who is best known for his work in developing microcredit and pioneering the concept of social business. He is the founder of Grameen Bank, a microfinance organization in Bangladesh that has helped to lift millions of people out of poverty. For his work, Dr. Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.
Moscow Financial University (MFUA) is a leading university in Russia specializing in finance, economics, and management. It is ranked among the top five universities in Russia and has over 3,000 academic staff. The university has a strong international focus and has partnerships with universities around the world.
