Published : 29 Mar 2025, 02:27 PM
Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has called on students to dream big and aspire to change the world.
"A university or educational institution is not only a place to learn what happens, but also to imagine," he said in an address to students at China's Peking University (PKU) on Saturday.
The Nobel laureate delivered the speech after receiving an honorary doctorate degree from PKU in Beijing, state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reports.
Describing the ability to dream as the "greatest power in the world", Yunus added: "If you imagine, it will happen. If you do not imagine, it will never happen."
Asking the students to look back on humanity's greatest achievements, he said everything happened because someone first imagined it.
"Imagination is more powerful than anything we can bring together," he said.
Yunus encouraged them to envision the most unconventional and untried ideas, even if they seem impossible.
"But, the human journey is about making the impossible possible. That is our job. And we can make it happen," he said.
Peking University Council President He Guangcai and University President Gong Qihuang also spoke at the event.
Yunus has been in China since Wednesday on his first four-day state visit.
On Friday, he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
After his meeting with Xi, he attended an "Investment Dialogue" at the Presidential Hotel Beijing, where he engaged with top Chinese business leaders.
During the visit, Bangladesh and China signed one agreement and eight memoranda of understanding.
Moreover, Bangladesh secured commitments for $2.1 billion in loans, grants, and investments from the Chinese government and businesses.
In an exclusive interview with China’s state news agency Xinhua, Yunus highlighted the strong and growing cooperation between the two nations.
Stressing the many positive outcomes that have stemmed from extensive cooperation between the nations, Yunus said: "Bangladesh's imports from China are increasing. The bulk of our industrial-use products come from China."
Looking ahead, Yunus emphasised the economic potential that can be realised through further cooperation between the two countries and their complementary industries.
He expressed hope that more Chinese investors would come to Bangladesh, working alongside local partners to expand market opportunities.
The chief advisor is scheduled to return home this evening.