Social Enterprise Education Program Starts for Faculty
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Rizq, and the Yunus Centre at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) have introduced a first-of-its-kind leadership initiative for Pakistan’s academic leaders. The program aims to integrate social business models into the national higher education system to drive peace and community development.
Key Highlights
- 26 faculty members from 19 public universities across Pakistan participated.
- An 11-day immersive learning module was held in Thailand during January 2026.
- Focus remains on using enterprise-led development for social impact and youth peacebuilding.
- Site visits included neurodivergent empowerment projects and plastic waste transformation sites.
Training for Higher Education Leaders
The Social Enterprise Development Leadership Program brought together educators from diverse academic backgrounds. This initiative seeks to strengthen institutional capacity by providing faculty with the frameworks and tools needed to foster social innovation on their campuses. By focusing on enterprise-driven solutions, the program prepares universities to address societal challenges through practical education.
Immersive Learning in Thailand
From January 15 to 26, participants attended an intensive module at the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand. The curriculum combined expert sessions with field visits to successful social business models. Faculty members visited STEP Café, which supports neurodivergent youth, and Wat Chak Daeng, a facility turning plastic waste into new materials. These visits allowed educators to see how social mission and business efficiency coexist.
Strengthening the National Ecosystem
UNODC emphasized the role of youth in solving social issues through innovation. Rizq, a leading social enterprise in Pakistan, highlighted the potential for scaling these models to meet Sustainable Development Goals like Zero Hunger. The collaboration plans to build a roadmap for curriculum changes and the creation of social enterprise incubation hubs within Pakistani universities to help future students lead mission-driven ventures.