Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday was conferred an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Social Business by the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

Prof Yunus, now in Malaysia on a three-day official tour, visited the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in the morning and attended its special Convocation, demonstrating close friendship between Prof Yunus and the UKM.

"What a great honour and what an impressive ceremony!" Prof Yunus said in his speech of acceptance after being conferred by the UKM Chancellor.

He said they are committed to strengthening democracy and building a stronger and resilient Bangladesh.

Prof Yunus said he envisions a world where people live with dignity and freedom, free from discrimination and intimidation.

He said he is truly proud to be associated with the UKM and accepted the degree on behalf of the people of Bangladesh. "It reminds me of the responsibility."

"I stand before you today with deep humility and sincere gratitude. It is truly an honour to be here at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia—an institution I am proud to be associated with for a long time," Prof Yunus said.

Receiving this honorary doctorate is a great privilege, he said, adding that "I accept it not for myself alone, but on behalf of the people of Bangladesh, whose courage, strength, and hope continue to guide my way forward."

"Today, the award you give to me is more than a personal honour. I see it as recognition of the strength, courage, and determination of the people of Bangladesh, especially the millions of women and young entrepreneurs. They continue to show that no obstacle is too big when they are given the right support and opportunities," he said.

Prof Yunus said his relationship with UKM dates back to July of 2011 when he was made the Nobel Laureate in Residence.

One of the biggest dangers today is that wealth is becoming more and more concentrated in the hands of a few, he said.

"This creates discrimination and injustice. What we need is an inclusive economy where wealth is shared fairly, and where every person has the chance to live with dignity and purpose," he said.

"Once again, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for this extraordinary honour. I accept it with the deepest appreciation and a renewed commitment to strengthening the bonds between our two great nations," Prof Yunus said.

He looks forward to continued collaboration, to learning from each other, and to working together towards a world where every individual, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to his/her potential.

The Chief Adviser signed the guest book at the university and had an informal conversation with the King of Negeri Sembilan (Chancellor, UKM).

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus is scheduled to return home on Wednesday night, wrapping up his three-day official visit to Malaysia at the invitation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The visit is to reciprocate the official visit by PM Anwar Ibrahim to Bangladesh in October 2024.