DHAKA, Bangladesh, 18 November 2025 – In a powerful and candid address at the inauguration of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2025, Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, Chairman of Daffodil International University and GEN Bangladesh, issued a compelling call to action for the nation's youth and ecosystem leaders. He urged a fundamental shift from merely having ideas to focusing relentlessly on their implementation, emphasizing that true entrepreneurship lies in execution, not just inspiration.
Speaking to a packed auditorium of students, innovators, and policymakers, Dr. Khan began by distinguishing between "saying" you are an entrepreneur and "being" one. "Many people are taking initiatives, as we have seen today," he noted. "But to the young people taking these steps, my humble request is: be focused. If you cannot implement your initiatives, no one will call you an entrepreneur. Instead, you might be labeled in various negative ways. Only through implementation will you earn appreciation."
Overcoming Obstacles with Persistence
Dr. Khan acknowledged the immense challenges facing young entrepreneurs, from navigating bureaucracy to securing support. He advised that success requires persistence and a strategic approach. "An entrepreneur's path is both very easy and very difficult," he said. "It is easy for those who take the right steps at the right time. You must be persistent, stay committed, use technology, understand the market, and know where your idea can be implemented."
He cautioned against discouragement, sharing his own experiences of facing numerous obstacles. "You must remember that obstacles will come. If there were no obstacles, perhaps God would not have sent us to this world. This world is a place of challenges," he stated, urging the youth to view hurdles as part of the journey.
A Call to Action for Jonaid Rafee and "Doyel"
In a standout moment, Dr. Khan singled out Jonaid Rafee, a first-semester student and creator of "Doyel," a social media platform designed to combat the negative aspects of mainstream platforms. Praising the vision, Dr. Khan used Jonaid's initiative as a powerful case study for the entire ecosystem.
"Jonaid has created 'Doyel' to offer an alternative to the toxicity and addiction of existing social media," Dr. Khan explained. "But his idea, however brilliant, will be lost if it is not supported."
He made a direct appeal to the audience—including educators, leaders, and the media—to help young innovators like Jonaid. He recounted DIU's own past attempt to create a similar platform, "shomporko.com," which did not succeed despite significant investment, highlighting the difficulty of changing established user habits.
"I am afraid that a promising young man like you, if his initiative is not implemented, will feel bad, we will feel bad, and the nation will be deprived of an asset," Dr. Khan said directly to Jonaid. He advised him to start by integrating his platform with existing ones and to identify and highlight negative actors online, thereby offering real value to users.
Building a Nation of Character and Support
Expanding on this theme, Dr. Khan lamented the pervasive negativity in online discourse and the broader society. "Our nation is confused. They don't know who is good, who is bad, or who to elect as a leader," he said, using the analogy of how a mosque's imam is held to a higher standard than the very people who elect him.
He called for a culture that supports constructive criticism and lifts up positive role models. "We must promote those who are doing good work. When an initiative is taken, a thousand people will try to pull it down. But those who do, are not taking any initiatives themselves," he pointed out. He also made a powerful statement about the global perception of entrepreneurs, noting that countries like the US and the UK offer citizenship to those who create jobs, whereas in Bangladesh, entrepreneurs often face hurdles.
Dr. Khan concluded with a firm commitment from GEN Bangladesh to move beyond ceremonial events. "It is my commitment that we will not just hold events for show. We will take the list of every project presented here and work to establish them as real enterprises," he declared. "We will analyze them, provide mentoring, and connect them with funding. To our young innovators, I say: do not give up. Your nation needs you."
About Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Bangladesh:
GEN Bangladesh is the national chapter of the Global Entrepreneurship Network, a platform of programs and initiatives aimed at creating one global entrepreneurial ecosystem. GEN helps people in 200 countries unleash their ideas and turn them into promising new ventures.
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