Trailblazing Social Entrepreneur Sparks Conversations on Global Service, Africa'S Future


credit: Pixabay

Varkey George spent two weeks at Virginia Tech this summer, chatting with students and faculty about his experiences as a pioneer in international education and community engagement, the school announced this week.

"I cannot think of anyone whose life experiences and professional endeavors showcase service and global engagement more," says the director of the school's Global Education Office.

George, a Global Fellow in Residence, focused on three themes: global citizenship, entrepreneurial service to communities, and creating global citizens.

"For a university to be globally relevant, it must be globally competent and actually solving issues of the world," George says.

He also spoke at the school's first Rebuilding Interest in Africa Conference, where attendees workshopped ways to engage effectively in Africa.

"If we are going to succeed in the 21st century, our journey must cross through the African continent," Virginia Tech VP for outreach and international affairsGuru Ghosh said at the conference.

"We must think on a people-to-people level so we can appreciate and understand one another and build our dreams collectively."

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Ashoka, a global platform for social innovation, introduced the Arab World Social Entrepreneurship Programme (ASEP) to support local social entrepreneurs in scaling up their operations in three key areas – healthcare, environment and women participation for inclusive growth.