Khulna University has placed youth entrepreneurship at the center of its message for economic growth, with the vice-chancellor saying the country will be stronger if more young people start businesses of their own. Speaking at the opening of the Youth Entrepreneurship and Startup for Students programme on campus, he urged students to think beyond the idea of looking for jobs and instead focus on creating work for others. He said the job market is limited, so students need to build skills that help them turn ideas into practical ventures. That means learning how to think creatively, communicate well, solve problems, and take small steps toward business with confidence. The programme was organised by the SME Foundation with support from Khulna University and its Career Club, showing that the push for entrepreneurship is coming from both the university and the wider business support system. The vice-chancellor also said the university has already set up an Innovation Hub to train students and help them get seed funding for start-ups. That is important because many young people have ideas but do not know where to begin or how to take the first step. A supportive space can give them training, guidance, and early resources that make business creation feel more possible. The event brought together about 300 students from different universities in Khulna, which suggests that interest in start-ups is growing among young people in the region. Officials from Bangladesh Bank and Startup Bangladesh Limited also spoke at the programme, adding a financial and policy angle to the discussion. Their presence showed that entrepreneurship is no longer being treated as a side topic but as a serious part of future economic planning. The wider message of the event was clear: if young people can learn to build businesses, they can help solve the shortage of jobs while also adding energy to the local economy. Start-ups can create new services, new products, and new employment opportunities, especially when students are given the right support at the right time. In a country where many graduates compete for too few jobs, that kind of shift matters a great deal. The programme encouraged students to see entrepreneurship not as a risky dream but as a practical path that can grow with training, effort, and support. For Khulna University, the event was also a sign of a stronger role in helping shape the next generation of founders, innovators, and job creators. If that spirit continues, more students may begin to see business creation as a real option for their future, not just a distant idea. The event also sent a hopeful message to other universities: when students are encouraged early, they may become more ready to lead change, build companies, and support a stronger economy from the ground up. The focus on innovation, skills, and seed funding makes the effort especially practical for young learners who need both inspiration and a clear route forward.
