PANABO CITY – Davao del Norte State College (DNSC), through its Internationalization Initiatives and External Affairs Division (IIEAD) and in partnership with the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), hosted an International Lecture Program on July 3, 2026, at the Gender and Development Conference Room.
Dr. Forhad Hossain of Sophia University, Japan, delivered the lecture titled Building and Designing Empathy-driven Entrepreneurial Ecosystems for a Sustainable Society to faculty members and students of the Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship program.
The lecture revolved around the role of entrepreneurship beyond profit generation, emphasizing empathy, social responsibility, and sustainability as essential elements in creating resilient businesses and communities.
In her message, DNSC President, Dr. Joy M. Sorrosa, clarified to the participants the relevance of the lecture in preparing future entrepreneurs to become responsible leaders and changemakers.
“This program challenges us to think differently. It reminds us that today’s generation needs empathy more than ever, not just as consumers of products and services, but as responsible citizens shaping the future,” she said.
She added that entrepreneurship should not be viewed solely as a series of business transactions but as a discipline centered on building relationships and creating lasting social impact.
During his presentation, Dr. Hossain stressed that modern entrepreneurship must balance economic success with societal well-being.
“Business is no longer just about making money. If you want to do business, you have to care about society. Otherwise, you cannot survive in the long run,” he said.
He also emphasized the vital role of higher education institutions in fostering entrepreneurship, noting that universities serve as centers for knowledge creation, research, innovation, and the development of future entrepreneurs equipped to address real-world challenges. A representative from AdDU, an event partner, also attended the program. Both DNSC and AdDU are members of the International Relations Officers Network (IRON) Region XI.
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