Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Daffodil International University (DIU), delivered the keynote address at the International Conference on Holistic Opportunities for Poverty Empowerment (ICOHOPE 2025), held on 26–27 September in Medan, Indonesia.

The conference brought together policymakers, academics, researchers, and development practitioners from more than 20 countries to discuss innovative approaches to poverty alleviation and sustainable development. The event was inaugurated by HRH Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Ibni Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, Crown Prince of Perlis, and attended by Perlis Chief Minister Mohd Shukri Ramli.

In his keynote presentation, titled "Poverty Alleviation Through Innovation: Exploring New Systems, Tools, and Models in Bangladesh," Dr. Khan highlighted the role of education, innovation, and entrepreneurship in creating sustainable pathways out of poverty. He shared several initiatives led by Daffodil International University, including the Daffodil Institute of Social Sciences (DISS), which provides residential education for underprivileged children, and the JEEBIKA Project, which supports rural communities through livelihood development.

Dr. Khan also presented Bangladesh's experience in developing scalable and practical models for poverty reduction, including the One Student, One Laptop initiative, Employability 360°, innovation laboratories, and Daffodil Smart City. He emphasized the importance of collaboration among academia, industry, and government in developing locally relevant and sustainable solutions to socio-economic challenges.

The keynote was well received by participants, who appreciated the practical insights and innovative approaches shared during the session. Conference organizers also expressed interest in hosting a future edition of ICOHOPE in Bangladesh, recognizing the country's growing contributions to educational innovation and social entrepreneurship.

Dr. Khan's participation at ICOHOPE 2025 reflects his continued commitment to advancing education, innovation, and collaborative development as effective tools for sustainable social and economic progress.