Hafizur Rahman Khan, Founder and Chairman of the leading Bangladeshi conglomerate Runner Group, addressed as the keynote speaker and chief guest at the 18th episode of the ‘Industry-Academia Linkage’ lecture series organized by the Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Daffodil International University (DIU) today on October 05, 2026. He identified foresight (the ability to envision the future), self-awareness regarding one’s own skills, integrity, and conducting business according to proper regulations as the key factors behind his business success. According to Hafizur Rahman Khan, “An entrepreneur who can foresee the future becomes a successful businessperson.” He believes that the ability to anticipate future market demands or potential is the core strength of a successful entrepreneur. He consistently emphasizes conducting business with integrity and in compliance with established rules and the country’s prevailing regulations. He regards building a long-term foundation through systematic and ethical means—rather than achieving rapid growth through unethical practices—as the true basis of success, a press release said.
Addressing the students, he mentioned that when he left his job to start a business, he harbored a dream of building a major industrial conglomerate and creating employment opportunities for the country. He attributed his success to hard work and perseverance in pursuit of that dream, even amidst adverse circumstances.
Professor Dr. Md. Masum Iqbal, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Daffodil International University, presided over the lecture event held today, Monday, October 5, 2026, at the university’s international conference room in Daffodil Smart City, Birulia, Dhaka. Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Daffodil International University, delivered the welcome address. Other speakers at the event included Professor Dr. Md. Belal Hossain, Director of the Industrial Innovation Center, and Kamruzzaman Didar, Head of the Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Dr. Md. Sabur Khan noted that Daffodil International University is the only institution in Bangladesh with a dedicated Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. He expressed hope that the students had gained valuable insights from the event and the guidance provided by Hafizur Rahman Khan, and that they, too, would eventually contribute to the national economy.
The industry-academia lecture series initiated by Daffodil International University began in 2016. Since then, thirteen distinguished entrepreneurs—both domestic and international—have delivered lectures on various topics related to entrepreneurship development under the first phase of the series. A significant portion of these lectures was compiled into a book titled Pathikrit Uddyoktader Jibon-shongram (The Life Struggles of Pioneering Entrepreneurs). It has been reported that the second volume of this book, edited by Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, will be published soon; it will feature the life stories of entrepreneurs born between 1947 and 1971.
