Naqib Azad leaves legacy of social entrepreneurship at the Beedie School of Business

When Naqib Azad graduates from the BBA program at SFU’s Beedie School of Business today, he leaves behind a legacy in empowering students to benefit society through social entrepreneurship.

Upon arriving in Vancouver from his hometown of Nakuru, Kenya, Azad quickly set his sights on helping others through his academic experience.

By the time he reached his second year, he had founded Social Entrepreneurship SFU, a business club that trains students to use their knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit to benefit the community.

As president, he was responsible for organizing the club’s signature event, the Social Innovation Case Competition, an annual undergraduate case competition that addresses pressing social issues.

“Founding Social Entrepreneurship SFU was one of the most fulfilling experiences I could have as a student,” says Azad.

“In addition to the good work we did for communities it also offered opportunities to its members. Participation in the club was a great way to build networks and foster long term relationships.”

As an international student, Azad was acutely aware of the pressing need in society for students to learn about social entrepreneurship.

“Coming from Kenya I have witnessed a lot of social issues which are common to many developing countries – poverty, famine, drought, and health related issues adversely impacting communities” he says.

Azad has experienced the full gamut of the SFU student experience – having devoted the first half of his studies to social entrepreneurship, he is now set to embark upon a career in finance.

He is currently studying for a professional qualification in Canadian securities, and will begin a role as a sales associate for an investment advisory firm later this year.

Yet despite completely changing his career path, Azad believes that his experience in social entrepreneurship has been invaluable.

“I would not change a thing about my SFU experience,” he says. “It empowered me to help others and paved the way for a career I am passionate about. What more can you ask for?”

Read about more engaged Beedie School of Business students at beedie.sfu.ca/bba/why-beedie/engaged