ICSB Sunday Times Editor’s note:
This week’s edition comes rich—a Global Blend of Tribute, Innovation, and Celebration. We open with the ICSB Fellow Award, honoring the late Dr. Eo Yoon-bae, former President of Soongsil University and the first Korean to be named an ICSB Fellow. His visionary leadership expanded ICSB’s reach into Asia and transformed entrepreneurship education across the region. Our spotlight turns to the United Nations and ICSB Joint Session in Jinju, where world leaders championed human-centered innovation and job creation as the foundation for inclusive and sustainable prosperity. We then head to Cairo, Egypt, for the ICSB Global Entrepreneurship Awards, celebrating outstanding educators, programs, and centers redefining excellence through innovation and measurable impact.  Like a finely crafted cappuccino, this edition blends legacy, creativity, and inspiration—energizing our global ICSB community for what’s next.

— Dr. Ayman ElTarabishy

ICSB Fellow Award: Korean Pioneer in Entrepreneurship Education Honored Posthumously

Former Soongsil University President Eo Yoon-bae becomes the first Korean to be named an ICSB Fellow, recognized for transforming Asia’s entrepreneurship landscape.The late Eo Yoon-bae, former president of Soongsil University and a pioneering figure in small and medium-sized enterprise research both in South Korea and internationally, has been posthumously selected as a Fellow of the International Council for Small Business, becoming the first Korean to receive this prestigious honor.“ICSB, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, appoints former president Eo Yoon-bae of Soongsil University as its 70th official member,” President El Tarabishy announced at the ceremony. “He laid the foundation for ICSB, which had been heavily concentrated in Western academia, to expand into Asia, contributing to its growth as a global academic organization.”   (read more)

JINJU, South Korea – October 27, 2025 — The United Nations and the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) came together at the 2025 Jinju International Forum on Entrepreneurship to emphasize human-centered innovation and job creation as essential pathways toward sustainable global prosperity.

This joint session delivered a powerful message: the future of humanity relies on entrepreneurship that is both innovative and deeply rooted in human values — creating opportunity, fostering inclusion, and preserving dignity. The enduring partnership between the United Nations and ICSB stands as a model for how collaboration can transform entrepreneurship into a global force for peace, prosperity, and shared hope.

More from ICSB News

Capital of Korean Entrepreneurship,
Global leaders gathered to reimagine the future of business at the 2025 Jinju Global Forum

Entrepreneurship as the Bridge Between Humanity, Technology, and Job Creation

JINJU, South Korea – October 27, 2025 — In the heart of Jinju, celebrated as the “Capital of Korean Entrepreneurship,” global leaders gathered to reimagine the future of business at the 2025 Jinju International Forum on Entrepreneurship. The event, in collaboration with the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), the United Nations, and leading universities, spotlighted a powerful message: innovation must serve humanity — and create opportunities for all (read more)

ICSB 70th Anniversary – From ICSB History Book

Early Female Leadership in ICSB:

ICSB has long recognized the importance of women’s leadership in entrepreneurship and academia. Sandra King-Kauanui, who served as ICSB President (2004–2005), played a crucial role in securing full ownership of the Journal of Small Business Management (JSBM) for ICSB — ensuring its long-term academic integrity and global reach  Her leadership paved the way for stronger female representation in ICSB’s executive and editorial ranks.

Pioneers in Global Representation:

Over the years, women have led ICSB’s expansion across regions, notably Claire Massey from New Zealand, who served as Senior Vice President and organized the 2012 ICSB World Conference in Wellington — marking a milestone for female leadership in global entrepreneurship education. Her work strengthened ICSB’s role in bridging research, practice, and policy in the Asia-Pacific region.

Women Driving Human-Centered Entrepreneurship:

In the modern era, ICSB’s initiatives — including the Women’s Entrepreneurship and Leadership Forum and recognition through ICSB Global Women Entrepreneurship Awards — have spotlighted women innovators advancing human-centered entrepreneurship. These programs celebrate how women entrepreneurs globally are combining empathy, ethics, and innovation to redefine inclusive growth and community impact.