DURHAM, N.C. - What role can colleges and universities play in driving social change? How can you use your business expertise to help solve global problems in education, health, poverty or the environment?

The Ashoka U Exchange conference on social entrepreneurship education, to be held at Duke University Feb. 25-27, will seek to provide some answers. The event will feature students and faculty from more than 70 schools who will share ideas for solutions to pressing social problems.

The Center for Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE) at the Fuqua School of Business will host the event, which is open to the public. Tickets cost $25 and are available on the TEDx website. The event will also be streamed live online on the website for those unable to attend.

CASE co-founder Greg Dees, a pioneer in the field of social entrepreneurship, says the conference reflects growing student interest in solving social problems.

The conference will provide an opportunity for students, educators and entrepreneurs to learn about new developments and innovations in the public sector, he says.

"Today's students have an inherent need to feel they're making a difference, improving the world," Dees said. "Look at the response to Teach for America on campuses across the country. That tells you something about what's sparking students. This generation has a passion for fixing problems, for being part of the solution."

Among the panelists are Duke alumna Maya Ajmera, founder of the Global Fund for Children; Holden Thorp, chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and co-author of "Engines of Innovation"; Duke alumnus Kevin Trapani, CEO of the Redwoods Group; and Ashoka Fellow Paul Rice, founder of Fair Trade USA.

A highlight of the Ashoka U Exchange will be a panel of leading social entrepreneurs and academic leaders at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, in Fuqua's Geneen Auditorium.

The Ashoka U Exchange is named for the global association of more than 2,500 leading entrepreneurs.

For more information, listen to the Duke Today audio podcast about this conference.