The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to take necessary steps to ensure free Wi-Fi access across all public and private universities in Bangladesh within the shortest possible time.
University authorities have been instructed to make free Wi-Fi available in libraries, common rooms, and cafeterias within the next 60 working days.
The information was shared in a press release on Wednesday by Mohammad Jaminur Rahman, director (additional charge) of the UGC’s Public Relations and Publication Department.
According to the release, the implementation of this initiative will be supported by the Bangladesh Research and Education Network (BdREN). Over time, the free Wi-Fi service will also be expanded to residential halls and other academic and research infrastructures to benefit students and researchers.
The UGC noted that this initiative aligns with the current government’s election promise to expand digital facilities in the education sector, support students in their studies and research, and reduce digital inequality.
The decision was taken during a meeting at the UGC office, chaired by UGC Chairman Dr Mamun Ahmed. Present at the meeting were UGC members Prof Dr Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, Prof Dr Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Prof Dr Md Saidur Rahman, Prof Dr Mashuma Habib, Prof Dr Mohammad Ayub Islam, UGC Secretary Dr Md Fakhrul Islam, ICT Division Director Md Omar Farukh, Professor Dr Asaduzzaman, Director of the HIT Project, and Mohammad Taurit, CEO of BdREN, along with relevant officials from UGC, HIT Project, and BdREN.
During the meeting, the UGC Chairman emphasized the need to build student-friendly digital infrastructure in higher education institutions and instructed UGC, HIT Project, and BdREN officials to provide necessary guidance for its implementation.
