American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) and the Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum signed a memorandum of understanding at the AIUB campus on 16 July to expand research, policy advocacy, knowledge exchange and capacity development in internet, artificial intelligence and digital governance.
AIUB’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communication and BIGF will jointly organise research, policy dialogues, awareness programmes, training and stakeholder consultations under the agreement, AIUB said in a press release. The partnership also seeks to increase multistakeholder participation in national and international digital-governance processes.
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Head Professor Dr Pradip Kumar Panday and BIGF representative Mohammad Abdul Haque signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions.
The collaboration covers the United Nations-led World Summit on the Information Society process, AI for Good, the Internet Governance Forum, Fact for the Future and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance.
The agreement comes as the growing use of artificial intelligence, digital platforms and data-driven technologies creates new opportunities while raising concerns over inequality, public participation, accountability and the protection of rights in digital environments.
The partnership aims to strengthen the involvement of students, researchers, journalists, civil society representatives, policymakers, technical experts and other stakeholders in discussions on internet governance and digital transformation.
Before the signing, AIUB Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Saiful Islam said the partnership could create opportunities for students, faculty members and researchers to take part in international discussions and initiatives involving internet governance, digital policy and emerging technologies.
AIUB Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Abdur Rahman said more work was needed to extend the benefits of digital transformation to underserved and marginalised communities.
Professor Dr AJM Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan, adviser to the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, described the agreement as an important institutional development for both the department and AIUB.
Opening the programme, Panday stressed the role of academic institutions in supporting responsible digital governance and producing knowledge capable of contributing to public policy and social development.
Speaking after the signing, Haque thanked AIUB for the collaboration and reaffirmed BIGF’s commitment to promoting inclusive digital governance through research, dialogue, public engagement and capacity-building.
AHM Bazlur Rahman said closing the digital divide required attention beyond infrastructure and connectivity. Differences in knowledge, skills, affordability and opportunities for participation also needed to be addressed, he added.
AIUB Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Dean Professor Dr Tazul Islam and Associate Dean Dr Faria Sultana attended the signing ceremony, alongside faculty members from the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication and representatives of BIGF.
