An agreement has been signed between Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project and Bangladesh Research and Education Network (BdREN) to expand access to international e-resources for teachers, researchers, and students of public and private universities across the country.
The agreement on “E-books for UGC Digital Library” was signed in conference room of University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday.
In presence of UGC Chairman Professor Mamun Ahmed, the deal was signed by BdREN Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Tawrit and HEAT Project Director Professor Asaduzzaman.
World Bank Practice Manager Sherezad Zoya, Senior Education Specialist and HEAT Project Task Team Leader TM Asaduzzaman, alongside officials concerned from the UGC, Bangladesh Accreditation Council, BdREN, HEAT project, and World Bank, were present at signing ceremony.
Under the agreement, teachers, researchers, and students from 76 public and private universities in country will gain access to over 30,000 e-books, e-journals, and various research materials from seven international institutions.
Emphasising the importance of increasing use of e-resources, UGC chairman said these e-resources are being purchased considering demands of the universities and priority sectors of country.
As a result, teachers and researchers will be able to easily access and use international e-books, e-journals, and other research materials.
“To enhance quality of education and research, use of e-resources in universities must be increased. This facility must be utilised to advance the country’s research sector. UGC is working on how use of e-resources in research can be further expanded,” Mamun Ahmed said.
Highlighting digital transformation initiatives across universities, UGC chairman said steps are being taken to expand high-speed Wi-Fi and broadband internet services, as well as to establish an e-resource sharing system.
Through this, digital connectivity among domestic universities and with foreign institutions will increase. Initiatives are also underway to connect academics and researchers residing abroad with Bangladeshi universities through digital platforms.
“UGC is taking effective initiatives to build country’s universities as full-fledged digital campuses,” he added.
Meanwhile, progress of HEAT project was reviewed in a separate meeting held on occasion of the project’s Midterm Review Mission, where UGC chairman highlighted necessity of extending the project’s tenure.
He explained that HEAT project implementation lacked desired momentum during post-Covid-19 pandemic period and during the tenure of interim government. Currently, work is underway at full speed to achieve the project’s objectives.
“Significant progress of the project must be ensured within stipulated timeframe. For nearly two years after the project started, implementation work did not proceed at desired pace. Therefore, to achieve intended goals, extending project duration for a specified period may be considered if necessary,” UGC chairman remarked.
During the meeting, HEAT Project Director Asaduzzaman and project officials presented progress and various implementation challenges of the project.
