A two-day conference on “Meet BDREN (Bangladesh Research and Education Network 2016” began on Monday at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University.
Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique was present as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the conference jointly organized by the University of Dhaka and University Grants Commission (UGC).
UGC Acting Chairman Prof Dil Afroza Begum presided over the function while World Bank Senior Operation Officer Dr Md Mokhlesur Rahman addressed it as special guest.
Prof Arefin stressed the need for expansion of digital facilities to ensure quality education in the country including remote area.
He urged the teachers, students and researchers to utilize modern IT (information technology) facilities effectively to upgrade the quality of research and education.
He said the internet, websites and various digital portals have become important features of the teaching-learning environment at educational institutions in the 21st century. Citing a recent survey, the DU VC said 94 percent of youths use the internet for school education and research.
He said 34 virtual classrooms have been established at 33 public universities under BDREN project to promote digital education in the country.
Authorities of the DU have already set up two virtual classrooms with the financial assistance from the Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project (HEQEP) of the World Bank, he added.
Some 200 educationists and researchers from various public and private universities are participating in the conference.
Experts from different universities and organisations of the USA, South Korea, Japan, Nepal, Malaysia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka are also attending the conference.
