Bangladesh School of Internet Governance (bdSIG) started its journey in 2017 to meet the challenge of a skilled and modern workforce in the telecommunication and internet industry, Digital Bangladesh, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
As a result, 602 human resources were created in eight batches to meet the telecommunication and internet industry challenges, digital Bangladesh, and the fourth industrial revolution. Of these, 69 per cent are men and 31 per cent are women, read a press release.
One hundred and fifty-five government, private sector, civil society, media, academics, policy experts, resource persons, and policymakers participated in this process as trainers.
The 8th Bangladesh School of Internet Governance (bdSIG) started on 25th April in the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering of Bangladesh University of Engineering (BUET).
Eighty-two fellows participated in this year's school. In this three-day class, selected fellows learned the basics of Internet administration, such as governance, internet governance, digital governance, artificial intelligence, the Internet of things, DNS and Internet ecosystem, and big data.
On the concluding day, safe internet, technology, and law were discussed, especially AI, the Policy Act, the Information or Data Preservation Act, the Telecom Act, the E-Commerce Act, Smart Bangladesh, and various initiatives to eliminate digital disparity.
Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF) Secretary General Mohammad Abdul Haque Anu welcomed the session at the beginning of the programme, moderated by Rehan Uddin Ahmed Raju. AHM Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer, BNNRC and Vice Chairperson, BIGF, discussed governance, internet governance, and digital governance.
Abdur Rashid Tushar, the lecturer of the computer science department of BUET, discussed artificial intelligence, and Professor Dr ABM Alim Al Islam addressed the Internet of Things. After that, the subjects are demonstrated in practical classes.
On the second day, bdSIG Secretary General Ashrafur Rahman Piaus discussed International Fellowship and Dhaka University Network Engineer Mohammad Mehedi Hasan discussed DNS and the Internet Ecosystem.
In the last session, Mohammad Ashraful Islam, Lecturer of the Computer Science Department of BUET, discussed Big Data. After that, the subjects were demonstrated in practical classes.
The participants discussed topics like safe internet, technology-related laws, AI policies and laws, data protection, e-commerce, and how to develop the future further.
Aparajita Haque, MP, chaired the Safer Internet session on the first session of the closing day. She said, stressing the safety of women and children in cyberspace and saying that cyber security and regulation are essential.
Everyone has a role to play in protecting and preventing misinformation. It is the responsibility of the government to make the rules. However, it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to implement them.
As a lawmaker, she will provide the necessary support for these issues. Various forces work tirelessly on land, sea, and air to secure the geographical border. However, the cyber world is a world that has no geographical boundaries.
Therefore, everyone should be aware of the security, privacy, and safe use of the Internet for citizens and the country. In this regard, the government has enacted various laws and policies, and new regulations will be passed if necessary.
Brigadier General Mohammad Khalil-Ur-Rahman, ndc, pse, te, Director General, Systems and Services Division, BTRC, presented the keynote address.
Mohammad Aminul Haque, Vice Chairman, chaired the session on Law and Technology, BTRC, and mentioned the importance of law in ensuring a secure cyberspace. He said technology law covers a range of legal issues related to advanced technology, including intellectual property, data privacy, cyber security, and e-commerce.
It is necessary because it provides a framework for designing and using technology while protecting the interests and rights of individuals and enterprises.
Saimum Reza Talukder, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, BRAC University, gave the keynote speech.
Engineer Sheikh Reaz Ahmed, BTRC Commissioner, chaired the Smart Bangladesh session. He said that after successfully implementing the promise of building Digital Bangladesh, Bangladesh is now moving forward with new programmes.
The Prime Minister is working tirelessly to achieve SDGs by 2030 and make a Smart Bangladesh by 2041. A cost-effective, sustainable, intelligent, knowledge-based, innovative Smart Bangladesh will be built on these four main foundations: Smart Citizen, Smart Economy, Smart Government, and Smart Society.
Md Shahriar Hasan JiiSun, National Consultant of a2i, presented the keynote speech.
Dr. Zulkarin Jahangir, a specialist in Minimizing the Digital Data Divide and Assistant Professor at North South University, presented the keynote speech at the closing ceremony.
Brigadier General Mohammad Khalil-Ur-Rahman, ndc, pse, te, Director General Systems and Services Division, BTRC, was present as the special guest. He said BTRC is implementing projects for broadband connectivity in telecommunication-deprived areas and expanding telecommunication, mobile technology, and Internet-based digital services in remote, coastal regions.
Implement satellite network projects in Haor and hilly areas and island areas, establish a high-speed mobile broadband network across Haor and the islands, and establish a telecommunication expansion programme for underprivileged people in remote regions.
We have a distance from the new generation. But numerically, they are much more. So, the participation of the latest generation should be increased. Besides, women's participation should also be given importance.
Technology and telecom expert Suman Ahmed Sabir, CTO of Fiber at Home, pointed out that Bangladesh has made significant progress in the digital sector.
He said that if the current trend of digital transformation continues, the vision of forming a smart Bangladesh by 2041 will be implemented on time. However, people's rights should be considered; nothing should be imposed.
The primary consideration of using technology is how beautiful and easy life can be lived using technology. It should be used to improve the quality of life of citizens.
BTRC Chairman Engineer Mohiuddin Ahmed was the chief guest at the closing ceremony. He said that after Bangladesh entered the era of the 2G network, almost a hundred percent of the country's areas have come under mobile network coverage in the last two decades.
With the introduction of the “One Country One Rate” service for broadband internet by BTRC, the disparity in internet prices between cities and villages has been reduced; every citizen needs to be tech-savvy to reap the benefits of Smart Bangladesh.
In addition to expanding internet connectivity, all people should be ensured access to smart devices. Stating that the internet has become essential in people's daily lives, he said BTRC has taken various initiatives to develop digital connectivity and telecommunication infrastructure.
He emphasised network coverage, uninterrupted high-speed internet, availability of smart devices and data rates, and building digital infrastructure. He also mentioned that sustainable internet facilities and meaningful internet use are essential.
As a developing country, many people in Bangladesh still do not have internet service. They should also be brought under it. High-speed, uninterrupted, and quality internet service should be delivered to every citizen, male and female, rich and poor.
To achieve Smart Bangladesh, the internet divide must be bridged. As a developing country, many people in Bangladesh still do not have internet service. They should also be brought under it. High-speed, uninterrupted, and quality internet service should be provided to every citizen, male and female, rich and poor.
Former MP and Minister BIGF Chairperson Hasanul Haq Inu presided over the closing ceremony. In his address, he said the internet plays an essential role in our lives, but it should be affordable and ensured that it is equal for all.
If free internet can reduce the digital divide, the price of the digital divide should be reduced. We need to build infrastructure so that other devices are accessible to everyone. Ensuring digital security for all is a matter of urgency.
Reduce VAT and taxes for telecom companies to provide affordable rates to the public. He also said that to remove the digital divide, social inequality, and discrimination of backward communities, economic disparities must be eliminated. He also said that to adapt to modern times, the youth should be brought under technology 100 per cent.
Two Fellows, Ishrat Jahan Sadia, and Masud Rana, shared their experiences and learnings from the three-day programme.
BIGF Secretary General Mohammad Abdul Haque Anu runs the total programme. bdSIG Secretary General Ashrafur Rahman Piaus, Vice Chair Nazmul Hasan Majumder, and Fellowship Committee Chairperson Iqbal Ahmed also manage the school.
The school concluded on Saturday evening with a discussion of a multi-stakeholder programme of action plans committed to addressing the digital divide. In the closing session, the fellows received the certificate.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum held a three-day-long 8th bdSIG.
