UGC Orders All Public and Private Universities to Ensure Free Wi-Fi Within 60 Days

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has issued a landmark directive mandating all public and private universities in the country to ensure free Wi-Fi facilities for students within the next 60 working days. The decision was finalized during a high-level meeting chaired by UGC Chairman Dr. Mamun Ahmed on Wednesday, March 25.

According to a press release issued by Mohammad Jaminur Rahman, Director of the UGC’s Public Relations and Publication Division, the initiative aims to expand digital access in higher education and fulfill the government’s electoral commitment to reducing the digital divide.

Phased Implementation Strategy

In the primary phase, university authorities are required to install free Wi-Fi infrastructure in key student hubs such as libraries, common rooms, and cafeterias. The Bangladesh Research and Education Network (BdREN) will provide technical cooperation to implement this initiative. Following the initial 60-day rollout, the UGC plans to progressively expand high-speed internet coverage to residential halls and other academic or research infrastructures across the country.

Collaborative Effort for Digital Infrastructure

The meeting was attended by senior UGC members, including Professor Dr. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan and Professor Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain, along with the CEO of BdREN and directors of the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project. UGC Chairman Dr. Mamun Ahmed emphasized that building a student-friendly digital infrastructure is a top priority for the commission.

He provided specific instructions to HEAT project officials and BdREN to ensure that the implementation meets quality standards and supports the research needs of the student community. This move is expected to significantly benefit thousands of students who rely on digital resources for their coursework and specialized research projects.