The University Grants Commission (UGC) has proposed an amendment to the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project to ensure funding for providing uninterrupted high-speed broadband connections to universities' residential halls.
It has also proposed scholarships for meritorious students who are indigent. As part of the proposal, Dhaka University has been considered where the pilot will be run.
UGC Chairman Prof SMA Faiz suggested the amendment when a six-member World Bank delegation paid a courtesy call on him at the UGC office in the capital on Thursday.
He said it was necessary to include in the project proposal a scheme to provide high-speed broadband services to students living in residential halls and another one to relieve poor meritorious students living in rented accommodations outside the campus due to the dorm seat shortage of their financial pressure.
Faiz also said it was necessary to amend the HEAT project by prioritising the needs of students and formulating a timely policy.
UGC Member Prof Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan said the project had several components that were close to students' lives and implementing those successfully would have a positive impact on them.
Another member of the commission Prof Mohammad Anwar Hossen said the lack of uninterrupted internet facilities in dorms was disrupting the studies of students. "In addition, due to the lack of residential facilities, students in their freshman year are living a sub-human life."
Syud Amer Ahmed, the lead economist and programme leader for human development covering Bangladesh and Bhutan, said the flagship project would play an important role in addressing the challenges of demographic dividend, developing human resources, and improving the quality of higher education.
He said initiatives would be taken to revise the project by considering the UGC's proposal for speedy internet connection and scholarship.
The UGC is implementing the HEAT project to improve and transform the quality of higher education and research in the country. Through the project, collaborations among Bangladeshi universities and higher educational institutions in South Asia will be strengthened.
The cost of the five-year project, adopted by the Ministry of Education, has been estimated at Tk 41.65 billion. The Bangladesh government will bear 50.96 per cent of the cost, while the World Bank will cover the remaining 49.04 per cent.
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