Savar, Dhaka | 19 October 2026

The Bangladesh Research and Education Network (BdREN), in collaboration with the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) Project of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, organized a day-long workshop titled “Empowering Educators through Digital Knowledge Enhancement” at Gono Bishwabidyalay, Savar, on 19 October 2026. The workshop brought together around 60 faculty members to enhance their digital competencies and explore the application of emerging technologies in higher education.

The inaugural session highlighted the objectives and scope of the HEAT Project and the role of BdREN in advancing digital transformation across Bangladesh’s higher education sector. Kh. Rashedul Arefin, General Manager (Systems & Services), BdREN, delivered the keynote presentation on the scope of the HEAT Project through BdREN and the network’s services in supporting teaching, learning, and research.

The programme was chaired by Professor Md. Assaduzzaman, Deputy Project Director (DPD) of the HEAT Project. Among the distinguished attendees were Professor Dr. Md. Abul Hossain, Vice-Chancellor of Gono Bishwabidyalay; Engr. Md. Ohiduzzaman, Registrar; and A. S. M. Noman Alam, Controller of Examinations. Their participation highlighted the importance of collaboration between higher education institutions and national initiatives to strengthen digital capacity in academia.

The technical sessions covered several important topics relevant to the evolving digital landscape of higher education. Professor Dr. Mohammed Shafiul Alam Khan, Technical Specialist at the HEAT Project, delivered a session on cybersecurity awareness. BdREN specialists conducted further sessions on cybersecurity awareness, generative artificial intelligence (AI) for teaching and research, electronic journals and plagiarism, and AI applications in higher education.

The sessions aimed to help faculty members understand digital security practices, explore AI-powered tools for academic activities, improve access to scholarly resources, and learn about the responsible application of emerging technologies in teaching and research.

The workshop also featured an open discussion and feedback session, allowing participants to share their perspectives and reflect on the practical application of the knowledge gained. Md. Imranur Rahman and Md. Javedul Islam of BdREN served as the Masters of Ceremony, facilitating the programme.

Through this initiative, BdREN and the HEAT Project reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening digital capacity among educators and promoting the effective use of technology in higher education. The workshop represents a collaborative effort to build a more digitally capable academic community and support the ongoing transformation of teaching, learning, and research in Bangladesh.