Nahid seeks UNDP support for reaching ICT benefits at marginal level

UNDP Pledged Support to Bridge Digital Divide and Empower Marginal Communities in Bangladesh

September 5, 2024

a man and a woman sitting on a chair — UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller meets Adviser Md Nahid Islam to discuss collaboration on expanding ICT access to marginalized communities in Bangladesh.

The Press Release was first published in The Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). Click here to read the original publication.

Posts and Telecommunications and Information Technology Adviser Md Nahid Islam today (05 Sep 2024) sought the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for reaching the benefits of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the marginal level.

Nahid, also Information and Broadcasting adviser, came up with the call when a four-member UNDP delegation led by Stefan Liller paid a courtesy call on him at the office of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology here.

Adviser Nahid said, "We can see digital discrimination. We are marginally behind in terms of ICT. We want to bring all the benefits of ICT to the marginal level."

He said the government wants to train the youth in cyber security and ICT so that they can work well in different parts of the country.

The adviser told the delegation that Bangladeshi students who are working as IT experts in different countries will form a team to make the youth of the country experienced in the ICT sector.

During the meeting, they discussed issues of mutual interests at changed circumstances of the country.

Stephen Liller congratulated Adviser Nahid Islam and expressed interest in knowing the goals and objectives of the government.

The adviser said the people have high expectations from the government of the 'New Bangladesh', achieved through the students' uprising.

Referring to the massive corruption and irregularities in the name of digitization in the last 15 years, Nahid said, "We have not yet punished anyone for irregularities and corruption. We are investigating all things . . . There is a lot of criticism about a2i. We want to change the policy of a2i."

Stefan Liller said, "We are taking the investigation into the matter very seriously. . . Moreover, we have received some complaints on social media and are investigating them."

Pointing out that the agreement with a2i will expire in 2025; Stephen said the UNDP is interested in working with the government in the days to come.