The Department of Information Studies (DIS) at East West University (EWU) organised a two-day Training of Trainers (ToT) programme on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) on 30–31 January, 2026 at the BIAM Foundation in Dhaka.

The programme was implemented in collaboration with MILNetBD and Unesco, with support from the United Nations, as part of a six-month initiative aimed at strengthening media and information literacy in Bangladesh.

In an increasingly digital and AI-driven information environment, the organisers said the ability to critically evaluate information, counter misinformation, and engage ethically with media has become essential for informed civic participation—particularly during election periods, when digital content can significantly influence public opinion and democratic processes.

The ToT programme brought together 29 participants, including faculty members from leading public and private universities across the country. The training was facilitated by Professor Dilara Begum, chairperson of the Department of Information Studies at EWU and president of MILNetBD; Goutam Mondal, journalist and researcher at The Daily Samakal; Professor Md Roknuzzaman, chairperson of the Department of Information Science and Library Management at the University of Dhaka; and Nadim Farhad, peace and development officer at the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator.

The closing ceremony was graced by Susan Vize, head of office and Unesco representative to Bangladesh, as the chief guest, and Professor Mohammad Ashik Mosaddik, pro-vice chancellor of East West University, as the special guest. Their participation highlighted strong institutional and international support for advancing media and information literacy and responsible digital citizenship in Bangladesh.

The training modules were based on the Unesco Media and Information Literacy Curriculum and contextualised for the national setting. Key thematic areas included critical information evaluation, verification techniques, privacy and data protection, responsible use of social media, misinformation and hate speech, intellectual property rights, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and ethical digital citizenship.

Participants represented a wide range of higher education institutions, including BRAC University, Daffodil International University, East West University, Independent University, Bangladesh, Jahangirnagar University, Khulna University, National University, Noakhali Science and Technology University, North South University, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, the University of Chittagong, the University of Dhaka, the University of Rajshahi, and Varendra University.

The ToT marked the first phase of the six-month MIL initiative, designed to establish a network of trained educators who will train students at their respective institutions through a cascading model. The initiative seeks to promote responsible digital behaviour, counter misinformation, and foster ethical engagement with media and information.

The programme aligns with Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2025, themed “Minds Over AI: Media and Information Literacy in Digital Spaces”. It concluded with a closing session and certificate distribution, reaffirming the organisers’ commitment to strengthening democratic values, social cohesion, and informed civic participation.