The American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) and the Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF) signed a memorandum of understanding on 16 July to strengthen research, policy advocacy and stakeholder participation in internet and digital governance.

The agreement brings together AIUB’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communication and BIGF to promote knowledge-sharing, capacity-building and multi-stakeholder engagement in national and international digital policy processes.

The collaboration will cover United Nations initiatives and forums, including the World Summit on the Information Society, AI for Good, the Internet Governance Forum, the Pact for the Future and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance.

Professor Dr Pradip Kumar Panday, Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at AIUB, and Mohammad Abdul Haque, representing BIGF, signed the agreement at the university.

The partnership comes amid the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, digital platforms and data-driven technologies, which are creating new opportunities while raising concerns about inequality, public participation, accountability and rights protection in digital environments.

Under the agreement, AIUB and BIGF will jointly organise research activities, policy dialogues, awareness programmes, training initiatives and stakeholder consultations.

The partnership aims to strengthen the participation of students, researchers, journalists, civil society representatives, policymakers, technical experts and other stakeholders in discussions on internet governance and digital transformation.

Before the signing, Dr Saiful Islam, Vice-Chancellor of AIUB, expressed hope that the partnership would enable students, faculty members and researchers to participate in international discussions and initiatives on internet governance, digital policy and emerging technologies.

Professor Dr Abdur Rahman, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of AIUB, stressed the need for further efforts to extend the benefits of digital transformation to underserved and marginalised communities.

Professor Dr AJM Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan, Adviser to the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, described the agreement as an important institutional development for the department and the university.

Opening the programme, Professor Dr Pradip Kumar Panday highlighted the role of academic institutions in promoting responsible digital governance and producing knowledge that could inform public policy and social development.

Mohammad Abdul Haque thanked AIUB for the collaboration and reaffirmed BIGF’s commitment to promoting inclusive digital governance through research, dialogue, public engagement and capacity-building.

AHM Bazlur Rahman said bridging the digital divide required attention not only to infrastructure and connectivity but also to disparities in knowledge, skills, affordability and opportunities for participation.

Dr Tazul Islam, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; Dr Faria Sultana, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; faculty members of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication; and BIGF representatives attended the signing ceremony.