The University Grants Commission (UGC) plans to launch a dedicated satellite television channel for higher education to reduce disparities in educational opportunities across Bangladesh.

UGC Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed announced the plan on Wednesday (28 October), saying the commission is considering a pilot programme using the existing technological facilities of Bangladesh Open University (BOU).

He made the remarks at a discussion marking the 34th founding anniversary of BOU.

Mamun Ahmed said educational opportunities and academic activities vary among universities, particularly between institutions in urban areas and those in remote regions.

The proposed channel aims to strengthen communication between teachers and students across the country, he said.

The UGC also plans to bring around 180 public and private universities under a digital network within the next two years. The initiative will include high-speed internet connectivity, digital classrooms and other facilities to support digital campuses.

The network is expected to facilitate academic communication, joint research and collaboration among universities. It could also connect Bangladeshi teachers and researchers working at foreign universities with higher education institutions at home.

Highlighting the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), data science and online technologies, the UGC chairman stressed the need for quality education that combines knowledge acquisition with skills development.

He also called for updating BOU’s teaching methods and infrastructure to reflect changing educational needs, noting that online platforms have made learning resources increasingly accessible from home.

Mamun Ahmed said conventional education systems often fail to reach people of different ages, social backgrounds and geographical locations, leaving many excluded from mainstream education.

BOU could help address this gap through its nationwide network, he said. The university currently has around 300,000 students, with scope for further growth through quality and skills-based education.

He added that BOU already has the technological facilities, a media centre and a nationwide network needed to support distance learning.

Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon attended the programme as the chief guest, while BOU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Siddiqur Rahman Khan presided over the event.

Former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Emeritus Professor Dr Anwarullah Chowdhury delivered the keynote address.