Bridging the digital divide

Published in The Daily Star
Section: Star Tech
Wed. February 02, 2005

Read the original news

Syed Tashfin Chowdhury

ALCATEL, one of the leading global telecommunication brands, is taking the initiative to facilitate the overall development of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector of the country by aiding the students and faculties of various universities through numerous programmes, seminars and internships.

“We are planning to involve Bangladesh in our initiative to bridge the digital divide,” said Shajel Qureshi, Manager, Marketing Business Development and Corporate Communication, Alcatel, South Asia.

The digital divide indicates the difference in facilities for people to communicate, relative to their geographic location, living standards and level of education.

It is an advantage that most countries like the US, Canada, Australia and so on have in information and communication technology over other countries in this area.

So far, Alcatel organised a three-day seminar last year, where thirty students along with faculties from some leading universities of the nation took part. Students from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and North South University (NSU) were among them.

On the very first day, the students interacted and took part in seminars presented by experts from some of the leading cell phone operators of the country. Technical experts from the Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB) took part on the second day, while experts from Bangladesh Railway, to whom Alcatel has provided optical fiber solutions and operators from power grid company and the forthcoming Public service telephone network (PSTN) took part in the seminar on the last day of the event.

“The event was a unique opportunity for the students to discuss various technical issues, products, solutions with experts,” said Qureshi.

Along with such an event, the company plans to initiate other projects to aid the overall infrastructures of most universities as well as to propel the knowledge and skills of the students at these institutions.

Alcatel plans to provide their journals and news-letters for university libraries, provide access to the Alcatel Virtual University via the internet, sponsor special projects and research done by students, contribute toward the video learning library of the universities and set up high tech telecommunication labs.

The company will also offer internships, provide the opportunity to university students and lecturers to work with Alcatel with a more 'hands-on' approach thus replenishing the skills and knowledge of employees of the company and the university members as well.

“As more universities are introducing telecommuni-cations as a major in their curriculum, hopefully the nation will benefit from students graduating from these institutions with such majors and the experience and skills that Alcatel will be able to provide to them,” said Qureshi.

Alcatel will also participate in different IT and telecom seminars organised by the universities concerned. Experts from the company will also hold presentations for the students of the leading universities on a regular basis thus updating students about recent developments in the global ICT scene.

“Alcatel may also collaborate on joint programs with some of the leading universities, in order to determine the readiness of Bangladesh for the anticipated submarine cable network and other appropriate technology infusion to the country such as WLL, YMAX and XTSL” , Qureshi added. He also stated that most of these activities will be undertaken within the first quarter of this year.

Alcatel is known for their contribution in the telecommunications sector in countries like Namibia, Colombia and China.

Alcatel provides communication solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. The company is also known for their fixed and mobile broadband networks, applications and services, through which it has helped its partners and customers in building a user-centric broadband world. Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.