UGC and UN Women ink MoU to bolster institutional tech capabilities
UGC Tightens Digital Oversight Against Harassment
- Initiatives target tech-facilitated gender violence following BBS data showing 16 percent youth exposure
- National central committee planned to digitally monitor university-level redressal mechanisms
- Five leading universities selected for institutional and reporting capacity upgrades under EU funding
The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has initiated a comprehensive structural and technical framework to ensure accountability and eliminate gender-based and tech-facilitated harassment across university campuses. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the UGC and UN Women at the UGC headquarters in Agargaon on Thursday, 27 August 2026, under an ongoing project funded by the European Union.
Highlighting analytical data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) 2024 national survey during the event, officials disclosed that 16 percent of young women aged 20 to 24 in Bangladesh have experienced tech-facilitated gender-based violence.
Addressing the audience as chief guest, UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed stated, "Forming prevention committees in universities is not enough; they must function effectively. Every complaint must undergo swift investigation and resolution. Negligence in addressing these matters will result in direct regulatory action against the failing institution." He announced that a national central committee—comprising faculty, students, staff, and UGC technical representatives—is being formed to coordinate and supervise grievance mechanisms and preventive frameworks.
Baiba Zarina, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation, noted that ensuring an inclusive, safe, and modern educational environment is critical for the qualitative institutionalization of higher education.
Under the signed agreement, institutional capacities, digital reporting networks, and complaint mechanisms will be modernized across Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Khulna University, Begum Rokeya University, Daffodil International University, and American International University-Bangladesh. UN Women and Ain o Salish Kendra will collaboratively implement the support programs.
UGC Secretary Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam and UN Women Country Representative Gitanjali Singh signed the MoU. The session was attended by UGC Member Prof. Dr. Mohammad Abdullah-Al-Mamun, Director Dr. Sultan Mahmud Bhuiyan, SUST Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Khairul Islam, BRUR Vice-Chancellor Md. Showkat Ali, AIUB Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Saiful Islam, DIU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. M. R. Kabir, Task Team Convener Dr. Mohammad Saiful Islam, Prof. Meherun Nesa Taslima Khatun, Farheen Hassan, Nazia Farhana, Prof. Dr. Sharifa Sultana, and UGC Director Jesmin Parvin.
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