Vision 2021 : Digital Bangladesh
Digital Bangladesh Vision 2021 will need from both Public and Private sector an infusion of resources, leadership and ICT centered development if it is to be made meaningful. Over thelast few decades, the world has been shifting from industrial to knowledge-based societies;the ability of a nation to use and create knowledge capital determines its capacity to empower and enable its citizens by increasing human capabilities. Easy access to knowledge, creationand preservation of knowledge systems, dissemination of knowledge and better knowledgeservices should be core concerns of the Digital Bangladesh Vision 2021.Bangladesh should be part of a well-crafted national strategy and “Digital Bangladesh”,needs to be the cornerstone strategy for Bangladesh. We have to build a people-centered,development-oriented Information Society, where everyone would be able to access, utilizeand share information and knowledge easily and efficiently. The concept of DigitalBangladesh should be centered on the creation of what is popularly termed as a "knowledge- based society," Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are a critical componentfor building this knowledge-society. Our ability in creating and disseminating knowledge willeventually drive the nation’s growth inthe coming days. A digital society ensures an ICT-driven knowledge-based society where information will be readily available online and whereall possible tasks of the government, semi-government and also private spheres will be processed using state of the art technology.The first and foremost challenge to materialize the Digital Bangladesh Vision 2021 would beto ensure overall connectivity at an affordable cost. With the intent to enhance connectivityemphasis should be provided on the establishment of infrastructures to “Connect theUnconnected” and importance must be given on laying more optical fiber to reach themarginal people of the country. Digital Bangladesh Vision 2021 should establish technology-driven e-governance which includes e-administration, e-education, e-health, e-commerce, e- production, e-agriculture, etc. in the five focus areas of the knowledge paradigm:
1) Access to Knowledge
2) Knowledge concepts
3) Creation of Knowledge
4) Knowledge Applications
5) Delivery of Service
1. Access to Knowledge:
Providing access to knowledge is the most fundamental way of increasing the opportunitiesand reach of individuals and groups. Therefore, means must exist for individuals who havethe ability to receive and comprehend knowledge to readily obtain it. This also includesmaking accurate knowledge of the state and its activities available to the general public.Project, should be immediately initiated with an objective to facilitate the establishment of afirm presence of Bangladesh Government entities on the Web with two way communicationcapability or Web 2.0. The Programme requires provision of an entire spectrum of webservices to the Government sector as well as running specialized Portals for the benefit of citizens and other stakeholders.
2. Knowledge Concepts:
Knowledge concepts are organized, distributed and transmitted through the education systemand that’s why we need an NREN in Bangladesh. It is through education that an individualcan make better informed decisions, keep abreast of important issues and trends around himor her and most importantly, question the socio-economic arrangements in a manner that canlead to change and development. In fact, a successful "Digital Bangladesh" would need amore literate population. A mass computer-literacy programme or even a government-sponsored computer course, offered perhaps as an incentive for every student who completeshis or her secondary-school education, would benefit everyone. If there is will - backed byinvestment - there is a way.
3. Creation of Knowledge:
A nation can develop in two ways – either it learns to use existing resources better, or itdiscovers new resources. Both activities involve creation of knowledge. This makes itimportant to consider all activities that lead to the creation of knowledge directly or help in protecting the knowledge that is created. To realize the aspirations of the 2021 vision, thecountry must be able to produce its own engineers, scientists and technological know-how.
4. Knowledge Applications:
Knowledge can be productively applied to promote technological change and facilitatereliable and regular flow of information. This requires significant investment in goal-orientedresearch and development along with access models that can simplify market transactions andother processes within an industry. Initiatives in the areas of agriculture, small and mediumenterprises (SMEs) and traditional knowledge can demonstrate that knowledge can be veryeffectively applied for the betterment of the rural poor.
5. Delivery of Services:
Knowledge services have the potential to simplify many different points at which citizensinteract with the State. Traditionally, these points of interaction have been vulnerable tounscrupulous activities and rent-seeking. We need to set the bureaucracy under an e-governance initiative, with a transparent file tracking system that the public can access. Thiswill, right away, reduce corruption, because everyone involved in the process can be trackeddown. Technology provides us with an opportunity to ensure accountability, transparency andefficiency in government services. E-governance is one of the ways in which citizens can beempowered to increase transparency of government functioning, leading to greater efficiencyand productivity. E-Governance aims to place the government within the reach of all citizensincreasing transparency and citizen's participation. Thus, the development of e-Governanceshould promote universal access to government's services, integrate administrative systems,networks, and databases, and make such information available to the citizen via Internet. In anutshell such e-Governance should transform the government into a citizen centrictechnological driven one.There are various dimensions to building a Digital Bangladesh, all of which are equallyimportant pillars. A Digital Bangladesh may constitute the following goals:
1) Build excellence in the educational system to meet the knowledge challenges of the21st century by strengthening the education system, promote domestic research andinnovation, facilitate knowledge application in sectors like health, agriculture, andindustry.
2) Leverage information and communication technologies to enhance governance andimprove connectivity that allows ICT-based services to be deployed equitably throughoutthe nation.
3) Devise mechanisms for exchange and interaction between knowledge systems in theglobal arena.
4) Promote creation of knowledge in S&T laboratories that utilizes informationtechnologies and communication networks for dissemination and exchange of knowledge.
5) Promote knowledge applications in agriculture and industry so that they can use ICTsfor marketing and promotion of its products, for producing internal efficiencies, and for communication and transaction between entities.
6) Promote the use of knowledge capabilities in making government an effective,transparent and accountable service provider to the citizen and promote widespreadsharing of knowledge to maximize public benefit.