bKash installs digital facilities to strengthen school library services
bKash has refurbished the library at St Joseph Higher Secondary School in Dhaka, providing students with an enhanced reading and study environment.
The modernisation forms part of bKash's corporate social responsibility programme and is dedicated to the memory of the late Mahfuz Sadique, an alumnus of the institution and former Chief Communications Officer at bKash, according to a press release issued on 21 May 2026.
The upgraded library at the seven-decade-old institution can now accommodate approximately 50 students at a time.
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Students may also borrow books using membership cards and read them at home.
In addition to infrastructural renovation, the library's technical facilities have been upgraded. Several high-performance desktop computers with internet access have been installed, enabling students to access both local and international e-books.
A memorial programme was held on the school premises to honour Mahfuz Sadique.
The event was attended by Kamal Quadir, Chief Executive Officer of bKash; Major General Sheikh Md Monirul Islam (Retd), Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer of bKash; Dr Brother Leo James Pereira, Principal of the school; Dr Maliha Muzammil, wife of the late Mahfuz Sadique; and family members.
School alumni—including Kazi Mahmood Sattar, IDLC Chairman, and Professor Imran Rahman, Special Advisor to the Board of Trustees of ULAB—as well as current students, also attended the programme.
Mahfuz Sadique was an alumnus of St Joseph Higher Secondary School, where he completed his SSC in 1998.
During his time at the institution, he was an active debater and later became President of the Debating Club at North South University.
He built a career in journalism and digital media, serving for over a decade at BBC London. He was also involved in teaching at SOAS University of London.
Mahfuz Sadique later served as Chief Communications Officer at bKash from 2021 until his death on 29 December 2023, aged 42.
As part of its social responsibility initiatives, bKash has supported Bishwo Shahitto Kendro's book-reading programme since 2014, encouraging reading habits among young people.
To date, more than 400,000 books have been distributed to libraries in over 3,000 institutions, directly benefiting more than 3.4 million readers.
bKash has also been modernising libraries at various institutions across the country.
