Cambridge University Press, BdREN explore wider access to global academic resources

Cambridge University Press and the Bangladesh Research and Education Network (BdREN) held a programme in Dhaka with vice-chancellors, librarians and research leaders from universities across Bangladesh to discuss expanding access to international academic resources and strengthening the country's digital higher education ecosystem.

The full-day programme, titled "BdREN–CUP Partnership: Pathway towards Global Knowledge", focused on improving research infrastructure, digital libraries, academic publishing and the global visibility of Bangladeshi research.

UGC Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed, who is also chairperson of the Bangladesh Research and Education Network Trust, attended the event as Chief Guest. BdREN Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Tawrit was also present.

Addressing the participants, Professor Mamun outlined BdREN's current initiatives and future roadmap.

"We look forward to collaborating with Cambridge University Press to advance Bangladesh's digital higher education ecosystem. Its global expertise would significantly strengthen research, expand access to quality academic resources and help build a sustainable institutional framework," he said.

Mohammad Tawrit said, "We are confident that collaboration with Cambridge University Press would further strengthen Bangladesh's research network by connecting universities with trusted global academic resources and fostering greater collaboration and research excellence."

Speakers highlighted the growing importance of collaboration among educational institutions, policymakers and knowledge providers across South Asia.

Cambridge Press and Assessment Bangladesh Ltd Country Head Sarwat Reza said access to world-class learning and research resources would be critical as Bangladesh sought to become a knowledge-driven and innovation-led economy.

"Partnerships such as this are about more than access to information; they are about creating the conditions for discovery, innovation and lifelong learning," she said.

"By connecting students, researchers and institutions with global knowledge networks, we can help build the skills, capabilities and confidence needed to address future challenges and seize new opportunities. We believe empowering talent today is essential to shaping a more prosperous, competitive and sustainable Bangladesh for tomorrow."

In his opening remarks, Cambridge University Press National Head Debottam Bhattacharjee said, "Higher education thrives when institutions have equitable access to trusted knowledge and global research."

"We are delighted to engage with UGC and BdREN as they advance Bangladesh's vision for a digitally enabled higher education ecosystem. We look forward to exploring opportunities to strengthen research, innovation and academic excellence," he added.

During the programme, BdREN presented its roadmap for electronic resources. The project director of the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation project outlined plans to widen access to such resources, while the UGC director of ICT discussed the commission's role in extending access across the institutions it oversees.

Participants joined six thematic sessions covering Bangladeshi scholars' path from research to publication; misconceptions about open access; the design of university digital libraries for 2030; an assessment of gaps in quality textbooks; ways to increase the global visibility of Bangladeshi research; and transformative agreements, including Cambridge's support for institutions.

Each group presented its key findings at a plenary session. An open discussion followed, allowing university representatives to provide Cambridge with direct feedback on access to resources and opportunities for future collaboration.

The event marked a deepening of cooperation between Cambridge University Press and BdREN, Bangladesh's national research and education network that connects universities to digital academic resources, according to the organisers.

Cambridge University Press is the academic and Bibles publisher of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. As part of the University of Cambridge, it publishes books and journals and provides research and educational products and services to higher education institutions.