Gopalganj, 3 September, 2026: The Bangladesh Research and Education Network (BdREN), under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) Project of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, organized a workshop titled “Empowering Educators through Digital Knowledge Enhancement” on 03 September 2026 at Gopalganj Science and Technology University (GSTU).

The workshop brought together 60 faculty members of GSTU with the objective of strengthening their knowledge and capacity in digital technologies, cybersecurity, generative artificial intelligence, digital academic resources, plagiarism awareness, and the application of AI in higher education.

The programme commenced with a registration session followed by the inaugural session. Mr. Biplab Chandra Mahanta, Manager (Sales), BdREN, served as the Master of Ceremony. The session included an introduction to the HEAT Project and a presentation on the scope of the HEAT Project through BdREN and its services, delivered by Mr. Kh. Rashedul Arefin, General Manager (Systems & Services), BdREN. The inaugural session also featured addresses from the Registrar and Director of the ICT Cell of GSTU, the Vice-Chancellor of GSTU, and the Deputy Project Director (DPD) of the HEAT Project.

The technical sessions focused on several key areas relevant to modern higher education. Mr. Md. Ariful Islam Arman, BdREN, conducted a session on Cybersecurity Awareness, highlighting the importance of safe and responsible digital practices. A dedicated session on Generative AI for Teaching & Research was conducted by Mr. Khandakar Rashedul Arefin and Mr. Abu Naser Md. Nafew, focusing on the potential applications of generative AI in academic activities.

The afternoon sessions covered E-Journals & Plagiarism, presented by Mr. Ahmed Al Hossain, BdREN, followed by a session on AI Application in Higher Education, conducted by Mr. Abu Naser Md. Nafew, BdREN. The workshop concluded with a feedback session, open discussion, and closing remarks, providing participants with an opportunity to share their experiences and discuss the practical application of the knowledge gained during the programme.

Through initiatives such as this workshop, BdREN continues to support the digital transformation of higher education institutions by promoting digital knowledge, emerging technologies, cybersecurity awareness, and effective use of technology for teaching and research.