DHAKA, Aug 4, 2023 (BSS) – Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has said the materialization of Digital Bangladesh has made universal expansion of information and technology and unprecedented flourishing of media which is taking the country towards a smart society.

“Our government believes in free flow of information and press freedom. That is why the country today turns into a Digital Bangladesh under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership and it witnesses remarkable expansion of print, electronic and online media,” he said.

Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary, said this while inaugurating, as the chief guest, a three-day 3rd International Information and Knowledge Management Conference under the arrangement of East West University in the city’s Aftab Nagar this evening.

He said information and knowledge of the world has been available now to the people as union information centers have been set up at every union and internet connectivity has reached up to remote areas as well as 17 crore people are using 18 crore SIM cards.

If information and knowledge can be efficiently utilized, it will enrich people’s lifestyle further, he said.

East West University acting Vice-Chancellor Dr. Muhammad Ziaulhaq Mamun chaired the conference while Information Studies Department Chair Dr Dilara Begum delivered a speech on Australia’s Monash University Gillian Oliver’s presented keynote paper.

Around 400 participants including researchers from India, Indonesia, Australia and Bosnia and Herzegovina along with local researchers are taking part in the conference.

The conference began on Thursday with a pre-inaugural online session. East West University founding VC and adviser Dr Mohammad Farashuddin chaired it.

The conference will end tomorrow with discussions on 42 research papers.