Dhaka: University Grants Commission (UGC) and Daffodil International University (DIU) today signed an agreement to generate solar power in the country's public universities under the OPEX model. The initiative aims to install solar panels in 32 public universities by 2026, marking a significant step towards sustainable energy in the education sector.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the installation of solar panels will gradually expand to all public universities in the nation, as per a UGC press release. The signing ceremony, attended by UGC Chairman Professor Dr SMA Fayez, saw the participation of UGC members including Professor Dr Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Professor Dr Masuma Habib, and Professor Dr Mohammad Ayub Islam.
UGC Secretary Dr Md Fakhrul Islam and DIU Registrar Dr Mohammad Nadir Bin Ali formalized the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions. The event was presided over by UGC Director of Planning and Development Mohammad Maksudur Rahman Bhuiyan, with DIU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr MR Kabir and Dean of Faculty of Engineering Professor Dr Shamsul Alam delivering speeches.
The UGC chairman emphasized the importance of increasing solar power usage in public universities to protect the environment and reduce energy costs. He suggested that colleges under the National University should also consider joining the solar power initiative due to their ongoing power crises. Additionally, he recommended the inclusion of private universities in the project over time.
DIU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr MR Kabir highlighted Bangladesh's lag in green energy adoption and encouraged research to address the country's energy challenges. He noted that utilizing university rooftops for solar power generation could allow excess power to be supplied to the national grid.
Under the agreement, neither the UGC nor the universities need to invest financially in the solar power project, as 13 investing institutions have been identified for investment under the OPEX model. DIU will be responsible for conducting technical assessments, site surveys, and sharing relevant information with participating universities and the UGC.
This initiative follows a directive from Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, urging all government institutions in Bangladesh to generate power by installing solar panels on their rooftops.