The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh and Daffodil International University (DIU) have signed an agreement to generate solar power in public universities under the OPEX model.
Under the agreement, the target is to produce electricity by installing solar panels in 32 public universities by 2026 under the OPEX model. The initiative will be gradually expanded to all public universities in the country.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday at the UGC auditorium. The chief guest at the signing ceremony was UGC Chairman Professor Dr. S. M. A. Faiz.
Special guests included UGC members Prof Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Prof Dr. Masuma Habib, and Prof Dr. Mohammad Ayub Islam.
UGC Secretary Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam and DIU Registrar Dr. Mohammad Nadir Bin Ali signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions.
The event was chaired by Mohammad Maksudur Rahman Bhuiyan, Director of UGC’s Planning and Development Division. DIU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. M. R. Kabir and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Professor Dr. Shamsul Alam delivered speeches. Also present were Dr. Md. Sultan Mahmud Bhuiyan, Director of UGC’s Private University Management Division, along with relevant officials from the commission and DIU.
UGC Chairman Professor Dr. S. M. A. Faiz advised increasing the use of solar power in all public universities to protect the environment through clean energy and reduce costs in the energy sector. He noted that generating solar power by installing solar panels on university rooftops would save costs in the electricity sector and help the country move toward green energy.
He also suggested including colleges under the National University in the solar power installation project, as these institutions face electricity shortages. He mentioned that thousands of students in these colleges could benefit from this initiative.
Additionally, he recommended gradually including private universities in this project.
DIU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. M. R. Kabir said, “Bangladesh is lagging behind in green energy. Teachers and researchers can conduct research to address the country’s energy crisis. By properly utilizing university rooftops under the OPEX model for solar power generation, the produced electricity can meet university demands and also be supplied to the national grid.”
Under the agreement, neither UGC nor the universities will bear any costs for solar power generation under the OPEX model. Thirteen investor organizations have been enlisted for investment in the OPEX model. DIU will conduct technical assessments, site surveys, and studies, and share information with participating universities and UGC. Additionally, various programs, including training, will be undertaken to enhance the universities’ capacity and awareness regarding solar power generation.
It is mentioned in June, Chief Adviser Prof Dr. Muhammad Yunus directed the installation of solar panels on the rooftops of all government institutions to generate solar power. He also advised exploring whether the installation of solar panels in government buildings could be carried out through private initiatives.
