Published: 06:18 PM, 05 August 2025 Last Update: 06:23 PM, 05 August 2025
EdTech Futures” Workshop Held to Explore the Prospects of Technology-Driven Education in Bangladesh
A daylong international workshop entitled “EdTech Futures: Bridging Innovation and Impact in Bangladesh” was held on last Sunday, ,(August 3) at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka to explore the innovative use of technology and its impact on the education sector in Bangladesh. Organized under the theme “Empowering Learning through Technology: From Classrooms to Policy Rooms,” the workshop brought together renowned academics, researchers, policymakers, and development professionals from both home and abroad. The core objective of the workshop was to create a collaborative platform to discuss research evidence, practical experiences, and policy directions related to technology-based education initiatives in Bangladesh.
In the first session, researchers presented findings from various intervention-based studies focused on technology-driven education conducted in the different context of Bangladesh. The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Atonu Rabbani of the University of Dhaka. Key presentations were delivered by Prof. Dr. Abu S. Shonchoy of Florida International University, Prof. Dr. Christine Ho of the London School of Economics, and Prof. Dr. Tomoki Fujii of Singapore Management University. The studies addressed several critical themes, including the impact of sending high-frequency educational information via mobile phones to marginalized students, which led to significant improvements in study habits and exam preparation. One study highlighted that even low-touch interventions, such as regular information sharing, contributed to a substantial increase in students’ study time. Another study revealed that motivational messaging based on relevant information may be more effective than direct cash incentives in encouraging school attendance. The session also included evidence from a randomized field experiment showing how conditional cash transfers during lean seasons could help offset the adverse effects of seasonal labor migration and support continuous schooling.
The second part of the workshop featured the session titled “Policy and Partnership for EdTech” with participation from national policymakers and education experts. The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Ahsan Habib of the University of Dhaka. Prof. Dr. Abu S. Shonchoy presented a paper titled “Logging In, Tuning Out? How Capacity Shapes Compliance and Substitution in EdTech.” Following this, a high-level roundtable titled “The Future of Education & Technology in Bangladesh Participants” was held, moderated by Prof. Dr. Rubaiya Murshed of the University of Dhaka. Notable speakers included Prof. Robiul Kabir Chowdhury (Chairman, National Curriculum and Textbook Board), Project Directors from the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (Prof. Rayhana Taslim, Prof. Shipon Kumar Das, Prof. Dr. Mir Zahida Naznin), Mr. Mohammad Kabir Hossain (Project Director, DIKKHA), Assistant Director Mr. Md. Shahed Shahan, Prof. Md. Minhaj, and Prof. Dr. Ahsan Habib. The roundtable featured in-depth discussions on the current challenges and future prospects of EdTech in Bangladesh, including strategies to ensure optimal use of technology in strengthening the country’s education system.
The concluding segment of the workshop featured a crest handover ceremony, group photos, coffee networking, and informal discussions. These closing interactions played an important role in building opportunities for future collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and institutional partners. The workshop aimed to foster a productive bridge between technology, research, and policymaking, which is expected to accelerate the digital transformation of Bangladesh’s education sector in the coming years.
In the first session, researchers presented findings from various intervention-based studies focused on technology-driven education conducted in the different context of Bangladesh. The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Atonu Rabbani of the University of Dhaka. Key presentations were delivered by Prof. Dr. Abu S. Shonchoy of Florida International University, Prof. Dr. Christine Ho of the London School of Economics, and Prof. Dr. Tomoki Fujii of Singapore Management University. The studies addressed several critical themes, including the impact of sending high-frequency educational information via mobile phones to marginalized students, which led to significant improvements in study habits and exam preparation. One study highlighted that even low-touch interventions, such as regular information sharing, contributed to a substantial increase in students’ study time. Another study revealed that motivational messaging based on relevant information may be more effective than direct cash incentives in encouraging school attendance. The session also included evidence from a randomized field experiment showing how conditional cash transfers during lean seasons could help offset the adverse effects of seasonal labor migration and support continuous schooling.
The second part of the workshop featured the session titled “Policy and Partnership for EdTech” with participation from national policymakers and education experts. The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Ahsan Habib of the University of Dhaka. Prof. Dr. Abu S. Shonchoy presented a paper titled “Logging In, Tuning Out? How Capacity Shapes Compliance and Substitution in EdTech.” Following this, a high-level roundtable titled “The Future of Education & Technology in Bangladesh Participants” was held, moderated by Prof. Dr. Rubaiya Murshed of the University of Dhaka. Notable speakers included Prof. Robiul Kabir Chowdhury (Chairman, National Curriculum and Textbook Board), Project Directors from the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (Prof. Rayhana Taslim, Prof. Shipon Kumar Das, Prof. Dr. Mir Zahida Naznin), Mr. Mohammad Kabir Hossain (Project Director, DIKKHA), Assistant Director Mr. Md. Shahed Shahan, Prof. Md. Minhaj, and Prof. Dr. Ahsan Habib. The roundtable featured in-depth discussions on the current challenges and future prospects of EdTech in Bangladesh, including strategies to ensure optimal use of technology in strengthening the country’s education system.
The concluding segment of the workshop featured a crest handover ceremony, group photos, coffee networking, and informal discussions. These closing interactions played an important role in building opportunities for future collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and institutional partners. The workshop aimed to foster a productive bridge between technology, research, and policymaking, which is expected to accelerate the digital transformation of Bangladesh’s education sector in the coming years.
The workshop was jointly organized by the London School of Economics (LSE), Florida International University (FIU), Singapore Management University (SMU), Oxford Policy Management (OPM), the University of Dhaka, and the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS). The development and research organization ‘MOMODa FOUNDATION’ played a leading role in coordinating and hosting the event.
