Towards a social transformation

TECHNOLOGY has become an integral part of human life, dramatically reshaping the existing socio-economic structure and driving the modern civilisation towards a destination where only a knowledgeable community will survive.
No doubt technology has a great influence on our imagination and at the same time it is playing a crucial role in determining our lifestyle. This new phenomenon has given birth to a new concept called knowledge-based society (KBS).
KBS does not necessarily envisage a society where only intelligent people will live; rather it paves the way for the equal participation of people where their rights will be ensured.
Basically the concept of KBS became a reality when information technology integrated with social mechanisms to empower the people and spur sustainable development of the society.
People experienced phenomenal changes in their livelihood due to this influence of technology. Since then information technology (IT) has become a dynamic of KBS.
In a KBS, all people must have access to the right opportunity to utilise their inner potential and have the scope to take part in socio-economic development.
The ingredients of a KBS are technology, people and knowledge. We live in a technology-depended world and access to potential technology is mandatory to face the upcoming challenges. We also require sufficient flow of skilled manpower to generate innovate solutions by utilising high-end technologies.
Before producing skilled human resource, we need to provide them with right knowledge or create the scope so that people get the chance to gather knowledge. On the other hand we need to create awareness to attract people.
There is no specific model of KBS, but worldwide this new-age concept is adopted and practised by many countries. These countries in fact successfully incorporated IT in their national activities with a view to providing best possible services to their citizens.
Slovak Republic has taken many pragmatic steps to build a KBS where people enjoy the blessing of modern technology in their daily activities. The Slovak government believes this kind of society is a prerequisite for democratic development, scientific and technological progress, economic growth and social security, employment and growth.
Under this initiative the government envisioned to create a knowledge network between academia, research institutes, government organs, corporate world and others in order to bring the 'unreachable' opportunities to the citizens.
India has already formed a National Knowledge Commission (NKC) in 2005 and one of its prime objectives is to make India a knowledge-based society.
India adopted such a strategy in order to address the existing social problems. They are optimistic about gaining three objectives, such as enrichment of educational process, empowerment of Panchayats and ethical commercialisation of the country's creative and cultural tradition.
African country Uganda is also trying to merge itself with global information society trend. Other African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal are also pacing towards knowledge-based society.
Bangladesh is now going through the transitional phase in terms of forming a true knowledge-based society. But the recent technology scenario also indicates new prospects for the country. The underlying reason for the sluggish development is government policy.
Now it is high time the government adopted right policy and took timely action in order to expedite the process to turn this country into a knowledge-based society. The first imperative for the government is to address the rural community and at the same time digitalise all operations in order to ensure transparency to citizens.
Bangladesh is a densely populated country and it is not possible to build KBS without the right participation of rural community. The government should take the lead for proper knowledge management and use IT as a catalyst to meet the objectives.
By adopting appropriate policies, the government must open all high-end technologies to the citizens. For instance, there is a high demand for IP telephony and in this regard prompt action is essential to attract BPO-related (Business Process Outsourcing) services in the country. This can create young entrepreneurship and leave a unique scope for IT-educated people.
Bangladesh is also an emerging market for WiMAX (World Wide Interpretability for Microwave Access) technology. WiMAX is a dynamic solution to establishing long-haul data communication link to distant areas. Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has plans to give WiMAX license in May this year.
The introduction of WiMAX can have a synergetic effect on rural areas. The government and private stakeholders could come forward and utilise this technology to build knowledge centres across the country where people can get e-heath, e-education and e-business related services which will effectively improve their livelihood.
Besides, the government can mobilise its existing telecommunication infrastructure. State-run BTTB (Bangladesh Telephone and Telegraph Board) has its DDN node in 64 districts. Areas under these nodes can easily be connected with the internet, generating tremendous opportunity to unlock the potential in unprivileged areas.
Bangladesh can also take the advantage of regional cooperation. In this regard regional forum like Saarc can play a substantial role in sharing knowledge, technical expertise and financial matter to face the global challenges.
Right action plan is another important thing. In the World Summit on the Information Society, all countries agreed to develop action plan but Bangladesh, unfortunately, failed to unite itself with this practice. It is mandatory to develop proper action plan based on right national policies for the successful implementation of any strategy.
Public-private partnership is also crucial to materialise the idea of KBS. Private sector can come forward to develop solutions and generates employment opportunity. But it is the government's responsibility to ensure the atmosphere for investment.
Alliance between industry and academia is another important thing to promulgate the concept of KBS. The active participation of academicians significantly improves knowledge management tactics and helps to take prudent decision.
The role of the media is also important in the development of knowledge-based society. The media can ensure wide access to information and create awareness as well. Bangladesh has 10 private TV channels which air different constructive programs. As satellite connectivity is needed to view the programs, most rural people do not have access to them. The government can provide some TV channels with terrestrial transmission facility.
Some private organisations have helped a lot in building a knowledge-based society. Reza Salim, project director of Amader Gram, told StarTech about "Knowledge Fair", an initiative to promulgate the idea of knowledge society across the country. "There is a bright prospect of knowledge society in Bangladesh. We first require three things such as enabling the environment, proper policy and strategic planning", Salim said.
Microsoft Bangladesh and Development Research Network (D.Net) have started their venture to produce knowledge-based manpower by initiating Click (Community for Learning Information, Communication and Knowledge) programme, a part of 'Microsoft Unlimited Potential' scheme and under this programme thirteen village information centres will be established in different parts of Bangladesh.
Anayana Raihan, executive director D.Net said, "We need more investment in education sector because it is necessary to produce skilled human resources". He also suggested following the instance of ICTA (Information and Communication Technology Agency) of Sri Lanka for the well coordination of ICT-oriented activities.
D.Net's concept of Mobile Lady, local language information knowledge base for the rural poor -- 'Jeeon' and Village Information Centres known as 'Pallitathya Kendras' have revolutionised the access to information and knowledgebase for the rural community.
It is true that the concept of knowledge society is not limited to information technology. But IT can be utilized to ensure transparency, empower poverty and make uniform distribution of opportunities. So it is equal responsibility both government and citizens to ensure best possible use of IT.