Global search engine giant Google Inc on Wednesday launched Google Bus project in Bangladesh to provide training and create awareness about internet.
Google Bus will visit 480 educational institutions — colleges and universities — across the country where registered students will take part in training sessions to be held in the bus.
The Google Bus is equipped with 3G internet connectivity and an array of monitors and sound system which will facilitate the training programme.
An instructor will train the students about the use of different Google tools including Google Search, Chrome, Docs, Maps, YouTube, Google+ and others.
Each student will also have the opportunity to practice what they will have learnt on an internet-enabled Android device.
The Google Bus will visit educational institutions in Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Barisal and other major cities.
‘With the right training the youth of the country will be able to maximise the endless possibilities of the internet and create a digital Bangladesh,’ Google Asia Pacific country manager for emerging market James McClure told reporters while launching the project at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.
He said Google would provide 5 lakh undergraduate students with the training under the programme.
Attending the function, state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak said the government welcomed the move and would extend required help to make it successful.
‘The ICT ministry is directly involved with the initiative and I believe empowering youth with internet is one of the best things to do,’ he said.
Palak said the ICT ministry sent invitation for taking part in the training programme to 1,500 educational institutions but only 480 showed their interest.
‘This is not an encouraging picture,’ he said.
Palak also said Google would also launch the street views of the Dhaka and Chittagong cities within the next two months.
-With New Age input
