Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-Google has launched Google Bus project in Bangladesh to bring half a million college and university students of the country under the internet use-net.
The aim of the project is to empower Bangladeshi undergraduates with the tools to start, improve and grow their own businesses and projects, said a press release of Google issued on Wednesday.
Bangladeshi undergraduates will be able to obtain training by visiting 500 campuses in 35 locations across Bangladesh and by conducting Internet workshops over the course of a year in all these locations.
The Google Bus itself has been retrofitted with stowaway seats, 3G Internet connectivity and an array of monitors and sound system where training audio-video material can be casted to all the screens.
“College and university students are leading Bangladesh’s Internet charge today — they make up the majority of new Internet users in the country and the student population use it primarily as an academic aid and social sharing platform,” said the press release.
Through the Google Bus Bangladesh run workshops, these students can connect online with their peers and learn about the power and utility of the Internet as well as expose themselves to Google tools that can help them think and operate on a completely new level.
“Bangladesh is a country on the move with an immense pool of youthful citizens to help it progress and prosper. Equipped with the right training, we think this young, energetic and highly motivated section of society would be able to maximize the endless possibilities of the Internet and create a connected, digital Bangladesh for the global village,” said James McClure, country manager emerging markets, of Google Asia Pacific.
The Google Bus Bangladesh project is already underway in Dhaka where several campus workshops have taken place.
Over the next few months it will make its way to academic institutions in and around Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Barisal and other major cities.
The campus workshop experience involves an instructor-led training session and peer collaboration to familiarise students with the many different Google tools that they can use to make the most of their online experience.
These include Google Search, Chrome, Docs, Maps, YouTube, Google+ and others.
Each student will also have the opportunity to practice what they have learnt on an Internet-enabled Android device.
The student participants are encouraged to stay in touch via the Google+ Google Bus Bangladesh Community where they can stay updated on the latest happenings related to the project and encourage each other to make the most of what they have learnt.
BBN/ASI-12Nov14-4:10pm (BST)
