Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Aug 19, 2025 (BSS) - University Grants Commission (UGC) and Daffodil International University (DIU) today signed an agreement to generate solar power in the country's public universities under the OPEX model.

The authorities set a target to generate electricity by installing solar panels in 32 public universities by 2026 under the OPEX model by 2026 in accordance with the deal. 

Installation of the solar panels will be expanded to all public universities in the country in phases, according to a UGC press release.

UGC Chairman Professor Dr SMA Fayez witnessed the agreement signing ceremony as the chief guest, while members Professor Dr Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Professor Dr Masuma Habib and Professor Dr Mohammad Ayub Islam were present as special guests.

UGC Secretary Dr Md Fakhrul Islam and DIU Registrar Dr Mohammad Nadir Bin Ali signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.

UGC Director of Planning and Development Mohammad Maksudur Rahman Bhuiyan presided over the event, while DIU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr MR Kabir and Dean of Faculty of Engineering Professor Dr Shamsul Alam delivered speeches. 

UGC Director of Private University Management Department Dr Md Sultan Mahmud Bhuiyan and concerned officials were present at the event.

The UGC chairman called for increasing use of solar power in all public universities of the country to protect the environment and save costs in the energy sector. 

"If power can be generated by installing solar panels on rooftops of universities, costs in the electricity can be saved and the country will move towards green energy," he said.

He advised colleges under the National University to join the solar power installation project, as colleges face power crisis. 

The country's private universities should also be included in this project in phases, the chairman said.

DIU Vice Chancellor said that Bangladesh is lagging behind in the field of green energy. 

"Teachers and researchers can conduct research to solve the country's energy crisis. If the university's rooftops can be properly utilized for solar power generation under the OPEX model, it will be possible to supply the generated power to the national grid after using," he said.

Under the agreement, the UGC and universities will not have to spend any money for solar power under the OPEX model, but 13 investing institutions were listed for investment in the OPEX model. 

DIU will conduct technical assessment, site survey and study and exchange information on these issues with the participating universities and the UGC. 

Earlier, Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus directed all government institutions in the country to take initiatives to generate power by installing solar panels on the roofs of their buildings.