What is UDC and why?

Union Digital Center is an information technology based telecenter set up in Union Parishads whose purpose is to ensure information services at the doorsteps of grassroots people. From this center, people of rural areas can easily get information and necessary services related to life and livelihood in a familiar environment near their homes.

On November 11, 2010, Honorable Prime Minister's Office and Ms. Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Former Prime Minister of New Zealand inaugurated all the Union Digital Centers (UDCs) simultaneously across the country through video conference from Charkukrimukri Union of Bhola District. About 4 million people are receiving information and services from these centers every month. The quality of life of the local people has started to change greatly by providing government and private services easily, quickly and at low cost through UDC.

UISC started its journey with the slogan 'Service at Doorsteps'. With the establishment of UISC, it has been possible to create a free flow of information in every sphere of society and polity, where people do not have to go door to door for services, but services are reaching people's doorsteps. Free flow of information is one of the prerequisites for empowering people. The establishment of Union Digital Centers in 4,501 Union Parishads of the country has paved the way for the rural people to get information and services at the fastest possible time, including participation in the free flow of information.

Component:

In order to provide better information services to the general public in the area, a UDC has a number of computers and related equipments, which have been and are being installed in phases. The necessary inputs of the UDC come from the entrepreneur's investment and the funds of the Union Parishad (revenue sector and LGSP projects). A computer with a minimum stabiliser, a black and white printer, a colour printer, a modem for on-line connection, a scanner, a digital camera can start the operation of a UDC. However, the following materials are required to operate a full-fledged UDC:

Multiple computers (desktop and laptop)

1 Laser printer

1 Color Printer 

1 Modem

1 Scanner Machine

1 Photocopy machine

1 Digital Camera

1 Webcam

A UISC may have more or less of this depending on local needs.

Union Digital Centre has been set up based on PPP (Public-Private-People's Partnership) model. Each UDC has two local young entrepreneurs, one male and one female. These entrepreneurs run the UDC. In some centers, one woman and one man entrepreneur are working as 'alternative entrepreneurs' along with one more woman and one man. The entrepreneur is not a salaried employee of UDC, the income of each UDC is the income of the entrepreneur. The entrepreneur is also an investor in UDC.

Partnership or Partnership:

The UDCs are being run under the leadership of the Local Government Division. Under the direction of the Cabinet Division and under the management of the local administration, the supervision and other activities of the UDC are carried out. LGD and Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) provide necessary ICT equipment and training to enhance the skills of the entrepreneurs. BCC has also provided solar panels to 1013 unelectrified unions and brought all Union Parishads of the country under electricity coverage. Apart from this, many banks-insurance, mobile companies, NGOs, educational-research institutions, hardware-software associations, etc. are getting involved with UDC with their services, new skills and technical support.

UAMS or UISC Activity Management System:

An online software named UDC Activities Management or 'UAMS' (http://www.e-service.gov.bd/uams/) has been developed to assist the UDC entrepreneurs in income calculation and follow-up of the local administration. UDC entrepreneurs upload their daily income information here.

Blog (uiscbd.ning.com):

The UDC Blog (uiscbd.ning.com has been created for entrepreneurs to interact with each other, establish inter-relationships and quickly communicate with the local administration officials with the entrepreneurs. The blog is such a powerful online platform for 9,002 entrepreneurs of 4,501 UDCs spread across the country, where entrepreneurs get the opportunity to share experiences, identify problems and find solutions, take collective initiatives, work shoulder to shoulder with local administration, and even discuss with policy makers.