She urged the private entrepreneurs to come forward to supplement the government's efforts in implementing the ICT policy completely and also for overall development of the information technology to help the sector compete in the global market.

The prime minister formally launched 'Shaheed Ziaur Rahman ICT Scholarship' at the International Conference Centre. The scholarship has been introduced to help the poor and talented students get higher education in the ICT.

She called for more investment in the ICT sector and said the government would welcome foreign investment by providing all necessary assistance.

The prime minister handed over cheques and certificates to 44 students at secondary, higher secondary, polytechnic and graduation levels.

From now on the poor and talented students will be given Shaheed Ziaur Rahman ICT scholarship every year on the basis of specific policy guidelines, She said.

Referring to additional allocation for the universities to increase the number of skilled ICT programmers and trainers, Khaleda said about 4,000 ICT professionals with graduation and diploma degrees are being produced every year from public and private universities, and polytechnic institutes.

Besides, a good number of workers with primary knowledge and skill on computer operation are also being produced every year from 300 computer training institutions in the private sector, she added.

Education Minister Osman Farruk, State Minister for Education ANM Ehsanul Huq Milon and Education Secretary Faruk Ahmed Siddiqui also addressed the function.

The prime minister referred to the government's various measures for ICT development including signing of the agreement for linking Bangladesh with the information super highway, opening of telecommunications and ICT sector for private investment, formation of telecommunication regulatory commission, duty-free import of computer hardware and software, creation of ICT incubator in Dhaka, introduction of three-year term ICT internship, formation of ICT business promotion council and setting up of ICT business centre at California.

She said the Bangladesh Bank has created a Tk 300 crore fund to enable the new software farms to take financial assistance.

The prime minister said ICT could accelerate human resources development, enhance employment generation, and increase production and development.

She said the government has identified ICT as a priority sector and taken measures for its development.

Ministers, vice-chancellors of various universities, academics, students and teachers attended the function.