The need for an open university in Bangladesh was felt long
ago. The history of distance education in Bangladesh dates back to 1956 when
the Education Directorate was assigned with the responsibility for distribution
of 200 radio receivers to educational institutions. This led to the creation of
an Audio-Visual Cell, which was upgraded to the Audio-Visual Education Centre
in 1962.
After Independence, Bangladesh faced the challenge of
meeting the educational needs of mass people. To meet this challenge the
necessity for a new mode of education was widely felt.