CU to Launch Country’s First Satellite-Based Ocean Data Centre, Boosting Marine Research Capacity

The University of Chittagong is preparing to launch Bangladesh’s first satellite-based ocean data centre, a major step toward strengthening marine research and data innovation in the country.

The facility, officially named the “Satellite Ocean Observation and Data Innovation Center,” was approved as an independent entity at the university’s 566th syndicate meeting held on 21 February.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Moslem Uddin from the university’s Oceanography Department has been appointed as the director of the centre and is leading its implementation.

According to university sources, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mohammad Al-Forkan visited the facility on 17 April, where he reviewed its infrastructure, including server systems, antenna units, laboratory spaces, and data processing facilities. He described the project as a significant national asset with long-term strategic value.

The centre is being developed with technical and instrumental support from Chinese partners, while the university is providing local infrastructure and coordination. Collaboration began with a memorandum of understanding signed in 2020, followed by further agreements in 2024 to implement the satellite ground station project.

Construction work started in March 2025, and most of the infrastructure has already been completed. The system is now in its final phase, focusing on enabling satellite data reception, processing, and analytical capabilities. Full operation is expected around mid-2026, pending final approvals.
 

Once operational, the centre is expected to support advanced research in marine resource management, climate monitoring, disaster forecasting, and fisheries development. It will also play a role in cyclone and tsunami prediction, storm surge modelling, and broader ocean data analytics, contributing to Bangladesh’s emerging blue economy and scientific self-reliance.