Alhaj Md. Abu Yusuf: Welcome to the 19th edition of the series titled Possibilities and Fears of virtual world. In the last few episodes we have discussed various aspects of the Internet and the virtual world.

I have talked about the good and bad aspects of it. I have talked about the types and trends of internet use among the youth. Today we will try to discuss the impact of the Internet and the virtual world on education and research.

The Internet and the virtual world have made it much easier for people on one side of the globe to communicate and exchange information with people on the other. This has led to revolutionary changes in education and research. Students-teachers of one country can easily build relationships with students-teachers of other countries and collaborate in education and research for the benefit of the virtual world. In addition to the opportunity to study at online universities, the Internet has made it much easier to go directly to universities in developed countries for higher education. The Internet is now the main means of gathering important information about the education system and facilities of reputed universities in different countries and communicating with the university authorities. Students from all over the world can gather the information they need in the blink of an eye through the internet.

If the students involved in the research work of the university do not find any information for research in their own country, they are finding that information through the internet or virtual world through the libraries or e-libraries of other countries. In the current education system, it is not possible for students to rely only on textbooks. Apart from textbooks, students also need various books related to science. Students can easily use such books by downloading them from the internet. In addition, if any textbook is lost or damaged, it can be downloaded from the website. Almost all countries are uploading their school-college textbooks on their own websites and students are downloading them as needed. Many institutions are taking online admission test. For this reason, he is able to take the exam for admission in the educational institution sitting at home. There is no extra trouble for this. Besides, all the work including application for admission in different colleges and universities can be done through internet. The results of various public examinations are also being published on the Internet.

Another major contribution of the Internet in the field of education is that e-learning allows you to participate in classroom activities without having to be in the classroom. The online class has the opportunity not only to see or listen to the teachers and students in the class, but also to answer the teacher`s questions and ask the teacher questions. The Internet and the virtual world have created huge opportunities for education and research, but they have also weakened copyright. Copyright infringement is a constant occurrence in the virtual world. Copyright usually refers to the right to copy. The right to copy one`s intellectual property such as articles, books, movies, music, paintings, etc. for a certain period of time is only his own. However, he can transfer this right. Copyright infringement refers to the reproduction, adaptation, disclosure, sale, rental, importation, or anything else of an intellectual property of another without permission that infringes the rights of the actual owner of the property.

At present, free downloads of songs, movies, books, etc. on the Internet are harming the real owners of intellectual property in many ways. In the present age, economic issues play the biggest role behind creativity. However, disregarding copyright on the Internet seems to be the norm. Although laws have been enacted in different countries, they are not being implemented. When an inventor, a writer or a creator creates something with his talent and labor, it is everyone`s responsibility to respect his claim and right towards that invention, book or drama-movie. He can expect dignity as well as financial benefits for his talent and labor. It is desirable that those who benefit from his invention, writing and construction materials will reciprocate. Everyone in the virtual world should pay attention to this issue.

Author: Alhaj Md. Abu Yusuf is a Columnist and Chairman of Ababil Hajj Group