Bangladesh
Missing child found dead in Jashore
A four-year-old girl, who went missing two days ago, has been found dead in Sadar upazila in Jashore.
The deceased was identified as Sanzida.
On information, Detective Branch of Jashore police recovered the body from her neighbour’s house in Patengakhali village of the upazila Saturday night, said Mofizul Islam, sub-inspector (SI) of Jashore DB police.
Sanzida went missing from her home on Friday noon. A FIR was lodged at Kotwali police station in this regard.
Police detained their neighbour Anjuara for questioning.
During questioning, she confessed that she had hidden the body inside a rice drum at her home, said SI Mofizul.
The body was sent to Jashore General Hospital morgue for an autopsy, said Tajul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kotwali police station.
4 killed as truck ploughs into roadside market in Narsingdi
Four people were killed and three others injured as a truck hit them in Belabo upazila of Narsingdi district on Sunday morning.
The deceased were identified as Abul Kalam, 36, Siddique Mia, 45, Abu Siddique, 38, and Nuru Mia, 45, of the upazila.
The Bhairab-bound truck ploughed through a kitchen market on Dhaka-Sylhet highway in Mahmudabad, leaving three people dead on spot and four others injured, said Nur Hossain, sub-inspector (SI) of Bhairab Highway police.
Nuru Mia died on the way to Bhairab Upazila Health complex while the others are undergoing treatment at the hospital, he added.
Police seized the killer truck but its driver managed to flee.
The bodies were sent to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital morgue for post-mortem, the SI added.
Global Covid cases top 623 million
The overall number of global Covid cases has crossed 623 million.
According to the latest global data, the total case count mounted to 623,221,355 while the death toll from the virus reached 6,549,891 on Sunday morning.
The US has recorded 98,248,623 cases so far and 1,084,891 people have died from the virus in the country, both highest counts around the world.
According to the Indian health ministry data released on Saturday morning, 3,805 new cases of COVID-19 were reported during the past 24 hours, taking the total tally to 44,591,112 in the country.
The cases reported on Saturday mark a decrease in comparison to 3,947 cases on Friday.
The country also logged 26 COVID-19-related deaths during the past 24 hours, pushing the overall death toll to 528,655 since the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020, the ministry said.
Covid in Bangladesh
Bangladesh reported five more Covid-linked deaths with 480 fresh cases in 24 hours till Saturday morning.
With the new numbers, the country's total fatalities rose to 29,368 while the total caseload to 2,025,677, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily case test positivity rate rose to 15.28 per cent from Friday’s 14.66 per cent as 3,141 samples were tested.
The mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.45 per cent and the recovery rate at 97.04 per cent respectively.
Best Countries for Bachelor's Degree in 2023
Every year a huge number of students move abroad for the purpose of higher studies. Among these departing students, a significant percentage are undergraduate students. The prospect of better education, lifestyle, security, and potential career are some of the key drivers for the outbounds.
Even several decades ago students only from financially well-off families could afford the high cost of education abroad. However, in recent years, students from middle and lower-middle-class families are also traveling abroad for higher studies. Scopes like Scholarships, low tuition fees, or tuition-free waivers have opened the door for many students to study in overseas countries.
With that in mind, we focused on the best countries around the world to study bachelor degree. Read along if you’re planning on studying your undergraduate abroad.
Read Top European Countries Offering Free Education for International Students
Top 7 Countries for Undergraduate Studies in 2023
The countries in this list are in no particular order. Each country has its own offerings and requirements. So rather than looking at a countdown, go for the countries that best match your needs and abilities. Almost every country mentioned in this list requires at least 12 years of formal education unless mentioned otherwise.
United States of America
The first country on the list is the land of the free and American Dreams. Currently, about 1 Million international students are studying in the USA. A large share of these students is pursuing their bachelor's in different branches like Business, Data Analytics, Engineering, and other STEM opportunities.
The primary requirement for admission to a bachelor's program in the USA is to clear the SAT. After that, a student can choose their desired stream based on application and offer letters. The average tuition fee per year is $ 45,000 or 45,41,481 BDT (1 USD = 100.98 BDT).
Read Cheapest countries for Bangladeshi students for higher studies
However, there are a host of scholarships along with campus job opportunities. After graduation, the STEM OPT extension process allows students to get 1 whole year for job searching to settle in the USA.
As a whole, the USA is an excellent destination for higher studies given the cosmopolitan nature of its cities.
United Kingdom
The UK is home to nearly half a million international students and half of them are enrolled in undergraduate courses. By volume, the UK houses 11% of the total international students across the globe in its multitude of colleges and universities.
The country has been flourishing in education for several centuries now. It has always attracted students from all corners of the world because of the quality and global acceptance of a UK degree.
Read Studying Abroad: Major Pros and Cons You Need to Consider
The average tuition fee in the UK is relatively high compared to other European countries. Expect to pay anywhere between 11,000 euro or 10,70,763 BDT to 67,000 euro or 65,21,920 BDT per year depending on programs and streams.
Living cost is also very high with an average starting at around 1000 euro or 99,340 BDT per month (1 Euro= 99.34 taka).
However, the UK also offers a good number of scholarships at the undergraduate level. There are also ample part-time job opportunities with a secured career track after graduation.
Read How to Pick a College or University Abroad for Higher Education
Australia
There has been a recent surge in Bangladeshi outbounds to Australia, especially at the undergraduate level. There are nearly 850,000 international students studying in Australia. A lion’s share of these students is studying at the bachelor's level.
To apply to an Australian university, students will have to submit required scores at IELTS/TOEFL as proof of English proficiency. The other requirements depend on specific subject bases admission requirements.
Business, science, management, and other STEM streams are popular choices for international students. Average tuition fee ranges from 20,000 to 45,000 AUD which is equivalent to 13,10,078 BDT to 29,47,676 BDT (1 AUD = 65.50 BDT).
Read Study in Australia: Scholarship Opportunities for Bangladeshi Students
In Australia, the overall living cost is around 20,000 AUD per year which can be managed through part-time work opportunities. After graduation, a student can easily settle in Australia if s/he can manage a full-time job relevant to his/her stream.
Germany
Are you looking for a country where standard education is offered at a low or no tuition fee? If yes, choose Germany. German Universities are known for their engineering stream majors as they are some of the best in the world. In recent years, Germany has become a prospective destination for bachelor's degrees for international students.
The 16 states of Germany eliminated undergraduate tuition costs at all public German institutions in 2014. Therefore, both domestic and foreign undergraduates presently have access to free education at public institutions in Germany, with only a nominal fee per semester to cover administrative and other costs.
Read IELTS vs TOEFL: Which is better for studying abroad?
To study for a bachelor's in Germany, a student will need two things besides the standard requirements – IELTS/TOEFL score and German Language B2/C1 clearance.
A bachelor's degree in Germany requires the student to finish at least 1 year of an undergraduate degree in their home country after the usual 12 years of schooling. Besides these, the requirements are international.
Germany also requires a block account for tuition and living cost purposes. Currently, the amount is 10,332 euros (10,26,413 taka) which is subject to change. Every month, a portion of the money will be given back to the students for their living costs. However, students can easily manage part-time jobs once they settle in.
Read IELTS Preparation: Best Online Free Resources, Mock Tests, and Guidelines for IELTS Academic and General
However, private universities in Germany charge tuition fees. The average tuition fee is between 750 to 7500 euros or 74,507 to 74,50,731 BDT per semester (1 Euro= 99.34 taka). The living cost is also around 750 euros per month if you live in the city area. To know more about study opportunities in Germany, check out our detailed review.
Denmark
Those prospective bachelor's students who don’t want to show a lumpsum bank deposit or want to take a spouse with them can choose Denmark. This beautiful Schengen country allows students to reach Denmark by submitting tuition fees for the first semester only.
Study opportunities in Denmark have been on the rise as the country now consistently ranks on top of the best higher study destinations in the world.
Read IELTS Practice Tests: 7 Full Free IELTS Mock Tests to Take Online
Like Germany, for admission to a bachelor's degree, Denmark requires the student to complete 13 years of education. So, Bangladeshi students must study for at least 1 year for an undergraduate degree in the home country in addition to the standard 12 years of education.
Tuition fee ranges from 6000 euro or 5,84,052 BDT to 12,000 euros or 11,68,105 BDT per year depending on programs.
Denmark has a low living cost between 600 euros (58,405 BDT) to 800 euros (77,873 BDT). There are also scopes for some scholarships for international students. Moreover, students get part-time work opportunities to support their education and living costs.
Read TOEFL Preparation: Best Free Online Resources, Guidelines, and Mock Test Opportunities
To know more about studying in Denmark, check out our comprehensive take on the country.
Spain
Spain is often termed the ever-sunshine country of Europe. The temperate climate, beautiful cities, and rich cultural history make Spain a lucrative destination for many.
Students coming to Spain are mainly concentrated in the Business and Arts stream. But recently, the country is pushing STEM education for international students with generous offers.
The best thing about bachelor's in Spain is the world-class education and relatively cheaper tuition fees. A non-EU student needs to pay about 650 to 2100 euros per year for a bachelor's program depending on the stream. The amount roughly translates to about 63,271 to 2,04,481 BDT (1 EUR = 97.82 BDT).
Read TOEFL Practice Tests: 7 Full Free TOEFL Mock Tests to Take Online
The living cost is also moderate. Students can easily get by with around 650 to 800 euros almost anywhere in Spain. Low living costs combined with high minimum wage and work opportunities for students easily make Spain a top choice for a bachelor's abroad.
Italy
The country of Neapolitan pizza and la Dolce Vita, Italy is truly one of the most beautiful countries in the world. From the rivers of Venice to the chapels of Rome, the country exudes culture and heritage unlike any other.
The common streams for foreign students in Italy are mostly concentrated between fine arts and applied sciences. These streams are offered in almost all the universities and also have the most scholarship opportunities.
Read SoP for Higher Studies: How to write an unfailing Statement of Purpose?
The average tuition fee at a government university in Italy is around 1000 euros or 97,820 BDT per year. Combine that with an average 950 euro or 92,475 BDT living cost and you have a pretty sweet deal for yourself.
Part-time jobs are abundant but it is capped at 20 hours per week. Even with that, a student will be easily able to support their living cost in any Italian city. To top it off, there are government and private scholarships at the bachelor's level making Italy another potential outbound destination.
Final Words
Many meritorious student in Bangladesh dream to study at a prestigious university abroad. Compared with master's and Ph.D. programs, there are fewer support and scholarship opportunities for international students in the bachelor's degree programs. However, the situation is now changing as more and more developed countries are offering scholarships and tuition fee waivers to prospective international students.
Read What should Bangladeshi students pack and bring with them to Western Countries?
The key here is to figure out which country aligns with personal interest as well as study stream. There is also the potential settlement aspect after graduation.
So far, we have discussed the top countries for studying a bachelor's program abroad. All in all, the countries on this list are probably the best bet when it comes to quality education. Hope it helps!
Bangladeshi students accorded reception by High Commission in Turkey
The Embassy of Bangladesh in Turkey has accorded a reception to 39 Bangladeshi students who have passed Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Ph.D. courses.
The event was held at the "Bijoy Ekattor Auditorium" of the Embassy on Saturday (October 1, 2022), said the Embassy in a media release.
Ambassador Mosud Mannan was present at the event.
Besides, expatriate Bangladeshis living in different cities of the country attended the gathering.
At the beginning of the programme, recitation from the Holy Quran and special prayers were offered.
Read: 4 IU teachers to attend int’l training in Turkey
The Ambassador paid tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
He called upon the students present at the felicitation ceremony to contribute to the ongoing development process of the country by honoring the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the War of Liberation in 1971.
A raffle draw was held at the end of the programme where seven winners were gifted laptops, mobiles and electronics materials.
Dinajpur murder protest: No justice, No Puja celebration!
Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindus, began on Saturday, with the incarnation (bodhon) of the Goddess in temples across the country.But no celebration was seen in a Mandap in Dinajpur's Khansama upazila, rather the Hindus of this area are protesting by hoisting black flags instead of drumming and cheering, demanding the arrest and punishment of the killers of a woman who was murdered after rape.The incident took place at Kumarpara Sarvajanin Puja Mandap in Tongua of Bhervedi union.
Read: Durga Puja fervour grips BangladeshSixty-four days back, a housewife named Upobala was killed after rape on her way home.A case was filed but no one was arrested in this connection, said Dhiman Das, President of Khansama Upazila Puja Celebration Committee.The case is now under investigation by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), he added.Anant Kumar Roy, who joined the protest programme, said that they will not celebrate any religious festival with fanfare in the mandap until justice is done for Upobala's murder.Another protester, Nripendra Nath Roy said they boycotted their main festival only for getting justice for Upobala. Instead of celebrating Puja, they are holding a protest programme by hanging banners with anti-violence slogans on the entrance of the mandap titled 'Stand united against communal evil'.
ULAB celebrates 18th Foundation Day
The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, more popularly known as ULAB, celebrated its 18th Foundation Day on Saturday at its permanent campusMohammadpur in the capital.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud joined the foundation day celebration as the chief guest.
The event started with a presentation of the ULAB theme song, followed by the welcome speech of Dr Kazi Anis Ahmed, Vice-president of the ULAB Board of Trustees.
The Information Minister praised the green campus and thanked the ULAB authority for thinking differently in terms of designing its academic curriculum. “While other universities are focused on market demands, ULAB is trying to promote humanitarianism through their curriculum,” the Minister said in his speech.
Expressing his admiration for the green campus of ULAB, the Minister said that ULAB was established with a different mindset. “While others are giving importance to the market demand, ULAB has designed the curriculum keeping in mind the social and humanitarian aspects. In this regard, ULAB is an exceptional institution,” he added.
Quoting the words of former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam, he said to the students that it is not enough to just dream, buone has to work hard to chase after the dream to become successful.
Obstructionist ruling party an ominous sign ahead of polls: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday said the repeated obstructions by the ruling party at opposition political programmes are an ominous sign for the upcoming national election.
He also warned that the country may witness serious political violence in the days to come if political parties cannot hold peaceful programmes.
GM Quader, also the deputy leader of the opposition in parliament, made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting Shafiqul Islam, a Jatiya Party leader of Pirojpur, who has been receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital with severe injuries after being attacked by assailants.
"We are being prevented in various places from carrying out political activities systematically,” he said.
The Jatiya Party chairman alleged that their party could not hold a peaceful programme in Gazipur on Friday due to obstruction by law enforcers.
He said their party tried to hold the rally to express their opinion in a peaceful manner in Gazipur.
“If we’re obstructed, how can politics be normal and where will normal politics prevail? If the path of normal politics is blocked in such a way, then I fear the country will be headed for major violence in the future and this is an ominous sign for the upcoming elections," Quader observed.
Read: Jatiya Party to shun alliances at next election: GM Quader
He also said the ruling party is sending out a message by blocking the oppositions’ programmes that they are ready to flex their muscles during the next election. “It is very unfortunate. We believe in systematic politics. We don't believe in violence.”
The Jatiya Party chairman said the government must ensure political parties’ right to freedom of expression, of assembly and to demonstrate.
“If we’re obstructed from doing these, then normal politics won’t continue here. The normal politics will be replaced by violent politics and normal politics may finally disappear, inviting a huge danger for us," he said.
GM Quader said he visited seriously wounded Shafiqul and talked to doctors about his condition.
He alleged that the ruling party ‘cadres’ hacked Shafiqul, General Secretary of the local JP unit in Tuskhali Union of Pirojpur's Mathbaria Upazila, and severed one of his legs while he (Shafiqul) was on his way to a local court.
“This attack was carried out with the intention of killing Shafiqul Islam. Now his condition is critical. Even if he survives, he will have to live with the curse of disability for the rest of his life,” GM Quader bemoaned.
He demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in the attack on Shafiqul.
Locals hand over two youths accused of rape to police in Tongi
Locals in Tongi thrashed two youths and handed them over to police on Saturday after nabbing them while raping a minor girl.
The arrestees were identified as Zunayed, 20, from Gopalpur area and Shipu, 22, from Tistar Gate area under Tongi east police station, said Ashraful Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Tongi east police station.
Locals caught the accused on Saturday noon while raping a 13-year old in an abandoned building of Capri cinema hall at Notun Bazar area but two of their associates managed to flee, said the OC.
The rape survivor was first taken to Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital and later was transferred to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital as her condition was critical, he said.
The two youths are being questioned and legal actions against them are underway, said OC Ashraful.
Worker dies from electrocution in city
A day labourer died from electrocution when shifting furniture of a flat in the city’s Khilgaon Taltola area on Saturday.
The deceased was identified as Md Ishak Hawlader, 60, son of Mofiz Hawlader, 32 of Billo village under Gouranodi police station in Barisal. He had been residing at Taltola bazar area.
Sub-Inspector (SI) Nur E Alam of Khilgaon police station said Ishak got electrocuted around 12:30 pm when he touched an electric wire while shifting furniture from the flat.
Co-workers took Ishak Hawler to Mughda Medical College Hospital and then to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) where doctors declared him dead around 4:00 pm.
The body was at the hospital morgue for autopsy.