bangladesh
ULAB Ranks 75th in WURI’s Global Top 100 Innovative Universities 2023
The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) has recently placed 75th in the Global Top 100 Innovative Universities in the World's Universities with Real Impact (WURI)'s 2023 Ranking.
The university has moved up 21 positions from its previous rank 96 in 2022, according to a press release.
In ceremonies held on May 17 in Fort Myers, Florida, WURI Project Leader Professor MOON Hwy-Chang announced that ULAB has placed 75th in the top 100 universities. The top five ranked universities are: (1) Minerva Schools at Keck Graduate Institute (USA); (2) Arizona State University (USA); (3) University of Pennsylvania (USA); (4) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA); and (5) Stanford University (USA).
Among Bangladeshi universities, ULAB topped the list among seven universities that participated. The other universities on the WURI ranking’s Top 300 are International University on Business, Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT), American International University Bangladesh (AIUB), World University Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Canadian University Bangladesh (CUB) and Daffodil International University (DIU).
This year, ULAB also ranked up from its previous positions in various WURI categories. Under the Industrial Application category, ULAB’s entry “ULAB TV” improved its rank from 49 in 2022 to 36 in 2023. Under the Entrepreneurial Spirit category, ULAB’s Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival (DIMFF) increased its rank from 25 in 2022 to 19 in 2023.
Under the Ethical Value category, ULAB’s entry on Curriculum Integration Program jumped from rank 36 in 2022 to 28 in 2023. Under the Crisis Management category, ULAB’s entry regarding its post pandemic strategy upgraded its position from 24 in 2022 to 15 in 2023. Under the Fourth Industrial Revolution category, ULAB entry “Digital Journalism: An Advanced Study Program for the Fourth Industrial Revolution” was ranked 20.
The WURI Ranking is composed of the Global Top 100 and the Top 50 in each of the following categories: (1) Industrial Application; (2) Entrepreneurial Spirit; (3) Ethical Value; (4) Student Mobility and Openness; (5) Crisis Management; and (6) Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The WURI Ranking was developed by the Hanseatic League of Universities (HLU). The HLU Board of Trustees consists of university presidents from the Netherlands, China, Russia, Germany, South Korea, USA and Finland.
The mission of HLU is innovation in teaching and research in higher education institutions. Given its mission, HLU formed an alternative ranking system called WURI.
Instead of looking at statistics on research, internationalisation, and perception, the WURI evaluates a university's real contribution to society. It highlights creative and innovative approaches to university research and education.
Any plot to destabilise country must be stopped: IGP
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun on Thursday said that any conspiracy to destabilise the country must be stopped.
He reaffirmed that the police have the necessary logistics, training and strong morale of the policemen to do so.
He also directed the field level police officers to perform their duties with transparency and accountability to provide services as per the expectations of the people.
Besides, he also gave instructions to be ready to face any challenge of law and order, which may come in the days to come.
The IGP gave the directives on Thursday while addressing on the last day of the two-day Police Headquarters Quarterly Conference at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium at Rajarbagh Police Lines in the capital.
The police chief said that during the election, the police will perform their duties under the Election Commission.
“The police will do whatever is necessary to maintain the law and order of the country. We are ready to foil any plot to worsen the law and order situation,” he said.
The IGP said that measures have to be taken so that no one can hamper the law and order situation in the country by spreading rumours. Besides, cyber monitoring have to be enhanced to prevent rumours, he said.
The IGP said that the welfare of the force should be ensured. Discipline cannot be compromised while looking after the welfare of the force, he added.
Mentioning that Bangladesh Police will not bear the responsibility of deviant behaviour of any policeman, he said, our position is 'zero tolerance' against corruption, involvement with drugs and moral lapse of any policemen.
He called upon the field level police officers to discharge their duties maintaining good relations with other services and forces keeping honour and dignity of Bangladesh Police.
Senior officers of the Police Headquarters and heads of various police units also attended the conference.
204 gold bars worth Tk25 crore seized from Biman flight
Preventive team of Dhaka Custom House (DCH) seized 204 gold bars worth around Tk 25 crore from inside a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) on Thursday.
Sources at the HSIA said, an aircraft of Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight No- BG 122 from Muscat via Chattogram landed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:30 am.
Based on secret information, the preventive team of the DCH conducted a drive after passengers came out from the flight. During the drive, the customs officers seized 204 gold bars weighing around 23.66 kilograms abandoned from the cargo hole of the aircraft, said Deputy Commissioner (Preventive) of the DCH Mokaddis Hossain.
Present market value of the seized gold is around Tk 25 crore.
RPO Amendment: Balloting of one or more polling stations can be postponed or cancelled
The Cabinet on Thursday gave the final approval to the draft of 'Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2023' with a new provision in an order to authorise the Election Commission to postpone or cancel the election result of one or more than one polling stations during the election.
The approval came from the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office here in the city.
“A new provision has been incorporated in it…. As per the provision, the authority has been given to postpone or cancel the result of one or more than one polling stations at any time during the election due to use of muscle power or any other reason,” Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain briefed reporters at Bangladesh Secretariat after the meeting.
He, however, said there is no issue of canceling the entire election in the proposed law.
He explained that if the EC thinks that there is a problem with the balloting of a polling station, it can cancel or postpone its balloting during the election. It may be during balloting or ballot counting, he said.
The Cabinet Secretary said the issue of punishing the offenders for hampering media men to perform their “lawful” duty during the election is also in the new provision.
The Cabinet earlier on March 28 last approved in principle the draft of Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2023.
Appeal can be made also against valid nomination paper:
Now the decision of a returning officer regarding cancellation of a nomination paper can be challenged. But as per the draft law, the decision of a returning officer that declared a nomination paper valid can also be challenged.
“Appeal can be made against any decision of a returning officer regarding both cancellation and acceptance of nomination papers,” said the Cabinet Secretary.
According to the proposed law, an aspirant can’t be defaulted in repaying bank loan or installment and he needs to clear all utility bills before a day from the day of the submission of nomination papers. Otherwise, he said, the candidature would be canceled.
The aspirant needs to attach a TIN certificate and receipts of tax payment with a nomination paper as well, said the Cabinet Secretary.
As per the draft law, the EC can appoint a returning officer for one or more constituencies. It has been made constituency-based also, which was only district-based, said Mahbub Hossain.
This change paved the way for the EC to appoint a returning officer for two or more constituencies of one more district.
Now the EC has authority to appoint a returning officer for one or more constituencies of a single district.
Besides, the Cabinet cleared the drafts of two other laws --Secured Transactions (Movable Assets) Act, 2023 and Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority Act, 2023 and Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission (Amendment) Act, 2023.
The meeting endorsed the Amendments to the Agreement Establishing the Common Fund for Communities, which was placed by the Commerce Ministry.
It also approved the proposal for ratifying the agreement between Bangladesh and Argentina on Visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
The Cabinet also Okayed the proposal for signing and ratifying the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Secretariat, its Personnel and Representatives of Members of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia.
UN recognition of community clinic means support for Sheikh Hasina’s leadership: Information Minister
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud said on Thursday that the United Nations' recognition of Sheikh Hasina’s community clinic initiative is also an evidence of the organisation’s support and recognition of her leadership.
“When the 'Sheikh Hasina Initiative' resolution was passed in the United Nations on May 16, it was May 17 in Bangladesh, coincidentally, the day of her homecoming,” he said. “Seventy-one countries of the world have co-sponsored this resolution with Bangladesh, which has been unanimously adopted in the United Nations.”
He said this while exchanging views with journalists on contemporary issues at the meeting room of the Ministry of Information at the Secretariat on Thursday noon.
The United Nations has unanimously adopted the first-ever resolution on community-based health care on May 16.
The resolution, titled “Community-based primary health care: a participatory and inclusive approach to universal health coverage,” acknowledged the important role community clinics play in promoting primary healthcare, women’s empowerment, community engagement and mobilisation towards achieving universal access to health.
The resolution, in recognition of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s stellar contribution in establishing model community clinics in Bangladesh, highlighted “the Sheikh Hasina Initiative” as an exemplary innovative model of public-private partnership.
Replying to a question on providing security to foreign diplomats, Hasan said, "All diplomats are usually provided with adequate security. But after the increase in militant activity in the country, some diplomats were given extra security.”
The Information minister said there is no need for additional security measures as Bangladesh has successfully countered terrorism.
“Our government has been able to rein in militants very successfully. We have shown more capability than many developed countries in our ability to counter terrorism,” he said.
Citing the Home Minister Asadduzzaman Khan, Hasan Mahmud said additional security will only be provided if they bear the cost for it.
“It won’t impact relations with any country. It is a routine work.”
Bangladesh reports 36 more Covid-19 cases
Bangladesh reported 36 more Covid-19 cases in the 24 hours till Thursday morning.
With the new numbers, the country's total caseload rose to 2,038,575, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
However, the official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,446 as no new fatalities were reported.
The daily case test positivity increased to 2.2 percent from Wednesday’s 2.01 percent as 1,636 samples were tested.
The recovery rate remained unchanged 98.4 percent. However, the death rate remained unchanged at 1.44 percent.
Bangladesh registered its highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 in 2021 and highest number of fatalities of 264 on August 10 the same year.
Save the Children launches digital equity fellowship for fresh female graduates
Save the Children has offered 10 full-time positions to fresh female graduates to learn and work at their TecHHub Bangladesh under the different working areas of the ICT Department as a part of their Digital Equity Fellowship.
The humanitarian organization for children launched this fellowship on International Girls in ICT Day 2023 to promote gender equity in the digital world.
More than a thousand applicants have applied for the fellowship till now, according to a press release of the organisation.
Under the programme, applicants go through three rounds of selection. After primary selection, selected candidates had the opportunity to join the fellowship introductory webinar on 17 May, where a dialogue session was arranged among youth groups and dignitaries from the private sector, academicians, I/NGOs, UN representatives, and DEF applicants, it said.
There will be three online grooming sessions starting on 22nd May on communication, leadership, and professional growth mindsets and online quizzes.
Based on their performance in the sessions and the quiz, shortlisted candidates will be invited for on-site group activities, practical tasks, and interviews, the press release read.
Ten selected candidates will get a 12-month full-time employment opportunity as ‘Digital Equity Fellows’ to work in different fields of ICT.
PM Hasina to attend Qatar Economic Forum May 23-25
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the Qatar Economic Forum, the Middle East's leading voice dedicated to global business and investment, to be held in Doha on May 23-25.
The Prime Minister will attend the Forum titled “3rd Qatar Economic Forum: A New Global Growth Story” at the invitation of Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin told reporters at a weekly briefing on Thursday.
The main objective of this forum is to find a solution by increasing mutual cooperation among the international community to deal with the multi-faceted challenges and crises going on globally and the adverse economic consequences arising from them.
Strategically located in Doha, the Forum draws on Qatar’s ability to link Asia with Africa and beyond, as well as its position as a key global diplomatic hub and a leader in LNG energy technologies.
With its laser-like focus on the major economic issues facing international CEOs, Heads of State, and money markets, the Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg, provides fresh and unique perspectives on the issues driving global boardroom conversations.
The forum features a curated group of global leaders and innovators exploring solutions for some of today’s more pertinent challenges as they draw up a blueprint for our shared future, said the organisers.
Mohammed S. Al-Sudani, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia, Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, Akbar Al-Baker, Group CEO of Qatar Airways, Khalid A. Al-Falih, Minister of Investment, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan, Minister of Finance, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs, State of Qatar, President & CEO of QatarEnergy are among the guests.
The organisers of the event put Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s name as one of the guests among Heads of State and Government.
Qatar Economic Forum 2023 will focus on prominent global challenges that affect societies and economies around the world.
The 2023 edition will revolve around global growth and establishing a new roadmap for global growth in this challenging economic environment.
The Prime Minister will be heading for Doha on May 22 and will return home on May 26.
Fire hydrants will be installed in all DNCC markets: DNCC Mayor
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam said on Thursday that fire hydrants will be installed in every slum and market in the north to tackle fire-related incidents.
“The fire hydrant will have 60,000 litres of water. It can operate for at least 40 minutes. If we can survive for 40 minutes, and if the road is empty, we can reduce damages,” the DNCC mayor said.
He made the statement as he inaugurated a fire hydrant under the integrated community firefighting and water supply system at Mohakhali Shattola slum in the capital on Thursday (May 18).
"The Shattola slum is a model for fire safety. Fire hydrants will also be installed in other slum areas in phases,” he said.
Atiqul said Dhaka North City Corporation has provided 17 volunteers to efficiently use the fire hydrant during any incident.
There will be a reservoir, a hose pipe and 17 trained volunteers to use the fire hydrant, the mayor said.
“If there is a fire here, the fire alarm will go off immediately. Fire exits have been introduced in this slum. We’ve also shown what to do in case of a fire,” he added.
The DNCC mayor said safety measures, including fire hydrants, will be ensured in the markets under the north city corporation.
“Mohakhali Kachabazar will be built as a model for fire safety. Later, fire hydrants will be installed in all other markets based on the model.”
He also urged people to stop taking selfies or videos during a fire incident and cooperate with the fire service and make way for fire-fighting equipment.
The mayor said due to the lack of water bodies in Dhaka, it’s becoming increasingly tough for firefighters to collect water during an emergency.
"When there's a fire emergency, there's no water to douse the blaze,” he said. “Our canals and water bodies have been encroached. So there is no water.”
He emphasised on increasing the numbers of reservoirs, water bodies and open fields across the city.
Moderated by Md. Maruf Hossain, Town Manager of LIUPC Project of UNDP and presided over by DNCC Chief Executive Officer Md. Selim Reza, the function was addressed, among others, by Dr. Dibalok Singh, Executive Director of Dushtha Shasthya Kendra (DSK), Partha Hefaz Shaikh, WaterAid Bangladesh Programme and Policy Advocacy, Van Nguyen, Acting Resident Representative of UN Programme Bangladesh, DNCC Ward No. 20 Councillor Md. Abul Kalam Azad. Nasir, reserved seat councilor Amena Begum and others.
Govt moves to setting power, gas prices based on international market: Nasrul
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that the government is now moving towards fixing power and energy prices on the basis of their international market prices.
“We’re preparing for setting the gas price through a market –based mechanism. Similarly, the tariff of electricity will be set on a market-based price,” he told reporters on Thursday on the sideline of a solar power related workshop’ concluding session at a city hotel.
The state minister was responding to reporters’ queries about state-owned Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company’s proposal to raise household consumers’ gas price by 47 percent again.
As per the proposal, a single burner user will have to pay Tk 1,379 instead of current monthly bill of Tk990 while a double burner user will have to Tk 1,591 instead of Tk Tk1,080 per month.
The new market-based price mechanism will be introduced soon under which sometimes prices will go up and down on the basis of their international market prices, said the State Minister adding that government wants to come out of the subsidies now being provided for the gas and power sector.
About the solar power sector, he said that the World Bank has conducted a study where it identified a number of areas from which about 5,500 MW of electricity could be generated.
“We’ve told the World Bank that the public and private sectors can work together. They have conducted pre-feasibility studies there,” he said adding that an option is being created centering the wind offshore power.
He said the government is also conducting a study as to how quickly electricity could be produced from such offshore and onshore wind power potentials.
He noted that there is a big advantage for our country that there is a large area of shallow sea on our shore where water depth is 50-60 meters.
“But lots of matters have to be looked into as there are environmental aspects, and fisheries as well. We have to consider many things before harnessing the potentials from wind,” he said.
Nasrul Hamid said the government is now working to provide reliable electricity at an affordable price.
In the workshop titled: “Utility Scale Solar”, a World Bank team leader said land access is the key challenge.
He said the World Bank is interested in providing both financial and technical support to implement solar power projects in Jamalpur .
“We can mobilize the climate change funds along with the international investors for the project,” said the World Bank team leader.
The function was also addressed by Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) chairman Mahbubur Rahman and Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) chairman Munira Sultana.