Education
IU forms body to probe ragging 'by BCL men'
A three-member committee has been formed to investigate the ragging of a first year student allegedly by some Bangladesh Chhatra League(BCL) at Islamic University in Kushtia.
A press release, signed by IU acting registrar HM Ali Hasan, was issued in this regard on Wednesday night.
IU Vice-Chancellor Professor Sheikh Abdus Salam formed the body headed by IU Economics department Professor and also the university’s Sheikh Russel Hall provost Professor Debashish Sharma to investigate the incident, the press release said.
Read: Govt nationalises 828 educational institutions: Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury
IU law administrator Professor M Anisur Rahman while assistant proctor, also a lecturer of finance and banking department of the university, Mithun Bairagi are members of the probe body.
The probe body was asked to submit its report as early as possible, said the release.
The Lalon Shah Hall authorities also formed a four-member probe body headed by its provost Professor Aktar Hossain to investigate the incident.
The other members of the probe committee are the hall’s house tutors Abdul Halim, Helal Uddin and assistant registrar Zillur Rahman.
IU acting registrar HM Ali Hasan told UNB that the university administration will take stern action against the accused involved in the incident after getting the probe report.
Earlier, some activists of Awami League’s student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League’s Islamic University unit allegedly tortured a first year student of the Al-fiqh and Legal Studies department at Lalon Shah Hall of the university on February 7.
Read: IU fresher ‘ragged by BCL men’ again
The incident came to light after the victim disclosed the matter to his classmates on Monday.
Campus sources said that a group of IU BCL unit activists led by Physical Education department’s second year student Mudachsir Khan Kafi and Islamic History and Culture department’s second year student Mohammad Sagor called the victim to their room at Lalon Shah Hall of the university.
They allegedly undressed the victim and tortured him there from 12 am to 4:30am on February 7 last.
Mudachsir Khan Kafi and Mohammad Sagor are the followers of IU BCL unit general secretary Nasim Ahmed Joy.
The accused also assaulted the victim with a steel stick and hurled abusive words.
'New opportunities for Bangladeshi students in UK'
The Chief Executive Officer of international education specialist Study Group, which partners with more than 50 leading universities, has recently visited Dhaka to ensure that accomplished Bangladeshi students are aware of new opportunities to access the world class education available in the UK.
On his first visit to Bangladesh, CEO Ian Crichton demonstrated how British higher education, although grounded in tradition, is continually evolving to meet the changing ambitions of Bangladeshi students seeking a successful future.
Bangladeshi students are prioritising programmes with strong industry connections and internship opportunities in highly skilled fields aligning with the UK's emphasis on career-oriented education. With business and management related degree programmes already attracting a significant number of Bangladeshi students, there's a growing interest in computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, law, renewable energy, marketing and entrepreneurship. The UK excels in many of these areas, attracting students seeking cutting-edge education and future-proof skills.
“The UK universities provide safe access to high quality learning, which is amongst the best in the world,” said Crichton, chief executive officer, Study Group, “It is the product of hundreds of years of development and today the UK continues to lead the way in delivering truly inclusive global education backed by world class research.”
“However, while we anticipate a growing number of Bangladeshi students will pursue their higher education in Britain, we believe that many are unaware of the International Year One route to university,” said Crichton.
“Study Group’s International Year One programmes are designed in collaboration with our partner universities for international students who have demonstrated the aptitude to enter an undergraduate degree but need additional language instruction and support designed around the academic skills associated with that level of study. Successful students can then go on to achieve a degree at their chosen university within two years. We are delighted to introduce a number of new International Year One programmes this year.”
Provost and Chief Academic Officer Professor Elena Rodriguez-Falcon oversees Study Group’s academic staff and teaching at the International Study Centres delivered in partnership with universities.
“Our International Year One programmes are intensive preparation courses for further study at one of our partner universities. They provide our students with the knowledge and skills equivalent to that of the first year of a specific undergraduate,” she said.
Govt nationalises 828 educational institutions: Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury
Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury on Wednesday said that the government has nationalised 828 educational institutions in the last 15 years.
They include 54 schools and colleges, 374 colleges, 347 schools and 49 technical institutions, he said in Parliament.
No plan to change new education system: Education Minister
The education minister said this while responding to a tabled question of ruling party MP elected from Chattogram M Abdul Latif.
In response to the question of Awami League lawmaker elected from Natore Shafiqul Islam Shimul of Natore-2 constituency, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury said that the present government has no plan to resume JSC and PSC final examinations.
Seminar on the genetics of purple potato held at BAU
In response to the question of M Abdul Latif, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Rumana Ali said that currently the number of government primary schools in the country is 51,026.
“The process of bringing private educational institutions under registration under new rules is going on. The government has no plan to nationalise those private educational institutions,” she said.
IU fresher ‘ragged by BCL men’ again
No plan to change new education system: Education Minister
Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury on Wednesday said there is no plan to change the new education system.
“But discussion is going on with education experts to implement the new system more effectively,”he said in Parliament while responding to a tabled question of Jasad MP elected from Bogura AKM Rezaul Karim Tansen.
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He said that the country's new education system will create a meritorious nation.
“The new education system based on the new curriculum will help our next generation to survive in the competitive world as well as the 4th industrial revolution, globalisation, climate change risks and transition from middle income country to a developed one,” he said.
He said that the students will be able to face the challenges of the new era more effectively by moving out of the note-based and certificate-based education system in the past and through the new merit-based education system.
“Students are not meritless, students will become more skilled and competent in the new education system,” he said.
In response to independent MP elected from Dhaka-5 Moshiur Rahman Sajal, Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury said that it is not like that there are no exams in the new curriculum.
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“To break the notes and certificate-based education system, the new education system and assessment system have been introduced, which are different from the traditional examination concept,” he said.
As a result, he said that many are complaining that there is no exam in the new system due to the lack of memorisation-based exams like before.
“A modern performance evaluation system has been introduced in the new curriculum, combining continuous and summative evaluation,” he said.
He also mentioned that apart from written assessment, problem solving, individual work, group work are being assessed here.
Learning is being assessed in a variety of ways, including presentation and communication skills, collaboration, leadership, application of acquired knowledge, and observation, the minister said.
Seminar on the genetics of purple potato held at BAU
A seminar on the 'Genetics of Potato Storage Starch Metabolism under Abiotic Stress' has been organized at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) aimed at the development of new varieties and improvement of potato nutritional value by enhancing the gene source, structure, and addressing genetic defects of purple potato.
The course content and research methods were discussed during the seminar held on Tuesday.
The seminar was organized by Prof. Dr. Jobadatun Naher at the MS conference room of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding of BAU.
Prof. Dr. habil. Joerg Fettke discussed biomass as biofuel; sugar and carbohydrates are used to make biofuel.
He said, “The food-fuel-environment trilemma involves competition for land. Potatoes, such as Starch Corp, are used for making biofuel. Many processes are needed to convert carbs into fuel, but genetically engineering the plant and isolating specific genes will streamline this process.”
Prof. Dr. Mohammad Rashed Hossain, Head of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, chaired the seminar. Special guests were Prof. Dr. Md Golam Rabbani, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, and Prof. Dr. Mahfuza Begum, Director of Bangladesh Agricultural University Research System (BAURES). The participants of the seminar were faculty members of the Agriculture of BAU.
The keynote speakers of the seminar were: Prof. Dr. habil. Joerg Fettke, Biopolymer Analytics, University of Potsdam, Germany; Prof. Dr. Chayon Goswami, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BAU; Prof. Dr. Jobadatun Naher, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, BAU; and Dr. Julia Compart, Biopolymer Analytics, University of Potsdam, Germany. They discussed their course content and research methodologies.
IU fresher ‘ragged by BCL men’ again
A fresher of the Al-Fiqh and Legal Studies department under 2022-23 academic session has allegedly been ragged by a group of activists of the Islamic University unit of Awami League-backed Bangladesh Chhatra League.
The incident came to light after the victim disclosed the matter to his classmates on Monday.
Campus sources said that a group of IU BCL unit activists led by Physical Education department’s second year student Mudachsir Khan Kafi and Islamic History and Culture department’s second year student Mohammad Sagor called the victim to their room at Lalon Shah Hall of the university.
They undressed the victim and tortured him there from 12 am to 4:30am on February 7 last.
Mudachsir Khan Kafi and Mohammad Sagor are the followers of IU BCL unit general secretary Nasim Ahmed Joy.
The accused also assaulted the victim with a steel stick and hurled abusive words.
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Contacted, the victim said Mudachsir Khan Kafi and Mohammad Sagor tortured him both physically and mentally.
Later, Hafiz, Nasim Ahmed Masum, Shahin Alam and Likhon loyal to IU BCL unit general secretary Nasim Ahmed Joy settled the issue among them, he said.
When asked about lodging a complaint to the university administration in this connection, the victim said that he would not file any complaint over the incident.
Denying the allegation, Mohammad Sagor said that he was not involved in such an incident as he was not in the hall on that night.
Many students said that such incidents often happen on the campus and demanded stern action so that they could not dare to commit such a heinous act in the future.
IU BCL unit general secretary Nasim Ahmed Joy said that the issue was settled between the victim and the accused.
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Organisational action will be taken against the accused involved in the incident if the victim lodge a complaint with them in this connection, he said.
IU Lalon Shah Hall provost Professor Aktar Hossain said that they will take legal action against the accused involved in the incident if the victim files a complaint.
On March 30, a group of BCL unit activists loyal to Nasim Ahmed Joy allegedly drove Mehedi Hasan, a third-year student of the finance and banking department, out of his allocated seat from Lalon Shah Hall.
On June 20, 2023, a fresher of the development studies department was allegedly tortured and humiliated by a group of activists of the Islamic University unit of the ruling Awami League-backed Bangladesh Chhatra League at Lalon Shah Hall of the university.
A group of IU BCL unit activists, including IU fine arts department’s second-year students Afif Hasan and Tonmoy Biswas called the victim to the same room and tortured him there mercilessly.
On February 12 night, a first-year female student of the finance and banking department was reportedly tortured and intimidated by the IU unit BCL vice-president Shanjida Chowdhury Ontora and her associates, including Tabassum, Mim, Urmi and Maobiya Jahan, in Deshratna Sheikh Hasina Hall on the university campus in Kushtia.
Ontora, at one stage, forced the victim to get undressed and videoed the incident on the mobile phone.
The university administration expelled Ontora and her four associates from the university on August 21.
NIANER hosts seminar on innovations in nursing education and practice
The National Institute of Advanced Nursing Education and Research (NIANER) organized a pivotal scientific seminar on Monday in Dhaka, focusing on the latest advancements in nursing education and practice. This event, held at NIANER's state-of-the-art facilities, drew nursing professionals, researchers, educators, and policymakers together to discuss the significant progress in nursing through research and innovation.
Since its inception in 2016, aided by a grant from the Government of the Republic of Korea and facilitated by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), NIANER has risen to prominence as Bangladesh's leading institution for nursing education, according to a press release from KOICA Bangladesh.
Read: UGC directs National University not to admit new students to its main campus
NIANER's dedication to quality and innovation has positioned it as a key player in advancing nursing education and practice within Bangladesh, attracting international nursing students and setting high standards in the field.
Maqsura Noor, NDC, Additional Secretary and Director General of the Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery (DGNM), served as the chief guest, lauding NIANER's contributions to research-based nursing education in the country. She commended the seminar's role in motivating young nurse researchers to pursue advanced roles in nursing.
Kang Hyun Suh, Deputy Country Director of KOICA Bangladesh and Bhutan Office, highlighted the critical role of investment in nursing education and training for sustainable healthcare outcomes. Suh praised NIANER's efforts to elevate the nursing profession and confirmed KOICA's continued support for healthcare professional empowerment in Bangladesh.
Read: New curriculum to contribute to job creation as per domestic, global demand: Edu Minister
The seminar featured nearly 15 nursing students from across Bangladesh presenting their research on current issues in nursing care. The keynote research paper was delivered by Prof. Dr. Syed Abdul Hamid from the Health Economics Department of Dhaka University.
The event also saw participation from distinguished figures such as Prof. Dr. Debabrata Banik, Nursing Dean of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU); Md. Abdul Quader, Joint Secretary, Medical Education & Family Welfare Division; Md. Nasir Uddin, Deputy Secretary and Registrar of BNM; and Dr. Taslima Begum, Director of NIANER.
KOICA, established in 1991 by the Korean Foreign Ministry to administer Official Development Assistance, has played a vital role in supporting socio-economic development in Bangladesh through grant aid and technical cooperation since 1993.
Read more: EWU hosts 'Job Fair and Career Search’ programme
DU players attacked during Inter-University Cricket final at RU
Players from Dhaka University were attacked by students of Rajshahi University during the final match of the Inter-University Cricket Tournament at Sheikh Kamal Stadium in Rajshahi on Monday.
The Rajshahi University administration initially refrained from taking any action, but later formed a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the incident.
Four injured players, identified as Sifat, Imon, Tury, and Rokon, are currently undergoing treatment at Rajshahi's LabAid Hospital.
According to eyewitnesses and sources familiar with the matter, the clash emanated from a dispute over a decision made by the umpires, that led to a heated argument between the players on the field and eventually escalating into a physical confrontation.
Some members of the ruling party student front Chhatra League were seen participating in the attack. Following the incident, the university authorities, along with the police, escorted the players off the field for their safety.
The Dhaka University cricket team's head coach claimed that at least four players from their team were injured in the attack. In response to the incident, the Rajshahi University administration formed a committee to investigate the matter.
While the university authorities expressed regret over the incident, the coach of Dhaka University's cricket team, Shahadat Hossain, mentioned concerns about the lack of security during the match. He stated that the administration did not take adequate measures to prevent the clash.
The clash disrupted the game temporarily, but after interventions from both coaches and teachers, the match resumed, and DU emerged victorious.
The clash prompted strong reactions from both universities' administrations, with Rajshahi University condemning the violence in an official statement. Meanwhile, Dhaka University's administration expressed disappointment and called for an immediate investigation to ensure such incidents do not happen again.
As the universities grapple with the aftermath of this unfortunate incident, questions about security protocols during sporting events on campuses have come to the forefront. The focus now shifts to the inquiry committee's findings and the steps that will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
DU BCL leader accused of assaulting canteen manager for asking unpaid dues
A leader from the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at Dhaka University’s Master Da Surja Sen Hall allegedly physically assaulted the canteen manager of the hall over a dispute regarding due payments.
The BCL leader is Arafat Hossain, the organizing secretary of the BCL unit at the hall.
The canteen manager filed a complaint with the hall provost, seeking justice for the attack.
According to the complaint, the accused entered the canteen at noon, where Fahim Hossen was manning the cash counter. After being served food, he requested the due payments amounting to Tk2,650.
In response, Arafat Hossain launched an immediate attack, physically assaulting him by tearing his beard, shirt, and lungi. He then had to flee the scene to be safe, he wrote in the complaint.
The complaint letter further stated that, on a previous occasion, when the canteen manager requested Arafat for the due money, the accused summoned him to his room and threatened him.
In response, Arafat Hossain said, “While having lunch, the canteen manager demanded money. I informed him that I faced issues withdrawing money. Later, as I was leaving, the manager instructed the staff not to provide me with food in the future. In response, I questioned the manager, asking how he could make such a statement.”
Regarding the physical assault complaint, Arafat claimed, “When he pushed me, I grabbed his collar, and my hand inadvertently caught his beard. He initiated the physical contact, and I did not engage in any beating of such kinds.”
Dr. Md Zakir Hossain Bhuiyan, the Provost of the hall, said, “The victim has submitted a written complaint. We have formed a committee comprising three members and instructed them to submit a report within three days. Further actions will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.”
DU sends Naadir Junaid on 3 months' forced leave following sexual harassment complaint
Dhaka University administration on Monday sent Prof. Naadir Junaid of the Mass Communication and Journalism (MCJ) department to three months of forced leave in light of allegations of a sexual harassment complaint filed by a female student.
The department's chairperson Abul Mansur Ahmed read out the university's official decision to the students in the department’s corridor around 4:30 pm.
“In the interest of maintaining the smooth operation of the university's educational activities, you are required to take a leave for three months starting from February 12, abstaining from all academic and administrative responsibilities,” he announced in the letter in front of the students.
“Furthermore, the matter will be presented in the next syndicate meeting for a thorough investigation into the allegations raised against you. Any necessary actions will be taken in accordance with the decisions made by the syndicate,” he added.
Academic freeze: DU MCJ students start indefinite boycott of classes demanding investigation, suspension of Prof. Naadir Junaid
The students of the department started gathering in the department’s corridor from 10 am this morning for the second day to press home their three points of demand following yesterday's decision to boycott all academic activities indefinitely.
DU student files sexual harassment complaint against senior teacher of MCJ dept
Around 2:15 pm, they carried out a protest rally that marched to the Vice Chancellor’s office where they went to submit their memorandum.
As the VC was not present in the office then, they marched to the VC's residence. There, the department's chairperson Abul Mansur Ahmed requested them to wait till 4 pm as he said the VC was in a meeting with foreign delegates.
Abul Mansur Ahmed said, “Wait till 4 pm, VC sir confirmed he will give a written final decision about your demands.”
Before heading to meet the VC, as part of their protest, the students locked and sealed the professor's office and the department's classrooms.
Chhatra Union's DU unit protests sexual harassment allegation against professor