United News of Bangladesh

The authority of Jagannath University (JnU) has arranged four buses to facilitate the transportation of students appearing in the 49th BCS Preliminary Examination, scheduled for Friday (October 10). Dr. Tarek Bin Atik, Transport Administrator of the university and Associate Professor in the Department of Islamic Studies, said the buses will depart from in front of the university’s Central Shaheed Minar at around 7am on the exam day. NTC shortens foundation training for BCS cadre officers He mentioned that the transport pool has taken the initiative to help students reach their examination centres smoothly and on time. “We wish them the best of success,” he added. The four designated routes and drivers are as follows: Route 1: Jagannath University – Farmgate – Mirpur – Jagannath UniversityDriver: Milon Hawlader – 01634325982 Route 2: Jagannath University – Azimpur – Nilkhet – Asad Gate – Shyamoli – Kallyanpur – Jagannath UniversityDriver: Omar Ali – 01718870456 Route 3: Jagannath University – Malibagh – Mouchak – Jagannath UniversityDriver: Monir Hossain Hawlader – 01773776532 Route 4: Jagannath University – Jatrabari – Demra – Jagannath UniversityDriver: Jagdish Kumar Das – 01716117768    

The constitution of the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Central Students’ Union (SUCSU) has been revised, setting 23 posts for the central council and 9 posts for the hall councils. The university syndicate’s committee finalized the constitution for the SUCSU on Wednesday (October 8) afternoon. The development was confirmed by Md. Eshak Mia, convener of the constitution revision committee and director of Student Guidance and Counseling. Among the 23 central council posts are vice president (VP), general secretary (GS), assistant general secretary (AGS), sports secretary, assistant sports secretary, literature and annual magazine secretary, cultural secretary, liberation war and democratic movement secretary, religion and harmony secretary, social service secretary, female affairs secretary (for female students only), health and environment secretary, education, research and career development secretary, information and technology secretary, international affairs secretary, transport secretary, cafeteria and canteen secretary, and law and human rights secretary. In addition, there are five member posts in the central council. The hall councils will have 9 posts, including VP, GS, AGS, sports secretary, literature and cultural secretary, and social service secretary, along with three member posts. 1 SUST student expelled, 24 suspended  over ragging Under the previous constitution, the central council had 19 posts. Four new posts, including liberation war and democratic movement secretary and religion and harmony secretary, have been added. Previously, there were no hall councils. The constitution was passed at the 237th syndicate meeting on September 25. However, the syndicate formed a committee to review it further. The committee finalized the constitution on October 8 and submitted it. According to Vice-Chancellor A.M. Sarwaruddin Chowdhury, it was scheduled to be handed over to the election commission by October 12, but the university authorities have not yet formed the election commission.  

More than 150 Bangladeshi alumni of Japan-funded scholarship programmes convened in Dhaka on Thursday for the first-ever joint alumni gathering, celebrating decades of educational collaboration between Japan and Bangladesh. The event — hosted by the Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Programme (ADB–JSP) and the ADB Bangladesh Resident Mission — was organised in close cooperation with Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank. The milestone gathering brought together key stakeholders and alumni to reflect on the transformative impact of education, foster stronger international partnerships, and reaffirm their shared commitment to building a knowledge-based, poverty-free society, according to a press release from ADB. Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Shinichi Saida attended the event as a distinguished guest, along with JICA Bangladesh Chief Representative Tomohide Ichiguchi, ADB Executive Director for Japan Shigeo Shimizu, and ADB Country Director for Bangladesh Hoe Yun Jeong, among others. “We take pride in seeing that Japan-funded scholarships, particularly through the ADB–JSP, have empowered scholars to become leaders,” said ADB Country Director Hoe Yun Jeong. “As alumni continue to apply their knowledge and skills, they contribute to advancing socioeconomic development throughout Asia and the Pacific. The Japan-funded scholarship programmes remain committed to supporting human capital development and reducing poverty.” Speakers at the event highlighted the achievements of alumni who are driving positive change in their respective sectors and communities, underscoring the transformative power of education and international collaboration. Bangladesh is among the top recipients of Japan-funded scholarships, reflecting its strong commitment to higher education and global engagement. Each year, the ADB–JSP alone awards around 135 graduate scholarships for studies in economics, business and management, science and technology, and other development-related fields.    

Dhaka University (DU) has advanced 200 places to fall within the 801–1000 range in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Ranking 2026. Last year, the university was ranked within the 1001–1200 bracket. The UK-based renowned educational magazine published the ranking on Thursday on its official website. Dhaka University ranked top among the universities in Bangladesh. A total of 3,118 universities worldwide were evaluated for the ranking, based on indicators such as teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry collaboration. According to the indicator-based scores, DU’s research environment improved by 3 points (10.3 → 13.3), research quality rose by 9.3 points (67.2 → 76.5), and industry collaboration increased by 11.8 points (21.4 → 33.2). The university scored 17.7 in teaching and 45 in international outlook.  

In memory of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) student Abrar Fahad, who died from brutal torture by the leaders and activists of banned Chhatra League at Sher-e-Bangla Hall, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) organized a seminar today titled “Indian Hegemonism and Bangladesh’s Sovereignty: In Memory of Martyr Abrar Fahad” at the RC Majumdar Auditorium of Dhaka University. Speakers at the seminar said that Martyr Abrar Fahad is not merely a name or an individual, but a symbol of Bangladesh’s sovereignty and a beacon of resistance against aggression and hegemonism. Abrar’s martyrdom was a political turning point that awakened the youth of the country against Indian domination and sowed the seeds of the July mass uprising. They further said that the rise of patriotic young people like Abrar proves that the united resistance of millions of youth is most essential for protecting the sovereignty of the country. The speakers called for building national unity, beyond all party lines and differences, to keep this spirit alive and to build a new Bangladesh. Presiding over the seminar, DUCSU Vice President Abu Shadiq Kayem said, “Martyr Abrar Fahad has re-energized the young generation of this country. From his protest and resistance, we can learn how to speak against domination and aggression, and how to secure our rights. The July Revolution that happened today — its seeds were essentially sown by Martyr Abrar Fahad. After Abrar’s martyrdom, a generation has been created in every campus across Bangladesh. Later we saw the ‘Safe Road Movement’ and many other movements. A consensus has been growing among the young generation, and we saw its full manifestation in the July Revolution.” Abrar Fahad’s younger brother, Abrar Faiyaz, said, “Abrar Fahad does not represent any one party or any single particular group. Abrar Fahad is the symbol of our sovereignty. We will truly represent Abrar Fahad as a symbol of sovereignty only when we can stand united, forgetting all divisions, against aggression.” Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Manch, said, “We will not celebrate Abrar Fahad only because his martyrdom showed us the way to a new Bangladesh. If aggression again descends upon the free borders of Bangladesh, if hegemonism returns, we must prepare ourselves. Again, millions of Abrars must rise — not only in BUET but in every educational institution of Bangladesh.” Calling Abrar Fahad a name of promise and commitment to all people in Bangladesh devoted to sovereignty, Joban Magazine editor Rezaul Karim Rony said, “The biggest problem in the concept of Bangladesh’s sovereignty is the foundation of geopolitics. The foundation of Bangladesh’s foreign policy has been made to please India. That is why the term ‘friendly state’ was invented.” “There is no such thing as a friendly state in the world; states are formed on the basis of enemy perception. The reason I am a separate state, a state of exception, a distinct one — is because I see other states as my adversary. But we have been taught the concept of a ‘friendly state’ through the Awami narrative of ’71. Here, the dominance of Indian Bengali nationalism has been mainstreamed culturally and literarily in such a way that being a one-sided friend has become a matter of pride and honor,” Rony added. The seminar was inaugurated by Abrar Fahad’s father, Md. Barkat Ullah. Other speakers included Manarat International University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Abdur Rob, Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman, former Islami Chhatra Shibir president Engineer Sirajul Islam, and United People’s Bangladesh chief organizer Rafe Salman Rifat.

Hasibur Rahman, joint convener of the Jagannath University (JnU) unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), has died after a sudden seizure on Friday night. The 12th batch student of JnU’s Department of Geography and Environment fell ill while having dinner with fellow student leaders at Hotel Star Kabab near the campus around 10 p.m. Initial assumptions suggest that he died of a heart attack. He was rushed to the National Medical College Hospital, where doctors confirmed that he died of a heart attack. Hasibur’s ancestral home is in Bhola. He was a prospective vice-president (VP) candidate from the JnU JCD panel for the upcoming JnUCSU election. JnUCSU election roadmap announced, polls on Nov 27 JnU JCD leaders, including convener Mehedi Hasan Himel and member secretary Shamsul Arefin, who were with him at the time, confirmed the incident. Shamsul Arefin, member secretary of the JnU unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, said, “We were sitting together when Hasibur suddenly felt chest pain. He was immediately rushed to the emergency department of Dhaka National Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.”

The Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sansad (BAGCHAS) held a rally at Dhaka University on Thursday afternoon to express solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was mostly intercepted by Israel. Titled ‘Sumud: Steadfast,’ the program emphasized Palestinians’ right to self-determination. A procession, which started from the Raju Sculpture at the University of Dhaka and concluded at Projonmo Chattar in Shahbagh, preceded the rally. Protests erupt in major cities after interception of Global Sumud Flotilla

A second-year Fine Arts student at Jahangirnagar University (2023-24 session, 53rd batch), Pranto Ray, has accused two senior students of ragging him, the university said on Tuesday. The accused are student parliament leaders of Fajilatunnesa Hall—Vice President (VP) Aishi Sarker Athi and Assistant General Secretary (AGS) Proma Raha. Athi is a fourth-year student (49th batch) and Raha is a third-year student (50th batch) of the Fine Arts Faculty. The university’s Proctor, Professor AKM Rashidul Alam, confirmed that the complaint has been received. According to the complaint, the incident occurred on August 27 during Pranto’s final exam while he faced ragging, threats and mental harassment by the two seniors. Pranto stated in the complaint that students of the 51st batch, Noman and Arian, forcibly took him and his classmates to the gallery during the exam. There, Athi mocked his appearance, saying, “His face has been like this since birth.” Meanwhile, Sijan from the 51st batch kicked him and threatened to expel him from the department. Noman also shouted at everyone to leave the exam hall, disrupting the examination environment and preventing Pranto from completing his exam smoothly. Pranto told UNB, “We come to the university to study. Such ragging seriously damages our safety, dignity and mental health. The accused should face strict action and strong anti-ragging policies must be enforced to ensure our security.” Responding to the allegations, Athi said, “The complaint misrepresents my words. It was not ragging, bullying, or body shaming. About fifty students were present that day, but only a few of us were named in the complaint.” Raha said, “The incident was unintended. We expressed regret to the department. Some of the claims against me were discussed with Pranto later, yet my name was still included. I hope for a fair decision.” JU students lay siege to medical centre over peer’s death Fine Arts Department Chair, Professor Shamim Reza, said, “We initially tried to resolve the matter internally, but the student approached the proctor.” Proctor Professor AKM Rashidul Alam said, “Ragging is not tolerated at this university and such incidents have been rare in recent years. The university has anti-ragging policies and action will be taken after investigation.”  

Although a portion of the ballot papers of DUCSU election was initially printed at Nilkhet they were finally made usable through a five-level security process at the authorised institution, said Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan on Sunday. “The place or number of ballot printing does not have any impact on the fairness of the election,” he said at a press conference at Professor Abdul Matin Chowdhury Virtual Classroom in the administrative building of the university. Professor Niaz explained that the process involved printing and cutting the ballots to specific measurements, assigning security codes, pre-scanning them in OMR machines, and obtaining the signatures and seals of the Chief Returning Officer and relevant Returning Officers to make them fit for voting. “This complex security process cannot be completed in any shop at Nilkhet. At Nilkhet only the initial work was done and the final process was completed at the vendor’s office,” he said. He said an experienced institution was given the responsibility of printing the ballots for the election. Because of the record number of voters and candidates, a supporting institution was included under the tender along with the main vendor for quick preparation of ballots, said the VC. The supporting vendor did not inform the university about the printing of 88,000 ballots on 22 reams of paper at Nilkhet, he said. The vendor was show-caused for this incident and they apologised giving explanation, he added.  “If the candidates apply properly mentioning specific issues, they can observe the CCTV footage and the voter-signed list. This process will be completed in the presence of the experts nominated by the authorities,” he said.  Earlier BNP-backed teachers’ organization Sada Dal and Chhatra Dal raised allegations of irregularities in the election regarding ballot paper printing at Nilkhet.  

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Sust) has announced an 11-day holiday on the occasion of Durga Puja, Fateha-i-Yazdaham and Lakshmi Puja. A press release signed by the university registrar, Syed Salim Mohammad Abdul Qadir, conveyed the decision on Sunday morning. According to the notice, classes and administrative activities will remain suspended from September 28 to October 6. SUST renames 3 halls, assigns names to 3 new ones The Durga Puja holiday, initially scheduled to begin on September 30, was brought forward to September 28.The vacation, including weekends, will span a total of 11 days. Regular academic and administrative activities will resume on October 7, the release added.