United News of Bangladesh

The public and private university teachers’ organization ‘University Teachers’ Link’ (UTL) said that Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election was conducted mostly under the responsibility of teachers belonging to the BNP-leaning Sada Dal, yet they have issued a statement by Sada Dal alleging irregularities in the election, that may be regarded as duplicity and double-faced behavior. These remarks were made during a press conference held today 3pm in front of the DUCSU building regarding the DUCSU election results and subsequent matters. The written statement was read out by UTL convener Professor Md. Ataur Rahman Biswas. Professor Md. Ataur Rahman said, Sada Dal, an organization of teachers aligned with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, has given a frustrating statement regarding the DUCSU election. After July, for many reasons, the Sada Dal has been leading the administrative structure of Dhaka University. Deans of various faculties and provosts of 16 out of 18 halls are directly connected with the Sada Dal. In addition, among the 10 members of the Election Commission formed for the DUCSU election, 8 represent the Sada Dal and 2 represent the Gulapi Dal. Most of the returning officers and polling officers engaged in the election process are known as active members of the Sada Dal. “When most of the responsibility of conducting the election was in the hands of the Sada Dal teachers, then raising in their statement the issue of ‘fraud and irregularities’ in the election falls into the category of duplicity and double-faced behavior. This can raise questions about the moral position of the teachers issuing such statements.” He said before the voting, empty ballot boxes were sealed in front of observers and media workers. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., no incident of fraud, manipulation, ballot snatching, or CCTV blackout occurred anywhere. The vote counting was also shown live on CCTV and results were announced in the presence of all. Yet, the White Panel’s allegations of irregularities have pained students, teachers, and the people of the country. He further said, in democracy victory and defeat are normal. Such realization increases students’ political awareness and sense of responsibility. Dhaka University is not anyone’s private institution; it is a center of free thought run with the taxpayers’ money. A hegemonic mentality obstructs students’ freedom of expression. Trying to win at any cost by disregarding the voters’ verdict creates division and conflict, which damages the academic environment. This is nothing but a well-planned attempt to question democratic achievements. The duty of teachers involved in the election is to reveal the truth and to properly guide the students. Also present at the press conference were UTL Member-Secretary Professor Dr. Mohammad Bilal Hossain, Professor Munira Jahan, among others. Alongside, three demands were presented by UTL. Their demands include the university administration and Election Commission resolving the baseless questions raised regarding election matters, and the university administration should take steps to stop any form of harassment of students or activities that snatch away their mandate after they exercised their voting rights. The election conducted with the direct participation of Sada Dal teachers has been questioned through a statement on Sada Dal’s official pad, and such a statement should be withdrawn, they said. As the 2025 DUCSU election has already been widely praised at home and abroad for being free and fair, the university administration should take legal steps regarding activities that attempt to question such an election. It is to be noted that yesterday, citing a television channel, the BNP-leaning teachers’ organization Sada Dal issued a statement alleging massive “manipulation and irregularities” in the DUCSU election.

Students of Dhaka College and six other affiliated colleges in the capital on Saturday demanded the immediate withdrawal of the draft ordinance for the proposed Dhaka Central University, calling it unsuitable and unreasonable for preserving the colleges’ distinct identity, heritage, and academic progress. They said this at a press conference organized by general students at Dhaka College. They said that to safeguard the autonomy of the seven colleges and improve the quality of education, a new university must be established following international standards modeled after Oxford University. They stressed the need for administrative and financial independence for the colleges, along with their own governing bodies and resources. Students present at the event alleged that the earlier movement for the seven colleges was eventually taken over by a handful of individuals whose extremism and unruly behavior created unrest on campus, leading to mental harassment of ordinary students, female students, and even teachers. They further claimed that although 24–26 rounds of discussions had been held with the authorities while the opinions of college principals and department heads were never sought. Dhaka College student Piyas Ahmed Alif said the draft proposes introducing co-education at Eden and Begum Badrunnesa Colleges, which he argued would undermine the century-long tradition of prioritizing women’s education. He also criticized the proposal to drop several religion-based departments such as Islamic History and Culture and Islamic Studies, calling it a display of anti-religious sentiment. Alif expressed further concerns that the draft fails to address crucial issues such as the future of intermediate-level courses, alumni identity, access to college campuses and halls, and conflicts over the use of facilities between the university and the colleges. He warned that the draft appeared to be an attempt to erase nearly two centuries of history and tradition. The students placed three key demands: 1. All teachers, students, alumni, and staff of the seven colleges must be directly included in discussions regarding the establishment of the university. 2. Opinions should not be collected through what they called a "mockery of e-mails"; instead, open and transparent discussions must be held. 3. A commission must be formed to draft a timely and sustainable law. They warned that if these demands are not met soon, they will announce stronger protest programs in the coming days.

Members of Adivasi Chhatra Janata staged a protest at Dhaka University’s Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) on Friday afternoon, demanding the arrest and trial of those involved in the gang rape of a Marma girl in Khagrachhari. They also protested the alleged detention and assault of Ukanu Marma, general secretary of the Bangladesh Marma Council’s Khagrachhari district unit, by army personnel.

A total of 141 teachers and students from various departments of Islamic University in Kushtia have been selected to conduct research projects under the Bangladesh University Grants Commission for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Among the participants, 65 are teachers, 69 students, and 7 PhD researchers. IU acting registrar Professor M Manjurul Haque said on Friday that each research project would run for one year, and participants would receive financial support under the programme. Participants were selected from seven faculties of the university, he added. Selected teachers would receive between Tk 300,000 and 325,000, PhD researchers receive Tk 200,000, and students would receive Tk 50,000 to 60,000 for the projects.

The authorities of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) have renamed three of its residential halls, including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall. The university also decided in principle to rename three under-construction halls. The decisions came from the university’s 237th syndicate meeting held on Thursday, which concluded at 10 pm after daylong discussions. Alongside the hall renaming, a research centre was also renamed. SUST Vice-Chancellor Professor AM Sarwaruddin Chowdhury told reporters that several important decisions were taken at the meeting regarding residential facilities. SUST allows student politics ahead of SUCSU election He said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall has been renamed as ‘Bijoy 24 Hall,’ the First Female Hall as ‘Ayesha Siddika Hall,’ and Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall as ‘Fatimatuz Zohra Hall.’ Among the new names, the ten-story boys’ hall under construction will be called ‘Gazi Burhan Uddin Hall,’ the new female hall ‘Sumaiya Binte Khubbat Hall,’ and the international hall ‘M Saifur Rahman Hall.’ Besides, Bangabandhu Research Centre has been renamed as the ‘Jalalabad Research Centre,’ the VC added.

At least 15 students of Islamic University in Kushtia — 14 females and one male — have accused a fellow female student of sexually harassing them through fake Facebook accounts. The matter came to light after the victims submitted a written complaint to the university’s anti-sexual harassment committee on Tuesday. They said the harassment caused them both social and psychological distress. The accused, Jannatul Mawa Sneha, a student of the 2020–21 academic session from the Public Administration department, allegedly created multiple fake profiles to distort names and photos of her peers and spread obscene, offensive and defamatory content. According to the complaint, the fabricated content severely damaged the complainants’ personal reputations, social standing and mental health. The victims include Farhana Afrin, Moriyam Khatun, Sabia Sultana Munni, Muhsina Rahman Tithi, Abhishek Biswas, Ritwik Majumder, Oindrila Biswas, Atkia Anarum Riya, Nusrat Nawar Pratty, Roufun Nahar, Azmiara Ikra, Saniya Sabi Irteja, Nusrat Jahan Nila of the Public Administration department, Suraiya Yasmin Shova of the English department and Nafiz Hossain of the Marketing department. Students said they took Sneha to the police station on Sunday, where her phone allegedly revealed multiple fake accounts, AI-generated obscene images, editing apps and other incriminating material. They claimed this confirmed her involvement. The complainants demanded stern action against Sneha, warning that failure to act would encourage similar incidents on campus in the future. IU Prof Johurul Islam dismissed over unauthorized absence Repeated attempts to contact Sneha were unsuccessful as her phone remained switched off. Professor Begum Roksana Mili, convener of IU’s anti-sexual harassment committee, said she had heard about the matter verbally but had not yet received the written complaint. “Once it reaches me, I will sit with other committee members and take a decision,” she said.  

The Ministry of Education has instructed the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) not to schedule any examinations during the government announced holiday from September 28 to October 9. The Ministry of Education issued the order signed by Md Rajibul Alam, senior assistant secretary to the Secondary and Higher Education Division, on Wednesday. The government earlier announced a 12-day holiday for all educational institutions across the country from September 28 to October 9 on the occasion of Durga Puja, Bijoya Dashami, Fateha-i-Yazdaham, Prabarana Purnima and Laxmi Puja to celebrate those with festivity and due solemnity. According to the order, holidays in schools will begin on September 28 coinciding with the day of Maha Shasthi. Law enforcers to be deployed from Wednesday for Durga Puja: Home Adviser Government and non-government secondary and lower secondary schools will remain closed for eight days excluding weekends and resume classes on October 8. Colleges under the government and non-government calendar will also close on September 28. With weekends excluded, they will have a 10-day holiday, reopening on October 12 as October 10 and 11 fall on Friday and Saturday. This year, according to the calendar, the five-day main festivities of Durga Puja will begin with Shasthi Puja on September 28, seven days after Mahalaya.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has expressed deep concern over the recent tensions between students and faculty at Rajshahi University (RU) following the reinstatement of the dependent quota and incidents of alleged teacher harassment. In a joint statement on Tuesday, central President Zahidul Islam and Secretary General Nurul Islam Saddam said the university administration reinstated the quota just before the upcoming Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) elections, despite students’ long-standing demands for its cancellation. The leaders said clashes between students and faculty during protests, including arguments and instances of harassment of respected teachers, were “regrettable” and “threaten the integrity of the RUCSU election process.” They condemned the recent incidents, including setting fire to tires, blocking the Pro-VC’s residence, and other acts that diverted the movement from its peaceful and constructive goals. The statement emphasised that such behaviour cannot be part of a legitimate student protest. RUCSU elections rescheduled for October 16 The Shibir leaders also highlighted that the quota system is a major obstacle to merit-based education and noted that the quota had been abolished in 2024 after long student struggles and sacrifices. They said the recent reinstatement of the quota contradicts the sacrifices of the students who fought for equality. The statement called for the formation of an impartial investigation committee to identify those responsible and take appropriate action. It also urged the university to hold RUCSU elections on time and resolve the current crisis through fair and peaceful means.

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) administration on Monday allowed student politics on campus again, after being banned last year, to maintain campus discipline. A notice signed by the university registrar, Syed Solim Md. Abdul Kadir, said that all political activities by student organizations must obtain prior approval from the university proctor. The decision follows a unanimous recommendation during a meeting on August 18 between the proctorial committee and representatives of all student organizations. SUST Football Tournament 2025 ends with Hawkaw FC crowned champions The notice emphasized that, to maintain campus discipline, students may conduct welfare-oriented political activities with mutual respect, while meetings, rallies and processions were announced to remain prohibited in academic, administrative and residential buildings. In addition, panels for the upcoming Shahjalal University Central Students’ Union (SUCSU) election and related introductory events may be organized with prior approval from the relevant hall administration.

The long-awaited Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU) and hall sangsad elections, previously scheduled for September 25, will now be held on October 16. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting held on Monday, according to a press release signed by Chief Election Commissioner Professor F. Nazrul Islam. The release said that the current situation at Rajshahi University is not conducive to holding the RUCSU elections. Clash at RU over ‘dependent quota’ four days ahead of RUCSU election Due to the ongoing 'Complete Shutdown' announced by the university’s teachers, officials, and employees, the participation of the required number of personnel needed to carry out election duties could not be ensured. In the interest of conducting the RUCSU elections in a festive, participatory, and fair manner, the Election Commission has unanimously decided to reschedule the polls for Thursday, October 16, 2025, instead of the previously announced date.