United News of Bangladesh

The first-year undergraduate (honours) classes for the 2024–25 academic session at Jahangirnagar University (JU) will commence on 21 September, university authorities confirmed on Thursday. Deputy Registrar (Academic) Syed Mohammad Ali Reza told journalists, “We hope to issue an official order by Friday (Sept 19) listing the class roll, registration numbers, and allocated halls for the new students.” A total of 1,889 first-year students have been admitted for the 2024-25 session. From DUCSU to JUCSU: Shibir’s winning streak rolls on The decision to start classes on September 21 was taken at a meeting of the central admission management committee, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, on August 13. The university’s Public Relations Office also confirmed that the vacant seats left after cancellation of some admissions were filled before finalizing the schedule for first-year classes.

Chattogram University unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) announced its panel for the upcoming Chattogram University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) and hall union elections on Thursday. The announcement was made by JCD’s central general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir at a press conference held at the university’s Buddhijibi Square around noon. In the panel, Sajjad Hossain Hridoy, a student of 2015-16 session and organisational secretary of the CU JCD, was nominated for the vice president (VP) post. For the general secretary (GS) position, Md. Shafayet Hossain, a student of 2016-17 session and general secretary of the university’s Sports Welfare Association, was nominated. Additionally, Ayubur Rahman Taufiq, a 2020-21 session student of the Department of Islamic History and Culture, was announced to run for the assistant general secretary (AGS) post. After announcing the panel, Nasir said, “We believe that brave, talented and wise students will vote for Chhatra Dal’s panel as the panel includes the most popular students who have worked for students’ rights for a long time.” He added, “Chhatra Dal has given full panels in student union elections at different universities and received complaints of irregularities.” Nasir also addressed the university administration, saying, “The administration is acting biased here. They are showing partiality towards a single party. We urge them to act impartially.” CUCSU election schedule was announced on August 28. After Ducsu, CU to hold Cucsu election According to the schedule, the preliminary list of candidates was set to be published on September 21, followed by the final list on September 25. It is to be noted that the much-awaited elections will be held on October 12, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) will operate a special bus service for its residential students scheduled to appear in the 47th BCS Preliminary Examination at the Mymensingh center on Friday. The announcement was made on Thursday through a notification signed by the Director of the university’s Transport Unit, Professor Dr. Mohammad Golzarul Aziz. JnUCSU election roadmap announced, polls on Nov 27 The initiative aims to ensure that students can reach the examination center on time and return safely to the campus after the test. According to the notification, two special buses will depart from Jabbar intersection for Town Hall, the designated exam venue, at 8:15 am. After the examination ends, the buses will bring students back to the campus from the same location at 12:20 pm. Prof Golzarul Aziz said the transport arrangement was made following specific instructions from the Vice-Chancellor. Although there was initially no plan to operate buses due to the ongoing stalemate on campus, the decision was later reconsidered to support students during this important examination. Polytechnic students block Satrastha intersection over 6-point demand "The Vice-Chancellor instructed us to take necessary steps so that no student faces difficulty in attending the BCS exam. The special buses are part of that directive," said Dr. Aziz.

For the first time since its establishment, Jagannath University is set to hold its Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) election in November. Following long-standing demands from the students, the university authorities have finally announced the roadmap for the election, setting November 27 as the possible date for the polls. According to a circular signed on Wednesday by the university’s acting registrar, Professor Md. Sheikh Gias Uddin, the election process will begin on October 8 with the formation of the election commission and related activities. The circular further stated that on October 8, discussions will be held with student organisations, journalist associations, and other stakeholders to initiate the election process. Afterwards, the schedule will be declared in phases, including the preparation of the voter list, submission and scrutiny of nomination papers, and other activities. The process will conclude with voting and the announcement of results. Students’ three-point demand includes: specifying when the supplementary scholarship will come into effect, announcing the roadmap for the JnUCSU election, and ensuring healthy food at subsidized rates in the cafeteria along with improved facilities and air-conditioning at the central library. Meanwhile, despite the administration’s statement regarding scholarships and cafeteria facilities, protesting students have refused to accept it. Rejecting the statement, protester Shahin Mia said, “The administration’s statement is full of deception. There is no clear declaration on who will receive the benefits, how many students will get it, or how much will be provided. Similarly, there is no specific decision regarding the cafeteria. Therefore, we reject this statement.” He further added that if the third demand is clarified, they might call off their hunger strike tonight. However, at the time of writing this report, the hunger strike had not yet been broken. In this regard, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Rezaul Karim said, “We have accepted the students’ demands in writing with clarity. The election will be held on November 27. Everything is clear. I personally went to them and requested they end the hunger strike, but they refused. What else can I do?” JnU students to receive supplementary grants by January: UGC chairman Earlier on Tuesday, five leaders of the Student Rights Council (Shakha Chhatra Adhikar Parishad) and Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangh (Bagchas) began a hunger strike on campus with three demands, including the announcement of the JnUCSU election roadmap. On the same day in the afternoon, leaders of JnU’s Islami Chhatra Shibir unit met with the University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr. S.M.A. Faiz regarding the JnUCSU policy and supplementary scholarship. At the meeting, the UGC chairman assured that the supplementary scholarship funds would be distributed among JnU students in November and that he would make efforts to finalize the JnUCSU policy as a regulation through the ministry very soon.

The capital’s Satrastha intersection turned chaotic again on Wednesday as polytechnic students staged protests over a perceived deepening crisis in technical education and diminishing roles for engineers in the job market. Students from government and private polytechnic institutes, technical schools and colleges (TSC) and other institutions under the Bangladesh Technical Education Board blocked the busy intersection to press their six-point demand. The blockade caused severe traffic congestion in Satrastha and surrounding areas, leaving office-goers and commuters stranded. Many were seen walking to their destinations as vehicles inched forward. The students alleged that an influential group is deliberately undermining technical education to weaken the polytechnic system and restrict access to the engineering profession. They also accused authorities of discriminating against polytechnic graduates in employment and higher education opportunities. Polytechnic students call nationwide rail blockade Thursday to press 6-point demands “A powerful syndicate has captured the technical education system. They are closing our paths. We will not tolerate this injustice anymore,” said one protester, adding that demonstrations would continue until their demands are met. Tejgaon Industrial Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Aslam Hossain said the students occupied Satrastha around 10:30am, reiterating the same demands raised in their previous protests. “Police are closely monitoring the situation to maintain law and order,” he added. The six demands are giving due recognition to technical education, ensuring equal opportunities for polytechnic graduates in the engineering profession, stopping recruitment barriers through syndicates, eliminating discrimination in higher education, extending government facilities to private polytechnic students, and integrating technical education as a key pillar of the national development policy. At the time of filing this report, students were still demonstrating peacefully at the intersection, although vehicular movement remained suspended, bringing the area to a standstill.

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof SM A Faiez on Tuesday assured that Jagannath University (JnU) students will receive their supplementary grants by January. He gave the assurance while meeting with a delegation of JnU unit Islami Chhatra Shibir, led by its President Riazul Islam and General Secretary Abdul Alim Arif, at the UGC office in the afternoon. The UGC chairman said the scholarship will be disbursed in two phases, one part from the Finance Ministry and the other from UGC. Later in the evening, JnU Vice-Chancellor Prof Rezual Karim visited the students who are on hunger strike and told them that the scholarship money will reach their hands by January. “Collection of necessary documents will be completed by October. Since the Finance Committee (FC) has already cleared the process, there is no further obstacle now,” he said. After the meeting, JnU Shibir President Riazul Islam said the UGC chairman assured them that the students will get the scholarships by October, though in two phases. “We trust the UGC, but we want to see the money in students’ hands by October. We won’t accept any delay or excuse,” he added. The meeting was also attended by UGC member Prof Tajnimuddin Khan and JnU Shibir leaders including Secretary Abdul Alim Arif, Organising Secretary Mohammad Jahed, Office Secretary Ibrahim Khalil, Finance Secretary Mostafizur Rahman and Student Welfare Secretary Mohammad Faruk.

Nafis Khandakar, a student of the 2024–2025 session of the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Dhaka University, passed away today at 3:45 p.m. while under treatment in the ICU of a hospital in the capital. He was the son of Golam Mawla and Yasmin Begum of Rupnagar, Galachipa upazila, Patuakhali district. Today after Maghrib, his funeral prayer (namaz-e-janaza) was held in the premises of the university’s Curzon Hall. Nafis’s father, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, the Proctor, Vice-President (VP) of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Sadiq Kayem, along with many DUCSU leaders were present at the funeral prayer. Besides, Chhatra Dal’s Abidul Islam Khan, Tanvir Bari Hamim, and Democratic Students’ Council’s Abu Baker Mojumdar along with many others were present at the funeral prayer. Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmad Khan expressed deep grief at the death of the meritorious student Nafis Khandakar. He said, with his death the country has lost a young man of immense potential. Such a death is extremely sorrowful and painful for a family as well as for the nation. He prayed for the forgiveness of the departed soul and conveyed deep condolences to the bereaved family members.

Newly elected General Secretary (GS) of Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU), Mazharul Islam, backed by the Shibir-supported ‘Coordinated Student Alliance,’ has pledged to work toward creating a student-friendly campus environment. “If we can fulfill our responsibilities properly, then we will achieve true success,” he told reporters after the JUCSU election results were announced on Saturday evening. Mazharul said he is committed to working for the welfare of students and the overall development of the campus, regardless of political affiliation. “We want to work together for the development of students and the campus environment, irrespective of political identity,” he said, seeking cooperation from all students. He also urged those who were not elected to join hands with the newly elected representatives in the ongoing struggle for student rights. The Shibir-backed panel bagged 20 of the 25 seats in the central council, including the top three positions amid cheers and controversy on the campus. Meanwhile, the independent contender Abdur Rashid Zitu clinched the VP post. From DUCSU to JUCSU: Shibir’s winning streak rolls on Other central council members elected include: AGS (Male) Ferdous Al Hasan and AGS (Female) Ayesha Siddiqua Meghla (Chhatra Shibir), Education & Research Secretary Abu Ubaida Usama (Chhatra Shibir), Environment & Nature Conservation Secretary Shafayet Mir (Chhatra Shibir), Literature & Publication Secretary Jahidul Islam Bappi (Chhatra Shibir), Cultural Secretary Muhibullah Sheikh Jisan (Independent), Co-Cultural Secretary Raihan Uddin (Chhatra Shibir), Drama Secretary Ruhul Islam (Chhatra Shibir), Sports Secretary Mahmudul Hasan Kiran (Independent), Co-Sports Secretary (Male) Mahdi Hasan and Co-Sports Secretary (Female) Farhana Akter Lubna (Chhatra Shibir). Besides, IT & Library Secretary Rashedul Imon Likhan, Social Welfare & Human Development Secretary Ahsan Labib (Bagshash), Co-Social Welfare & Human Development Secretary (Male) Touhid Islam, Co-Social Welfare & Human Development Secretary (Female) Nigar Sultana, Health & Food Security Secretary Husne Mubarak, and Transport & Communication Secretary Tanvir Rahman (all Chhatra Shibir) were elected. Three male and three female executive members were also chosen and they are Tarikul Islam, Abu Talha, Mohammad Ali Chishti, Fabliha Jahan, Nabila Binte Harun and Nusrat Jahan Ema. JUCSU Polls: Independent Abdur Rashid grabs VP, Shibir’s Mazhar bags GS The JUCSU election was held for the tenth time, breaking a 33-year dormancy since the last election in 1992, which had become defunct following a tumultuous incident at the Senate building.

Islami Chhatra Shibir has tightened its grip on Bangladesh’s student politics, storming to a resounding victory in the Jahangirnagar University Central Student Union (JUCSU) elections. Riding high on its earlier victory of Dhaka University’s DUCSU polls, the Shibir-backed ‘Coordinated Student Alliance’ clinched 20 out of 25 central council seats, leaving rival groups trailing far behind. Although independent candidate Abdur Rashid Zitu won the Vice President (VP) post Shibir-backed panel candidates secured the remaining key positions. Zitu grabbed the VP post with 3324 votes. He is the convener of JU’s Gonoovvutthan Rokkha Andolon and a 47th batch student of the Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture. The results were announced on Saturday at 7 pm by the JU Election Commission. The Shibir-backed candidates elected include General Secretary Mazharul Islam (3930 votes) AGS (Male) Ferdous Al Hasan (2358) AGS (Female) Ayesha Siddiqua Meghla (3402) Education & Research Secretary Abu Ubaida Usama (2428) and Environment & Nature Conservation Secretary Md. Shafayet Mir (2811). Other elected members from the Shibir-backed panel include: Literature & Publication Secretary Jahidul Islam Bappi (1907), Co-Cultural Secretary Md. Raihan Uddin (1986), Drama Secretary Md. Ruhul Islam (1929), Co-Sports Secretary (Female) Farhana Akter Lubna (1976), Co-Sports Secretary (Male) Md. Mahdi Hasan (2105), IT & Library Secretary Md. Rashedul Imon Likhan (2436), Co-Social Welfare & Human Development Secretary (Female) Nigar Sultana, Co-Social Welfare & Human Development Secretary (Male) Touhid Islam (2442) Health & Food Security Secretary Husne Mubarak (2653) and Transport & Communication Secretary Tanvir Rahman (2559). JUCSU Polls: Independent Abdur Rashid grabs VP, Shibir’s Mazhar bags GS Executive members include Tarikul Islam (1766) and Abu Talha (1854) (male) and Nabila Binte Harun (2753) Fabliha Jahan (2475) and Nusrat Jahan Ima (3014) (female). Among the remaining five seats three went to independents and two to the Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangshad (Bagchas) panel. Independent winners were Cultural Secretary Muhibullah Sheikh Jisan (2018) and Sports Secretary Mahmudul Hasan Kiran (5778). Bagchas won Social Welfare & Human Development Secretary (Ahsan Labib, 1590) and male executive member (Mohammad Ali Chishti, 2414) post. The elections held for the first time in 33 years saw nearly 68% turnout with about 8000 of 12000 eligible voters casting ballots. Counting took almost 40 hours as votes were tallied manually rather than by machine.

After two days of tense delays and high-stakes political drama, the Jahangirnagar University Central Student Union (JUCSU) election results were declared on Saturday evening, with independent contender Abdur Rashid Zitu clinching the VP post while Shibir’s Mazharul Islam taking GS. The Shibir-backed ‘Coordinated Student Alliance’ further tightened its grip, bagging 20 of the 25 seats in the central council, including the top three positions amid cheers and controversy on the campus. The results were announced at around 7 pm on Saturday by Chief Returning Officer Professor Dr Moniruzzaman at the JUCSU Election Commission office. JUCSU polls: Vote counting ends after 44 hours Other central council members elected include: AGS (Male) Ferdous Al Hasan and AGS (Female) Ayesha Siddiqua Meghla (Chhatra Shibir), Education & Research Secretary Abu Ubaida Usama (Chhatra Shibir), Environment & Nature Conservation Secretary Shafayet Mir (Chhatra Shibir), Literature & Publication Secretary Jahidul Islam Bappi (Chhatra Shibir), Cultural Secretary Muhibullah Sheikh Jisan (Independent), Co-Cultural Secretary Raihan Uddin (Chhatra Shibir), Drama Secretary Ruhul Islam (Chhatra Shibir), Sports Secretary Mahmudul Hasan Kiran (Independent), Co-Sports Secretary (Male) Mahdi Hasan and Co-Sports Secretary (Female) Farhana Akter Lubna (Chhatra Shibir). JU teacher Jannatul Ferdous Soumita laid to rest in Pabna Besides, IT & Library Secretary Rashedul Imon Likhan, Social Welfare & Human Development Secretary Ahsan Labib (Bagshash), Co-Social Welfare & Human Development Secretary (Male) Touhid Islam, Co-Social Welfare & Human Development Secretary (Female) Nigar Sultana, Health & Food Security Secretary Husne Mubarak, and Transport & Communication Secretary Tanvir Rahman (all Chhatra Shibir) were elected. Three male and three female executive members were also chosen and they are Tarikul Islam, Abu Talha, Mohammad Ali Chishti, Fabliha Jahan, Nabila Binte Harun and Nusrat Jahan Ema. Shibir-backed panel sweeps DUCSU polls for first time in history The JUCSU election was held for the tenth time, breaking a 33-year dormancy since the last election in 1992, which had become defunct following a tumultuous incident at the Senate building.