United News of Bangladesh

Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) authorities have suspended a student for stabbing a fellow student over a dispute regarding street painting and stall locations for the first-year admission test. The accused, Kazi Sadiq Mahmud, is a student in the Civil Engineering Department of the 24th batch. A three-member committee has been formed to probe the incident. According to the university administration, the incident occurred around 3:00 pm on Thursday when a scuffle broke out between Kazi Sadiq Mahmud and Md. Zahirul Islam of the Leather Engineering Department, over the selection of street painting and stall locations near KUET’s main gate. During the altercation, Mahmud stabbed Zahirul Islam on the left side of his stomach with a cutter. Zahirul Islam was immediately taken to the university medical center by his classmates. After initial treatment, he was admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital and is currently receiving treatment there. Following the incident, KUET Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Maqsud Helali convened an emergency meeting at 6:00 pm with the university’s dean, institute director, hall provost, student welfare director, department heads, and security committee members. The meeting decided to suspend Kazi Sadiq Mahmud and ensure full coverage of the injured student’s medical expenses, provide proper treatment, and strengthen 24-hour campus security. Final action will be taken according to university regulations after the investigation report is received. In a separate notification, all street painting and stall-related activities have been suspended until further notice to ensure student safety.

The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) on Wednesday (November 26) published the circular for the 50th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination, announcing 2,150 vacancies in total. Of these, 1,755 posts are allocated for different cadres while 395 are reserved for non-cadre positions. According to the notification, applications for the 50th BCS will open on December 4 and remain available until December 31. The preliminary examination is scheduled for January 30 with results expected on February 10. Read more: Youth held in Dinajpur over BCS question paper leak Candidates who qualify will sit for the written examination starting April 9 and the written results are set to be published on July 30. The viva-voce will begin on August 10 and the final results are slated for release on November 25, reads the notification.

At least five candidates for the 47th BCS written exam were injured in a clash with police when they tried to march towards the Jamuna in Dhaka on Tuesday evening. The injured are Md. Shahin, 28, Ashikur Rahman, 29, Shakil Ahmed, 28, Riaz, 27, and Abrar Shahriar Ullas, 28. All the injured are undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Injured Shakil told reporters that the BCS preliminary exam results were published in September. However, the authorities announced the written exam date without giving sufficient preparation time. “For the past month, we have been protesting in Shahbagh demanding a rescheduling of the written exam. We had requested Dr. Asif Nazrul, our Law Adviser, to ensure the exam is held on December 28. Instead, the authorities set the date for November 27. When we tried to move toward Jamuna today, police used baton charge, sound grenades, and water cannons,” he said. Shakil also said that several candidates sustained head injuries, with Shahin requiring ten stitches. Another candidate was seriously injured and admitted to the ICU of DMCH. Usually candidates get at least 240 days to prepare for the written exam after the preliminary results. Some previous exams even allowed a 14-month preparation period. But they are now denied sufficient time and faced police violence instead, he said. Inspector Md. Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, said that the injured candidates were brought to the hospital emergency department and are currently receiving treatment.

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has announced a re-schedule for the Shahjalal University Central Students’ Union (SUCSU) and Hall Parliament elections, with voting now set for January 20. Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. Abul Mukit Mohammad Mokaddes announced the new schedule on Monday night. As per the revised timeline, the draft voter list will be published on November 26, followed by the completion of all procedural steps before the final list of candidates is released on December 11. Voting will take place from 9am to 4pm on January 20. The Election Commissioner said the polls were deferred in response to students’ demands. Earlier, on November 14, SUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. M. Sarwaruddin Chowdhury announced December 17 as the election date. The initial schedule was then declared on November 16 by the Chief Election Commissioner. However, on Sunday afternoon (Nov 23), Professor Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, spokesperson for the SUCSU Election Commission, unexpectedly announced the postponement of the election.  

The Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka, in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, organized the "Pakistan Education Expo" in Dhaka on Monday, bringing together representatives from over 15 top-ranked Pakistani universities. The Expo is part of the Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor, an initiative undertaken during the visit of Pakistani Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh in August, wherein he announced 500 scholarships for Bangladeshi students to pursue higher studies in Pakistan, said a press release. The series of Education Expos in Dhaka and other cities are aimed at familiarizing the Bangladeshi students with the scholarship opportunities in Pakistan. The initiative is fully aligned with the shared vision of the leadership of both countries and has come to fruition due to Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif’s strong commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation in education, research, and innovation. Mr. Md. Mahbub-ul-Alam, Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bangladesh attended the event as the Chief Guest. Also present were Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam, Secretary of the University Grants Commission, Vice Chancellors and Principals of several Bangladeshi universities and colleges, members of civil society, representatives of Pakistan’s HEC, local journalists and a large number of students, reflecting strong interest in the initiative. Aftab Ahmed, Rector of the National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences, representing the Pakistani universities’ delegation as a key note speaker, provided an overview of the Knowledge Corridor and the scholarship opportunities available across disciplines in Pakistan’s top-ranked institutions.

The authorities of Islamic University in Kushtia dismissed Professor Bikash Chandra Singh of the Information and Communication Technology department, citing unauthorized absence and breaches of institutional discipline. The decision was issued on Monday in an office order signed by acting registrar Professor Manjurul Haque. According to the office order, Bikash completed a post-doctoral research programme at Old Dominion University in the United States but did not return to duty within the approved timeframe. He later sought a one-year extension of his study leave, from June 2023 to June 2024. The request was placed before the Standing Committee on Study Leave at its 188th meeting on October 2, 2023, but the committee declined to consider it. On October 17, 2023, the university asked him to rejoin within a month. He did not comply and instead applied for a second extension, from June 2024 to October 2025. The Standing Committee, at its 196th meeting, also rejected this request, the office order said. A subsequent directive issued on November 3, 2024 again instructed him to return to his post within a month. Bikash, however, remained absent without permission. The syndicate formed an inquiry committee at its 267th meeting on February 26, 2025 to examine the allegations. The committee later submitted its findings to the 271st syndicate meeting held on October 30 this year. The body concluded that Bikash had committed a serious breach of the IU Employees’ Efficiency and Discipline Rules. With the charges proven under Rule 3(h), the Syndicate ordered his dismissal under Rule 4(1)(f), retroactively effective from 10 June 2023, it added.

The authorities of Islamic University in Kushtia officially launched the Bachelor of Madrasa Education programme under its Institute of Islamic Education and Research, marking a significant step toward professionalising madrasa teaching in the country. An admission test circular, signed by IIER director Professor M Mostafizur Rahman, confirmed the matter on Monday. According to the IIER office, the one-year, two-semester programme is designed to enhance teaching quality, curriculum development, and pedagogical skills within the madrasa system. Admissions for the 2025–26 academic year are open from November 4 to November 30, with 50 seats available. Applicants must collect forms by depositing Tk 1,500 at the Agrani Bank branch on the IU campus. The total programme fee is Tk 30,000. Selection will be determined through a competitive test. More information regarding the programme is available on the university website at www.iu.ac.bd.  

The authorities of Islamic University in Kushtia formed a seven-member review committee to evaluate disciplinary actions against individuals accused of involvement in activities labeled as 'anti-revolution', meaning the July Uprising of last year. The panel is also empowered to accept new complaints related to the allegations. The decision was formalised through an office order issued by IU acting registrar Professor M Manjurul Haque on Sunday, which mandates the committee to submit its report within 15 working days. Rajshahi University's Public Administration department Professor M Parvez Azharul Haque was made its convener. The other members of the committee are IU Al-Hadith and Islamic Studies department Professor Dr. Zakir Hossain, Accounting and Information Systems department Professor Abu Sina, Arabic Language and Literature department Professor M Kamrul Hasan, Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering department Professor Mizanur Rahman, Electrical and Electronic Engineering department Professor Jalal Uddin, and Chittagong University's Law department Professor Jafar Ullah Talukdar. IU vice-chancellor Professor Nakib Muhammad Nasrullah said that the committee was constituted after broad consultation. 'If any member steps down or is unable to serve, we will appoint a replacement promptly,' he said. The formation follows decisions taken during the university’s 271st syndicate meeting held on October 30, where it was decided to temporarily suspend 30 teachers, officials, and employees pending investigation. A total of 19 teachers and 11 officials expel 33 students following an investigation into their alleged involvement in activities against the July uprising that ousted the Awami League regime. Official notices have now been served to 10 of the accused faculty members, marking the beginning of formal administrative proceedings, the VC added.

Dhaka University students were seen leaving their residential halls from Sunday morning following directives issued by the authorities in the wake of the earthquake that struck central Bangladesh on Friday, killing 10 people. During visits to several halls on campus, many female students were found heading home, while male students were also seen preparing to leave. Those who remain said they are still unsure whether they should stay or go. At a Syndicate meeting on Saturday, the university suspended all academic activities until December 6, citing the physical and mental stress caused by the recent earthquake and subsequent tremors, as well as the need to renovate the residential halls. Hall provosts were instructed to ensure that all students vacate the halls by 5pm on Sunday.

In response to the emergency situation created by the recent earthquakes, Dhaka University authorities have decided to suspend all academic activities until December 6. Students have been instructed to vacate the residential halls by 5 pm on Sunday. However, all university offices will remain open as usual. The decision was taken at a virtual Syndicate meeting held around 10 pm on Saturday, presided over by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan. During the meeting, members took into account the physical and psychological trauma experienced by students due to the major quake and subsequent tremors, emphasizing their overall safety as the top priority. Opinions from BUET experts, the Director of the Planning and Development Office, and the Chief Engineer were reviewed. They recommended a thorough inspection of all residential halls to assess structural risks and identify necessary renovation work. For this assessment and potential repairs, vacating the halls was deemed essential. Members of the Syndicate, along with the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, the Principal of Dhaka Medical College, the Acting Director of the Planning and Development Office, the Acting Controller of Examinations, and the Acting Chief Engineer, were present at the meeting.