United News of Bangladesh

The two-day “4th International Symposium on Quality Assurance in Engineering Education,” aimed at strengthening engineering education standards and aligning local accreditation systems with global benchmarks concluded on Tuesday. The closing session was held at the Grand Ballroom of Hotel InterContinental Dhaka. Jointly organised by the Board of Accreditation for Engineering and Technical Education (BAETE) and the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), the symposium brought together policymakers, international experts, academics and professionals from home and abroad. The second day opened with a keynote by Prof. Dr. Noor Yazdani, who presented a comparative overview of ABET and BAETE accreditation frameworks. He underscored the need for a robust quality assurance mechanism to ensure globally competitive engineering education. Prof. Dr. Anisul Haque highlighted how outcome-based evaluation can support sustainable development and foster entrepreneurship while Prof. Dr. Md Ashraful Alam stressed integrating sustainability principles into engineering curricula. Dr. Pru Howard and Dr. Rob Jarman jointly emphasized embedding social and technological perspectives in engineering education while Dr. Baishakhi Bose discussed challenges and opportunities in outcome-based education for the next generation of faculty members. On other hand,Prof. Dr. Swakkhar Shatabda and Dr. Sadid Muneer underscored the importance of adaptability, critical thinking and lifelong learning for students amid rapid technological change while Prof. Dr. Salekul Islam called for enhanced capacity-building initiatives for engineering educators. Speaking at the closing session, ICT Affairs Special Assistant Foyez Ahmed Tayyeb said Bangladesh still has significant scope for improvement in higher education. “Our universities have expanded in number, but quality has not progressed at the same pace,” he said. “International engagements like this symposium will help us elevate engineering education. We must ensure quality learning and invest more in producing skilled graduates.” Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said many river-management projects under the Water Development Board have historically harmed rivers, an issue she has long raised. “Now within government, I also see sincere efforts by many officials to protect public resources—though opportunities remain to do better,” she noted. “Dhaka has a detailed area plan (DAP) for liveability, yet it remains one of the least liveable cities. Engineers must embrace deeper social and environmental responsibilities; engineering alone cannot solve every problem.” BAETE Chairman Prof. Dr. Tanvir Manzur, who presided over the event, said the symposium aimed to harmonize Bangladesh’s engineering education with global standards and develop a sustainable quality assurance framework. “The two-day dialogue has given us a clear direction—strengthening accreditation, enhancing teacher competencies and guiding institutions toward international benchmarks,” he said. At the end of the event, organisers announced a strategic action plan focusing on expanding accreditation capacity, improving faculty training, strengthening university–industry collaboration and boosting international partnerships. They expressed hope that the outcomes will reinforce Bangladesh’s global standing in engineering education and pave the way for ensuring higher-quality education for future generations.

The intake test results for 2025–2026 undergraduate program under the Faculty of Fine Arts (Charukola Unit) of Dhaka University were published on Tuesday evening, showing a pass rate of 11.25 percent. Result seekers can find their results following the website- admission.eis.du.ac.bd Besides, results can be obtained via SMS by typing 'DU FRT ˂roll no˃' from Teletalk, Robi, Airtel, or Banglalink numbers and sending it to 16321, then the result will be sent in a reply message. This year, 6,521 students applied for only 130 seats under the faculty while 5,352 candidates sat for the test, with 602 students passing. The successful students include 145 male and 457 female, with 11.25 percent of pass. The admission test was held November 29.

Thousands of migrants may have received UK study and work visas despite failing mandatory English tests due to a marking error, The Telegraph reported. Up to 80,000 candidates taking IELTS exams administered by the British Council between August 2023 and September 2025 received incorrect results, with many wrongly given passing marks. The error affected listening and reading sections, though only about one per cent of tests were impacted. IELTS has since contacted affected candidates with corrected scores and support. Compounding the issue, evidence of cheating has emerged in Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam, where leaked test papers were sold, enabling some migrants to secure visas without adequate English proficiency. As a result, several UK universities have suspended recruitment from Bangladesh and Pakistan over concerns about abuses. The errors have sparked safety concerns, particularly in the NHS and social care sector, where insufficient English skills could endanger patients. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticized the situation, warning that improperly approved visas risk integration failures and threaten public safety. The British Council, which co-owns IELTS with Cambridge University Press & Assessment and IDP Education, said the issue arose from a technical problem affecting a small number of tests. It emphasized that over 99 per cent of exams were unaffected and strengthened procedures to prevent recurrence. In Bangladesh, police arrested two people selling leaked IELTS papers for £1,000–£2,500. Similar cheating attempts occurred in Vietnam and China. The Home Office is awarding a new £816 million contract for English testing, with the British Council facing competition from other providers. An IELTS spokesperson said: “We have strict quality control procedures and have taken all necessary steps to prevent this issue from happening again. Affected candidates have been contacted and authorities informed.”

The dope tests for candidates in the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) and Hall Union elections will be conducted on December 9 and 10. Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. Mostafa Hasan confirmed the matter on Sunday (8 December). He said, “The dope tests for all candidates will be held on December 9 and 10. Candidates must bring their NID cards and student ID cards and appear at Dhaka Medical College, where the tests will be conducted. Representatives of the Election Commission, along with doctors, will be present during the tests.” Issuing a warning to the candidates, he added, “Each candidate must sign the documents in person. There is no room for fraud. If anyone is found to have forged a signature, their candidacy will be immediately cancelled.” Earlier, on December 4, the Election Commission announced a revised election schedule following a Syndicate meeting of the university. According to the schedule, the dope tests will be held on December 9 and 10. JnUCSU Election: Student bodies move to form ‘inclusive panels’ The schedule also states that the final list of candidates will be published on December 11 and 12; nomination withdrawal will take place on December 13 and 14; the list of withdrawn candidates will be released on December 14; candidates may conduct election campaigns from December 14 to 27; voting will take place on December 30; vote counting will also be held on December 30; and results will be announced on December 30 or 31.    

In the month of victory, students at Dhaka University (DU) staged a symbolic protest against 1971 razakars (collaborators) by trampling Pakistan’s flag. A group of students displayed the symbolic flags at the entrances of the university’s TSC and three residential halls, bearing the message: “No compromise with razakars.” On Monday afternoon, symbolic protests were held at Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall and Bijoy Ekattor Hall, while a similar demonstration took place Sunday night at Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall. Earlier, a Pakistan flag was placed on the ground in front of the DU Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) building and seen being stepped on; the image later circulated widely on social media. Jamaat to form national govt even if it wins 200 seats: Ameer Speaking at the protest, Ziaur Rahman Hall student Karib Chowdhury said, “Our initiative this month of Victory Day expresses deep gratitude to the martyred freedom fighters whose sacrifices won us a sovereign Bangladesh. At the same time, we express our hatred and protest against the Pakistani occupation forces and their collaborators, the razakars and Al-Badr.” Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall student Munim Ahmed added, “In 1971, the Pakistani army killed numerous students in our halls. We harbor hatred for them and will make no compromise for these heinous crimes.”

A total of 74 aspirants have collected nomination papers for 13 posts in the Begum Rokeya University Central Students' Union (BRUCSU) and Hall Parliament elections, officials said on Monday. Election Commissioner Dr. Pradeep Kumar Sarkar confirmed the completion of the nomination paper distribution process around 5:30pm. He said that 7 candidates collected nomination papers for the post of Vice-President (VP), 9 for General Secretary (GS), and 11 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS). For the secretary positions, 6 candidates collected nomination papers for Liberation War and Democracy Secretary, 5 for Science, Technology, Health and Environment Secretary, 5 for Career and International Secretary, 8 for Literature and Cultural Secretary, 5 for Sports and Social Services Secretary, 4 for Transport Secretary, and 3 for Publication and Research Secretary. In addition, 11 candidates collected nomination papers for the post of Executive Member. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Shawkat Ali said the strong student participation surrounding the elections was very positive. BRUCSU election postponed over voter list errors He said the BRUCSU elections will play an important role in promoting democratic practices on campus and expressed hope that candidates capable of providing effective leadership for Begum Rokeya University will emerge through the process. “We are ready to make this election free and fair. The administration has been instructed to remain vigilant so that no dispute arises,” he added. Election Commissioner Dr. Pradeep Kumar Sarkar said the distribution of nomination papers has officially ended and noted that the student response has been satisfactory. Nomination papers will be submitted until the scheduled deadline on Tuesday. He expressed optimism about a festive election atmosphere.  

Jabian Club Limited, an organisation dedicated to graduates of Jahangirnagar University, has been formally launched following its inaugural Executive Committee meeting held on Friday . The Club was incorporated with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies (RJSC) on November 6 after completing all required regulatory procedures, said  a press release. The inaugural Executive Committee meeting took place at the Club’s Dhaka office, chaired by Mohammad Tahiat Hossain, a retired Additional Secretary and alumnus of the 9th batch. Dr Fahmida Khatun of the 10th batch (Economics) has been elected President of the Club, while Group Captain (Retd) Abu Hena Md Ameerul Ahsan of the 10th batch (English) has been named Secretary General. Members discussed key agenda items relating to the Club’s future activities and operational plans in a festive atmosphere, the release said, adding that full compliance with statutory requirements has been ensured. Jabian Club Limited aims to promote lasting connections among Jahangirnagar University alumni and support professional, social, cultural, sports, recreational and intellectual initiatives for its members.

A total of 192 candidates will contest the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Central Students’ Union (SUCSU) and hall union elections scheduled on January 20, 2026. The Chief Election Commissioner, Professor Dr. Abul Mukit Mohammad Mokaddes, published the list on the SUCSU website on Sunday. According to the list, 106 candidates will contest the central parliament elections, while 86 candidates will run for the hall parliaments of the university’s six residential halls. Chhatra Shibir announces full panel for SUCSU election For the central, four candidates have submitted nomination papers for the post of Vice President (VP) and seven for General Secretary (GS). There are five candidates for Assistant General Secretary (AGS), two for Sports Secretary, and four for Assistant Sports Secretary. Other nominations include two candidates for Literary and Annual Secretary, four for Cultural Secretary, two for Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary, four for Religion and Harmony Secretary, three for Social Services Secretary, three for Student Affairs Secretary, four for Health and Environment Secretary, five each for Education, Research and Career Development Secretary, Information and Technology Secretary, and International Affairs Secretary, four for Transport Affairs Secretary, two for Cafeteria and Canteen Affairs, and six for Law and Human Rights Affairs Secretary. Additionally, 26 candidates are contesting for general Member posts. The list also includes 86 candidates for the six hall parliaments. After nearly 28 years, elections will be held for 23 central union posts and nine hall union posts, with voting scheduled for January 20, 2026.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s SUST unit has announced a 23-member full panel for the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Central Students’ Union (SUCSU) and hall union elections. Azizur Rahman Azad, central publicity secretary of Chhatra Shibir, announced the panel named‘ Durbar Sustian Oikya’ in front of the university's central library on Sunday at 3:15 pm. Delwar Hasan Shishir, a student of the English Department and former student rights affairs secretary of the branch Chhatra Shibir, has been announced as the vice-president (VP), while Mujahidul Islam, a student of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and office secretary of the unit Chhatra Shibir, has been named the general secretary (GS). Mohammad Shakil, a student of the Department of Sociology and HRD secretary of Chhatra Shibir, have been announced for Assistant General Secretary (AGS). Mahbub Hasan Anu, a student of the Department of Anthropology, has been named the Sports Secretary, and Ahmad Bin Kefayet, a student of the Department of Food Engineering and Technology, has been named the Assistant Sports Secretary. The panel also includes Tamim Rizwan of the Department of Food Engineering and Technology as the Literature and Annual Secretary; Jaber Bin Abdul Khalek of the Department of Anthropology as the Cultural Secretary; Ibrahim Bin Islam of the Department of Petroleum and Mining Engineering as the Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary; and Asif Bhuiyan of the Department of Statistics as the Religion and Harmony Secretary. It also includes Azad Sikder, a student affairs secretary; Amina Begum of the Physics Department, also a student affairs secretary; and Ali Abbas Shaheen of the Department of Social Work. In addition, Shamsul Shayan of the Department of Oceanography has been named Education, Research and Career Development Secretary; Abdus Samad Shanto of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering as the Information and Technology Secretary; Sajjadur Rahman Shiblu of the Department of Chemistry as the International Affairs Secretary; Muhammad Ibrahim Sourav of the Department of Social Work as the Transportation Affairs Secretary; Asifur Rahman of the Department of Social Work as the Cafeteria and Canteen Affairs Secretary; and Burhan Uddin of the Department of Political Studies as the Law and Human Rights Affairs Secretary. The executive members are Sumaiya Nava of the Department of Public Administration, Adiba Saleha of the Department of Social Work, Shoaib Chowdhury of the Department of English, Mustafizur Rahman of the Department of Petroleum and Mining Engineering, and Jamilur Reza Saikat of the Department of Statistics. A total of 145 nomination papers were distributed for the central union and 106 for the hall unions. Of these, 72 were male and 34 were female candidates. Female participation was also notable in the central union election, with 15 women collecting nomination papers. Earlier, Prof Dr Md Nazrul Islam, spokesperson for the election commission, said the nomination process was completed peacefully and in an orderly manner. “The number of candidates this year is encouraging, and female participation is also noteworthy,” he added. After nearly 28 years, elections will be held for 23 central union posts and nine hall union posts. Voting is scheduled for January 20.

Jahangirnagar University (JU) has decided to rename four residential halls that were previously named after members of the Sheikh family, according to university officials. The decision was taken at a syndicate meeting held on Thursday evening with the vice-chancellor in the chair, acting registrar ABM Azizur Rahman said on Friday. He said the syndicate unanimously approved new names for the halls following long-standing demands from teachers and students in the post-uprising context. The halls renamed were Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, Sheikh Russel Hall, Sheikh Hasina Hall and Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall. According to the registrar, Sheikh Mujibur Hall has been renamed Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq Hall, Sheikh Russel Hall is now Nawab Salimullah Hall, Sheikh Hasina Hall has been renamed July 24 Jagoroni Hall, and Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall is now Shaheed Felani Khatun Hall.