Education
Scholarship application deadline for higher education in Russia extended
The scholarship application deadline for higher education in Russia has been extended until December 15, 2023.
The Russian government announced 124 scholarships for Bangladeshi students in Bachelor, Masters and PhD courses for the academic year 2024-2025.
The application can be submitted online only at https://education-in-russia.com.
However, before applying, all educational qualification certificates and marksheets/ transcripts in original and photocopy must be attested by the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and passports must be valid for more than 18 months from September 2024 onwards.
Read: UK extends Ocean Country Partnership Programme Scholarships to Bangladesh
After completing the online application, along with the copy of the online application, attested copies of all educational qualification certificates and marksheets, photocopies of the passport, the consent form of the candidate for personal data processing, and one passport-size color photo should be submitted to the Education Department of Russian House in Dhaka.
Application submission time at Russian House in Dhaka (Culture Department, Russian Embassy) Education Department is 10 am to 5 pm from Sunday to Thursday.
Read more: 124 students get Russian govt's higher education scholarships for 2024-25
In addition, a seminar titled "Opportunities of Higher Education in Russia" will be held at Russian House in Dhaka on Tuesday (November 7) at 4 pm. The seminar is open to all and prior registration is not required.
Maksud Kamal takes charge as 29th VC of Dhaka University
Professor Dr ASM Maksud Kamal took charge as the 29th vice chancellor of Dhaka University on Saturday.
He took charge at the VC office of the university at 9:00 am on Saturday.
Prof Maksud Kamal made 29th VC of Dhaka University
The outgoing VC, Prof Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman, and pro-VC (admin), Prof Dr Muhammad Samad, along with other faculty members of the university, welcomed the new vice chancellor with flowers at the time.
Comilla University gets new VC
After assuming office in the morning, Maksud along with other teachers and officials of the university, placed a wreath at the memorial of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka.
Prof Imdadul made new VC of JnU
Bangladeshi nurses practically efficient but face problems abroad due to language barrier: FM
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Friday said the nurses of Bangladesh are practically very efficient and skilful, but when they go abroad for higher education or to work in foreign countries, they face problems that act as major barriers for students who want to go abroad.
"We have a historical relationship with the UK politically and commercially. Many Bangladeshi-origin people are serving the British economy. Those who are serving the health sectors, are very efficient and practically skillful," he said, while speaking at a seminar titled ‘Higher Education and career prospects of Bangladeshi Nurses in UK’ was held at the auditorium of British Council.
To increase the bonding and efficiency of the nurses of Bangladesh, an agreement was signed between the International Nursing college, Bangladesh, and University of Salford, UK.
The foreign minister joined the seminar as the chief guest.
Nancy Cooke, Director of International Development at the University of Salford delivered a speech, while Prof. Gulshan Ara Biswas, principal of International Nursing College presented the overall situation and scopes of nursing education and profession in Bangladesh.
Prof. Gulshan Ara Biswas said, “We are trying to provide the best education to our students. It is expected that we will be able to offer Ph.D. degrees to the Bangladeshi nursing students for the first time in this country. To develop the quality of our education, we have already started a teacher’s training program in our college with the collaboration of international teachers.”
The foreign minister said doctors who obtained their MBBS in Bangladesh are serving with distinction in the ongoing critical situation, which is an acknowledgement of Bangladeshi healthcare education system.
“But when our professionals or students go to the UK for education or professional purposes, they suffer from communication problems as British English is different from other English pronunciation. For the nursing students who want to go to the UK, it can be a good option to learn British English from the British Council,” he added.
Urging the authorities to develop the quality of nursing education in Bangladesh, he said the quality of health services is directly tied to the quality of nursing.
"Good hospital means good nurse services. It is a noble profession. Doctors do the patient's operation but nurses help patients survive.”
Students must develop other skills alongside education: Mustafa Jabbar
Post and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar on Thursday said to progress in life students must develop other skills alongside traditional education.
“Class education is only a small part of building a career. To progress in life, one must develop other skills along with education. Among them, developing leadership qualities and communication skills are one of them," the minister said while speaking as a chief guest at a symposium titled "Leadership Skills for Smart Bangladesh."
UGC-The British Council sign an Operational Alliance Agreement in Dhaka
The symposium was held on Thursday at the Dr. Mohammad Habibullah Conference Hall of Dhaka University in an initiative of Actionist Foundation.
Dr. Bernd Spanier, charge d’affairs of European Union Delegation to Bangladesh was present at the symposium as a special guest.
The event was presided over by Actionist Foundation Founder and Executive Director A.N.M. Fakhrul Amin Farhad.
Mohiuddin Bhuiyan and Khadija Akhtar Urmi were responsible for conducting the program. Welcome speech was provided by Raisa Naser, Head of communication of the organisation.
UGC, British Council sign deal to enhance quality education
Masud Khan, chairman of Unilever Consumer Care Limited said in the discussion, "We are guided by our mind. So our psychology has a lot of influence in our personal and professional life. That is why mental wellbeing is necessary for us. We have to overcome negativity and have a positive mindset."
"Along with mental training, our physical training is also important. There is no substitute for physical exercise to stay active," he added.
During his speech, Manik Mahmood, head of social innovation at A2I Program said the students are not aware of the huge gap in academic and work life skills.
“But at work they face problems (due to lack of work life skills,” he said.
EUB holds its first convocation
Meanwhile, Star Cineplex Chairperson, Mahboob Rahman said, "We can never ignore the skill issue. Word, PowerPoint, Excel among many skills will be needed in our daily life and we should learn it seriously. Besides this, we must ensure the proper management of social media."
UGC-The British Council sign an Operational Alliance Agreement in Dhaka
Continuing a meaningful partnership to enhance the quality of education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh and the British Council signed the Operational Alliance Agreement last Tuesday at InterContinental Dhaka.
The partnership reinforces the two entities' mutual dedication to strengthen and elevate the Higher Education (HE) sector in Bangladesh.
British Council’s Going Global Partnerships (GGP), launched in July 2021, aims to foster strategic, mutually beneficial, and equitable partnerships in tertiary education between the UK and other nations.
This programme encourages partnerships among universities, colleges, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to bolster Higher Education (HE) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems, promote research collaboration, internationalise institutions, enhance student outcomes, advance gender equality, and support inclusion.
Building upon over 50 prior British Council projects that supported Higher Education and TVET partnerships globally. In Bangladesh, under the GGP, the British Council, in collaboration with the University Grants Commission, is dedicated to enhancing the higher education sector's teaching and learning capacity, exemplified by the establishment of the Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) units.
The UGC and the British Council have fortified their partnership with yet another agreement that emphasises teaching and learning practices in the higher education institutes in the country.
Under the Operational Alliance Agreement, a series of initiatives will be launched, focusing on improving the higher education sector across the country. One of the key elements of this agreement is Teaching Excellence Programme (TEP) which has been designed to develop the capacity of HE faculty members focussing on practical approaches and leadership strategies for teaching and learning, student-centred teaching and learning and authentic assessment in higher education.
Professional development of early career researchers; enhancing the English skills of university faculty members; development of a leadership programme for HE sector leaders; facilitating the academic partnerships in HE sector between Bangladesh and UK are also some other areas on this agreement.
Tom Miscioscia, Director Bangladesh, British Council and Dr Ferdous Zaman, Secretary of the UGC, signed the Higher Education Operational Alliance Agreement.
Tom Miscioscia, Country Director of Bangladesh, British Council, in his opening remarks, said, "Through our long-standing partnership with the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, the British Council is committed to supporting the development of higher education in Bangladesh. The Going Global Partnerships programme aims to cultivate academic collaborations between the UK and Bangladesh and to foster joint course development, faculty exchange, and research initiatives. We look forward to working with UGC and other partners to build high-quality and mutually beneficial partnerships in tertiary education between the UK and Bangladesh.".
Professor Dr. Muhammed Alamgir, Chairman (Additional charge) & Member, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh said, “UGC's mission and vision are deeply rooted in our dedication to advancing the higher education landscape in Bangladesh. Our journey has been guided by a vision of creating a higher education system that not only provides access to all but also uphold the highest standards of excellence and we are happy to have the British Council with us on this journey as a trusted partner".
Among the other guests, Professor Dr. Mesbahuddin Ahmed, the Chairman of Bangladesh Accreditation Council; Professor Dr. Biswajit Chanda, Member, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh,senior officials from both UGC and British Council graced the event with their presence.
UGC, British Council sign deal to enhance quality education
The University Grants Commission (UGC) and the British Council have recently signed an exclusive Operational Alliance Agreement at InterContinental Dhaka to continue a meaningful partnership for enhancing the quality of education.
The partnership reinforces the two entities' mutual dedication to strengthen and elevate the higher education sector in Bangladesh, according to a press release.
British Council’s Going Global Partnerships (GGP), launched in July 2021, aims to foster strategic, mutually beneficial, and equitable partnerships in tertiary education between the UK and other nations. This programme encourages partnerships among universities, colleges, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to bolster Higher Education (HE) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems, promote research collaboration, internationalise institutions, enhance student outcomes, advance gender equality, and support inclusion, building upon over 50 prior British Council projects that supported Higher Education and TVET partnerships globally.
In Bangladesh, the British Council, under the GGP and in collaboration with the University Grants Commission, is dedicated to enhancing the higher education sector's teaching and learning capacity, exemplified by the establishment of the Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) units.
The University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) and the British Council have fortified their partnership with yet another agreement that emphasises teaching and learning practices in the higher education institutes in the country.
Read: Proper planning needed for research to make it to global rankings: UGC
Under the Operational Alliance Agreement, a series of initiatives will be launched, focusing on improving the higher education sector across the country.
One of the key elements of this agreement is Teaching Excellence Programme (TEP) which has been designed to develop the capacity of Higher Education (HE) faculty members focussing on practical approaches and leadership strategies for student-centred teaching and learning and authentic assessment in higher education.
Professional development of early career researchers; enhancing the English skills of university faculty members; development of a leadership programme for HE sector leaders; facilitating the academic partnerships in HE sector between Bangladesh and UK are also some other areas of this agreement.
Read: Prof Haseena Khan joins as member of UGC
Tom Miscioscia, Director Bangladesh, British Council and Dr Ferdous Zaman, Secretary of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh, signed the agreement.
"Through our long-standing partnership with the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, the British Council is committed to supporting the development of higher education in Bangladesh. The Going Global Partnerships programme aims to cultivate academic collaborations between the UK and Bangladesh and to foster joint course development, faculty exchange, and research initiatives," Tom Miscioscia, Country Director of Bangladesh, British Council, said in his opening remarks.
Professor Dr Muhammed Alamgir, Chairman (Additional charge) & Member, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh, said, “The UGC's mission and vision are deeply rooted in our dedication to advancing the higher education landscape in Bangladesh. Our journey has been guided by a vision of creating a higher education system that not only provides access to all but also upholds the highest standards of excellence and we are happy to have the British Council with us on this journey as a trusted partner’.
Senior officials from both the UGC and the British Council were also present at the event.
Read more: UGC asks universities to follow financial regulations properly
EUB holds its first convocation
European University of Bangladesh (EUB) organised its first convocation in 11 years since its establishment.
The convocation was held in the capital's International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) on Tuesday.
Students will be assessed based on their skills in the new curriculum: Dipu Moni
About 7,559 graduates from 2012 to the fall semester of 2020 participated in the convocation. One student was awarded the Chancellor's Award, and eight received the Vice-Chancellor's Award for outstanding academic performance, according to a press release.
Deputy Minister of Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury presided over the convocation ceremony on behalf of President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
Vested interests campaigning against new curriculum
The Chairman of the EUB Board of Trustees and former Home Minister, Dr Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir was the special guest.
Professor Dr Md Sazzad Hossain, a member of the University Grants Commission, Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, chairman of Dhaka School of Economics (DScE), Eng Md Alim Dad, Vice-Chancellor of the European University of Bangladesh, was also present among others.
DU confers honorary Doctor of Laws degree on Bangabandhu
The private university, located in Dhaka, was established in 2012 under the "Private University Act of 1992". Currently, the university conducts its educational programmes at its permanent campus in Gabtoli.
Students will be assessed based on their skills in the new curriculum: Dipu Moni
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Monday said that there will be no marks-based test in the new education curriculum; rather the students will be evaluated on the basis of their skills.“The education system of the country has gone through radical changes. The new curriculum will be fully operational from the 2024 academic year. There will be no marks-based test in this system,” she said.The minister said this while speaking at a press conference at the International Mother Language Institute in the city today.
Read: Vested interests campaigning against new curriculumDipu Moni said, “The guardians have become anxious after the introduction of the new curriculum. They are worried about how their children will get a job.”Many people are also saying that the academic results won’t be useful in getting jobs for their children, she said.“We have made this clear. That is, in the field of getting a job, one’s skills will be assessed. The recruitment will be made on the basis of evaluation of skills,” Dipu Moni added.The Education Minister said that we have already started working on the process of the new recruitment system on the basis of skills.
Read: DU confers honorary Doctor of Laws degree on Bangabandhu “When the students who are studying in the new curriculum, will start entering in the job market, the recruitment system will also be in the new process. So there is nothing to worry about,” she said.Dipu Moni said that another rumor and misinformation about the new curriculum is that students will not be able to take the admission test. “When the students of this curriculum pass the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exam, then the admission process in the universities will also be changed.”Mentioning there will be no sufferings at the time of admission tests in the new curriculum, the minister said, “We have formed National Testing Authority (NTA). The admission tests of all the country's universities will be conducted through the institution.”
Read: Russian Centre for Open Education begins journey at Dhaka UniversityStudents will be able to pursue higher education in the subject of their choice without any difficulties, she added.
Vested interests campaigning against new curriculum
Education Minister Dipu Moni on Sunday told parliament some teachers, coaching centres and note guide businessmen are involved in spreading confusion and propaganda centering the new education curriculum fearing that their coaching and guide business will be stopped.
She said this while speaking on the “Thakurgaon University Bill” as several MPs criticised the new education curriculum while participating in the discussion on the bill.
In response the education minister said that it’s not true that the examination system has not been kept in the new national curriculum.
Mentioning the reason for launching the new curriculum, the minister said that there has been a discussion over the years about the world-class education system.
“We are repeatedly falling behind in the area of soft skills. For this, new curriculum system is being introduced.”
Explaining the allegation of bringing eggs and potatoes from home, Dipu Moni said that such allegations are nothing but propaganda.
The minister said that some people are deliberately spreading confusion about the curriculum.
She said some schools in the city are doing this. They were given strict instructions. Children will learn to cook from school picnics. This cooking is also an art.
Dipu Moni also said there is no instruction to cook from home and take it to school. Those who are doing it are doing it to question it.
Alleging the involvement of some teachers behind the agitators, the minister said, “we have seen human chains in some places. We have investigated. It is basically coaching business and note guide business. They are worried that their coaching and guide business will no longer exist.”
Claiming that the new curriculum has already started yielding results, she said, we are getting the skills we need from the students. Now the students are writing a lot.
8th CJEN Conference concludes with declaration
With the Draft Policy on “DIU 2023 Declaration: Advancing Local and Regional Media for a Sustainable Future,” the 8th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference, jointly organized by the Department of Journalism, Media & Communication at Daffodil International University and DW Akademie, concluded on Sunday.
The two-day conference was held at Daffodil International University’s permanent campus in Daffodil Smart City, Birulia, Savar on the 28th and 29th of October.
The draft policy presentation session was chaired by Dr Golam Rahman, Professor at DIU and the Chief Patron of the conference. Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Associate Professor, Begum Royeka University, Rangpur, joined as the Co-Chair and Aftab Hossain, Co-convener of the conference, Head and Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism, Media and Communication, DIU were present in the hybrid session.
Faruque Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting joined the policy presentation as the chief guest. “It is imperative for newspapers and media outlets to enhance their vigilance and online presence. I believe the government will spare no effort to bring them to fruition. It necessitates a collective commitment from all stakeholders," he stated.