Education
ULAB to host 9th Inter-University Student Conference Oct 19-20
University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) is set to host the 9th Inter-University Student Conference and Cultural Competition, scheduled to take place on October 19-20 at ULAB’s permanent campus in the capital’s Mohammadpur.
The event, organised by the Department of English and Humanities (DEH), promises to be an insightful exploration of the theme "Gender: The Binary and Beyond."
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This year, the Department of English and Humanities has partnered with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Bangladesh to host the event.
The first and only one of its kind, the DEH Inter-University Student Conference and Cultural Competition has become an annual highlight in the academic calendar, providing a platform for students from universities all across Bangladesh to engage in scholarly discourse and creative expression.
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This year, the event has grown to include 21 universities, all presenting academic papers on day one to compete for the Best Paper Award, and seven of them vying for the coveted Champion's trophy in the Cultural Competition on day two.
The conference aims to delve into the intricate ways in which gender is constructed, performed, and represented in literature, language, linguistics, cultural studies, communication studies, translation studies, and the digital humanities.
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Students from universities all over Bangladesh will present their research to share their explorations of the theme. The Cultural Competition, a vibrant component of the event, encourages students to express their ideas creatively, fostering teamwork, leadership, and friendly competition.
According to ULAB, it is a platform where participants can explore diverse artistic expressions in the context of the theme.
To ensure fairness and transparency in the adjudication process, academics from non-participating universities will assess the academic papers and performances as usual.
For the first time, DEH will also hold an art exhibition at the conference exclusively featuring artwork by DEH students and alumni. The highlight of this year's conference is the prize-giving and closing ceremony, scheduled for Friday, October 20, 2023, at 3:00 pm.
Iqbal Hossain, programme advisor of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Bangladesh, will join the closing ceremony as the chief guest. The ceremony will be the culmination of two days of academic and creative exploration.
UK extends Ocean Country Partnership Programme Scholarships to Bangladesh
The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) on October 17 announced the launch of up to 56 fully funded Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) Scholarships for students from Bangladesh, India, Ghana and Belize.
Funded by the UK government's £500 million Blue Planet Fund, the scholarships are open to students from these destinations wishing to undertake a master’s degree in their country of citizenship and develop a career in marine science, according to a press release.
Also read: UK accepting applications for GREAT Scholarships
The OCPP Scholarships have now opened for applications at selected universities in Ghana, India, Bangladesh and Belize for the forthcoming academic year, following a successful pilot programme in the South Pacific last year.
Hosted by Bangladesh Agricultural University, University of Belize, India’s Berhampur University and Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), and Ghana’s University of Cape Coast, the OCPP Scholarships 2023-24 will fund a range of master’s degree courses in marine science, enabling scholars to undertake world-class research and innovation in this area.
Also read: Applications for UK's Chevening scholarships to open on Sept 12
By supporting early career researchers who wish to develop a career in marine science, the scholarships will contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of marine resources and strengthen responses to marine environmental challenges, the press release reads.
The scholarships will also make a positive and tangible impact on the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on healthy marine ecosystems, as scholars harness their on-the-ground knowledge, conduct vital research and help develop local solutions to local marine environmental issues.
Also read: Applications invited for Chevening scholarships
Professor Colin Riordan, chief executive and secretary general of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), said: “This latest round of scholarships, launching in universities across Ghana, India, Bangladesh and Belize in the next academic year, will go a long way to support sustainable marine environments whilst also helping the next generation of marine scientists to develop their careers, skills and knowledge through Master’s study.”
“The ACU has an impressive track record of delivering scholarship and fellowship schemes on a global scale and this initiative is a further chapter in that story. We look forward to continuing our work with the OCPP delivery partners and universities in coastal communities to protect ocean environments and support sustainable marine practices,” he added.
Neil Hornby, chief executive of Cefas, said: “Cefas is delighted to be working with the ACU to support these additional Ocean Country Partnership Programme scholarships in Ghana, India, Bangladesh, and Belize building on the success of the first round of scholarships in the South Pacific. These scholarships contribute to an enhanced knowledge base in OCPP partner countries to tackle the key marine challenges of biodiversity loss, marine pollution and sustainable seafood. This initiative broadens Cefas’ support for students internationally, creating opportunities for them to develop their science and enabling much needed scientific research to take place in these countries.”
Professor Sushil Kumar, director of research at University of the South Pacific (USP), summarised his experience of hosting the OCPP Scholarships pilot programme: “The Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) has provided an excellent opportunity to the budding researchers from Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Fiji, to pursue higher research degree (Master’s and PhD) and develop skills and expertise to address the regional and global challenges in the areas of Marine Pollution, Marine Biodiversity, and sustainable seafood, supporting sustainable ocean practices.”
“The USP currently has 13 early-mid career researchers registered in Master’s and PhD programmes under the pilot OCPP scholarship programme, with backgrounds in marine and environmental management. This partnership between USP and ACU and Cefas, has also provided an opportunity for USP academics to collaborate on different research projects and produce research output. The USP looks forward to having more students under this scholarship scheme, both from the region and internationally contributing to the capacity building in these areas of regional significance.”
The OCPP scholarship pilot last year was the first collaboration between the ACU and Cefas following the signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in May 2022, formalising their partnership on research capacity strengthening activities in the areas of environmental science, according to the press release.
The ACU has been appointed to administer the OCPP Scholarships on behalf of the programme. The OCPP is delivered by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Khulna Agricultural University teachers continue work abstention for 10th day
Teachers of Khulna Agricultural University observed work abstention for the 10th consecutive day today to press home their demands including immediate solution to problems related to the appointment of 73 teachers of the university.
They started work abstention on October 8, halting the academic activities, and have vowed to continue till their demands are met.
Their demands include the promotion of 39 teachers of the university and ensuring their financial compensation, along with an immediate solution to the crisis related to the appointment of 73 teachers.
Read: Parents' sexism associated with poor parenting: study
Besides, the teachers' association held a general meeting on October 15 and announced to stop the work of dean and departmental offices for an indefinite period from October 16.
Earlier on August 3, 2022, the Ministry of Education ordered KAU to cancel the appointment of 73 teachers of the university. Later, the list of the teachers was re-evaluated by a special committee.
Md Ashiqul Alam, general secretary of the teachers' association, said, “The re-evaluation committee has verified the validity of the files and appointments of 73 teachers. However, the report has remained stuck in the ministry for two months. As a result, we are constantly frustrated.”
Meanwhile, the promotion of 39 lecturers of the university has not been implemented for 11 months due to the cancellation of the recruitment process.
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Md Asaduzzaman, president of KAU Teachers’ Association, said, “Actually, a few people are responsible for creating this complication. Thirty-nine of our teachers are not being promoted due to this complication.”
“University Administration, or Ministry even, is not taking this problem seriously,” he said.
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The teachers said that they do not want to disrupt the academic activities and that is why they are taking classes and exams despite various problems. But they are not seeing any visible initiative from the administration to resolve the problem, which has caused great frustration among the teachers.
“We would not return to the class unless these problems are resolved,” they warned.
Parents' sexism associated with poor parenting: study
Fathers and mothers who believe men should hold the power and authority in society and the family were less responsive to their children during family interactions, according to University of Auckland research.
"For decades, sexism has been known to predict negative behaviors toward women, from discrimination to violence," said the research's lead author Nickola Overall from the University of Auckland.
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The study, published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science on Tuesday, was the first of its type, suggesting that the effects flow through to poorer parenting.
Video-recording family groups in the laboratory, researchers assessed parents' responsiveness, including warmth, involvement, engagement and sensitivity toward their children.
The less responsive parents, both mothers and fathers, had disclosed higher levels of "hostile sexism," an academic term for attitudes favoring male authority and antagonism toward women who challenge men's social power, according to the study.
The results for fathers were expected and highlight that the harmful effects of men's sexist attitudes may also involve poorer parenting, it said, while the discovery that mothers who agree with hostile sexism were likely to be less responsive parents was unexpected.
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"It could be that these mothers follow the father's lead in family interactions, which leads to less engaged parenting," Overall said, adding that another possibility is that mothers guard their traditional role as caregiver by restricting the father's parental involvement, which detracts from being responsive to the children.
Responsive parenting is pivotal to healthy child development, and its absence can lead to behavioral issues, emotional difficulties and lower academic achievement, she said.
"The novel results offer new directions in understanding the broader impact of sexist attitudes on children across generations," said Overall and her co-authors from the Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Essex.
There is also more to understand about why women continue to agree with sexist attitudes despite the harm they have for women and children, they wrote.
173 IU students get CZM scholarship
A total of 173 students from different departments of Islamic University in Kushtia have been selected for the Centre for Zakat Management scholarship.
The CZM announced the names for the scholarship in a function held at Birshrestha Hamidur Rahman Auditorium of the university, IU registrar office officials said on Tuesday.
IU vice-chancellor Professor Shaikh Abdus Salam addressed the function as the chief guest while pro-VC Professor M Mahbubur Rahman and treasurer Professor M Alamgir Alamgir Hossain spoke as special guests.
Read: 55 IU students selected for science, technology fellowship
CZM head of operations Kazi Ahmad Farooque chaired the programme.
CZN Kushtia Zone assistant manager Rakibul Islam conducted the programme while IU acting registrar HM Ali Hasan delivered a welcome speech.
Around two hundred students of different departments attended the programme.
The Centre for Zakat Management would give Tk 3,000 to each selected student per month for two years, the acting registrar said.
55 IU students selected for science, technology fellowship
Fifty five students from different departments of Islamic University in Kushtia were selected for Science and Technology Fellowship 2023-24 for special research under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
IU acting registrar HM Ali Hasan said on Tuesday that he received a letter from the ministry in this regard.
A total of 45 students were selected from biotechnology and genetic engineering department, five students from biomedical engineering department and five students from five other departments- mathematics department, statistics department, environmental science department, information and communication engineering department and electrical and electronic engineering department.
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Each nominated student will get Tk 54,000 for the fellowship programme, HM Ali Hasan said.
IU vice-chancellor professor Shaikh Abdus Salam told UNB that the students who were selected for the fellowship would brighten the name of the university after completing their research.
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He also congratulated the students selected for the fellowship.
Voting for JU teacher representative senate elections ends
The much-awaited elections to choose 33 teacher representatives for Jahangirnagar University(JU) senate ended on Monday afternoon in a festive atmosphere on the campus.
The last election took place 8 years back in 2015.
The voting started at 9:00am and will continue till 1:00pm at the university’s teacher's club, Abu Hasan, returning officer of the election, said.
Anti-Fascist Students’ Solidarity to discuss 9-point demand with students, teachers, and parents
Anti-Fascist Students’ Solidarity, a new student alliance, will hold an exchange meeting with teachers and parents on October 19 to build a larger student movement with their 9-point demands, including voting rights, safe campuses, and the establishment of a democratic state and education system.
The exchange meeting with teachers and parents will be held in Dhaka.
Graduates encouraged preparing themselves in line with global demands
Saif Mahmud Jewel, spokesperson of the alliance and General Secretary of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, announced the program in a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Sunday morning.
He said that the 9-point demand was announced by the alliance to demand the right to vote, terror-free safe campuses, and the establishment of a democratic state and education system.
Prof Maksud Kamal made 29th VC of Dhaka University
These nine points were accepted by the representatives at the student convention on October 12, he said.
The speakers expressed hope that such opinion exchange meetings will be organized in Rajshahi, Chattagram, Sylhet, and other divisional cities through the exchange of views with students, teachers, and parents.
Leaders and activists from the students’ bodies, including Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Federation, Chhatra Adhikar Parishad, Gonotantrik Chhatra Dal (LDP), Nagorik Chhatra Oikya, Jagpa Chhatra League, Chhatra Forum (Gono Forum Montu), Bhasani Chhatra Parishad, Jatiya Chhatra Samaj (Kazi Zafar), Jatiya Chhatra Samaj (BJP-Partha), Jagpa Chhatra League (Khandaker Lutfar), Chhatra Jamiat Bangladesh, Biplobi Chhatra Sanghati and Rashtra Reform Movement, were present there.
Student tortured all night by 'Chhatra League activists' at Barishal University hall
Earlier, on September 29, 15 student bodies formed the front through a joint declaration at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity in Segunbagicha area on Friday.
Graduates encouraged preparing themselves in line with global demands
President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Faruque Hassan has called upon graduates to prepare themselves with the knowledge and skills in line with the evolving demands of global markets.
In this era of disruptive technologies and artificial intelligence, he said, new opportunities are being created which require knowledge and skills to suit the job market demands.
Read: Prof Maksud Kamal made 29th VC of Dhaka University
By doing so, they can unlock their potential and contribute to both personal growth and the prosperity of Bangladesh, Faruque Hassan said while addressing the ‘BUFT International Model United Nations 2023’ as the chief guest on October 14.
The conference organized by BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) at the campus was also attended by Ayub Nabi Khan, Pro Vice Chancellor, BUFT; Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman, Head of United Nations Information Center (UNIC); Abdussattor Esoev, Chief of Mission, International Organization for Migration – UN Migration, faculties and students of the university.
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Prof Maksud Kamal made 29th VC of Dhaka University
Prof Dr ASM Maksud Kamal has been appointed as the 29th Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University.
A notification issued by the Education Ministry on Sunday said Professor Maksud Kamal of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience Department has been temporarily appointed as the next Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin, also the Chancellor of Dhaka University, gave him the appointment, it said.
He will take the charge from November 4 after the expiry of the tenure of current VC Mohammmad Akhtaruzzaman.
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Prof Maksud Kamal has been serving as the Pro Vice Chancellor (academic) of the university since 2020.
Professor Dr. Maksud Kamal has held academic and administrative responsibilities at almost all levels of the university. He was the founding chairman (2012-2017) of the Disaster Science and Management Division, now known as the Disaster Science and Climate Resilience Department. He also served as Dean (elected four times) of the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences since 2012 before assuming the role of Pro-Vice Chancellor.
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During his tenure as Dean, he was instrumental in establishing the Department of Meteorology. He served as the provost of Master Da Surjasen Hall for two terms (2013-2018). Dr Kamal was President of Dhaka University Teachers Association for four terms (2017-2020) and General Secretary for three terms (2014-2016). He also served three terms (2017-2018, 2018-2019 and 2019-2020) as President and Secretary General (2015-2016) of Bangladesh University Teachers Association Federation.
Besides Dhaka University, he has been contributing as a member of Senate, Syndicate and Academic Council of various universities. He was associated with various socio-cultural and political organizations since his student life.
Prof Maksud Kamal took his bachelor degree in 1987 from the Geology Department of Dhaka university. In 1988 he took his master’s degree on Environmental Geology from the same university. After ten years in 1988, he took his second master’s degree from University of Twente on Applied Geomorphology and Engineering Geology and in 2004 he took doctorate degree (doctor of engineering) on Built Environment from Tokyo Institute of Technology of Japan.
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