United News of Bangladesh

National University (NU) Vice Chancellor Dr Md Mashiur Rahman has resigned from his post. Dr Rahman submitted his resignation by mail to the Education Secretary this noon, according to the sources of National University. Later, he joined the Department of Sociology of Dhaka University, sources added. On 10 May 2017, Rahman was appointed Pro-Vice Chancellor of the National University. He was appointed the Vice-Chancellor of the National University on 30 May 2021 replacing Harun-or-Rashid.

The administration of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science & Technology University has banned all forms of political activities on campus, including those involving teachers and students. Professor Dr. Md. Saifur Rahman, additional registrar of the university, issued a notice on Sunday in this regard.   According to the notice, in view of the demands of the general students in order to maintain a fair environment of education in the University, no teacher, officer, or employee of this university can be involved with any political organisation. Those who disobey this order will be punished according to the relevant provisions of the university, said the notice. The registrar also sought everyone's cooperation to implement the order.   The general students are happy with the news of the order. However, a number of teachers, officials and student leaders who have received additional benefits related to party politics are not satisfied with the order.    

The students of Jagannath University (JnU) on Sunday gave a 24-hour ultimatum to Vice Chancellor Dr Sadeka Halim, registrar, full proctor body and hall provosts to step down by 3 pm on Monday. The students issued the ultimatum after a view-exchange meeting at the Central Auditorium at 2 pm. They also brought out a protest procession from the academic building on the campus and staged demonstrations there around 2:30 pm. Swarna Akter Ria, coordinator of Anti-discrimination student movement, said “We gave them a 24-hour ultimatum to resign within 3 pm on Monday and if they do not not step down than we will go for a tougher movement.” The protesters also placed 13-point demand including ban on student politics on campus, bearing the medical expenses of students died or injured during the protest,relieving those who got job on the campus with BCL affiliation within two-days, holding election after enacting guidelines within September 20, freeing the occupied dormitories and allocating those based on merits, implementing  the construction work of second campus of the university,ensuring  academic atmosphere, banning politics of teachers and giving priority to the students of the university during teachers’ recruitment and taking effective measures in stopping extortion and bidding in the name of politics.

Anti-Repression Teachers' Society of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) in Sylhet has presented an 18-point proposal to the newly formed interim government considering the current situation of the country. Prof Dr. Sajedul Karim, an organiser of the Anti-Repression Teachers' Society, confirmed the matter to the media on Sunday morning. Prof Sajedul said, "We hold the newly appointed head of the government, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, in high regard and believe that under his capable leadership, the current crisis will be resolved swiftly, paving the way for the realization of the nation's dreams for a new, independent Bangladesh." "We extend our congratulations and best wishes to this government and in alignment with the expectations of the students and the public, present some proposals," he added. These are their proposals: 1. To restore law and order, all types of licensed firearms must be recovered. During the previous corrupt regime, licenses were granted only to party-affiliated murderers, who, in collaboration with helmet-wearing terrorists and the police, committed massacres against students and the public. Moreover, illegal arms, including those looted from various police stations, must be recovered with the assistance of the armed forces. 2. To eliminate the partisan influence in the administration, all officials at all levels, especially in the administration and police, must undergo a vetting process. Those responsible for unrest, indiscriminate shooting, massacres, and looting must be brought to justice immediately. 3. To establish justice and the rule of law in all sectors, judges appointed on a partisan basis must be removed promptly. 4. Given the current circumstances, the image of the police should be restored, and public trust regained by placing field-level police administration under the supervision of the army. 5. The existing education policy and curriculum, especially at the primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels, must be immediately repealed. A new curriculum should be formulated based on the opinions of renowned educational experts. Until the new curriculum is ready, the 2024 academic year should be conducted according to the previous curriculum. 6. A minimum allocation of 6% of the GDP must be ensured for the development of the education system. 7. Dormitories at all universities and colleges must be reserved exclusively for students. Part of the education budget should be used to improve classroom facilities, research, and the quality of student meals.  8. Only academically qualified, honest, courageous, and experienced educators should be appointed to administrative positions in public and private universities, particularly as vice-chancellors, pro-vice-chancellors, and treasurers.  9. The University Grants Commission must be restructured.  10. The ministries of education, health, and agriculture should appoint ministers and secretaries who are experts in their respective fields. Legislation should be enacted to ensure this.  11. The Bangladesh Public Service Commission must be freed from corruption and made accountable. Its education syllabus and examination system should be revised, and its chairperson and members should be appointed from among academics. 12. light of the current situation, all ongoing development projects must be prioritized and re-evaluated for their economic recovery potential. Effective measures must be taken to repatriate laundered money and to increase domestic and foreign investment by combating corruption.  13. The practice of extorting capacity charges in the power sector must be stopped, along with all forms of corruption. 14. To preserve and restore Bangladesh's image abroad, ambassadors and other officials must be urgently reassigned based on impartiality and merit. 15. Corruption in all forms of administration—governmental, autonomous, semi-autonomous, and private—must be rooted out. The assets accumulated by those who have amassed wealth through corruption should be confiscated. 16. The Election Commission must be restructured with neutral and acceptable individuals. Fake voters must be identified, and a new voter list must be prepared to ensure a fair and acceptable election at the earliest. 17. To protect minority communities and their places of worship during this critical period, a special team should be formed to ensure their security. Appropriate measures should be taken to prevent terrorists from destroying these places. 18.  An education commission must be established immediately to reform the education system and make it suitable for the modern era.  Prof Sajedul said that the expectations and proposals presented to the interim government stem from the people's struggle over the past 15 years against oppression, exploitation, and discrimination. He also expressed his condolences to the families of those who were martyred in the 2024 struggle for equality and justice, and expressed hopes that the newly formed interim government will fulfill the dreams of the nation.

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof Kazi Shahidullah has resigned from his position on Sunday. In a resignation letter sent to the secretary to the Secondary of and Higher Secondary Division under the Ministry of Education, the UGC chairman citied his illness behind the resignation. The letter mentioned that he has been staying in Australia for his treatment since August 20 last year following an official order from the Secondary of and Higher Secondary Division.  As per consultation of the Australian physicians and his physical condition, he is unable to carry out his duty, it reads.   In the letter he mentioned that he joined as the UGC chairman on May 28 last year.

Professor Farid Uddin Ahmed, vice chancellor of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) in Sylhet, has resigned from his position.                                                                        The university's Public Relations office confirmed the resignation on Saturday afternoon, stating that the VC cited personal reasons for his decision. It has also been learned that Professor Ahmed submitted his resignation letter to the President, in accordance with protocol. Additionally, a resignation letter was addressed to the Deputy Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division under the Ministry of Education, following the instructions of the Honorable Chancellor. Earlier, on Thursday, all members of the university's proctorial body, hall provosts, and assistant provosts submitted their resignation letters to the registrar.

Thirteen out of the 14 members of Dhaka University's Proctorial Team have submitted their resignation letters, citing personal reasons. The resignations were submitted to DU Vice Chancellor Prof ASM Maksud Kamal on Thursday, former proctor Prof Maksudur Rahman confirmed the matter on Thursday evening. The members who resigned include Prof. Maksudur Rahman, Dr. Liton Kumar Saha, Dr. Mahabubul Rahman, Mohammad Nazir Hossen Khan, Dr. Mohammad Abdul Muhit, Dr. M.L. Polash, Dr. Soud Ahmed, Sonchita Guh, Dr. Mohammad Hasan Faruk, Mohammad Mainuddin Molla, Dr. Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman, Emaul Haque Sarkar Titu, and Dr. Bodrul Hasan.

Students of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) staged a sit-in on Thursday in front of the vice chancellor's residence, presenting a 7-point demand that includes a ban on all forms of politics on campus. A delegation of 20 students met with acting vice chancellor Prof Khandaker Md. Mostafizur Rahman to discuss their demands. The students' demands include: 1. A complete ban on all forms of politics (student, teacher, staff, and worker) on campus.2. Resumption of classes within 7 days.3. Formation of the university administration through discussions with general students.4. Enhanced security measures in all dormitories.5. Swift compensation for students affected by attacks from outsiders.6. Immediate action to prevent harassment and threats against students participating in the anti-discrimination student movement.7. Identification and prosecution of those involved in past abuses against general students. In response, the acting vice-chancellor stated that the students' demands are reasonable and assured that they would be addressed through discussions with all parties to bring students back to campus as soon as possible. The meeting was also attended by the President of the BAU Teachers' Association, Prof. Dr. Rafiqul Islam Sarder, and General Secretary Prof. Dr. Asaduzzaman Sarker.

Prof Shaikh Abdus Salam, vice chancellor of Islamic University in Kushtia, has resigned from his position. The IU VC's office confirmed the matter to UNB on Thursday afternoon. Forhad Hossain, the VC's driver, quoted Professor Salam as saying that he would not return to Islamic University. He also mentioned that the VC had submitted his resignation letter to be handed over to the IU Registrar's office. Attempts to reach Professor Shaikh Abdus Salam for comment were unsuccessful. The VC’s resignation comes after student leaders from the Against Discrimination Student Movement issued an ultimatum on Thursday, calling for the university's top officials, including the VC and Pro-VCs, to step down within 24 hours.

Rajshahi University (RU) Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Golam Sabbir Sattar has resigned. “VC Prof Golam Sabbir Sattar resigned from his post at 3:02pm on Thursday,” said Mir Shahjahan Ali Zakir, secretary of RU vice chancellor’s office. The vice chancellor stepped down from his post after the student leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement  issued an ultimatum on Thursday noon urging the university the vice chancellor and pro-vice chancellors to resign within next twenty four hours. Meanwhile, RU acting registrar Prof Tariqul Islam said that many officials and employees have already submitted their resignation letters but he was yet to receive them as most of the employees were absent on Wednesday.