Education
Admission seekers block CU shuttle trains
The shuttle train service on the Chittagong University (CU) route was hit on Thursday morning, as 50-60 admission seekers blocked the track in Sholosohor demanding they be allowed to appear for the entrance test again.
The protesters shouted slogans as they sat on the track, delaying the shuttle trains that ferry students from Chattogram railway station to CU by over half an hour.
Also read: BCL blockade halts classes, exams at CU
Their repeated requests to the university authorities, the UGC and even the Education Ministry over the past six months for letting them take the entry test have only fallen on deaf ears, the protesters told UNB.
Saikat Majumdar, one of the protesters, said, "We completed our 12th standard exams in 2020 and took the admission test for the academic year 2020-2021 of the university. The CU authorities changed the exam schedule thrice during the pandemic."
When contacted, CU Proctor Prof Rabiul Hasan Bhuiya said, “There is no scope for taking the admission test again and the protest movement of the admission seekers is illogical."
RU student assaulted ‘by BCL men’
A student of Rajshahi University has been assaulted allegedly by some activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at Madar Bux Hall as he asked them not to smoke in the television room.
The victim is Shahabuddin Ahmed, a master’s student of Bangla department, who works for online news portal www.bdmorning.com and is also a member of Rajshahi University Journalist Association (RUJA).
Also read: Tension mounts as BCL, JCD clash at DU
Witnesses said RU BCL Madar Bux Hall unit vice president Giasuddin Kajol along with two of his fellow activists beat up Shahabuddin as objected to his smoking in the television room while watching an IPL match on Sunday night.
“While watching the cricket match, Giasuddin Kajol, a fourth-year student of History department, started smoking cigarettes, making him and the others feel uncomfortable,” alleged Shahabuddin.
Later, Shahabuddin was taken to the university medical centre for primary treatment.
Professor Ashabul Haque, proctor of the university said, “We will take necessary steps against the accused after an investigation.”
Meanwhile, RU-based journalists staged a sit-in at night in front of the vice-chancellor's residence demanding immediate action against the BCL men and the removal of the Madar Bux Hall provost.
Later, the journalists withdrew their sit-in programme at around 2 am after the pro-vice-chancellor Professor Sultan-Ul-Islam assured them of meeting their demands by Monday.
Also read:DU student assaulted ‘by BCL man’ for not offering salam
Nuruzzaman Khan, president of Rajshahi University Journalist Association, alleged that he along with his fellow journalists contacted the hall provost several times over phone, but he did not respond to their call.
“Instead of coming to the hall and taking necessary steps to solve the problem, the hall provost made the journalists wait in front of the hall gates for three hours, and later refused to come down”, Nuruzzaman added.
Attempts being made to create anarchy at educational institutions: Dipu
Education Minister Dipu Moni on Sunday said attempts are being made to create anarchy at the educational institutions of the country ahead of the national election.
“Their plan of destabilizing the country through creating anarchy at the educational institutions will not be implemented. Conscious students will obstruct it,” she said while speaking at a prize giving ceremony at Baburhat High School in Chandpur town.
Also read: Working to improve universities' world ranking position, says Dipu Moni
The people of the country want peace and the country is approaching fast to achieve the development goals under the leadership of the Prime Minister, said Dipu.
“The evil forces are trying to raise their heads ahead of the national election and trying to take advantage of the chaotic situation created by them,”she said.
Also read: Don't react to provocations on social media: Dipu Moni
Dipu Moni also urged the students of the school to be human being through good deeds and love the country.
Design modern curricula for every university: President Hamid
President Abdul Hamid on Saturday directed all concerned to formulate modern curriculum in every university of the country.
He gave the instruction when the Vice-Chancellors of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib University of Science and Technology and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University visited the President at Bangabhaban in the evening.
Read: Bangladesh’s new ambassador to Sweden meets President Hamid
A delegation led by Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib University of Science and Technology's Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Samsuddin Ahmed called on the President first while VC of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University Air Vice Marshal Nazrul Islam called on the President later.
During the meeting, the Vice-Chancellors briefed the President on the overall activities of their university, including academic and infrastructure development.
Mentioning development as one of the driving forces in this age of globalization, science and technology, the President said that the new and future generations of the country need to be educated in science and technology in order to keep pace with the world and make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous country by 2041.
Read: President shocked at death of journalist Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury
Noting that it is not possible to meet the demand of the present age in the traditional curriculum, the President said that timely curriculum should be formulated in the universities.
Besides, President Hamid also directed to intensify research activities and stop corruption and nepotism at all levels.
Secretary to the President Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary to the President Md. Joynal Abedin were also present during the meeting.
DU student assaulted ‘by BCL man’ for not offering salam
A student of Dhaka University was assaulted allegedly by an activist of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at Masterda Surja Sen Hall for not greeting him by saying salam.
Sajjadul Haque Sayedee, a student of Department of Anthropology of 2018-19 academic session and a resident student of Surya Sen Hall, lodged a written complaint against Mankiur Rahman, a student of Political Science department and a follower of Chhatra League general secretary of the hall unit Siam Rahman, with the hall administration regarding the physical assault.
Also read:DU student 'assaulted' for missing BCL event ahead of hall conference
"On Tuesday night, I was attending an online class at that time when some BCL activists stepped into my room. As I was busy in my class I couldn't greet them by saying salam. Being angered, BCL activist Manikur Rahman slapped me and kicked me", he wrote in his letter.
“Manikur scolded me and my roommates for not attending their programme and threatened me for not greeting them. When I stood up after disconnecting the Zoom link, he slapped me and kicked me in the chest and threw me away," he added.
Manikur did not receive the phone call when the correspondent tried to contact him for comment.
Also read: DU student allegedly thrashed by Jagannath Hall Chhatra League leader
Admitting the incident of beating, Chhatra League general secretary of the hall unit Siam Rahman said ,"The incident that happened last night is totally unexpected. I will settle the issue with them this afternoon."
Surya Sen hall provost prof. Mokbul Hossen Vuiyan said, " I have received the complaint letter and formed a three-member probe committee to investigate the incident within three working days. Action will be taken if the allegation is proved true."
UGC approves Tk 10,444.04 crore budget for 51 public universities in 2022-23
The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Monday approved a budget of Tk 10,444.04 crore for 51 public universities of the country for 2022-23 fiscal year.
The commission approved the budget at its 162th meeting held virtually with UGC Chairman (Additional) Professor Dr Dil Afroza in the chair.
In the total budget of Tk 10,515.71 crore, UGC will get Tk 71.67 Crore, UGC said in a press release .
Also read: UGC to bring all varsity students under digital device coverage by 2023
In the main budget for the universities, the size of the revenue budget is Tk 6,023.60 crore while the development budget is Tk 4,420.44 crore for 40 projects.
In fiscal 2022-23, the allotted budget for the public universities has increased Tk 937.80 crore from the previous year.
Also read: Cluster admission tests to be held in 32 universities in 2021-22 session: UGC
In this fiscal, Dhaka University will get the highest revenue budget of Tk 864.94 crore while Sheikh Hasina Medical University, Khulna will get lowest Tk 3.83 crore.
In the main budget Tk 150 crore has been allotted for research under UGC and public University which is Tk 32 crore more than the previous year.
DU scraps trust fund in late Holiday editor’s name
Dhaka University authority has scrapped a recently formed trust fund in the name of AZM Enayetullah Khan, the late editor of the weekly 'Holiday' magazine after facing extreme criticism.
The university authorities has declared that there will be no effectiveness and acceptance of the trust fund anymore as Enayetullah Khan was alleged of leaking confidential information of war during liberation war and humiliated Bangabandhu in his writings.
DU vice chancellor Md Akhtaruzzaman said, "Establishing a fund in the name of such a person is contradictory to the ideology and values of the university."
Rashed Khan Menon, brother of Enayetullah Khan and also the president of Bangladesh Workers Party, launched this fund to be established at Dhaka University's Mass Communication and Journalism Department.
Also read: An unauthorized open-air ‘library’ on Dhaka University campus raises eyebrows
“But after being informed about some of Enayetullah's previous activities, we decided to scrap the trust fund," the VC added.
On 10 May, Nasreen Zaman, daughter AZM Enayetullah Khan, formally handed over a cheque of Tk 2.5 million to DU treasurer Prof. Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed to set up the 'Enayetullah Khan Memorial Trust Fund' in the presence of Rashed Khan Menon, DU Registrar Prabir Kumar Sarker, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Zia Rahman, and Chairman of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism Dr. Abul Mansur Ahmed at vice chancellor's lounge
After the establishment of the fund, some news media reported about the unethical activities of Enayetullah Khan, and then VC ordered to scrap the fund.
DU pro VC (administration) Mohammad Samad said, “After the brutal assassination of Bangabandhu and his family members, an article written by Niaz Zaman, titled 'The Majors killed the serpent and most of its eggs except the daughters who were abroad' was published at Enayetullah Khan's edited newsweekly 'Holiday'”
Also read: Legal notice served on Dhaka University for barring married students from halls
"I was shocked that a trust fund was set up at Dhaka University, the birthplace of independence in the name of that journalist whose newsweekly addressed Bangabandhu as a serpent," he added.
BBS, BFTI sign deal for launching PGD program in international trade
BRAC Business School (BBS) and Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) have signed an agreement for launching a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) programme in international trade and business.
Md. Obaidul Azam, Director of BFTI, and Dr. Sang Lee, Dean of BRAC Business School signed and exchanged the agreement confirming the initiation of the six-month-long PGD programme on Wednesday, said a press release.
The program is expected to launch the first cohort in July 2022.
Read: Alper-Doger index lists KUET Prof Alamgir
The agreement has been signed in continuation of a signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) by the respective heads of the institutions, Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University, Dr. Vincent Chang, and CEO of Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute, Dr. Md. Jafar Uddin.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Senior Secretary of Ministry of Commerce Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of BRAC University Tamara Hasan Abed, and other important officials from the Commerce Ministry, BFTI and BRAC University were present on the occasion.
The two institutions had jointly developed the curriculum for the diploma program to fulfill the demand for up-skilling professionals engaging in international trade activities.
As Bangladesh prepares to graduate from its LDC status, international trade sectors are expected to face both challenges and opportunities in the competitive international marketplace.
The upcoming PGD program is designed to close the gap between international standards and Bangladesh’s current practices in international trade activities.
Read: HSC exams to be held with shortened syllabus, question paper
The diploma will deliver knowledge and skills to individuals working in, or planning to work in the foreign trade sector and enhance their professional skills needed to navigate the market for securing improved opportunities for the industries in Bangladesh.
In addition to the launching of the post-graduation diploma program, the two parties agreed to cooperate on research and the designing of other educational programs that will support industries and professionals in the international trade sector, mentioned the press release.
HSC exams to be held with shortened syllabus, question paper
This year's Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams are likely to start on August 22 with curtailed syllabus and fewer marks than usual.
Students will have two hours to write the exams – 20 minutes for multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and 1 hour and 40 minutes for creative questions (CQs).
This year's exams will kick off with the Bangla first paper followed by Bangla second paper.
The schedule, signed by Professor SM Amirul Islam, convener of the board's Examination Regulatory Committee and controller of examinations of Dhaka Education Board, was released Sunday.
Typically, students would take a 3-hour test for 100 marks. However, taking stock of the learning losses students suffered during the pandemic, the syllabi and exams have been shortened.
However, even though students will sit for tests with fewer marks – 45 to 55 – their final mark will be converted out of 100 during the evaluation.
Usually, HSC exams take place in April. The pandemic has forced the government to depart from the usual schedule.
In 2021, following the resumption of in-person classes, HSC candidates sat for tests in December on only three optional subjects with a shortened syllabus and fewer marks than usual.
HSC exams were not held in 2020 due to the pandemic; students were evaluated based on their results in previous public exams.
Also read: Next year SSC in Apr, HSC in June: Dipu Moni
SSC exams to begin on June 19
The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and its equivalent examinations will begin on June 19 based on a shortened syllabus.
The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education unveiled the schedules for the public examination on Wednesday.
Also read:Next year SSC in Apr, HSC in June: Dipu Moni
The SSC exams, including the practical ones, will end on July 20.
SSC examinees will have a total of two hours to write -- 20 minutes for MCQ and 1 hour and 40 minutes for CQ.
On February 20, National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) re-revised the syllabuses of Bangla second, English first and second papers of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) after more editing.
Also read: SSC, HSC exams in June-August, syllabuses re-revised
According to notifications issued by the Secondary and Higher Education Division, Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examination will begin on August 22.
As per the government's academic calendar, SSC exams begin from February 1 and HSC from April 1 every year. However, these exams were not held as per schedule in the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.