Dhaka, Aug 23 (UNB) - Teachers and students of Dhaka University (DU) on Friday observed 'Black Day' marking the attack on the institution’s teachers, students and officials on August 20-23, 2007, during the military-backed caretaker government.  

Demanding punishment of the culprits, DU students and teachers donned black badges and held various programmes on the campus.

A discussion was held at TSC auditorium in the morning with Vice-Chancellor Professor Akhtaruzzaman in the chair.

VC Akhtaruzzaman praised the then activities of DU teachers and students, saying that the university played a leading role at that crucial time. 

He said it was not a conflict between the Army and the students. “If the then government realised the demands of the students, then the scenario could have been different,” he said. “But it failed to do so.”

Among others, DUTA President Professor ASM Maksud Kamal, General Secretary Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam, Dhaka University Central Students' Union Vice-President Nurul Huq Nur and officials of DU were present.

Earlier, a protest rally was also held at Aparajeyo Bangla premises marking the day.
 

Dhaka, Aug 22 (UNB) – This year’s primary and Ebtedayi examinations will be held from November 17 to 24.

National steering committee on Primary and Ebtedayi terminal examinations in a meeting Thursday fixed the dates.

M Zakir Hossain, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education, presided over the meeting.

“Primary and Ebtedayi examinations are the biggest programmes under the ministry,” he said, urging all to help conduct the examinations properly.

Examination systems must be made infallible for implementing the ruling AL’s 2018 election manifesto as well as to ensure quality education, Zakir said.

“Question paper leakage in Primary and Ebtedayi examinations could be checked if the entire from formulating question papers to publishing results are done carefully and sincerely.”

Dhaka, Aug 22 (UNB) – The government is going to include a chapter on ‘productivity concept’ in the national education curricula for the year 2021 to attract the young generation to productivity.

Industries Secretary M Abdul Halim came up with the disclosure at a meeting of the national productivity executive committee at the Industries Ministry on Thursday.

He said the draft content on productivity concept prepared by the National Productivity Organisation (NPO) has already been sent to the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB).

Halim said the chapter titled 'The Concept of Productivity' will be added to the text books of class IX, X for the SSC and Dakhil (vocational) level students.

He said though the state-owned sugar mills have long been suffering losses, there is a scope to make them profitable. “The Industries Ministry has already identified the reasons behind the losses and we’ve taken an effective master plan in this regard.”

Halim said their meeting focused on increasing productivity in state-owned factories and enhancing workers’ skills.

Dhaka, Aug 20 (UNB) - Sixty-one high school students were selected by the Asian University for Women (AUW), powered by Chevron, for an intensive five-week programme focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

The programme, run-by AUW Math & Science Summer School, provided students with the competence and skills necessary to excel in STEM-oriented further studies and careers, Chevron said in a media statement.

A closing ceremony was held on AUW campus in Chittagong on August 8.

Addressing the programme as the chief guest, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said the AUW brings a source of pride for Bangladesh and Chittagong.

“AUW is a world-class university by all standards and it doesn’t only educate women; it empowers women. I encourage you all not just to dream big, but to combine your dreams with your efforts to reach your goals,” he said.

The function was also addressed, among others, by Ismail Chowdhury, Director of Corporate Affairs of Chevron Bangladesh, and Waseka Ayesha Khan, Member of Parliament from Chattogram.

The curriculum of the Math and Science Summer School focused on Physics, Mathematics, and Bioinformatics. These courses were taught by a cohort of international and local faculty with academic backgrounds from Stanford, MIT, Notre Dame, and the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia.

A group of visiting undergraduate students helped with peer tutoring and organised many extracurricular activities.

The programme was also designed to include prominent international scientists and mathematicians who volunteered to provide remote lectures, said the Chevron press release.

Dhaka, Aug 19 (UNB) – Claiming that he was attacked eight times by activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and the ruling party since June 30, Vice-president (VP) of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) Nurul Haque Nur on Monday said his life is now at stake.

“Now, I’m suffering from a sense of insecurity as I’ve received threats from ruling party men and Detective Branch at different times,” he said while addressing a press briefing at Madhur Canteen on the DU campus at noon.

Nur convened the press briefing against the backdrop of the attack on him at Ulania Bazar in Galachipa upazila of Patuakhali on the day of Eid-ul-Azha on August14.

“On August 14, I was attacked by goons at Ulania Bazar on the way to my sister’s house in Dashmina,” he said, alleging that Galachipa upazila parishad chairman Shahin Shah led the attack at the behest of Patuakhali-3 MP SM Shahjada Saju.

Demanding that punishment be meted out to the attackers, the Ducsu VP expressed the hope that law enforcers will find out the culprits and take necessary actions in this regard.

Mentioning that criticism of the government’s wrongdoings is the democratic right of a citizen, he said, “I always raise my voice against the lawlessness and irregularities. No one can stop me from protesting these irregularities."