United News of Bangladesh

Students from Barishal University (BU) put up blockade on the Dhaka-Barisal highway on Sunday, protesting the High Court order on reinstating discriminatory quota system in government jobs. More than 500 students staged demonstration on the highway from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm, disrupting traffic and causing suffering to passengers. After the blockade, the students brought out a protest procession on the highway. Later, the students held a protest rally in front of the administrative building. DU students protest High Court's reinstatement of quota system in government jobs

At least 2,000 students from Dhaka University staged a protest today (June 09, 2024) against the High Court’s decision to reinstate the quota system in government jobs. The procession began at 11 am from the front gate of the Central Library and concluded at the Raju Sculpture on the Dhaka University campus. Marching through the campus, the protesters shouted slogans demanding the repeal of the quota system in government jobs. DU students protest High Court order on restoration of quota system in govt jobs Fahim, an English department student, expressed his frustration, saying, "The decision to reintroduce the quota system in government jobs has destroyed the hopes and dreams of students who aspire to advance the country with their talent." He urged continuous protests until their demands are met.

The National Career Carnival, organized by the Bangladesh Agricultural University Career Club (BAUCC), concluded with a job fair on its second and final day. This year, the job fair saw the participation of over 40 companies. The fair took place at the gymnasium of Bangladesh Agricultural University from 9:30am to 5:00pm on Saturday. Graduates from 10 universities had the opportunity to submit their resumes directly and online to each participating company. The companies participating in the fair included the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, ACI, PRAN, Square, C.P. Bangladesh, Nabil Group, Paragon Group, BRAC, Danish, Aftab, Nahar Agro, Syngenta, Provita Group, Kazi Farms, and many other local and multinational firms.

The students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) formed a human chain protesting the move to restore freedom fighters’ quota in government jobs after a High Court verdict declared illegal the 2018 circular that abolished the quota system. They formed the human chain on the road adjacent to Shaheed Minar of the university on Friday for the 2nd consecutive day. DU students protest High Court order on restoration of quota system in govt jobs The protesters termed the quota system as 'discriminatory' and conflicting with the motto of the Liberation War, and called for the elimination of this system immediately. Hafizur Rahman, a student of the English Department said, whenever something happens against the interests of general students, they protest. In 1971 these general students played a major role. A vested quarter is working here against the interest of common students. To make this movement successful, everyone must be in the field.” Cancelling freedom fighter quota in govt jobs illegal: HC Arif Sohail, a student of the International Relations Department, said, “We want an end to this discriminatory system. All over the world quotas are kept for backward communities. In the name of freedom fighters in Bangladesh, quotas were introduced and robbery was done. Our freedom fighters risked their lives for freedom. They did not compromise with any lure of money or wealth. We do not want these discriminatory measures. Quota provision should not be kept to implement the ideals and principles of the liberation war.” Earlier, the students of the university held a protest march and blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway last Thursday after the High Court verdict. Following the High Court verdict, students from Dhaka University and other institutions, along with frontliners and activists of the 2018 Quota Reformation Movement, staged human chains under various banners at Dhaka University. Former activists of Chhatra Odikhar Parishad, under the banner of agitated students, formed a human chain in front of Raju's sculpture at Dhaka University at 11:30 am on Thursday. The High Court on Wednesday ordered for retaining 30% freedom fighter quota in government jobs declaring illegal the circular issued on October 4, 2018 cancelling the quota system.

The Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) Career Club organised a two-day "National Career Carnival 2024" at BAU’s Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Auditorium on Friday. The event saw participation from more than forty local and multinational companies, along with over 500 students and graduates from ten universities across the country. Presided over by Dr Mohammad Nasir Uddin, President of the BAU Career Club, Prof. Dr Md. Abdul Awal, BAU’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, graced the occasion as the chief guest. Saso Martinov, senior technical coordinator of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Bangladesh, attended as a special guest. Other notable attendees included Nur Ahmed Khondaker, Assistant FAO Representative (Program) at FAO Bangladesh; Mohammad Amjad Hossain, Head of Business at ACI Animal Health; and S. M. Khaled, CEO and Managing Director of Ingenious Crop Science Limited. During the event, speakers lauded the organization of the career carnival at the BAU campus. They expressed hope that this initiative would establish a beneficial link between industry and academia. Moreover, students would gain the opportunity to apply to various corporate organizations under one roof, thus better preparing themselves by understanding the needs of recruiters. A job fair will be held in collaboration with the participating companies on Saturday,  the second day of the carnival. Graduates from the ten universities will have the opportunity to submit their CVs directly at the company stalls.

Following the High Court order to retain a 56 percent quota in first to fourth-class government jobs, students from Dhaka University and other institutions, along with frontliners and activists of the 2018 Quota Reformation Movement, staged human chains under various banners at Dhaka University. Former activists of Chhatra Odikhar Parishad, under the banner of agitated students, formed a human chain in front of Raju's sculpture at Dhaka University at 11:30 am on Thursday. They protested the reinstatement of the 30 percent freedom fighter quota in government jobs. Bin Yemin Molla, one of the top leaders of Chhatra Odikhar Parishad, stated, "Our freedom fighters did not fight to create a country full of discrimination; they sacrificed their lives to establish justice and fairness. Implementing a 56 percent quota in jobs is like destroying the dreams of millions of unemployed students. It is a betrayal of the students." He urged the High Court to revoke the order. Former convener of the 2018 Quota Reformation Movement, Hasan Al Mamun, said, "The decision of the High Court to reinstate the quota is completely illegal and unconstitutional. The Constitution clearly states that every citizen of the country has equal rights to public employment. So, why is there a 56 percent quota in government jobs?" He called on all students in the country to stand together as they did in 2018. A separate rally of general students from Dhaka University also marched through the university roads, protesting the court’s verdict to restore the 56% quota in top-grade government jobs. Hasnat Abdullah, one of the protesting students, said, "The students will not accept the restoration of the quota based on the demands of a few who want undue advantages. We must hit the streets again to cancel the reimposition of the quota. Our freedom fighters fought for equality and justice.” At least 500 students from Dhaka University joined the rally that started from the gate of the central library, where students prepare for government jobs throughout the year. They marched across the campus to the central Shaheed Minar, chanting slogans to repeal the verdict. As an immediate reaction to the verdict, students of Dhaka University gathered in front of the central library and staged a demonstration at around 7:30 pm on Wednesday (June 5) following the announcement of the 30 percent freedom fighter quota restoration.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the EATL Innovation Hub Ltd., Bangladesh, and the University of Salford, Manchester, for research, development, and training in Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Cybersecurity.  The signing ceremony took place at Hotel Intercontinental in the capital yesterday after the seminar.  Under this MoU, the University of Salford will establish three labs at the EATL Innovation Hub Complex in Kaliakoir, near Dhaka, to conduct activities in Data Science, Cybersecurity, and IoT.  CUET faculty member accused of drinking alcohol in student hall Additionally, the two institutions will engage in joint research and innovative projects, academic and professional staff exchange, joint consultancy and publications, as well as organize conferences and seminars in both Dhaka and Salford, and conduct short professional development courses. Before the MoU signing, a seminar on the application of AI, IoT, and Remote Sensing (RS) in building smart agriculture in Bangladesh was jointly organized by the EATL Innovation Hub, Bangladesh, and the University of Salford, UK, at Hotel InterContinental.  Papers were presented at the seminar by Professor Mo Saraee and Dr. Hammad of the University of Salford, Dr. Shivagami Gugan, Chief Engineer at Amazon UAE, and Dr. Farida Parveen, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh while former principal secretary to the Prime Minister and Chairman of EATL Innovation Hub Limited Dr.  Abdul Karim presided over the seminar. Following the seminar, the MoU was signed by Professor Margaret Rowe, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Mo Saraee, Chairman in Data Science and Head of Computer Science and Software Engineering, representing the University of Salford, and M A Mubin Khan, Managing Director of EATL Innovation Hub. Also present were Ms. Nancy Donna Cook and Naomi Sharples, Director and International Affairs Officer of the University of Salford, respectively. GD filed over missing mark sheets from Ctg Education Board A delightful cultural programme was organized in honor of the foreign guests after the seminar.

A lecturer at the Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) has been accused of drinking alcohol in the students' hall. The incident occurred at Shaheed Tareq Huda Hall around 4:00 am on May 31. Commuters bear the brunt as 48hr transport strike in Ctg underway in response to buses burnt by CUET students The accused, Shafakat R Rumman, a lecturer in the Civil Engineering Department, was reportedly drinking with students during the graduation concert for the 49th batch of CUET. His wife, Kazi Jannatul Ferdous, a lecturer in the Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering Department, has also been accused of assaulting students. The university administration has formed a two-member committee to investigate the incident and asked to make recommendations within 10 working days, according to an office order signed by Sheikh Mohammad Humayun Kabir, registrar of CUET. According to eyewitnesses, Shafakat R Rumman was drinking alcohol with students when Kazi Jannatul Ferdous arrived and scolded those present. Cuet students’ road safety movement postponed, to resume classes Following a complaint from Shaheed Tareq Huda Hall Provost Prof Dr Nipu Kumar Das, the investigation committee was established on Tuesday. The committee comprises Dr. Sunil Dhar, professor of the Mathematics Department, and Dr. Mohammad Ahsan Ullah, professor of the Electrical and Electronic Technology Department.

A general diary (GD) has been lodged at Panchlaish Police Station over the reported missing of two mark sheets from the trunk of Chattogram Education Board. Mohammad Didarul Alam, a deputy controller of examinations at Chattogram Education Board, lodged the GD on Tuesday night, Santosh Kumar Chakma, officer-in-charge (OC) of Panchlaish Police Station, confirmed the matter. HSC exams to begin from June 30; Coaching centres to remain shut from June 29 to Aug 11 According to the GD, the mark sheets of the students of the higher secondary examination of 2023 were kept in three trunks of the office room. On May 19 at 10am, the official found a trunk unlocked. Later, he immediately informed the chairman. On June 3, the broken trunk was reviewed by the inquiry committee in the presence of two officials of the education board, and it was found that the two mark sheets of the students were missing from the trunk. JnU employees asked to vacate residential accommodation Chairman of the board, Professor Rezaul Karim, said, as soon as the matter was brought to his notice, he directed the board to take legal action. “If the official is involved in any corruption, he will be punished,” he said.

The HSC and its equivalent exams will be held later in Sylhet if the region sees severe flood, said Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury Nowfel. He said this at a press briefing after a meeting of the National Monitoring and Law and Order Committee formed to hold the upcoming HSC and equivalent examinations in a fair, copying-free environment at the Secretariat on Wednesday. Replying to a question over the public exam, "We have already been informed about the weather forecast during the HSC examination, the water level of various rivers there is in rising trend. We have already completed preparations keeping in mind the movement of students.” Read more: HSC exams to begin from June 30; Coaching centres to remain shut from June 29 to Aug 11 He said the areas where flooding is likely to spread the exams won’t be taken there initially. “We have proper preparation to take those tests later.” “The convenience of the examinees is the most important to us. We do not want the examinees to suffer and their desired results be affected in any way,” he said. This year, the HSC and its equivalent exams are scheduled to begin on June 30. A total of 14,50,790 students from nine General Education Boards, Madrasha Board and Technical Board will sit for the exams from 9,463 educational institutions at 2,275 centres. Read more: Flood situation in Sylhet shows mixed trends as Surma water recedes, Kushiyara rises