United News of Bangladesh

The interim government is grappling with significant difficulties in resuming academic activities at more than 40 public universities across Bangladesh, Planning and Education Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud said on Monday. “Out of 55 public universities in Bangladesh, the top-level officials at more than 40 are currently untraceable,” he said during a press briefing following a meeting with Planning Ministry officials at the NEC Conference room. The adviser emphasized the severe challenges the interim government faces in managing these institutions. “This is a major issue; these universities are effectively without leadership right now,” he noted. He further expressed concern that officials from the first to the fourth tier at these universities have also disappeared. “We are left wondering who will run these educational institutions,” he said, clearly frustrated by the situation.

Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), the country's premier institution for agricultural education, celebrated its 64th founding anniversary on Sunday. Established in 1961, the university has organized various events to mark this significant milestone. The day's events began with the hoisting of the national flag at 5:34am by the Teachers' Association of the university. The festivities included a rally at 11:00 AM, followed by a tree-planting ceremony, the release of fish fry into the Brahmaputra River, and prayers at all places of worship on campus, seeking the continued progress of the university. BAU's Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khandaker Md. Mustafizur Rahman, BAUTA President Prof. Dr. Rafiqul Islam Sarder, General Secretary Prof. Dr. Asaduzzaman Sarker, as well as faculty members, students from various faculties, and students from the university's affiliated schools, among others, were also present. Prof. Dr. Rafiqul Islam Sarder highlighted the critical role BAU graduates have played in making the nation self-sufficient in food. He emphasized the need to sustain these achievements in the years to come and expressed a desire to keep the university free from political interference.

The Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh (APUB) has maned Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, as its acting Chairman of APUB, Ishtiaq Abedin, as the acting secretary seneral. The decision was taken duringan emergency meeting of the association on Friday. Sabur Khan is the chairman of the Board of Trustees at Daffodil International University and Ishtiaq Abedin is the chairman of BoT at American International University Bangladesh (AIUB). Sabur also serves as president of the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP) and holds various prominent roles in global academic and business communities. Ishtiaq previously joint secretary General of APUB is an active member of AUAP and the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The meeting was chaired by the current APUB Chairman Sheikh Kabir Hossain, with a summary provided by the outgoing Secretary General, Dr. Kazi Anis Ahmed.

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations will start from September 11. Bangladesh Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee published the revised exams schedule on Thursday. According to the schedule, a total of 61 subjects’ exams over 13 days are still pending. Due to different subjects across various departments, so many exams have been held up. Every student has to take exams in 13 subjects, including four mandatory subjects in Bangla and English (first and second papers) and ICT. Of them, eight subjects are optional. On June 30, the HSC and equivalent exams began under all education boards except the Sylhet Board. After eight days of exams, all exams scheduled for July 18 were postponed due to the situation created by the quota reform movement. After that, the government postponed the exams three more times. Finally, after postponing all the exams, a new schedule was published starting from August 11. According to that, the written exams were supposed to end by September 8. However, due to the current situation caused by the mass-student movement and the resignation of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, the boards have stated that it is not possible to conduct the exams.  

Mohammad Rafiqul Alam, vice chancellor of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) in Chattogram, has resigned from his position. University Registrar Sheikh Mohammad Humayun Kabir confirmed the matter on Thursday saying that the VC sent his resignation letter citing personal reasons. Chittagong University VC resigns Earlier on Tuesday, general students of the university placed a 3-point demand to the deputy director of the university's student welfare department Professor Dr. Mo Saiful Islam. They demanded the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Director of Student Welfare and Dean of the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Technology within 48 hours and appointment of Acting Vice-Chancellor by August 15. Later,  Professor Mohammad Rafiqul Alam submitted his resignation letter on Wednesday. When asked, Mohammad Rafiqul Alam said, “Students do not want me. So, for the sake of CUET, I have resigned and sent the resignation letter to the registrar.” National University VC Mashiur Rahman resigns Meanwhile, the student welfare director Md Rezaul Karim has also been relieved from his post by the university administration.  

The government has decided to reopen all educational institutions under the Education Ministry on August 18, after around one month of closure. The Ministry of Education issued a notification signed by Rahim Aktar, deputy secretary of the Secondary and Higher Secondary Division under the ministry, in this regard on Thursday afternoon. The decision to reopen educational institutions was taken following a directive from the interim government’s Chief Adviser Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, it says. All authorities concerned have been asked to take necessary measures to resume academic activities, the notification said. Schools, colleges and madrasas were declared shut for an indefinite period when violence spread centering the student-led quota reform movement across the country in mid-July. Primary schools across the country resume academic activities on Wednesday.  

Primary schools across Bangladesh have reopened after around one month of closure. Students were seen going to schools in the capital in the morning (August 14, 2024). All government primary schools under eight city corporation areas of the country were declared closed for an indefinite period on July 17 amid tension over students’ demonstrations for quota reform. August 15 public holiday canceled

The 13th International Conference on Restructuring of the Global Economy (ROGE) concluded on August 6 at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. The conference, jointly hosted by the Centre for Business and Economic Research (CBER) and the Future University in Egypt, attracted over 120 participants from 25 countries, showcasing its growing significance on the international stage. Held from August 5-6, 2024, the event focused on promoting sustainability and fostering discussions on global economic restructuring. A standout moment of the conference was the keynote address by Rear Admiral Dr. Muhammad Musa, Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University, Bangladesh. His presentation, titled "Sustainable Ocean Economy: Bangladesh's Journey on the Roadmap to a Blue Economy," spotlighted Bangladesh's innovative strides in the sustainable use of its maritime resources. Dr. Musa emphasized the importance of balancing economic growth with marine conservation, stating, "For a maritime nation like Bangladesh, harnessing the potential of its 'Blue Economy' is of paramount importance. This economic growth must align with the preservation of the marine environment." Dr. Musa's address received widespread acclaim, with participants praising his forward-thinking approach to integrating sustainable practices in the global maritime industry. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the prestigious Honorary Fellowship Award from the Centre for Business and Economic Research, celebrating his leadership in advancing maritime sustainability. The conference featured prominent figures from academia and industry, including Prof. Marianne W. Lewis from the University of Cincinnati, Prof. David M. J. Graves from the UK Centre of Study for Organised Crime, and Dr. David Holliman from the University of Buckingham. Discussions covered a broad spectrum of topics, from corporate governance and global business to the challenges of globalization and the implications for sustainable development. Dr. P. R. Datta, President of the conference and Executive Chair of the Centre for Business & Economic Research (CBER), highlighted the event's importance in fostering research and career development opportunities for scholars worldwide. Prof. Ebada Sarhan, President of the conference and President of Future University in Egypt, stressed the conference’s pivotal role in addressing critical global challenges. In her concluding remarks, conference Chair Prof. Ghadeer Badr emphasized the impact of the discussions on shaping policies and practices that will drive sustainable economic growth. The 13th ROGE served as a platform for fruitful exchanges, with participants leaving with renewed insights and a shared commitment to collaboratively addressing global economic challenges. As the conference concluded, there was a palpable sense of optimism and a collective vision for a more sustainable and equitable global economy.    

The Vice-Chancellor of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET), Professor Dr. Mihir Ranjan Halder, and Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Sobhan Mia have resigned. They submitted their resignation letters to the Chancellor of the university on Monday. In his resignation letter, Professor Dr. Mihir Ranjan Halder stated, "I am voluntarily resigning from the position of Vice-Chancellor for personal reasons. To ensure the continuity of the university's operations until a new full-time or acting Vice-Chancellor is appointed by the President, Professor Dr. Muhammad Mashud from the Department of Mechanical Engineering will assume the duties of Vice-Chancellor." Professor Dr. Halder began his term as Vice-Chancellor on September 1, 2022. In his resignation letter, Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Sobhan Mia noted, "I assumed the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor at KUET on November 22, 2022. Due to physical illness and personal reasons, I am requesting to be relieved from my position."

Chittagong University (CU) Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Md Abu Taher resigned from his post on Sunday night. CU registrar Prof KM Nur Ahmad confirmed the matter on Monday morning saying that the VC sent his resignation letter via email. Moreover, he wrote a letter to President and Chancellor Mohammed Shahabuddin seeking relief from the position, he said. Students demanded his resignation for not protecting them from attacks of Chhatra League activists and his silence during the anti-discrimination student movement’s protests. After August 5, the students issued an ultimatum to the VC and others to step down. On August 9, the proctorial body, provosts of three students’ halls resigned. However, nothing could be known about resignation of Pro VCs (academic) Pro Benu Kumar Dey and (administrative) Prof Sekander Chowdhury.