United News of Bangladesh

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is finalising a five-year national action plan to transform Bangladesh's higher education sector through reforms focused on employability, digitalisation, research, artificial intelligence and internationalisation. The proposed "National Action Plan for Higher Education Transformation: Achieving Sustainable Excellence (2026–2030)" aims to raise the country's universities to international standards and better align higher education with global technological changes and labour market demands. A discussion meeting on the draft action plan was held on Thursday at the UGC, chaired by Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, where senior officials of the Ministry of Education and the UGC exchanged views. Speaking at the meeting, Milon said the roadmap for transforming the country's higher education sector should originate from the UGC itself, since the commission plays a vital role as the central regulator and coordinator of the higher education system. He said the UGC's leadership needs to be made more effective and dynamic to raise higher education to the desired standard. The minister said successful higher education reform initiatives and experiences from different countries should be reviewed and the aspects suited to Bangladesh's context should be implemented, suggesting that experiences from China, the United Kingdom, Malaysia and Pakistan be put to use in this regard. He said the government's goal is not merely to produce meritorious students but to ensure the excellence of their talent. Universities need to take effective steps to attract foreign students and turn Bangladesh into a regional higher education destination, Milon said, calling for a coordinated national policy on foreign student admission, academic cooperation and internationalisation. He added that the country's large population is a potential asset that can be transformed into an effective force for national development through planned higher education, skill development, research and investment in innovation. UGC Chairman Prof Dr Mamun Ahmed said the long-term reform plan has been undertaken to align the country's higher education with changing global realities, technological advancement and labour market demand. He said the draft five-year action plan was prepared based on the recommendations of a recent national workshop on higher education transformation held at Dhaka University in the presence of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, along with government priorities and the UGC's strategic plan. Mamun said the action plan sets out five strategic priorities: enhancing graduate employability and ensuring demand-based education while strengthening university-industry collaboration and global competitiveness; digital transformation and the use of artificial intelligence; teacher development and professional skill enhancement; research excellence, innovation and internationalisation; and governance, quality assurance and institutional reform. He said targets have been set for all universities in the country to introduce outcome-based education (OBE), career development centres, internship and employment-tracking systems, a learning management system (LMS), digital administration and AI-based education systems by 2030. “The plan also includes doubling the number of research publications and patents, expanding international research and academic partnerships, building an integrated national higher education database, and establishing Bangladesh as one of the regional hubs for higher education and research,” the UGC chairman said. He said a series of consultation meetings with vice chancellors of public and private universities, academics, industry representatives, development partners and civil society representatives will be held as part of finalising the draft. “The plan will be finalised based on the opinions and recommendations of the stakeholders concerned and then placed before the Ministry of Education for implementation.” Mamun sought the ministry's overall cooperation for the plan's swift implementation.

The results of the written test of the 50th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination were published on Thursday, with 6,165 candidates qualifying for the next stage. The results published by the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) in the afternoon are available on its official website. According to a PSC notice, the written test of the 50th BCS was held from April 9 to May 7 in Dhaka and seven other divisional cities. Earlier, the preliminary exam was held on January 30, while the results were published on February 10 when 12,385 candidates qualified for the written stage.  

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations under the Chattogram Education Board which were postponed due to flood and inclement weather will resume on July 27, said Education Minister Dr. ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Thursday. A fresh schedule for the postponed examinations is being prepared and will be published soon, he said while talking to reporters at Secretariat. "We are giving utmost importance to ensuring that no student's education or future is affected due to natural disasters or inclement weather," he said. The postponed examinations would be completed within the stipulated timeframe while necessary arrangements are also being made for students who could not attend the examinations because of exceptional circumstances, said the minister. Due to heavy rainfall and flooding, the HSC and equivalent examinations scheduled for  July 8 were postponed in five districts under the Chattogram Education Board. As the situation worsened, all examinations were subsequently suspended until 16 July. Later, the examinations in those five districts under the Chattogram Education Board were postponed indefinitely.

Dhaka University will launch a July graffiti rewriting program from July 26 to preserve the graffiti created on its campus during and after the July-August 2024 uprising. The university authorities on Wednesday invited the original artists who created the graffiti following the July mass uprising to take part in the repainting and rewriting program. According to the university authority, the initiative aims to preserve the original features, spirit and historical significance of the graffiti. The program will begin on July 26 with an inaugural repainting and rewriting event stretching from the VC Chattar to Rokeya Hall. To coordinate the initiative, the university has assigned the Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, the Proctor, and the Director of the Arbory Culture Centre. The university has requested the original graffiti artists, as well as interested artists, to register their names and addresses by July 25 through WhatsApp at 01716116023 to participate in the program. The university has also undertaken a month-long programme to mark the second anniversary of the historic July Mass Uprising. As part of the observance, discussion meetings and seminars on the uprising are being organised at different residential halls. In addition, a foundation stone for a July Memorial Monument will be laid on the university campus on August 5, while a dedicated July Corner will be established at the Central Library to commemorate the movement.

Sports and cultural education will become compulsory from Class IV under the national curriculum from next year, with separate textbooks and both written and practical examinations, Youth and State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque said on Monday. “Our election pledge was to introduce an enjoyable education system. With that goal, sports and culture are being incorporated into the national curriculum. There will be written examinations on sports alongside practical field tests,” he said while addressing as the chief guest at the prize-giving ceremony of the Annual Sports Competition-2026 of Rupnagar Residential School and College in the capital. Debate, Quran recitation, music, traditional games and other cultural activities will also be incorporated into the curriculum, said the state minister. Aminul, who is also the Convener of BNP's Dhaka North city unit, said the government is working to make education more enjoyable instead of relying solely on textbook-based learning.

The Asian University for Women (AUW), with support from Chevron Bangladesh, on Monday inaugurated the Math and Science Summer School 2026 on its campus in Chattogram. The four-week program brought  together 104 female students from across Bangladesh for an immersive learning experience designed to inspire interest and build capabilities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Chevron delegation meets PM Tarique Since 2019, Chevron Bangladesh has partnered with AUW to expand access to quality STEM education for young women and till 2025, already over 380 young women successfully graduated from this program, said a press release. The AUW Math and Science Summer School is designed to strengthen students’ academic skills, critical thinking, and confidence through engaging, hands-on learning experiences. The program seeks to equip participants with the knowledge and motivation needed to pursue higher education and careers in science and technology. This year’s cohort of 104 students has been selected from across Bangladesh to participate in a comprehensive curriculum covering Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Coding, and Public Health. The courses will be delivered by distinguished international and local instructors affiliated with institutions including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Oxford, American University in Dubai, the University of Chattogram, and other leading academic institutions. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Eric M. Walker, President and Managing Director of Chevron Bangladesh, as Chief Guest. Representing AUW were Dr. Sangita Rayamajhi, Interim Vice Chancellor; Dr. Haseena Khan, Director, Antimicrobial Research Centre and Dr. Mohiuddin Ahsanul Kabir Chowdhury, Director, AUW Math and Science Summer School, who welcomed the students and guests.

Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Saturday said the government would not be distracted from its responsibilities by trolling or criticism, asserting that its priority is to ensure quality education for the nation. "Those who trolled me are not examinees. We did not see students from institutions like City College, Ideal College or Viqarunnisa taking part in the movement. A group of people tried to create havoc by misleading others," he said. "Whatever the trolling or criticism, no one will be able to divert us from our responsibilities. He made the remarks while addressing the inauguration ceremony of academic activities at Naogaon University as the chief guest at the Naogaon Sadar Upazila Auditorium. Earlier, he unveiled the nameplate of the university's temporary campus in the city's Barunkandi area. Referring to his previous tenure as state minister for education during the 2001-2006 BNP-led government, Milon said he had then served under former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia and is now serving under Tarique Rahman. "How can anyone think I would be instructed to tolerate wrongdoing? Certainly not. Everyone should remain committed to their duties. We must continue education and improve its quality," he said. Explaining the recent decision to delay the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination by one hour in Cumilla due to waterlogging, the minister said the step had been taken on humanitarian grounds in the interest of examinees. He also urged the media to act responsibly in preventing the spread of rumours about question paper leaks and criticised misleading campaigns on social media regarding the examination system. "Without examinations, it is not possible to properly assess merit or award certificates," he said. Describing Naogaon University's journey as a new opportunity for higher education, the minister said academic activities had begun with 80 students and that initiatives would be taken to shift the university to its permanent campus as soon as possible. He also stressed the need to establish an international-standard School of Agriculture at the university to meet local demands. The programme was chaired by Naogaon University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Hasanath Ali. Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof Dr Mamun Ahmed, UGC member Prof Dr Abdullah Al Mamun, Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Faridul Islam, National University Vice-Chancellor Dr ASM Amanullah, Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Director Prof Dr Khan Moinuddin Al Mahmud Sohel, lawmakers from Naogaon-2, Naogaon-3, Naogaon-4, Naogaon-5 and Naogaon-6 constituencies, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam and Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tarikul Islam, among others, attended the event. Naogaon University was established in 2023. In December 2025, the UGC approved the opening of two departments-  Law, and Accounting and Information Systems. Student admissions for the 2025-26 academic session have already been completed, and academic activities officially began with Saturday's inauguration.

All remaining Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations for 2026 under the Chattogram Education Board have been suspended until further notice in view of the overall post-flood situation in the affected areas and considering the physical and mental well-being of examinees. The decision was announced in a notice signed by Prof Syed Akhtaruzzaman, president of the Bangladesh Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee, on Thursday. According to the notice, the suspension was decided after reviewing the overall situation in flood-affected areas, the physical and mental condition of examinees, consultations with relevant stakeholders, and transportation difficulties caused by flood-damaged roads. The decision applies not only to the remaining HSC examinations under the Chattogram Education Board but also to all remaining Alim examinations under the Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board, as well as HSC (BMT), HSC (Vocational) and Diploma in Commerce examinations under the Bangladesh Technical Education Board within the affected areas. The notice said the examinations will remain suspended until further instructions are issued. A revised examination schedule will be announced later through a separate notification. However, the notice clarified that examinations under all other education boards outside the Chattogram Education Board's jurisdiction, as well as those conducted by the Madrasah Education Board and the Technical Education Board in unaffected areas, will continue according to the previously announced schedule.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday urged private universities to utilise the money saved from the government’s decision to exempt them from paying tax for improving the quality of education, expanding research and enhancing their international standing. He also stressed that self regulation by universities is more important than excessive government control to ensure good governance and maintain academic standards. The finance minister made the remarks while addressing a discussion organised by the Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh (APUB) at The Westin Dhaka on the role of private universities in implementing the national budget for FY2026-27 through skilled human resources, research, innovation and economic development. Referring to the government’s decision to waive the existing five percent tax on private universities, Amir Khosru said education is a non profit sector where there is no scope for making profits. He said the decision had been taken despite inheriting a fragile economy, a huge domestic liability burden and the alleged laundering of around US$235 billion during the previous administration. “From next year, the five percent tax money will remain with your institutions. But that savings should be invested in improving educational standards, achieving international benchmarks and strengthening research to improve university rankings,” he said. The finance minister also announced the government’s plan to bring all sectors and marginalised communities currently outside the mainstream economy within the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2034.  

Dhaka University (DU) has postponed all examinations scheduled for Monday (July 13) due to adverse weather conditions, as heavy rainfall has triggered widespread waterlogging in many parts of the capital including many places in the university. In a notice issued on Sunday, the Office of the Examinations Controller said the decision was taken considering the ongoing adverse weather situation. The notice said fresh schedules for the postponed examinations will be announced later after approval from the university authorities. However, examinations of affiliated colleges and institutes under the university will be held according to their previously announced schedules. Notably, persistent heavy rainfall over the past several days has caused waterlogging on many roads across Dhaka, disrupting traffic and public movement.