DU
DU ready to roll out its vaccination drive Monday
Dhaka University, the country’s oldest university, will launch its vaccination campaign on Monday at its medical centre, aiming to vaccinate its teachers, students and staff.
The university has already turned its Martyred Intellectual Dr Muhammad Murtaza Medical Centre into a temporary vaccination centre.
Officials said the campaign will be inaugurated at 9:30am and run till October 17 with Sinopharm vaccine jabs.
The vaccine seekers must bring their national identity cards (NIDs) or DU IDs to complete the on-the-spot registration.
The drive for the second dose was scheduled to begin on November 1.
Those who have already registered to receive the Covid-19 vaccine at centres under Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), such as Dhaka Medical College Hospital, BSMMU, and Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute, may take the vaccine at the DU if they are yet to be vaccinated with any of the doses.
Read: Hasina’s birthday celebrated amid mass vaccination campaign
DU to serve notices to those who broke into dorms
Dhaka University authorities have decided to serve show-cause notices to the students who broke into its residential halls without any permission.
The decision was taken in an emergency meeting of the Dhaka University Provost Standing Committee on Saturday.
Show-cause notices will be served to the students asking why punitive measures should not be taken against those who broke into the halls and are staying there without prior permission, said a press release.
READ: DU dormitories to reopen on Oct 5
The students will have to reply to the notice by 7 October.
Besides, the hall authorities concerned have been asked to identify the students and submit a report within seven working days.
During visits to the halls, the UNB correspondent saw students staying there defying authorities’ decision.
READ: DU dorms to reopen September 1 for final year and Masters students
The university authorities decided to reopen the halls for master's and honours final-year students on a limited scale from October 5 on condition of taking at least one dose of Covid-19 jab.
Dhaka University’s ‘Kha’ unit admission test held
The admission test of Dhaka University's 'Kha' unit for 2020-21 academic session was held on Saturday in all eight divisions of the country.
The total number of seats in this unit is 2,378. However, a total of 47,639 applicants participated in the test.
This year, the DU entry tests are being held outside Dhaka as well as at the university for the first time considering the pandemic situation.
Also read: DU admission tests held for the first time in all divisional cities
Strict hygiene rules were maintained at all the venues of the divisional cities.
"The exam was held are in a peaceful environment," Dhaka University Proctor AKM Golam Rabbani told UNB.
DU Vice Chancellor Professor Akhtaruzzaman, pro VC (administration) prof Dr Samad, pro VC (administration) Prof Dr ASM Maksud Kamal visited the different exam centers in Dhaka.
The entry test of Dhaka University's 'Ka' unit was held on Friday peacefully in all eight divisions.
Also read: DU expels two students for digital and admission fraud
DU admission tests at all divisional cities from Oct 1
Dhaka University (DU) will begin admission tests for the 2020-21 academic session at eight divisional cities including Dhaka from October 1.
The admission tests will be held in Dhaka and in seven public universities in the other divisional cities, aiming to save time and money of the admission seekers.
Vice-Chancellor Professor M Akhtaruzzaman made the announcement at a virtual press briefing.
"We have taken all the preparations to hold the admission tests smoothly. We will bring all the centres under strict surveillance to prevent any forgery this year," he said.
On average, 45 students will fight for a seat as a total of 3,24,030 admission seekers applied for 7,148 seats this year.
Of them, 1,17,956 seekers applied for 'Ka' unit (Science group) against 1,815 seats; 47,632 for 'Kha' unit (Humanities group) against 2,378 seats; 27,347 for 'Ga' unit (Commerce group) against 1,250 seats; 115,881 applied for 'Gha' unit (Combined group) against 1,570 seats and 15,496 for 'Cha' unit against 135 seats.
There are now 60,000 seats in 39 public universities across the country.
DU expels two students for digital and admission fraud
The Dhaka University (DU) authorities today expelled two students for digital fraud and admission through illegal means.
The expelled students are- Md Rakib Hasan of Accounting & Information Systems Department (Session 2017-18) and Ishrak Hossain Rafi of Geology Department (Session 2017-18).
Also read: DU reopens library amid huge rush of students and brief agitation
The decision was taken at a meeting of the university's Disciplinary Committee with VC Professor Akhtaruzzaman in the chair, said a DU press release.
Besides, some 72 students have been given punishment for different terms for adopting unfair means in the exams.
DU reopens library amid huge rush of students and brief agitation
The Dhaka University on Sunday reopened its library after about an 18-month Covid-induced closure amid a heavy rush of students, some of them trying to force their entry defying health guidelines and causing short-lived agitation.
Tension erupted after assistant proctor Liton Kumar Saha allegedly attempted to slap a student who tried to enter the science library building forcefully, witnesses said.
Angered by Liton’s behaviour students mobbed him demanding an explanation from him.
Also read: DU dormitories to reopen on Oct 5
The students also harassed two campus reporters and forced them to delete the photos and videos they shot.
DU mulling over ways to implement its dope test
The Dhaka University authorities recently decided to conduct dope tests on freshers in a bid to keep the campus free of drugs. But the authorities are still not sure how the decision will be implemented.
A section of students welcomed the decision saying it will help to reduce the number of drug addicts in the campus while some said the decision goes against ‘personal freedom’, fearing that authorities could use the system to harass and oppress students.
The decision was taken in principle at a syndicate meeting chaired by Vice Chancellor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman on September 1, confirmed Dr ASM Maksud Kamal, pro-vice chancellor (education).
“Now, the committee will formulate policies on the process, facilities, and its implementation,” Prof Maksud told UNB.
A seven-member committee was formed to formulate a policy for conducting dope tests with Dhaka Medical College Principal Dr Titu Miah as its convener.
Dr Titu Miah, convenor of the newly formed committee, told UNB that under the system, dope tests would be conducted in the university during the recruitment of teachers and admission of new students every year.
READ: Students protest cutting down of old Krishnachura tree at DU, plant new one
“Additionally, students can be tested once a year in phases. However, the decision must be taken according to the capability of the university, which is absent now. This will require equipment and manpower. We are working on whether the dope tests will be done at the university or any other institution, and how the decision can be implemented,” he added.
“Primarily we talked with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital and they agreed to collaborate with us but further decision will be taken after approval of the university authorities,” Dr Titu Miah also said.
“Freshers or teachers have to pay their own fee for the dope test, with which they have to collect dope test certificate before completing enrollment. Dope test would be mandatory for all types of recruitment in the university,” he further explained.
Asked about what decision would be taken for those who test positive in the dope test, Dr Titu Miah said, “It is not final yet. University authority will take decisions in this regard. Maybe they have to take pre admission and post admission counselling from the university.”
Dr Mohammad Humayun Kabir, professor of the Department of Islamic History and Culture and a Syndicate member, said that the Deans’ Committee had recommended that the dope test be carried out on freshers.
“However, I think Bangladeshi facilities do not have such capacity to carry out dope tests on 7,000 freshers and provide results within two months,” he remarked.
A special report from an August 25 Deans’ Committee meeting was submitted to the Syndicate in which the committee made a few recommendations about dope tests of students, Humayun Kabir revealed.
The recommendations of the Deans’ Committee include developing DU’s own system for dope testing, and signing MoU with those who have the ability to carry out dope testing. Accordingly it also proposed that a committee be formed for these purposes.
It was learnt that the fifth meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order last February 17, chaired by Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, had decided to make dope testing compulsory during the admission of students in all universities and educational institutions.
‘We are all against drugs’
A section of university teachers and students welcomed the decision saying it will help to check drug addiction in the campus while some havr opposed fearing that authorities could use the system to harass and oppress freshers.
READ: DU likely to reopen halls on limited scale from October 5
Professor Lutfur Rahman, convener of the BNP-backed White Panel teachers of Dhaka University, said that the dope test is ‘unnecessary’. “I don’t think the decision of the dope test is logical. It doesn’t match with university’s overall situation,” he added.
Dhaka University Teachers’ Association president Nizamul Hoque Bhuiyan said, “I welcomed the decision. Everyone will be careful if the university authority will implement its decision properly.”
However, AL-backed DU teachers’ association ‘Blue Panel’ president Abdus Samad declined to comment on this matter.
Among students, Chhatra League Dhaka University unit general secretary Saddam Hossain said, “Inclusive social awareness needed to combat drug addiction. University should not take such a decision which will hamper students’ freedom and social dignity.”
Dhaka University Chhatra Dal convener Rakibul Islam said, “Thousands of university students are prone to drug addiction. This grim scenario can be replaced by implementing such a strict preventive way. Students are motivated to take drugs by their circumstance, He claimed.
Salman Siddique, president of the Socialist Student Front's DU unit, told UNB, “We are all against drugs but how the university plans to combat drugs is not scientific and democratic. Dope testing will not be fruitful. But the authorities can use the dope testing method to harass students, teachers.|
Contacted, VC Prof Md Akhtaruzzam said, "We are trying to uproot drugs from our society. It's not possible to keep everybody in check without an institutional initiative."
Drug addiction has grown into a serious concern for Dhaka University students. The university campus and its adjacent areas have turned into safe havens for drug addicts and dealers amid closure of the country’s premier educational institution due to the coronavirus pandemic.
On May 15, a Dhaka University student, Hafizur, 24, died as he hacked himself with a machete after taking LSD in the Curzon Hall area. He killed himself under the influence of the drug.
Besides, taking drugs is rampant in residential halls of the university. The addicts take drugs in groups on the rooftops and in the rooms of the dormitories when the campus is open.
Rakibul,a residential student of Sergeant Zahurul Haq Hall, said, "When the university was open, liquor or marijuana was taken in groups on the roof of our residential building at night. Student leaders from different halls took part in such activities."
However it is implemented, the dope test system will help to ease the existing grim scenario, he hoped.
Students protest cutting down of old Krishnachura tree at DU, plant new one
Dhaka University students on Thursday staged protests as its authorities cut down an old Krishnachura and two other trees on the campus.
Some students brought out a procession carrying the pieces of the chopped down trees to exhibit their anger.
A group of Dhaka University students planted some new Krishnachura plants at the eastern corner of the Arts Building protesting the cutting down of the 60-year-old tree.
Read: DU rally demands probe into student's “mysterious” death
The university authorities claimed that the Krishnachura tree was chopped down on Wednesday morning as it had become riskier for pedestrians with its roots coming out open.
Two eucalyptus trees were also cut down at the same location.
The chopping down of the Krishnachura tree has drawn widespread criticisms on social media, particularly from former and current students of the university.
Monirul Islam, a former student of the university, on his Facebook post said, “I don’t feel like going to my university campus these days. The gutless people in the university’s administration can’t maintain the campus properly; rather they cut down trees for their business. This is so disheartening.”
Maintenance of all the trees on the university campus, including the plant-beautification of the Curzon Hall and road medians of the campus, are routinely carried out by the Arboriculture Centre of the university.
Prof Mihir Lal Saha, director of the centre, said, “These trees were basically at risk. They were on the road. The trees might have collapsed anytime. So there was no alternative to removing them. We’ll plant fast-growing trees at this place.”
Read: More than 100 DU students break into Sahidullah Hall
Asked about the chopping down of the old Krishnachura tree, he said, “The Krishnachura tree was supposed to be straight. But the tree has been tilted and its roots also got damaged. So, it could have been uprooted any time causing an accident. So it had to be removed.”
Korean envoy visits DU; hands over books, multimedia learning materials
South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jang-keun visited the University of Dhaka on Wednesday and handed over 100 books and multimedia materials on Korea and Korean language learning to the University.
DU Vice Chancellor Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman and Library Director Mr. Nasir Uddin Munsi were present.
Both sides agreed to further promote collaborative activities between the Embassy and the University based on the various successful cooperation programmes they have made during the past decades.
Congratulating the centenary anniversary of Dhaka University, Ambassador Lee also proposed to work closely together for furthering ties between Korea and Bangladesh, in particular towards the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2023.
Read: Korean envoy visits NIANER; lauds role of nurses
The Korea Corner was established at the University’s Central Library in July 2013 to promote the academic interest in Korea and Korea-Bangladesh relations among the University students, faculty members and general public.
DU students to undergo dope tests
The Dhaka University authorities will conduct dope tests on students during admission every year in a bid to keep the campus free from drugs.
The decision was taken at a syndicate meeting held at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building of the university on Tuesday evening with Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman in the chair.
A committee has been formed to formulate policy in this regard with Dhaka Medical College Principal Dr Titu Miah as its convener.
DU Vice Chancellor (Education) Prof ASM Maqsood Kamal said, “A committee has been formed to implement the decision taken at a syndicate meeting of the university. The committee will formulate a policy to implement the decision.”
READ: 10 JCD men hurt ‘in BCL attack’ on DU campus
Prof Titu said “The University itself required equipment and manpower to conduct the dope tests.”
A committee is trying to work out whether the tests will be conducted at the university or at another institute, he said.
The tests will be carried out during the recruitment of teachers and admission of new students in the university every year, Titu said.
READ: DU asks students to provide their vaccination status