Two students of Dhaka University (DU) were injured in an attack by miscreants in the Ramna Kali Mandir area of the city early today (October 22, 2023). The injured Sourav Sarkar, 25, and Sumit, 23, are students of the Craft and Sculpture departments, respectively, of the university and residents of Jagannath Hall. Senior students of the hall said the duo, accompanied by others, went out of the hall to visit Durga Puja mandaps at night. Prof  Maksud Kamal made 29th VC of Dhaka University An altercation occurred between the two and some miscreants near the Ramna Kali Mandir around 2 am. The reason behind the incident could not be known immediately. At one stage, the miscreants beat them up and stabbed Sourav in the stomach with a sharp object, they said. DU introduces 'The Dhaka University Trust Fund’ Returning to the hall, the duo went to their seniors, who first took them to the university’s medical centre. Later, Sourav was moved to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), said the hospital’s police outpost in-charge, Md Bachhu Mia. Dhaka University's IBA wins 'Battle of Minds' competition Quoting physicians, he said that Sourav's condition was critical.

Islami Bank Bangladesh Plc provided Tk 1.25 crore as a sponsor of a special convocation of the Dhaka University. Professor Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Vice Chancellor of the university, received the cheque from the bank's Managing Director (Current Charge) Muhammad Qaisar Ali and Deputy Managing Director Md. Akiz Uddin on Thursday. Read : Dhaka University's IBA wins 'Battle of Minds' competition The university treasurer Professor Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed, registrar Probir Kumar Sarker and director of accounts Mohammad Shaiful Islam and Islami Bank Head of Brand and Communication Nazrul Islam were present during the occasion, said a press release. Read : Ex-Dhaka University professor Rowshan Jahan passes away

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Ekushey and Swadhinata Padak winning noted physicist and 'Bose Professor' of Physics at the University of Dhaka Dr AM Harun-ar-Rashid. In a condolence message, the Prime Minister said Harun-ar-Rashid is not only a physicist but also a dedicated soul in the field of science research. Read:Noted physicist Dr Harun-ar-Rashid passes away She recalled his outstanding role in the of physics education particularly the teaching of physics in Bengali alongside his regular research. Sheikh Hasina said his death created a huge vacuum in the field of science education and research in the country. The Prime Minister prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members. Read: JU Drama and Dramatics Professor Dr Afsar Ahmed passes away Dr Rashid died at a city hospital on Saturday at the age of 88. He received the Ekushey Padak in education in 1991 and the Independence Award in 1999.

Eminent physicist and 'Bose Professor' of Physics at the University of Dhaka Dr AM Harun-ar-Rashid died at a hospital in Dhaka on Saturday. He was 88. Dr Rashid, who had been suffering from various old-age complications, breathed his last while undergoing treatment at the hospital. He received the Ekushey Padak in education in 1991 and the Independence Award in 1999. Read: JU's Prof Mamun on list of world's top physicists Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed profound shock at the death of the distinguished physicist. In a condolence message, the Prime Minister said Harun-ar-Rashid is not only a physicist but also a dedicated soul in the field of science research. She recalled his outstanding role in the of physics education particularly the teaching of physics in Bengali alongside his regular research. Sheikh Hasina said his death created a huge vacuum in the field of science education and research in the country. The Prime Minister prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members. Dr Rashid was born in a village of Barisal district in 1933. Rashid earned his BSc and MSc in Physics from the University of Dhaka in 1953 and 1954 respectively. He then completed his PhD from the University of Glasgow in Theoretical Physics in 1960. Read:JU Drama and Dramatics Professor Dr Afsar Ahmed passes away He joined the University of Dhaka as a lecturer of the Department of Physics. He became a full professor in 1972. He was the founder and chairman of the Department of Theoretical Physics of Dhaka University. In 1993, he was named Bose Professor of Physics. He served as a Professor of Theoretical Physics and director of Institute of Physics, University of Islamabad during 1967–1971. He served as the Director of Computer Center (now the Institute of Information Technology)in the University of Dhaka. He was a visiting professor at the Institute für Theoretische Kernphysik, International Center for Theoretical Physics, Imperial College London, University of Texas, Austin and University of California, Los Angeles.

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.

The University of Dhaka remains closed over 15 months since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Bangladesh and the situation is getting worse day by day. The university moved academic activities online but for different limitations, online learning has not proved effective as ‘expected’. Amid the student’s long demand to take their final exams, the Dhaka University (DU) authorities have decided to hold in-person final examinations of all academic years from July if the Covid-19 situation in the country remains under control. If not, the examinations will be held online. Authorities in confusion After the DU authorities decided to take exams, some departments and institutions fixed the date but as the Covid situation is worsening day by day, uncertainty looms again over holding the exams. Like other departments, the department of accounting and information system and philosophy department had announced in-person exam schedules but postponed them later. Psychology and leather engineering departments prolonged the online exam dates. Institute of Education and Research fixed 7 July for in-person final exams but later moved the date to August. Students are worried over such uncertainty. Tanvir Ahmed Fahad, a student of the Philosophy department, said, “Most departments postponed exam schedules and some departments like Persian Language and Literature are taking their exams. In such a situation, we’re in uncertainty whether our exams will be held or not. If the exams are held, we'll have to manage accommodations in the city to stay for some days as the dormitories will not reopen. “Many students come to Dhaka and rent for off-campus accommodations in the city but they are not sure what to do amid the uncertainty,” he added. Deans and chairs of different departments said they were instructed to take exams and they will do so. The decision depends on the academic council and the vice chancellor. Asked about residential facilities for students, deans said, “It depends on the authority.”   Contacted, dean of the Social Sciences Faculty Dr Sadeka Halim told UNB, “In a recent meeting with all chairs of 16 departments under my faculty, 10 departments said they will take in-person offline exams and the rest of them decided to take exams online. The situation is uncertain and we’ll have to take further decisions considering the pandemic situation.” Also read: Dhaka University unveils grand plans for centenary celebrations Asked about residential facilities for students, Dr. Sadeka Halim said, “It totally depends on the academic council and administration. We, the deans, told them to consider residential facilities for students. Otherwise, all students cannot attend in-person exams. A majority of the students, particularly those from far-flung areas of the country, just can't afford to pay rent for off-campus accommodations in the city. We told them and they (Provost standing committee, VC, Pro-VC) are responsible for taking decisions regarding this. We’ll do whatever they say.”   Asked if any student is unable to attend exams for valid reasons, Prof Sadeka Halim said, “It depends on faculties and institutions. The Social Sciences Faculty will consider later if anyone fails to attend the in-person exams.” DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Prof Maksud Kamal said, “All departments are independent when it comes to taking exams. We instructed them and they can take exams whether online or offline.” DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Dr Abdus Samad said, “The situation is worse than before. Students shouldn’t come to the campus before they are vaccinated.” Asked about online exams, Prof Samad said, “The majority of students can’t even join classes. Statistics show that only 55 percent of students cannot join their classes for various limitations. So, it’s illogical to take exams online while the majority of our students are out of the frame.” Asked how exams will be taken amid the pandemic, Director of the Institute of Education and Research, Prof Dr Abdul Malek said, “We’ll follow the central decision of the university,” Arts Faculty dean Prof Dr Abu Md Delower Hossain also said the same. Engineering Faculty Dean Prof Dr Md Hasanuzzaman said, “The VC knows better whether the exams will be held or not amid the country’s worsening covid situation.” Vice Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman said, “Exams will be taken as per our previous decision – either online or offline. If the pandemic worsens or a lockdown is imposed, then students shouldn’t be moved to Dhaka.” He, however, declined to talk in detail over the phone as there is a chance of ‘misinterpretation’.   Online not a good option All the educational institutions, including universities, suspended academic activities on March 15 last year to curb the spread of Covid-19. And later, the DU introduced online classes from the first week of July last following a directive of the University Grants Commission (UGC). But for various limitations, the authorities were unable to ensure the participation of all students in online classes as many still face problems, including the lack of proper devices, cost of internet use and network problems in remote areas. A study, conducted last year, showed that only 55.3% of the students from public and private universities have access to a laptop, PC, or a tablet to attend an online class.  The most important factor for online classes is internet connectivity and the survey revealed that 55% of the students are not supported by proper internet connections to continue with online education. Also read: TSC reconstruction: DU authorities seek opinion from teachers, students

The government has appointed Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood, the incumbent director general of the South Asia Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the next Bangladesh ambassador to Spain.

Former Biam Foundation director Hannan Mia took charge as the new chairman of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) on Sunday.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson on Monday said Bangladesh needs more know-how, more jobs and more capital to maintain the remarkable growth noting that FDI can provide that.   “Foreign investments can help upskill a workforce," he said mentioning that Bangladesh has done remarkably well in the 50 years since independence – something the country can be genuinely proud of.