United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmad Khan has expressed gratitude to the students, candidates, media workers, law enforcement agencies, and all those involved in the electoral process for the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and Hall Union. He thanked the students for their extensive cooperation and said that honouring the students’ demand, the university administration organised the long cherished DUCSU election with the cooperation of various stakeholders. For spontaneous presence at all stages of the election, the VC expressed special gratitude to the journalists. He expressed deep sorrow at the death of Tariqul Islam Shibli, a journalist of Channel S who died while covering the polls, and prayed for the forgiveness of the departed soul. Expressing gratitude to the Election Commission and all involved in the electoral process, the VC said that the Election Commission truly worked day and night. “One member of the commission, leaving his child in ICU in a critical condition, carried out responsibilities with us continuously out of duty. I gave this example to show that much hard work of many people is behind organising the DUCSU election. My colleagues worked with great sincerity throughout the past eleven months of this arrangement. They scrutinised and implemented every step and plan thoroughly. Their role is outstanding by any measure.” He said “Responding to our arrangement, guardians, various teachers’ forums, the observer team from Chittagong University, and stakeholders at different levels came forward. We want to thank them.” Shibir-backed panel sweeps DUCSU polls for first time in history Wishing the winning and defeated candidates well, the vice-chancellor said that their contributions must be mentioned for two reasons. First, they played a role in reactivating a very important institution like DUCSU. Second, from the preparation stage to election day, by showing tolerance of differing opinions, they stayed together without major conflict. “Despite different groups, views, and disagreements, they have created an excellent example that we can be united for Dhaka University and the country out of affection.” The vice-chancellor said, “I especially want to remember the role of the law enforcement agencies. In some difficult situations, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the police administration, various branches of the police, and intelligence agencies played a major role.” As a national institution, the interest and support shown by the people of the country toward Dhaka University is a great achievement for us. I salute the entire nation for standing with Dhaka University. We still have a long way to go. Through the reactivation of DUCSU, in the process of creating an inclusive university, and in the reconstruction of Bangladesh, we want to remain with the country and the nation, the VC mentioned.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan on Saturday said the decision taken last year to keep halls free from student politics will remain in force. The DU VC announced this while talking to protesting students who staged a sit-in in front of his residence early Saturday demanding ban on hall politics. The protests began as Chhatra Dal announced committees in 18 halls of the university on Friday morning. Midnight protests erupt at DU against student politics in halls On July 17, 2024, students compelled the hall administration to remove Bangladesh Chhatra League (now banned) leaders and activists from all dormitories of the university and enforce the decision to keep the halls free from politics. Students from various halls took to the streets around 12.30am chanting various slogans like 1-2-3-4, hall politics no more, freedom or slavery, freedom-freedom. Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed said, “Our decision is that no student politics will be allowed at the hall level. They may do it at the central level, at Madhu’s Canteen. That was the understanding. However, we cannot force any student organisation telling them ‘you cancel it.’ We have informed that what was banned on July 17 will remain in force.” “Regarding the violation of the rules, today there will be a meeting of the Provost Standing Committee. After that, we will also have to speak with those student organisations whose names have come up,” he added.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) staged a black badge-wearing programme at Dhaka University (DU) on Wednesday, protesting the murder of  their activist Shammo and demanding the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor and proctor.  DU students hold torch procession to protest Shammo's death The protesters chanted various slogans demanding justice for Shammo and resignation of Vice Chancellor Niaz Ahmed Khan. “We are here to demand justice for Shammo’s murder. We want the resignation of the VC and the proctor,” said Jashim, an activist. On Wednesday night , A group of Dhaka University students under the banner of "Students Against Terrorism" brought out a torch procession on the campus Wednesday protesting the murder and demanding justice. Shammo, a student of the 2018–19 session at the Institute of Education and Research and literary and publication secretary of JCD’s AF Rahman Hall unit, was stabbed near Suhrawardy Udyan on Tuesday night. He was declared dead after being taken to hospital.  3 sent to jail over DU student killing

Dhaka University’s affiliation with seven government colleges will be cancelled from the 2024-25 academic session, said DU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Neaz Ahmad Khan. The Vice Chancellor made the announcement after an emergency meeting with principals of the affiliated colleges at the VC’s office on Monday. No new students will be enrolled under DU for these colleges in the upcoming session, he said. DU Arts, Law and Social Science unit admission test held The seven colleges are Dhaka College, Government Bangla College, Titumir College, Eden Mohila College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College and Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls' College. During the meeting, Dhaka University authorities expressed sincere regret for the unfortunate incident that occurred in the affiliated colleges and called on the students to maintain patience, harmony and cordial relations. In response to students' demands, a recommendation was made in the meeting to conduct future academic activities from 2024-2025 academic year through an expert committee formed by the Ministry of Education. Rabindra University students stage demo demanding permanent campus The expert committee formed by the ministry will make decisions regarding the number of seats and admission fees. Dhaka University authorities will ensure that the education of students currently enrolled in the university’s ongoing academic programmes is not adversely affected. Earlier, students from the seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University issued a four-hour ultimatum to the government, demanding immediate action on their six demands and threatened to wage tougher measures if their demands are not met by 4:00 pm today (Monday). Students demand MBBS admission test results be republished Addressing a press conference held at Dhaka College’s Shaheed Minar, representatives of the protesting students outlined their demands and condemned the events of the previous night in Dhaka University areas. They accused Dhaka University authorities and local police of the clashes that happened overnight in New Market, Nilkhet and Dhaka University areas, which left over 40 people injured, including journalists and students.

Professor Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University (DU) on Sunday said that the path to getting UN recognition of the genocide committed in Bangladesh in 1971 is not smooth. "So, we have to work together to meet our demand," he said, while addressing a coordination meeting organised by Amra Ekattor, an organization based on the ideology of the Liberation War on the occasion of the preparation of International Genocide Remembrance Day on 9th December. Therefore, the new generation should also be included in the realisation of this demand along with various organizations based on the liberation war. All must stand on a common platform and work together, he added. "No recognition has come easy. We have to keep fighting so international bodies like the UN can recognise the genocide of 1971," he added. Read: Experts urge government to turn DSE into public university He emphasized on increasing international communication at public and private levels including discussion, research, and publication on genocide issues. He also assured that Dhaka University will work as a leading party in realizing this demand. Bangabandhu professor Muntasir Mamun, the trustee of the 1971 Genocide-Torture Archive and Museum, said that recognition must first be obtained from the friendly countries of the liberation war to speed up the efforts to obtain UN recognition of the genocide, "To speed up the efforts to obtain UN recognition of the genocide, recognition must first be got from the friendly countries of the liberation war, said Muntasir Mamun. The general secretary of Bangabandhu Parishad, Prof. AB M Farooq, suggested various things including making documentaries on genocide in English for publicity in the international level. Considering its horror in 1971, three international organizations ' Lemkin Institute', 'Genocide Watch' and 'International Coalition for Sites of Conscience' have already recognised it as genocide. Since 2017, March 25 is observed as National Genocide Day in Bangladesh.

Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr Akhtaruzzaman has said the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) has been producing skilled and quality journalists for the country from its inception.

A five-member delegation led by Dr. Katja Lasch, regional director of the German Acacemy Exchange Service (DAAD) in New Delhi called on Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman at his office on Sunday.

Five more students of Dhaka University fell sick on the third day of their fast unto death demanding deferment of polls to the two Dhaka city corporations slated for January 30.

Chinese Ambassador to  Bangladesh Li Jiming on Thursday night paid a courtesy call on Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman at his residential office. 

Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman joined office on Monday as the new vice-chancellor of Dhaka University for the next four years.