In a harrowing incident at Jahangirnagar University (JU), allegations have emerged against two individuals – including a Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader – of raping a woman after holding her husband captive in a residential hall. The incident, which took place on Saturday (February 03, 2024) night around 9:30 pm near the Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall’s adjacent forest, has led to the suspension of the accused from the university unit of BCL. The accused have been identified as Mostafizur Rahman, a 45th batch student of the Department of International Relations at Jahangirnagar University, and Mamun, a 45-year-old outsider. Mostafizur, a resident student of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall and the International Affairs Secretary of the university’s Chhatra League unit, is known to be a follower of the unit president Akhtaruzzaman Sohel. Both Mostafizur and Mamun have been on the run since the incident. Inspector Abdur Rasik of Savar Model Police Station reported that the victim personally informed the police of the ordeal. “We are heading to the scene for preliminary investigation. Further actions will depend on the investigation’s outcome,” he stated. Following the incident’s exposure, over 50 students staged a protest in front of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall, demanding answers from the administration with slogans such as “Why are there rapists on campus?” and “We want a rape-free campus.” The victim, a resident of Ashulia, revealed that the accused Mamun used to rent a room in their house and had prior acquaintance with Mostafizur. Mamun occasionally stayed with Mostafizur in Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall. Mamun had invited her husband to visit the university under the pretext of purchasing furniture. On the evening of the incident, the victim’s husband informed Mamun about their plan to buy furniture. Mamun then instructed the husband to call his wife to the university, suggesting she bring some clothes for Mamun as he would be staying on campus for a few days. Read more: Rape case in Uttara: Main suspect, associate arrested Subsequently, Mostafizur and Mamun confined the victim’s husband in room 317 of the ‘A’ block of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall. When the woman arrived with the clothes, Mamun took them and later deceived her into going to the forested area near the hall under the pretense of meeting her husband from another gate, where she alleges both men raped her. Despite multiple attempts to contact Mostafizur, he remained unresponsive. His phone was later found to be turned off. Professor Sabbir Alam, provost of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall, stated, “I have heard about the incident. Actions will be taken based on the investigation.” Efforts are underway to identify the accused through CCTV footage. Akhtaruzzaman Sohel, president of the university unit of Chhatra League, announced that Mostafizur had been temporarily expelled from the organization, with recommendations for permanent expulsion to be sent to the central committee. ASM Firoz-ul-Hasan, the university’s proctor, affirmed, “Regardless of who is involved, we will ensure punishment through both law and university regulations.” Read more: Youth’s body cut into nine pieces recovered; ex-BCL leader, 4 others arrested

Demanding in-person classes, first-year students of the 52nd batch in Jahangirnagar University boycotted online classes on Wednesday. Class representatives of various departments said that the students of 16 departments and one institute boycotted the class. Butterfly fair held at Jahangirnagar University The departments include History, Mathematics, Chemistry, Anthropology, Philosophy, International Relations, English, Journalism and Media Studies, Computer Science and Engineering, Pharmacy, Zoology, Management Studies, Law and Justice, Fine Arts, Environmental Science, Bangla department and Bangabandhu Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture. Wishing anonymity, a student of Journalism and Media Studies said they were told that offline classes would be held after the national elections. Jahangirnagar University's exam irregularities raise concerns among students “Election is over, but no initiative has yet to be taken from the administration”, the student added. Another student said they face many hurdles while doing online classes at home. They suffer because of internet connection or devices, and lack of a suitable environment for class. The students are also concerned about attendance marks. Daylong bird fair at Jahangirnagar University Friday Dean and Chairman of Law and Justice Assistant Professor Dr. Tapos Kumar Das said: "We didn’t get any kind of instruction from the university administration for in-person classes." Prof Dr.Nurul Alam, vice-chancellor of the university, could not be reached over phone for comments despite repeated attempts.

Nayma Binte Nur, a Bangladeshi imaging scientist who is affiliated with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), is having her moment of glory in the global scientific community. Nayma’s expertise lies in hyperspectral remote sensing and radiative transfer modeling, sophisticated techniques allowing her to unravel Earth’s systems’ complexities. In simple terms, she’s decoding the mysteries of the planet by studying how light interacts with its surface. 3 scientists win Nobel Prize in physics for looking at electrons in atoms during split seconds One of Nayma's key focuses is soil moisture, a crucial factor influencing a wide range of ecological systems and affecting everything from agriculture to flood forecasts. Using advanced imaging methods, Nayma accurately determines soil moisture levels and extends her findings across vast areas using satellite imagery, showcasing the broad applicability of her work. This ground-breaking approach has garnered the attention of prestigious scientific organizations, including NASA. In preparation for their upcoming Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) mission, NASA has highlighted Nayma’s work in a special collection, underscoring its potential influence. ISRO Chandrayaan-3: 9 Women Scientists Who Led India’s Moon Landing Nayma’s exceptional research does not end with NASA’s SBG mission; it has been showcased at prominent events hosted by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Planet Labs PBC. The scientific community commended her for her contributions and unique skill set, which are poised to drive significant breakthroughs, particularly in using light to reveal intricate details about organic matter in soil across extensive geographic regions. Scientists board India’s research vessel ‘Sagar Nidhi’ for 35-day expedition Nayma’s educational journey included an Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), enriched by advanced mathematics studies at Jahangirnagar University, which provided a sturdy foundation for her forays into imaging science.

Session jam in the pharmacy department of Jahangirnagar University took a heavy toll on the students of the 2016-17 session, as they are still waiting for their honors 3rd-year final examination results, while their batchmates in other departments have already graduated. Students of that department sat for their 3rd-year final examination more than a year ago. The results are yet to be published, and the department has already taken their 4th-year final examination. Now the students are in a quandary about whether they would lose another two academic years if they needed to re-admit in the same year. As the department has already taken the 4th year’s examination before publishing the 3rd year’s results, students who get F grades in more than two subjects will lose another two years. Because they would then have to sit for the same exams with two batches of junior session (2018-19 session), as their immediate batch’s (2017-18 session) examination of the third year was already held. Dr. Mohammad Didare Alam Muhsin, chairman of the pharmacy department, stressed that the department took the 4th-year final examination to reduce session jams. When the JU correspondent of UNB contacted Dr. Farid Ahmed,  then exam controller and the current dean of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences faculty, he declined to comment on the matter. “I can’t recall anything now. So I won’t comment on this matter,” he said. Also Read: JU student alleges torture by Chhatra League activists Md. Masudur Rahman, then deputy controller of the Office of the Controller of Examination, echoed his senior, saying, “I’m on leave for preparatory retirement (LPR) now. Just as I left my duties, I erased everything from my memory in seven days."   According to the rules of the university, if any students fail in two subjects and have a minimum CGPA, they can continue their studies with their own batch. But if any student fails in more than two subjects, they will have to drop a year. The university rules also state that the results of the final examination must be published within three months. Preferring anonymity, a former dean of the university confirmed that no special permission was obtained from the vice chancellor as per university rules. Associate Professor of the department, Tania Binte Wahid, was the chairman of the exam committee for the third year, and Prof. Sohel Rana and Associate Professor Sukalyan Kumar Kunda were members. Tania Binte Wahid took leave from the university and went abroad without publishing their results, according to administrative sources. Five months after appointing another chairman, Prof. Mafruhi Sattar, the matter is still up in the air. The students also allege that, even though the department took their theoretical examination, they are still in the dark about their "industrial training," without which they won’t be able to graduate. The students are yet to know whether they will be able to graduate, and they are deeply concerned about their careers. Seeking anonymity, one of the students said, “Our friends in other departments have already graduated, and we are still waiting for our third-year results.” “We can’t take part in any competitive examinations like BCS or even in jobs in our subject-related field," they continued. They also allege that this situation came to this point because their teachers were too busy taking classes at private universities. Dr. Mohammad Didare Alam Muhsin, chairman of the pharmacy department, said the session jam was created mainly due to the coronavirus pandemic. “We only had permission to take theoretical exams online during that time. We are planning to take the practical examination,” he said. He said the department contacted several companies for their industrial training. “We hope to solve this problem soon,” he added. The chairman of the exam committee, Prof. Mafruhi Sattar, couldn't be reached.  

A Jahangirnagar University student has allegedly been tortured by some activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League  for not attending guest room and political programmes.  The victim, Sakibul Islam Farabbi, a student of the 49th batch of Statistics Department at the University and a resident of Biswakabi Rabindranath Tagore Hall, gave a written complaint to the provost of the hall regarding the torture incident.  The incident took place last Friday (February 24) around 2 am at the university’s Rabindranath Tagore Hall. Also Read: 'Special exam' at JU: Opportunity turns to burden for students The accused BCL men are Junaid Hasan Rana of English Department, Naimul Islam Sagar of Pharmacy Department, Atiq Shahriar of History Department, Mohtashim Billah of Fine Arts Department, Utsa and Kabbo of Government and Politics Department, Junaid Ivan of Mathematics Department, Imran Mirza of Biochemistry and Bioscience Department and Saikat Islam of Physics Department. They are the students of the 48th batch of the University and followers of JU BCL unit president Akhtaruzzaman Shohel. They’re also residents of Biswakabi Rabindranath Tagore hall.  According to the written complaint, the BCL activists called the students of batch 49 of room no 216 to room no. 219 at 2 am on February 24. Later, the students were physically and mentally abused in various ways by the Chhatra League activists. The BCL men later locked the rooms of the students and forced them to spend the night in the guest room.  While talking to UNB, Farabbi said, “the BCL men asked me why I didn't attend the guest room and political programs? I said I was away for a departmental tour and was also preoccupied with my exams.” Later, the BCL men asked Farabbi to leave the hall.  “After they asked me to leave the hall, I said this hall was allocated in my name and I won’t leave.Then they asked me to undress. So when I refused to undress, they got angry and started beating me,” Farabi said.  “My friends came from the next room and took me away after hearing my screams. Then we spent the rest of the night in the guest room of the hall,” Farabbi told UNB.  However, the accused BCL men denied the allegations of torture.  Denying the allegations, Atiq Shahriar, one of the accused, said that there was no incident of beating or torture.  “The complainant was misbehaving with his friends. He threw one of his friends out of the room. So we went to convince him,” he said.  Another accused, Imran Mirza, claimed the allegation was ‘baseless.’  However, Shakib, a student of the International Department and a witness of the incident, said, "I moved from the room after hearing the sound of slapping."  “Then I saw some of our seniors from the 48th batch beating Farabbi. Later, I escorted him out of the room," he added.  Aktaruzzaman Sohel, president of the university unit BCL, said, "The Chhatra League has declared zero tolerance against ragging.” “Such incidents are not acceptable. If the allegation of torture is true, organizational action will be taken against those involved,” said Sohel.  Professor Nazmul Hossain Talukder, the provost of Rabindranath Tagore Hall, said strict action will be taken following an investigation.        

A first year student of the journalism and media studies department of Jahangirnagar University is on life support after being hit by a bike and dragged under the bike on campus. The incident took place near Maulana Bhasani Hall at 7:30 pm. The victim Jahid was going to "Gerua" near campus.The bike hit from behind and dragged him several yards. Ferdous Mahamud Neon of the philosophy department was driving the bike. Some of Jahid's friends and other students took him to university medical centre then to Enam Medical College Hospital. Ujjal Kumar Mandal, assistant professor of his department, quoting doctors, said that Jahid's condition is not good. "He is on life support. He has scalp fracture on the right side of head. Brain hemorrhage on the left side of head." In this regard, Proctor ASM Firoz Ul Hasan said, "I went to Enam Medical and saw the injured student. I will go out and talk to the students." Meanwhile, students of the journalism department staged a protest before the vice-chancellor's house. Read more: Northern University  student killed in road crash

A five-day book fair at Jahangirnagar University (JU) came to an end Thursday. The Faculty of Arts and Humanities of JU organised the fair in collaboration with Traxila Bookshop. Jubayer Ahmed, a student of the English department, said he could buy books at a cheap rate from the fair. "Our campus is far from Dhaka. So it is not always easy for us to get good books. This fair filled the gap." Professor Emran Jahan of the history department said: "We want this kind of book fest to take place more frequently." Read: 'Secret Documents' on Bangabandhu: International editions launched at London Book Fair "Nowadays students just read books only for academic purposes, but to enrich our knowledge, we should read other books along with the academic ones," he added.

At least 30 students of Jahangirnagar University were injured in a clash over a football match on the campus on Tuesday. Some of the injured were identified as Arpon, Rony, Munna, Mukto, Shahin, Asif, Sarwar,Hasib, Sajib, Ifaz and Rassul.  Five out of the injured were admitted to Enam Medical College Hospital. Witnesses said that the students of Mawlana Bhasani and AFM Kamal Uddin halls locked into a clash over a controversial goal during the football match of ‘Chancellor Cup’ on the campus. All the injured except the critical ones received first aid from the university’ medical center. Read more: 15 injured in BCL factional clash at CU Prof Abdullahel Kafi, president of the provost committee, said they would take necessary measures upon identifying the reason behind the attack after holding meetings with all groups. Prof Dr Nurul Alam, vice chancellor of the university, said the university administration will bear all expenses for treatment for the students and take action. Akhtaruzzaman, president of the university unit BCL, said his organisation will not take responsibility for the clash as it had no involvement with the incident. Read more: BCL factional clash leaves eight injured at Chattogram College

A five-day photo exhibition on the life, norms, culture, festivals and stories of the Hajong people, an ethnic group from northern parts of Bangladesh, ended at the Jahangirnagar University (JU) Saturday. "The Story of Hajong Tale" by Ruposhree Hajong, a masters student of the fine arts department of JU, started Tuesday to let people know more about the ways of Hajong – mainly living in Haluaghat and Dhobaura of Mymensingh; Shribordi, Jhinaigati and Nalitabari of Sherpur; Sunamganj Sadar upazila, Dhorompasha, Taherpur, Bishwambharpur and Duarabazar of Sunamganj – life. Twenty-four photos were showcased at The Story of Hajong Tale.

A day long Biotechnology Olympiad was organised at Jahangirnagar University  with the theme "Jibon Dharay Notun Beg, Somriddhir Biotech" (New Velocity in Lifestyle, Biotech for Prosperity). Biotech Club of the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering in collaboration with the National Institute of Biotechnology and Farming Future-Bangladesh Organized the day-long Olympiad. For the first time in Bangladesh Jahangirnagar University organised the National Biotechnology Olympiad.The Olympiad inaugurated on Friday (November 11) at 9 am. There were a total of six categories of tests from 8th grade to university level, question and answer session, career chat, popular talk and prize giving ceremony. At the beginning of the day at 10 am, an hour-long examination is conducted in six categories at the Jahangirnagar University School and College. About one and a half thousand students from various schools, colleges and universities of the country participated in the examination. After that, a question and answer session was organized at Zahir Raihan Auditorium of the University at 12:00 PM. Teachers and researchers from different universities of the country answered the written questions of the participating students about biotechnology. At the beginning of the question and answer session, the Chairman of the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Professor Umme Salma Zohra said, For the first time the Department of Biotechnology organized the Olympiad. We are overwhelmed with such response from students from all over the country. This event will continue in the future. Swadhinata Padak-winning scientist Professor Hasina Khan was felicitated at the popular talk session at 2:30 pm. This scientist, who discovered the genome sequence of the national fish Hilsa, said, "A microorganism has been found in jute that can be used as an antibiotic. How many doors of possibilities are opening for us. When someone asks me what I have found in my long research life, I want to say, I learned from researching about cells that cells work in such a controlled manner, it's amazing. Another thing I learned is the chain of command. Everything in a cell is organized. These have influenced my personal life too." Professor Nazneen Nahar, Professor of Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology Department of Chittagong University, said, "When I came as a teacher in my department, very few students were admitted. Gradually the students increased, our research activities also increased. I think to bring more expansion at the job level. We feel its prevalence in our daily lives as well. We wouldn't have got the Covid vaccine if it wasn't for the genome sequence." Read more: Bangladesh team shines at 15th International Earth Science Olympiad 2022 Finally at 4 pm the result announcement and prize distribution ceremony was held. Total 30 students were awarded in six Category, five students each. Abhinandan Pal, Shadman Zaman, Fahim Monayem, Prayas Ahmed and Fuad Bin Asadullah were awarded in class eight category. Saifa Sultana, Sanjida Arfan, Albak Atiq, Marzia Khanum Molly and Swarna Biswas in Class nine; Samiul Islam Fagun, Mahjabin Afrin, Mariam Manwara, Abdullah Al Nahian Russo and Nishat Tasneem in class ten, Bisarga Saha, Irfan Hasan, Mrinmoy Sarkar Dhruba, Maliha Lahin and Rashid Shahriar in class twelve, Afrina Jahan Suchinta, Mohammad Osman, Ekramul Islam, Ashfaq, and Nibir Ahmed were awarded in the category of class 12. At the university level, out of students from 30 universities, Fazlul Karim Chowdhury, Samaita Sarkar Tuli, Jawata Afnan Sahara, Farhan Ishrat Rafi, and Anika Humaira were awarded. Pro- Vice-Chancellor of  Jahangirnagar University Professor Sheikh Md. Manjurul Haque was present at the time. Also, Dean of the Faculty of Biology of Jahangirnagar University Prof. Dr. Md. Nuhu Alam and President of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Department Prof. Dr. Umme Salma Zohra, Vice Chancellor of Sylhet Agricultural University Mehedi Hasan Khan, Chairman of Biotechnology Department of Chittagong University Nazneen Nahar, Sabina Yasmin of Dhaka University, Prof. Matiur Rahman of Rajshahi University, CIVASU Dean Ashutosh Das, Shaheen Mahmood, teacher of MBSTU, Shahab Uddin, teacher of BSMRSTU and other renowned faculties and students of biotechnology and genetic engineering departments of various universities in Bangladesh were present. Read more: Bangladesh women's team clinch silver medal in Group C category of Chess Olympiad