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.

A student of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) was sued in a case filed under the Digital Security Act (DSA) for his alleged anti-state posts through Telegram App. The varsity’s Security Officer Md Sadek Hossain Promanik filed the case accusing two people including the student at Khanjahan Ali Police Station on Monday.  Earlier, fellows of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student body of the ruling Awami League, of the university beat the student up over the issue. The accused in the case are identified as Jahidul Rahman, a second year student of Computer Science Engineering (CSE) department of the university and Rezwan Shyam, 21, a resident of Munishirhat village under Borhanuddin upazila in Bhola district. Jahidul also hails from Tazumuddin upazila of the same district. The accused Jahidul has been shown arrested while undergoing treatment at Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH). Jahidul’s family members claimed that the BCL men beat him up mercilessly tagging him an activist of a student organization for three hours from 11pm to 2am on Sunday night after calling him up to the guest room of MA Rashid Hall. Later, critically injured Jahidul was rushed to the KMCH by an ambulance, they said. The victim’s elder brother Nayeem said his younger brother has no involvement with any student body and has been deliberately sued in a false case. KUET unit BCL General Secretary Sadman Nahiyan Sejan could not be reached over the mobile phone despite repeated attempts. Hall Provost Md Hamidul Islam told UNB that some students have noticed his anti-state activities for the past a few days. Read: Police again arrest Jumon Das in DSA case “The student made some objectionable remarks about the recent wrapped up visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India and he has no faith in democracy, rather a fellow of Khelafat,” he said. Asked whether the student was beaten up by the BCL men, the provost said it would be tough for him to make a comment in this regard. Khanjahan Ali Police Station’s Officer-in-charge Md Kamal Hossain Khan said allegations of creating instability or hampering law and order situation on the campus by making controversial remarks using digital means was brought against him in the DSA case. KUET Security Officer Sadek didn’t pick up his mobile phone despite several phone calls.

The Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) has teamed up with global ICT infrastructure provider Huawei to set up an ICT academy. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between KUET and Huawei in Khulna Monday. Under this agreement, a special training centre will be set up at KUET. Huawei will provide online training materials and courses through its learning platform to the KUET students. Read: Huawei introduces versatile cloud solutions for telecom carriers This academy will also train KUET teachers as Huawei-certified trainers. After finishing the training, KUET teachers will train students in this ICT academy. Students will be able to get training on the latest ICT technology through this ICT academy.  Professor Quazi Sazzad Hossain, vice-chancellor of KUET, said: "Developing a sustainable ICT talent ecosystem is essential for continuing our growth and overall progress. Huawei has contributed greatly to the ICT ecosystem of Bangladesh." "Huawei has been working with both the government and individual entities to create an ecosystem that will nurture ICT talents in Bangladesh. This ICT academy partnership is also part of our continued commitment to preparing the youth for the future world," George Lin, president of Enterprise Business Group at Huawei Bangladesh, said. Read Seeds For The Future moves to 3rd round with 30 students Huawei initiated ICT Academy, a school-enterprise cooperation project, in 2013. At the moment, there are 1,500 such ICT academies run by Huawei in more than 90 countries around the world, including Pakistan, Zambia, and China, according to a media statement. Earlier, Huawei partnered with BUET to set up the Huawei BUET ICT Academy, which is already operational.  It is expected that the Huawei KUET ICT academy will open new doors for the students to build sustainable careers in the ICT sector. Read Huawei Bangladesh to recruit 60 fresh graduates

Police recovered the hanging body of a student of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) from Dumuria upazila of Khulna on Monday morning. The deceased was identified as Antu Roy, 21, a third-year student of Textile Engineering Department of KUET. His body was recovered from his home in Gutudia union in Dumuria upazila. It is known that Antu was a talented student. His family was going through financial crisis. He had a lot of money in arrears at Dr. MA Rashid dorm in KUET where he stayed for his studies, but had returned home.  According to his family members, he committed suicide when no one was in the house. His younger sister came home from tuition at around 11 am and found Antu's body hanging in the room. READ: 2 farmers’ suicide in Rajshahi: Krishak League leader held Dumuria police officer-in-charge (OC) Obaidur Rahman said that in the morning his younger sister found Antur's hanging body. It is initially suspected that he committed suicide due to financial crisis. His body was recovered and sent to Khulna Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy, the OC said. On November 17 last year, another KUET student, Subrata Kumar, a first-year student of Architecture Department committed suicide by throwing himself under a train in Khanjahan Ali area of the district.

A police complaint has been filed against 44 students of Khulna University of Science and Technology (KUET) over the unusual death of professor Mohammad Selim Hossain.Professor Selim's father Md Shukur Ali Molla filed the complaint at the Khan Jahan Ali Police Station on Wednesday, said officer-in-charge (OC) Probir Kumar Biswas.Legal action will be taken after the investigation, he added.However, Prof Selim's father has complained that no case has been registered in this connection."We went to Khulna on Wednesday morning and filed a complaint under Section 302/34 of the Penal Code against 44 students in connection with the death. However, the OC said that action would be taken after the investigation without filing it as a statement,” said  the father.When contacted, Shukur Ali expressed doubt over not getting fair judgment.Earlier on January 5, the student disciplinary committee of the university expelled four students, including university unit general secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League(BCL) Sadman Nahyan Sejan for life term.Besides, 40 more students were punished in different terms. All these students are leaders and activists of Chhatra League.Prof Selim, 38, a teacher of the Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) department at the university and also the provost of Lalan Shah Hall, died on November 30. According to faculty members of the university, Prof Selim died hours after some Chhatra League activists, led by Sadman allegedly confined the teacher to his office and mentally tortured him to accept their choice as dining manager of Lalan Shah Hall for the month of December.During this confinement, the teacher was allegedly subjected to abuses, humiliation and threat, his colleagues said. On December 3, the university was declared closed till December 13. Its closure was extended twice till January 7.  

The body of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) Prof Selim Hossain was exhumed on Wednesday for an autopsy to ascertain the exact cause of his death, police said. The body was exhumed around 9:30 pm in the presence of the Executive Magistrate Ahmed Sadat from Kumarkhali upazila in Kushtia district. Officer-in-charge of Khanjahan Ali Police Station Prabir Kumar Biswas, Shahriar Hasan, Quamruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Kumarkhali Police Station and representatives of the health department were present there during the exhumation of the body. READ:  Kuet Prof Selim's body to be exhumed today for autopsy Quamruzzaman Talukdar, officer-in-charge of Kumarkhali Police Station, said the body of Prof. Selim was taken to Kushtia General Hospital and he will be buried again after an autopsy. Earlier on December 5 an application was made to the Khulna deputy commissioner to exhume the body for autopsy. The DC on December 13 gave the go-ahead. OC Prabir said a complaint was lodged at the police station on December 4 in connection with the death of the teacher. On December 3, the university was declared closed till December 13 over the death of Prof Selim allegedly due to mental torture and harassment by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) members. Prof Selim, of the Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) department, was also the provost of Lalan Shah Hall. READ:  Prof Selim’s death: Closure of Kuet extended till Dec 23 According to faculty members of the university, Prof Selim died hours after some Chhatra League members led by Kuet BCL general secretary Sadman Nahyan Sejan allegedly confined the teacher to his office and mentally tortured him to accept their choice as the dining manager of Lalan Shah Hall for December. During this confinement, the teacher was allegedly subjected to abuses, humiliation and threat, his colleagues said.

Investigators will exhume the body of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) Prof Selim Hossain later on Wednesday for an autopsy to ascertain the exact cause of his death. Meanwhile, a five-member probe committee formed by the university to investigate the death of the 38-year-old teacher has asked for another 10 days to submit its report. Surprisingly, no case has been registered yet in connection with his death. The chief of the investigation committee, Prof Mohiuddin Ahmad, said that academic activities and halls of Kuet were closed till December 13 and that's why they would need another 10 days for a proper probe. Prof Selim's wife Sabina Khatun has said her husband's death has traumatised her. "Where to go with my baby girl, what to do? I have no security. I want the university authorities to get a case registered in connection with my husband's death." Rabiul Islam Sohag, a spokesman for Kuet, said no decision has been taken on it yet. Khulna Khanjahan Ali police station OC Prabir Kumar Biswas said a complaint was lodged at the police station on December 4 in connection with the death of the teacher.  READ:  Prof Selim’s death: Closure of Kuet extended till Dec 23 An application was made to the Khulna Deputy Commissioner on December 5 to exhume the body for autopsy. The DC on December 13 gave the go-ahead. Though the body was supposed to be exhumed on Tuesday afternoon, it did not happen. "The body will be exhumed on Wednesday followed by an autopsy," the OC said. Earlier on December 3, the university was declared closed till December 13 over the death of Prof Selim allegedly due to mental torture and harassment by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists. Prof Selim, of the Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) department, was also the provost of Lalan Shah Hall. According to faculty members of the university, Prof Selim died hours after some Chhatra League activists led by Kuet BCL general secretary Sadman Nahyan Sejan allegedly confined the teacher to his office and mentally tortured him to accept their choice as the dining manager of Lalan Shah Hall for December. READ:  Prof Hossain's death: KUET temporarily suspends 9 students During this confinement, the teacher was allegedly subjected to abuses, humiliation and threat, his colleagues said.

Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) on Saturday charges of violating the university’s standards of conduct suspended nine of its students. The decision was taken at the 76th session of the emergency syndicate meeting on Thursday and Friday. The decision came up on the basis of reviewing CCTV footage of the incident of Nov 30 when EEE Professor Md Selim Hossain was confined at his office by a group of students, said KUET public relations official Md. Monirul Islam Sagar. Read: KUET BCL tries to distance itself from professor’s death after meeting The suspended students are Sadman Nahyan Sejan and Riyaz Khan Niloy of the Computer Science and Engineering department, Tahmidul Huq Ishraq and Mahmudul Hasan of Civil Engineering department, Md Sadman Saqib and ASM Ragib Ahsan Munna of Leather Engineering department, Md Kamruzzaman and Faisal Ahmed Rifat of Mechanical Engineering department and Naimur Rahman Antu of Materials Science and Engineering department. On Tuesday (Nov 30), Prof. Hossain, also the provost of Lalan Shah Hall, died at his residence, hours after the confirmed meeting with the students who were Charta League leaders and activists of the KUET wing.  The doctors said he suffered a cardiac arrest. That day KUET students and teachers protested declaring to boycott academic activities on campus. On Friday (Dec 3), the varsity administration declared the campus closed till December 13 and asked resident students to vacate the dorms. General students and teachers alleged that the Chhatra League activists had mentally tortured him over the selection of the dining manager of Lalan Shah Hall for the month of December which eventually led him to death.

Bangladesh Chhatra League's Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) unit, whose members stand accused of having played some role in the untimely death of a professor of the Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) department of the university on Tuesday, have sought refuge behind a claim of  'dirty politics' leading the finger of blame to point at them. The university Chhatra League tried to present their version of what transpired when a horde of their members, also residents of the university's Lalon Shah Hall, met with Prof Md Selim Hossain in the hours before he passed away on the day of his death, through a press conference at Khulna Press Club on Friday. READ:  KUET declared closed till Dec 13, students asked to leave halls by Friday KUET BCL said the image of the ruling party's student front is being tarnished in this way. In a written statement, Sadman Nahyan Sejan, general secretary of KUET Chhatra League, said Dr Md Selim Hossain of the Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) department was appointed as the provost of Lalan Shah Hall. “Whenever a new provost is appointed, the students of the final batch of the residential hall are introduced to the provost by the Student Welfare Committee.” Sadman Nahyan tried to portray their reasons behind meeting Prof Selim Hossain that day as completely routine He said Prof Selim scheduled a meeting in his office at 12 noon on Tuesday to get acquainted with the students and inform them about the various activities in the hall. Students were approximately 40 minutes late to attend the scheduled meeting after class. “He was later met on the way and informed of the reason for the delay. Then he told us to come to his office. After the professor unlocked his office, the students entered with his permission.” BCL leader Sadman further said that as there was not enough space for all the students, Prof Selim Hossain asked the seniors to sit inside and the juniors to wait outside for a while. After exchanging greetings with the seniors, he called the students waiting outside and brought them inside. “At that time, he told them, he had work in the lab at half-past two. He would go to the hall in the evening and meet the students. And then he left,” said Sadman. Sadman added, "We do not know the exact cause of death of Prof Selim Hossain. However, according to the death certificate, it is known that he died of a stroke. He was the guardian of the hall. We went there to talk to him about the hall.”  “One party is painting us as criminals by focusing on our meeting with Prof Selim Hossain. They have also given statements regarding this. I am demanding the vice-chancellor take action against us after scrutinizing the CCTV footage of the meeting.” Deputy Communications and Information Secretary of the University BCL committee Jamiur Rahman, Assistant Editor Ahsanul Abedin, and Sub-Library Secretary Mahmudul Hasan were present at the press conference. Later, the leaders and workers of BCL took up positions in front of the administrative building while an emergency meeting of the university's Syndicate was in progress. They submitted a memorandum to the vice-chancellor demanding five-points. The main thrust of their demands is to not ban student politics at KUET. They also include the formation of a probe committee consisting of administrative officers, judicial magistrates and teachers from the university to uncover the truth behind Prof Selim Hossain's death, and to ensure the maximum punishment for any BCL members found to be guilty.  They also demanded compensation of Tk 1 crore for Prof Selim's family within a month, as well as the offer of a permanent job for at least one member of his family at KUET. Forced to close UNB has reviewed CCTV footage from at least three different locations that have been leaked to the media.  Footage of the path leading away from the EEE Building (Camera 1) shows the meeting outside the building and the professor turning back to lead dozens of male students, Sadman among them, back into the building, up the stairs (CAM2) and into his office (CAM3).  The third camera also captures their departure from his office, and minutes later his own, locking the door behind him. It cannot be said that there are any visible signs of distress on him physically at that point, as again he walks away crisply. READ:  Kuet dorms to reopen on October 22    But the allegations raised are of 'mental torture and harassment'.  KUET was declared closed till December 13 as tensions spread through the campus over the death of Prof Selim Hossain. Students were asked to leave their residential halls by 4pm on Friday, in an order signed by the Registrar (Acting) of the University, Engineer Md Anisur Rahman Bhuiyan. The decision to close was taken at the emergency meeting of the KUET Syndicate on Friday, after the untimely death of the professor - in the aftermath, allegedly, of mental torture and harassment by Chhatra League members - triggered unrest on the campus. According to his fellow faculty members, Prof Selim died hours after some Chhatra League activists led by Sadman Nahyan Sejan confined him in his office and mentally tortured him to accept their choice as dining manager of Lalan Shah Hall for December. CCTV footage from outside the teacher's office room showed several students, belonging to Sadman’s group, entered his room around 12:30 pm on Tuesday. It is not true though that the students led the way. If anything, he walked well ahead of them.  His colleagues further alleged Prof Selim was subjected to abuse, humiliation and threats while confined.  Meanwhile, Professor Selim's family members said that the teacher reached his residence near the campus around 2:00 pm after the incident on Tuesday and went to the washroom. But when he was taking too long to come out, they broke down the door to enter the bathroom and found him in an unconscious state.  Although they rushed him to Khulna Medical College Hospital, doctors there could only declare him dead. Following the incident, the teachers' union on Thursday boycotted academic activities demanding the accused students’ permanent expulsion from the university through a fair investigation.

The government has planned to set up innovative hubs at three universities of the country to encourage researchers to be innovative in business models, commercially viable products and their marketing, according to an official document. To be named as “University Innovation Hubs”, the project is still at an early stage and the sites of the hubs are yet to be selected. It aims to develop digital entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems. “This will be the government’s preliminary step towards embracing the upcoming 4th industrial revolution which will be digital centric,” says the document. Read: Bangladesh perfect example of innovation-driven development: Sajeeb Wazed According to official sources, the universities that can provide spaces of 3,000 sq ft to 5,000 sq ft will be eligible for the innovation hub. After the initial process, the eligible students will get funds from different projects.The innovation hubs will be expanded to both public and private universities in phases. The project is part of the government’s policy to inspire the young entrepreneurs to be more creative and innovative in new business models that will create more jobs. Read UCB to organize free workshop on digital skills with Monash College Australia As part of this process, the government formed Start-up Bangladesh in March 2020 with an allocated capital of Tk 500 crore to help new entrepreneurs innovate faster, create new jobs, develop technical skills and realise the vision of Digital Bangladesh, according to the document.