A meeting among Dhaka University (DU), University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh and World Bank was held on Sunday. The meeting took place at the Vice-Chancellor's Lounge, where Chairman of Bangladesh University Grants Commission Prof. Dr. SMA Faiz, Vice-Chancellor of DU  Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Dr. Mamun Ahmed, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha, Treasurer Prof. Dr. M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, UGC Members- Prof. Dr. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan and Prof. Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossen, World Bank Senior Education Specialist TM Asaduzzaman, Senior Education Advisor Dr. Md Mahamud Ul Hoque and Project Director Prof. Dr. Asaduzzaman were present. During the meeting they discussed various issues including implementation of different development projects at DU with the financial assistance from the World Bank. The meeting also discussed the construction of a residential hall for DU female students, formation of a special fund for providing scholarship among financially challenged students, improving Wi-Fi network at DU, development of DU Medical Centre and undertaking joint research and training programs.

The Ministry of Education will request the heads of the higher educational institutions to discuss with the students’ organisations to resume academic activities after ensuring safe and congenial atmosphere. Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel revealed the information, said MA Khayer, public relations officer of the ministry. The University Grants Commission (UGC) on July 16 announced a closure of all public and private universities until further notice considering the issue of students' safety in the wake of widespread protests for reforming quota. HSC exams for July 28, 29, 31 & Aug 1 postponed A press release, signed by UGC secretary Dr Ferdous Zaman, said academic activities of all public, private universities, medical, textile, engineering colleges affiliated to the university and other colleges will remain shut until further notice. The UGC has taken the move in line with the Education Ministry’s decision, said the release.

The Jagannath University Teachers' Association (JnUTA) has alleged that the University Grants Commission (UGC) forced the authority of Jagannath University to take the admission test through the General, Science and Technology (GST) system. JnU to build two gates to sustain it’s tradition Sheikh Mashrick Hasan, general secretary of the Jagannath University Teachers Association (JnUTA), made this complaint in a press conference held at Jagannath University on Saturday (January 20)  noon.  He said, “While Jagannath University is trying to advance, chaos is made to suppress by keeping a system like GST. We have our own Academic Council, they are the supreme authority to decide the admission process.  Yet it is being forced upon us again and again,” he alleged. Universal College Bangladesh to hold Admission Day in Ctg offering education opportunity abroad Mashrick Hasan also said in this regard, “All the remaining universities are being kept separate from the four universities operated by the Ordinance of 1973. It is a step towards establishing a planned elite category among the universities of the country.” Mashrick Hasan also said that the purposes of the GST system have completely failed. 10 researchers selected for UGC post-doctoral fellowship Therefore, the Jagannath University Teachers Association (JnUTA) demanded a single admission test for all public universities through the formation of NTA (National Testing Authority) from the academic year 2024-25 to resolve the problem.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has selected 10 researchers for the UGC post-doctoral fellowship. The researchers were picked at a meeting chaired by UGC chairman (Additional Charge) Prof Dr Muhammad Alamgir on Tuesday, said a press release on Wednesday. UGC forms probe committee against Islamic University VC The 10 researchers who are getting the UGC fellowship are Dr Muhammad Nurul Amin Nuri and Dr Firoza Akter Khanom of Chattogram University, Prof Dr Sharaban Tahura and Prof Dr Gulshan Ara of Jagannath University, Dr Sheikh Mehedi Hasan of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Dr Md Tarikul Islam of Gopalganj Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Prof Dr Farhin Hasan of American International University, Dr Shahid Md Ashif Iqbal of Premier University, Dr Sultana Razia of Barendra University and Dr Suvash Chandra Deb of Brindaban Government College. Single entry test for public universities not from next year: UGC Chairman A total of 30 researchers from various public, private universities located on permanent campus and government colleges of the country applied for the UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship 2023. According to the policy, 10 researchers from among the applicants have finally been selected for the UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship 2023 on the basis of applicants' educational qualification, experience, publications, research title, summary, supervisor's recommendation. UGC won’t grant exemptions for irregularities in private or public universities

Dr Haseena Khan, a prominent researcher and retired professor at Dhaka University, has joined the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh as a full-time member. Read : UGC asks universities to follow financial regulations properly She presented her contract letter to UGC Secretary Prof Ferdous Zaman after a meeting with UGC Chairman (additional charge) Prof Mohammad Alamgir on Thursday. Read : UGC members Sajjad, Alamgir reappointed for another term Haseena is a retired professor of biochemistry and molecular sciences. The Swadhinata Padak-winning scientist was directly connected with the invention of the hilsa gene mystery and the jute gene discovery. The renowned researcher also worked as an UGC professor.

Bangladesh's President Abdul Hamid, who is also chancellor of universities, has directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to take necessary measures for holding a single admission test for all public universities for the 2023-24 session. A media release signed by Md Mahmudul Alam, joint secretary of secondary and higher education department of the Education Ministry, conveyed the directive today. Read more: Single admission test for universities from next year: Dipu Moni The release also said the public universities that earlier held admission test in the cluster method for 2022-23 session were asked to complete the admission process.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has started an investigation against former vice-chancellor of Khulna Agricultural University (KAU), Dr Shahidur Rahman Khan, for his alleged involvement in irregularities in the recruitment of 426 teachers and staff members for the university. KAU authorities on Monday (January 23, 2023) submitted documents related to last three years’ recruitment to the ACC. The development came after a national daily published a report in September last year stating the irregularities in the recruitment process of Khulna Agricultural University. It said some 426 teachers and staff members were appointed for KAU against 350 students and also 43 departments were opened in just three years. Read more: Corruption in NSU’s land acquisition: Hearing on 4 trustees’ bail plea Thursday Later, the University Grants Commission (UGC) conducted an investigation and found anomalies in the recruitment. Based on the report, the education ministry on August 3 last year ordered cancellation of the appointment of 73 teachers and staff members including the relatives of the vice-chancellor. In November last year, ACC took a decision to investigate the irregularities in the recruitment process of KAU and assigned Ershad Mia, deputy director of the ACC, to lead the investigation. The investigation officer on January 2 sent a letter to the university authorities asking to submit recruitment related documents including recruitment notices, candidates' applications, and written test records by January 10. Read more: Irregularities in recruitment: PUST VC freed after 4 hours of confinement The anti-graft agency also requested university authorities to submit a probe report if any investigation was conducted previously in this connection. Later, the inquiry officer extended the deadline till January 23 following the application of university authorities. KAU Registrar Dr Mazharul Anwar on Monday submitted the documents to the investigating officer. Ershad Mia, investigating officer, said he has received some documents and these will be inspected. Read More: UGC asks 4 private universities to stop enrollment for failing to fulfill conditions

The Dhaka University Syndicate has taken a decision to admit students from other universities in regular Master's degree courses of the university, subject to the availability of seats. “Students, who have completed their graduation from any recognised (public and private) university of Bangladesh and are willing take master’s degree from Dhaka University, can apply for admission in DU if there are available seats in the department from 2022-23 academic year,” said a policy paper approved by DU syndicate recently. However, applicants from any university other than Dhaka University can apply for the masters programs in Dhaka University if the minimum requirements set by the individual departments meet as the admission process will be controlled and conducted by individual departments and institutes. Read More: ICT division partners withBrac Kumon to spread Japanese method of learning On the other hand, Dhaka University syndicate, the highest policy making authority of DU, has imposed a minimum requirement that the applicants have to obtain at least CGPA 3.25 in their bachelor program though there is no ban on age and academic session. After fulfilling all the requirements set by individual departments and institutes, applicants have to sit for a 100-mark examination and a viva voce to take final admission. The exam will be held against the available seats and top scorers will be allowed to take admission. However, foreign students can also avail this opportunity with the residential facility while Bangladeshi students will not be able to avail residential facilities as they will be considered as Non-resident. Read More: 6th convocation of Jahangirnagar University on February 25 “DU authority has removed the age and academic session ban from this program so that the students from all walks of life can avail this opportunity. In our country, we have a culture that most of our students take admission in post-graduation courses immediately after completing the bachelor’s degree but in most of the countries of the world, students do their master’s program much later. The decision has been taken to ensure inclusiveness quality education,” prof. Zia Rahman, dean of social science faculty told UNB. “As all general students do not enrol in master's programs after graduation, some seats remain available. To provide our best service, both outsider students and former DU students will get the same opportunity by paying the same tuition for the standard Master's program,” he added. Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman said, “In order to promote inclusiveness and lifelong learning opportunities for everyone, we are allowing graduates from other public universities and UGC-approved institutions to enrol in our bachelor's programs.” Read More: World keeps silent as Afghan govt stops education for women: PM Hasina “Private universities are also approved by UGC, so student, who completed the undergraduate courses, will be considered as worthy to admit to these masters’ courses and through this they will have the opportunity so take the subject they like,” he added Earlier, students other than Dhaka University could not avail the opportunity to take master’s degree from Dhaka University but for the first time DU took this academic initiative to provide and create an inter-academic, inclusive and lifelong education system.

Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesday stressed the need for a quick solution to the ongoing crisis over the cluster-based admission tests of 22 general and science & technology (GST) public universities. The call came from a daylong workshop held at the UGC office to face the challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution. The Innovation Wing of UGC arranged the workshop titled "Knowledge Dominates the Period of 4IR and IoT Business Applications," said a press release. “An unexpected crisis regarding the cluster admission test has created. The authorities of the 22 universities will have to find an effective solution to this crisis,” said UGC member Prof Muhammad Alamgir while addressing the event as the chief guest. Read: Pvt universities’ permanent campuses: UGC to go tough as deadline ends on Dec 31 He said the ongoing crisis can be solved if the admission process includes student-friendly aspects and the proper use of modern technology. Dr Alamgir requested the committee concerned to take appropriate steps to complete the entire admission process smoothly soon so that the students do not suffer any untoward suffering. He suggested the vice-chancellors of the universities for making efforts to ensure that a good system like such admission test won’t face question. Talking about the 4th industrial revolution, the UGC member urged the university teachers to produce graduates suitable for the 4th industrial revolution as now it is the time for frontier technology. He said the officers and employees of higher education institutes should be trained to be adapted to the technology.  “In the 4IR era, skilled people will replace unskilled people and there will be a massive change in the type of jobs,” said Dr Alamgir. Director of the IMCT Department of the Commission Mohammad Maksudur Rahman Bhuiyan presided over the workshop, while Dean of Science and Engineering School of Canadian University of Bangladesh Prof Syed Akhtar Hossain was the resource person in the event. The admission seekers fell into a trouble as the authorities have stopped the migration process from the sixth merit list of the cluster-based test. Read: UGC set to formulate policy for new public universities Since the migration process continued till the fifth merit list, the students who got chances in more than one university now have fallen into troubles to migrate to upper tier universities even though the seats are vacant. The High Court has recently issued a rule upon the authorities concerned to explain within 10 days as to why the decision of stopping migration process should not be declared illegal.

Many reputed private universities of the country are still operating under temporary arrangement, defying University Grants Commission’s repeated warnings to shift to permanent campuses.   UGC authorities said the period of temporary permit granted to them will end on December 31 this year and then it can suspend new enrolment at these universities and take legal actions against them. Fresh student enrolment and all other activities of those private universities will be suspended if they fail to move to their permanent campuses within December 31, UGC member Professor Dr Biswajit Chanda said. The commission gave the deadline as 12 years have passed after granting temporary permits to 23 private universities and most of them failed to take any significant steps to shift to their campuses or build the infrastructures necessary for it, he said. Also read: UGC set to formulate policy for new public universities The private universities are: Brac University, University of Liberal Arts (ULAB), Daffodil International University, Stamford University, State University of Bangladesh, The People's University of Bangladesh, Dhaka International University, Manarat International University, Bangladesh University, University of Development Alternative (UODA), Southeast University, Northern University Bangladesh, Green University of Bangladesh, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, The Millennium University, Presidency University, University of South Asia, Uttara University, Victoria University of Bangladesh, Prime Asia University, Royal University of Dhaka, Asha University of Bangladesh and City University. Some of these universities moved partially but most have been operating from outer campuses for years, saying that construction work is yet to be completed, according to UGC. When UGC contacted them, some of the private university authorities said they are going to seek extension while some said they are trying to follow the deadline. According to section 7(2) of Bangladesh Private University Act (2010), these private universities were granted temporary permit to operate which was valid for seven years. After that, the institutions can apply for renewal of the temporary permit if they fail to fulfil the conditions mentioned in section 9 within the period of the temporary permission. The government may renew the permission for a period not exceeding five years, subject to necessary enquiry. Earlier, the UGC sent letters to the universities which did not move to permanent campuses after the temporary permit expired. The commission later decided to set the time for the universities to respond till December 31. Prof Bishwajit said, “Of the 23 universities, many have claimed they are in the middle of moving and will have relocated by the deadline. We are assuming one or two universities will seek extension of time for five to six months for construction of infrastructure as they have started a discussion regarding this with the UGC.” But other than that, those who will fail completely to take any step regarding this, will not be allowed to admit more students in their education programmes in the coming year, he said. “No private university will be spared if they disobey UGC’s directives and compromise the quality of education,” the UGC member added. Also read: UGC warning private unis to maintain standards: Biswajit Chanda According to UGC, from January 1, 2023 these 23 universities will be considered illegal if they do not fulfil one of the conditions of temporary permit which is shifting to permanent campuses within the fixed period. Hence, the commission will take further steps against them under section 35 (7) of Bangladesh Private University Act, 2010. So far, the government has given permission to 108 private universities in the country. Of these, 99 are currently operational.