The US Embassy in Dhaka Wednesday announced the resumption of its Fulbright Program in Bangladesh after six years. It also jointly launched the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) with Brac University (BracU) in Dhaka's Mohakhali. Fulbright Program, which "strengthens and expands people-to-people ties and educational linkages between the US and other countries," returned as US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas announced its resumption. The exchange programme was suspended in Bangladesh following the 2016 Holey Artisan Bakery attack. Ambassador Haas also announced the AWE-(BracU) initiative at the event to promote small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and foster local women entrepreneurs, especially from underprivileged backgrounds. Through the initiative, 50 women entrepreneurs will have access to mentorship opportunities with successful business owners as trainees to understand the practical challenges on the ground. The US envoy said both the decisions were made to celebrate the 50 years of ties between the US and Bangladesh. READ: Washington in touch with Dhaka on newly launched IPEF: US embassy spokesperson "Bangladesh is going to become a middle-income country in a couple of years and the role of women in economic empowerment is very important. So, it makes it all the more special to resume the Fulbright Program," he added. Under the Fulbright Program, Dr Sharon Hart, the first US Fulbright specialist, will work with the Women Empowerment Center of the Brac Business School for six weeks to help develop a curriculum for women's entrepreneurship and leadership training. Led by the US in partnership with more than 160 countries worldwide, the Fulbright Program offers international educational and cultural exchange programmes for "passionate and accomplished" students, scholars, artists, teachers, and professionals of all backgrounds to study, teach or pursue important research and professional projects. Throughout its 75-year history, the Fulbright Program has awarded nearly 8,000 students and scholars from 160 nations around the world and the US. With more than 4,000 State Department Exchange Program alumni, including 650 Bangladeshis who travelled to the US under the Fulbright exchange programs and more than 250 Americans who have conducted research and/or taught in Bangladesh, the US Embassy in Dhaka continues to offer academic and professional development opportunities for students, teachers, and scholars.

Transport workers on Sunday brought out a procession in the city’s Sayedabad area to press home their 3-point demand including resumption of public transport maintaining  health protocols. The workers under the banner of Dhaka Metropolitan Road Transport Workers Union, brought out the procession in the morning. Earlier on Saturday, Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the Bangladesh government is considering the resumption of public transport services in the country ahead of Eid. Also read: Govt may resume public transport services before Eid : Quader The Minister also urged the transport owners and workers not to resort to protests over the issue. "Be patient," was his message to the aggrieved owners and workers. Public transport services were suspended in Bangladesh on April 5, with the government announcing a countrywide lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. On Friday, the transport owners' association urged the government to immediately resume bus services in the country.  Also read: Govt mulls resuming public transport services The association also demanded food assistance for the unemployed transport workers. In a statement, the association said that anger is brewing among the owners and workers of public transport vehicles over indefinite suspension of public transport operations.