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.

Bangladesh's Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel today (January 23, 2024) addressed the media regarding the ongoing controversy over a story featured in a textbook. “We plan to consult with experts about the story of Sharifa discussed in the textbook. If there's any confusion or misrepresentation, changes will be made,” Chowdhury told reporters at the Secretariat. The story of Sharifa previously sparked debate, and currently, some are protesting over its content. The Education Minister emphasized the need for a thorough discussion with National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) to understand why the story is eliciting such reactions. Read more: UGC team investigates IU VC’s corruptions in teacher recruitment He expressed concern about certain groups’ tendency to exploit religious sentiments and instigate instability and anarchy in the country, and said, “A few days ago, some recommendations were given to me from an organization. Some Qawmi madrasa teachers claimed that the word ‘transgender’ has been used in the textbook. However, upon examination, it was clarified that the term used was ‘third gender’.” “In our society, third gender individuals, commonly known as ‘Hijra,’ are legally recognized citizens with rights," Minister Chowdhury clarified. He further added, “If the presentation of the story leads to misunderstandings and controversies, we will discuss with experts whether we can modify its presentation while respecting the dignity of the third gender individuals. This is a specialized issue, and we don’t want to comment at a policy level.” Responding to a question about the BRAC University controversy, the Education Minister said, “We will discuss this matter with BRAC University and understand the issue through the University Grants Commission, following which a detailed discussion will be held.” Read more: Govt changes class schedule for primary schools due to cold wave

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.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked four private universities not to admit new students for their failure to fulfill some of its conditions. Those universities are Prime Asia University, Stamford University, Bangladesh, Asha University and Victoria University, said a press release of UGC on Thursday. Besides, the UGC issued a public notice on the steps taken against 18 private universities as the tenure of their temporary certificates has expired and they have failed to transfer their activities to permanent campuses within the timeframe.    The four universities were asked to fully stop student enrollment for failure to shift activities to permanent campuses and not taking any visible initiative to build permanent campuses. Apart from this, new student enrollment at temporary campuses of State University and Manarat University will completely remain suspended but it will continue at its permanent campus. In the notice, Dhaka International University, Royal University, Southeast University, City University, The Millennium University and Bangladesh University were given time to  transfer their  activities to permanent campuses by March 31 this year. If the universities fail to comply with the UGC directives within the stipulated time, the student admission to the institutions will remain halted and temporary campuses of the universities will be declared illeal. Read more: Pvt universities’ permanent campuses: UGC to go tough as deadline ends on Dec 31 Brac University, University of Development Alternative, Green University, Uttara University, Progressive University and The People's University were asked to transfer their all activities by June 30 this year after noticing visible improvement in developing permanent campuses and their written commitments. The student enrollment at those universities will be halted from July 1 this year once they fail comply with the directive. Earlier on April 11 last year, the UGC issued notice asking to take measures regarding the expiry of temporary certificate and transfer to permanent campuses by December 31 last year. As per the ‘Private University Act-2010’, there is an obligation to transfer all kinds of activities to a permanent campus within 12 years of its establishment. Read more: UGC warning private unis to maintain standards: Biswajit Chanda

University Grants Commission (UGC) announced the activities of America Bangladesh University, a private university, illegal and suggested students not to take admission in it. The commission made the suggestion following the recommendation made by the probe committee formed to investigate about the university. The investigation report was sent to the Education Ministry on Thursday, said UGC in a press release. The activities of America Bangladesh University are creating a negative impression about the country’s higher education sector globally, said UGC. Also read: HC directs UGC to find out about pvt unis' benefits for FF children, underprivileged According to Section 12(1) of Private University Act, 2010, the university has no legal authority to conduct its activities as it failed to apply for a certificate after its temporary permit expired, said UGC member, Professor Dr Biswajit Chanda. From 2006, the university has no vice-chancellor, pro vc or treasurer appointed President and Chancellor Abdul Hamid, he said. As per section 17 and 19 of the Private Universities Act, the university's academic, administrative, financial activities, admission, examination and results and academic certificates are illegal as it has no valid syndicate and academic council, he added. In 2006, the government announced closure of America Bangladesh University due to failure to comply with the conditions of the temporary permit and ensure quality education. Also read: Britannia will be no university- UGC moves to stop new admissions The university authorities filed a writ petition with the High Court against the order and proceeded with their activities acquiring a stay order. Currently, three parties claiming to be the board of trustees of the university are operating the activities from different addresses which are not legal according to law, said UGC.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved a budget of nearly Tk 160 crore for Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia for the 2022-23 financial year. Of Tk 159.69 crore, Tk 1.42 crore (0.89 per cent) has been allocated as expenses for research this year, according to a university release. IU treasurer Prof Alamgir Hossain Bhuiya said that they had proposed a budget of Tk 210.40 crore to the UGC but it approved Tk 159.69 crore for the university. Also Read: RU student suspended for harassing teacher  

Chairman of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) Prof Dr Kazi Shahidullah on Monday said if the laws are abused for personal interest in the universities, those responsible would face the music. “The laws can’t be abused for personal interest in the universities. They (the authorities) can’t bow down to any pressure at any level. In case of misuse of law, action would be taken against the guilty following the investigation,” he said. Dr Shahidullah said this while addressing the inaugural session of a two-day workshop titled “Budget Preparation and Implementation in Public Universities” at the UGC. Also read: DU expels two students for digital and admission fraud He said manpower recruitment beyond organogram as well as temporary, master roll, ad-hoc, contract and daily wage-based jobs will have to be stopped in the public universities. Sitting allowance can’t be given going beyond the rules. If salary and allowance are given against any posts going beyond the rules, the universities will have to pay back the money, he warned.

The 'D' unit intake test for the first year honours’ courses under 2020-21 academic session of Theology and Islamic Studies faculty of Islamic University will be held on the campus in Kushtia on November 2. The admission tests of the university’s other faculties, will be held under unified entry test system. Read: Islamic University waives transport, hall fees from period of Covid-19 closure The decision was made at an emergency meeting of IU central admission test committee with its vice-chancellor Professor Shaikh Abdus Salam in the chair. A press release, signed by IU acting registrar M Ataur Rahman, was issued in this regard Sunday noon. The admission test will  be held separately as there is no such subjects in other public universities, IU acting registrar said. The regular classes and examinations of all departments will remain closed during the admission test, he added. The uniform admission tests of 20 public universities will be held from October 17 to 24 across the country. Read: Islamic University to start final exams from Sept 12 On January 23, 2020, the University Grants Commission decided to introduce a uniform entry test for all public universities across the country from the academic year 2020-21, aiming at reducing the sufferings of the admission-seekers and their guardians. The universities that are taking centralised admission tests are Islamic University, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Khulna University, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Jagannath University, Comilla University, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Jessore University of Science and Technology, Begum Rokeya University Rangpur, Pabna University of Science and Technology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Barisal University and Patuakhali Science and Technology University.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has allowed online recruitment tests in public universities along with in-person exams on five conditions. A letter signed by UGC Secretary (Additional Responsibilities) Dr Ferdous Zaman was sent to the vice-chancellors and registrars of all public universities Sunday in this connection. Educational institutions are now conducting most of their operational activities, including classes, online amid the pandemic. Universities will be able to conduct online recruitment tests and interviews based on five conditions. Red RU to hold exams scrapped in 2019, 2020 in-person from this month Firstly, online recruitment tests and interviews cannot violate any law governing the institution. Second, the recruitment process must start through publishing an open circular based on the university's laws, statutes, and rules given the requirement of the concerned academic institution. Third, for holding online recruitment tests and interviews, a policy must be put in place and approved by the university's syndicate. The policy must follow the recommendations of the university's academic council. Read Barishal University: 82, inc. 40 teachers, earn promotions Fourth, the audiovisual record of the online recruitment process, relating to tests and interviews, will have to be preserved by the university for at least two years.  Lastly, the original certificates and other paperwork of the selected applicants must be verified properly before appointing them. Read WURI Ranking 2021: ULAB among global top 100 innovative universities