United News of Bangladesh

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Wednesday called upon the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) to take effective steps to develop internationally competitive universities stressing that quality higher education and research are key to transforming Bangladesh into a knowledge-based nation. “BNP has always attached the highest importance to the education sector. Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and former President Ziaur Rahman worked to improve standards and address teachers’ concerns. Inspired by their ideals, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has placed education at the top of the government’s priorities,” the minister said while addressing a view-exchange meeting with the UGC chairman and members. Milon said expansion of research activities, promotion of innovation and development of skilled human resources must be prioritised to meet global standards. Describing the UGC as the central body of the country’s higher education system, the minister said the commission plays a crucial role in oversight, quality assurance and implementation of development plans. “With the rapid increase in the number of public and private universities, the responsibilities and scope of work of the commission have expanded significantly. The UGC must therefore function in a more dynamic, effective and result-oriented manner,” he said. Referring to the declining global rankings of Bangladeshi universities, the minister termed it a major challenge.  “We are a nation of 180 million people, yet we do not have a single university that meets international benchmarks. In this context, establishing a world-class postgraduate university and forming an effective research council to promote advanced research should be given top priority,” said the minister. Milon also emphasised implementing a “reverse brain drain” initiative to bring back talented Bangladeshi academics and researchers working abroad and engage them in the country’s education and research sectors. Urging UGC members and officials to adopt innovative and practical plans, the Education Minister  said each official should set a clear vision and mission within their respective responsibilities and take concrete steps to improve higher education outcomes. The minister requested the commission to submit a brief written report outlining its ongoing activities and future plans to help review progress and challenges in the higher education sector and take necessary measures. Technical education must align with global labour market trends: Education Minister At the meeting, UGC Chairman SMA Faiz and commission members discussed various aspects, challenges and prospects of the higher education sector and informed the adviser about steps taken to enhance academic standards. Milon underscored the need for coordinated efforts by the UGC and all stakeholders to strengthen the country’s higher education system and elevate it to international standards.  

University Grants Commission (UGC) member Prof. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, has identified education, health, and agriculture as the primary drivers of national security, stressing that investment in these sectors is essential for human security. Speaking as the chief guest at a workshop on strengthening veterinary science education at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) on Tuesday, he noted that global powers like the USA and China treat education as a core component of national security, a vision Bangladesh must also adopt. Addressing the selection process for the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project, Professor Khan highlighted that the grant was awarded through a highly competitive and transparent process. He asserted that in the post-August 5 era, the UGC has moved away from historically opaque practices to a purely merit-based selection system, countering common allegations of corruption in project allocations. He also expressed concern over Bangladesh’s low GDP allocation for education compared to other South Asian nations, stating that international university rankings cannot improve without addressing this investment deficit. BAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. A. K. Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, attending as the chief patron, emphasized that while modern technology is vital, the sincerity and profound knowledge of teachers remain the heart of quality education. The workshop, presided over by Veterinary Faculty Dean Prof. Md. Bahanur Rahman, also featured a keynote by Sub-Project Manager Prof. Mohammad Eliusur Rahman Bhuiyan. He outlined plans to modernize classrooms, establish high-tech research infrastructure, and digitize library facilities to align veterinary training with global technological standards and produce skilled professionals. The event was attended by BAU's Director of Planning and Development Prof. Mohammad Musharraf Uddin Bhuiyan, HEAT Project Regional Coordinator Md. Monabberur Rashid and faculty members from various departments. The project, funded by the HEAT-Academic Transformation Fund (ATF), aims to create a technology-driven environment to enhance research and hands-on training within the veterinary faculty.

Vice President of the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU), Md. Riazul Islam has alleged that Jagannath University (JnU) is facing discrimination at the University Grants Commission (UGC) due to the absence of any JnU faculty members there, claiming that a “syndicate” is operating the commission. He made the remarks during a meeting with campus journalists held at the conference room of the Marketing Department on Monday. Riazul Islam said, “There is a ‘syndicate’ working within the UGC. Only teachers from a single university are represented there. I cannot disclose many things openly, but we are facing numerous challenges. I seek the cooperation of journalists to help resolve these issues.”  He also noted that JnUCSU currently does not have an office to carry out its organizational activities, which is hampering their ability to perform official duties properly. Shibir-backed panel sweeps top posts in Jagannath University students’ union elections During the meeting, the JnUCSU Vice President and other elected representatives briefed journalists on their activities over the past 20 days. Replying to a question regarding the second campus, Riazul Islam said that work is underway with the UGC on the Detailed Project Proposal (DPP) for the second phase of the project, and efforts are being made to get it approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) before the national elections. 16,365 students enlisted as voter in Jagannath University’s student union polls He added that although no formal meeting has been held with the army, discussions have taken place with the university authorities regarding land filling for the construction of student halls. JnUCSU General Secretary Abdul Alim Arif, Assistant General Secretary Masud Rana, Education and Research Secretary Ibrahim Khalil, along with other representatives, were also present at the event.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has identified three fake foreign university branch campuses operating in the country and issued a warning to students against enrolling in them. The universities are: America World University, USA; Trinity University, USA; and the Spiritual Institute of New York. According to UGC, none of these universities have received approval from the government or the commission. Dr. Shamsul Arefin, Director of the Public Relations and Publications Department at UGC, said that the matter came to light when Bangladesh Commerce Bank Limited applied to the commission to verify certificates of two students from America World University and Trinity University. During the verification process, UGC discovered the operation of these unauthorized branch campuses. “The list of proposed universities submitted by the ministry to the commission does not include any project under these names,” Dr. Arefin added. UGC noted that various media reports indicate the presence of unapproved foreign university branches, tutorial centers, and study centers in Bangladesh. Most of these institutions operate without authorization, offering bachelor, master, MPH, MBA, MPhil, and PhD degrees, which are entirely illegal under the law. UGC takes initiative to address teacher shortage in public universities Students are paying money to receive certificates from these unauthorized universities and many have been defrauded. UGC has recently sent letters to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Education, and the Anti-Corruption Commission urging immediate action against these universities. Dr. Shamsul Arefin emphasized the need for effective measures to prevent further student exploitation.    

A total of 141 teachers and students from various departments of Islamic University in Kushtia have been selected to conduct research projects under the Bangladesh University Grants Commission for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Among the participants, 65 are teachers, 69 students, and 7 PhD researchers. IU acting registrar Professor M Manjurul Haque said on Friday that each research project would run for one year, and participants would receive financial support under the programme. Participants were selected from seven faculties of the university, he added. Selected teachers would receive between Tk 300,000 and 325,000, PhD researchers receive Tk 200,000, and students would receive Tk 50,000 to 60,000 for the projects.

The University Grants Commission Chairman Professor SMA Faiz has assured that all vacant teaching positions in public universities across the country will be filled as quickly as possible. He made the remarks while delivering the keynote speech at the first day of the two-day fresher orientation programme for the 2024-2025 academic session held at Birshreshtha Hamidur Rahman Auditorium of Islamic University in Kushtia on Saturday. 'Universities are facing severe teacher shortages. We will hold a meeting in the coming days and make every effort to approve the vacant positions. I will do everything possible for Islamic University and other universities. A dedicated team is already working on this plan, he said. Presided over by the university vice-chancellor, Professor Nakib Muhammad Nasrullah, IU pro-vice-chancellor Professor M Yeaqub Ali and treasurer Professor M Jahangir Alam were present here as the special guests. IU Arabic Language and Literature department Professor M Rafiqul Islam and Social Welfare department lecturer M Habibur Rahman jointly conducted the event while the event convener and Social Sciences faculty dean Professor Begum Roksana Mili delivered welcome speech. Addressing the freshmen, Dr. Faiz recalled, 'In 2012, two students of Islamic University went missing. That reflected the political reality of the past sixteen years. We could not liberate the country, but the students of today have taken on that responsibility. I am grateful to you all for your courage in defending our freedom.' Among others, IU acting registrar Professor M Manjurul Haque, Law faculty dean Professor Khandakar Tauhidul Alam, Biological Sciences faculty dean Professor Babli Sabina Azhar, student adviser Professor Obaidul Islam, and proctor Professor Shahinuzzaman were present on the occasion. Later, a cultural function participated by teachers and students of different departments of the university was held there.

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof SM A Faiez on Tuesday assured that Jagannath University (JnU) students will receive their supplementary grants by January. He gave the assurance while meeting with a delegation of JnU unit Islami Chhatra Shibir, led by its President Riazul Islam and General Secretary Abdul Alim Arif, at the UGC office in the afternoon. The UGC chairman said the scholarship will be disbursed in two phases, one part from the Finance Ministry and the other from UGC. Later in the evening, JnU Vice-Chancellor Prof Rezual Karim visited the students who are on hunger strike and told them that the scholarship money will reach their hands by January. “Collection of necessary documents will be completed by October. Since the Finance Committee (FC) has already cleared the process, there is no further obstacle now,” he said. After the meeting, JnU Shibir President Riazul Islam said the UGC chairman assured them that the students will get the scholarships by October, though in two phases. “We trust the UGC, but we want to see the money in students’ hands by October. We won’t accept any delay or excuse,” he added. The meeting was also attended by UGC member Prof Tajnimuddin Khan and JnU Shibir leaders including Secretary Abdul Alim Arif, Organising Secretary Mohammad Jahed, Office Secretary Ibrahim Khalil, Finance Secretary Mostafizur Rahman and Student Welfare Secretary Mohammad Faruk.

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr. SMA Faiz has assured that complete transparency and accountability are being maintained in the evaluation of sub-projects under the ongoing Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project. He made the remarks during a press conference held at the UGC auditorium on Tuesday, where details were shared regarding the sub-project selection process and the upcoming agreement signing with universities for project implementation. Prof Faiz said the UGC has taken every necessary initiative to ensure transparency in evaluating the sub-projects. He said that he has personally monitored each step of the process to ensure fairness and uphold institutional integrity. Referring to his own professional record, he said, "Before joining the UGC, I have honestly and sincerely fulfilled my duties as the Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University and the Chairman of the Public Service Commission. I will not want the honor earned in my long service life to be destroyed for any reason." He welcomed constructive criticism from the media and stakeholders in higher education, encouraging active engagement in ensuring accountability. Addressing concerns of political bias or favoritism in the selection process, Professor Faiz clarified that there is no opportunity for individuals to submit sub-project proposals directly. All proposals must be submitted through the respective university’s academic committee and with the approval of its vice-chancellor. As such, the UGC does not have the jurisdiction to consider the political affiliations of the applicants. He emphasised that the evaluation process was conducted by impartial reviewers, consisting of qualified teachers and researchers from universities across the country. He added that national interest and academic merit were prioritied in the selection of sub-projects. UGC members Professor Dr. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, Professor Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Professor Dr. Md. Saidur Rahman, Professor Dr. Machuma Habib, and Professor Dr. Mohammad Ayub Islam were also present. HEAT Project Director Professor Dr. Asaduzzaman highlighted the progress of the project and elaborated on the selection procedure. Director of the Public Relations and Publications Department Dr. Shamsul Arefin moderated the event, which was also attended by UGC Secretary Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam, along with department heads and officials involved in the HEAT project. China’s cooperation significantly contributes to education sector: UGC Chairman On Wednesday, August 27, the UGC is scheduled to sign agreements with various universities for the implementation of 151 selected sub-projects under the HEAT project. The five-year HEAT project, aimed at enhancing the quality of higher education in Bangladesh, is estimated to cost over Tk 4,000 crore. The government of Bangladesh will cover 50.96 percent of the project cost, while the remaining 49.4 percent will be funded by the World Bank. The project is designed to address key challenges in higher education by modernizing curriculum to meet market demand, improving digital connectivity across institutions, building teacher training infrastructure, enhancing the capacity of the Bangladesh Research and Education Network (BDREN), supporting the Bangladesh Accreditation Council, and promoting innovation and competitive research in universities across the country. Prof Faiz reaffirmed that the UGC remains committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency and national interest throughout the project's implementation.

Professor Dr. SMA Faiz, Chairman of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC), stated that China continues to play a vital role in Bangladesh's education development. The relationship between Bangladesh and China is not only long-standing but also built on trust, mutual respect, and cooperation, he noted. He made these remarks on Monday while speaking as the chief guest at a reception ceremony for students who have received scholarships from the Chinese government. The event was organized by the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka and the Association of Bangladesh China Alumni (ABCA) at a hotel in Dhaka. Professor Faiz highlighted that China has consistently supported Bangladesh's development, particularly in the education sector, which has been instrumental in modernizing and improving the quality of the country's education system. China's ongoing cooperation and investment have been highly fruitful in Bangladesh’s economic development, infrastructure construction, and human resource development, he opined. He expressed his firm belief that the relationship between the two countries will deepen in the future, with cooperation expanding into various fields, including education, research, technology, and culture, which will bring greater benefits to the people of both nations. Dhaka University symbolises our national identity: UGC Chairman Mr. Li Saoping, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, spoke as a special guest at the event. The programme was chaired by Professor Dr. Md. Shahabul Haque, General Secretary of the Association of Bangladesh China Alumni (ABCA) and a professor in the Department of Political Studies at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology. During the event, Najmul Haque Himel, who successfully crossed the English Channel this year, was also honored. He was presented with a crest and an Achievement Award Certificate. Among others spoke in the programme Professor Dr. Rakibul Haque, vice president of ABCA and professor in the Department of Management Information Systems at Dhaka University, Dr. Kawsar Swapan, joint secretary and managing director of life long hospital, Maruf Hasan, joint secretary and PhD researcher at Wuhan University, Jannatun Nahar, social welfare secretary and Chinese language teacher at the IML of Dhaka University, Nilambar, Cultural Attaché of the Chinese Embassy.

Recalling the rich contribution of Dhaka University (DU) to build the nation, University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Dr. SMA Faiz on Tuesday said that DU is not just an educational institution but a symbol of the nation’s identity, the root of its civilisation and the epicentre of its struggle for independence. He made the remarks while presenting the keynote paper at a discussion held at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) auditorium of the university, marking Dhaka University Day. “The theme of today’s celebration—‘Building an Inclusive and Inequality-Free Society: Dhaka University’s Commitment’—is not just a slogan. It reflects our consciousness, our moral responsibility and the promise that lies ahead of us,” the UGC chairman said. He said the DU itself was born out of the need to eliminate discrimination and its greatest achievement is its inclusive character where rich and poor, urban and rural, men and women, majority and minorities — all have received equal dignity. “Every voice matters here and every dream has the right to be pursued,” he said. Dhaka University unveils budget for FY 2025-26 Speaking at the event, DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan warned that any attempt to stand the country’s historic movements against each other will be resisted. “The Language Movement, the Liberation War, the 1969 Mass Uprising, the anti-autocracy movement of the 1990s, and the recent student movements — all these struggles complement each other. They are our pride, they are part of our identity,” he said. The VC stressed that along with playing a significant political role in the nation's history, the university has the responsibility to ensure quality education. “Those who sacrificed their lives in the mass uprisings left a responsibility on our shoulders—to ensure an environment conducive to learning, and to maintain a strong bond of trust and cooperation between teachers and students,” he added.