United News of Bangladesh

Jahangirnagar University (JU) has published the results of the 2025–26 academic year admission test for the first-year undergraduate (honours) batch-55 ‘A’ unit, which includes the Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences and the Institute of Information Technology. The results were released Tuesday on the university’s official admission website. According to university sources, a total of 60,351 candidates applied for 426 seats in the ‘A’ unit this year, meaning an average of nearly 140 students competed for a single seat. The JU administration said detailed information regarding the admission process and results can be accessed at the university’s admission portal: ‘ju-admission.org’. The first-year undergraduate (honours) admission tests for the 2025–26 academic year started on December 21 and concluded on December 29.

Jahangirnagar University (JU) has announced a one-day general holiday and will keep the national flag at half-mast for three days following the death of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The decision was announced in a press release signed by Acting Registrar ABM Azizur Rahman on Tuesday. According to the release, in line with the government’s declaration, all classes and examinations at the university will remain suspended on Wednesday (December 31). All administrative offices will also remain closed on the day. The press release further said that the Government of Bangladesh has declared a three-day state mourning from December 31 to January 2 over the demise of the former prime minister. As part of the observance, the national flag will be flown at half-mast across the Jahangirnagar University campus during the mourning period. In addition, special prayers will be offered for the salvation of her departed soul. A doa mahfil will be held at all mosques on the campus after Jumma prayers on Friday (January 2). Special prayers will also be arranged at other religious places of worship seeking eternal peace for the deceased. Khaleda Zia passed away at 6:00am on Tuesday (December 30) while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital.

Candidates will not be allowed to enter any polling center other than their own. Even after casting their vote, a candidate will not be permitted to re-enter their designated center, said the Election Commission of the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) and Hall Students’ Union Election 2025. The information was disclosed on Monday night at a press conference organized by the Election Commission at Jagannath University, where Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. Mostafa Hasan briefed the media. He further said that all preparations for conducting the election have been completed. With the cooperation of all concerned, he expressed optimism that a transparent, orderly, acceptable, and historic election would be held. According to him, voting will take place uninterrupted from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday. However, voters who enter the polling center and its perimeter before 3:00 p.m. will be allowed to cast their votes. Read more: Long-cherished JnUCSU Election on Tuesday As per Election Commission data, a total of 16,645 voters will exercise their franchise at 38 polling centers in the JnUCSU election. In addition, 1,242 voters will vote at a single polling center for the hall students’ union election. The Chief Election Commissioner said that votes will be counted separately at each center after polling ends. The respective returning officer will announce the results immediately at the center. Later, after consolidating results from all centers, the Election Commission will announce the final results. A total of six machines will be used for vote counting. To ensure transparency and security, a three-tier security system will be enforced across the campus, he said. The entire university campus and all polling centers have been brought under CCTV surveillance. Moreover, live broadcasting of vote counting will be arranged through three digital boards across the campus and surrounding areas, as well as on the social media platform Facebook. He also stated that voters whose ID cards have expired will be able to vote by accessing the voter list and collecting their voter ID via QR code scan on mobile phones or as a printed copy. The voter list will be photo-based. The Election Commission further informed that indelible ink will be used at polling centers. Ballot papers will be supplied department-wise in the morning. Students will vote only in the department where they are registered as voters. The ballot papers will contain special security codes. Read more: Election season kicks off in Bangladesh; 2,582 candidates submitted nomination papers It was also announced at the press conference that a ‘mock test’ was completed on Monday ahead of the election, in which around 30 candidates participated. No extra ballots have been printed. After casting their votes, voters must leave the campus. Only candidates and valid cardholders will be allowed to remain on campus. Those present at the press conference included Election Commissioners Professor Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam, Professor Dr. Kaniz Fatema Kakoli, Professor Dr. Zulfikar Mahmud, and Dr. Md. Anisur Rahman. Also present were Director of the ICT Cell Professor Dr. Mohammad Nasir Uddin and PRIP Director Dr. Muhammad Anwarus Salam.

The Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) and Hall Students’ Union elections will be held on Tuesday (December 30, 2025). Voting will start at 9:00 am and continue until 3:00 pm without any break. A total of 16,500 students are expected to exercise their voting rights at 178 booths across 39 polling centers. Ballot papers will be distributed to the polling centers in the morning before voting begins. Votes will be counted using digital OMR machines. To ensure security, CCTV cameras have been installed at every polling center. Read more: Candidates not allowed to enter any center other than their own: JnUCSU Election Commission Ahead of the election, the university administration has strengthened security in and around the Jagannath University campus. Alongside law enforcement personnel, intelligence officers have also been seen on duty. A police control room has been set up at Victoria Park in front of the university. Meanwhile, to ensure campus security, a separate notice issued by the Registrar’s Office instructed all students to vacate the campus by 3:30 pm on Monday. It was also announced that all buses operating under the university transport pool would depart 15 minutes earlier than scheduled. Officers and teachers assigned election duties have been directed to perform their responsibilities in accordance with the Election Commission’s guidelines. Faisal Ahmed, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kotwali Police Station, said there is no security concerns surrounding the elections. “We have taken all necessary preparations. Special forces are on standby around the campus, and CCTV cameras have been installed at various important points for round-the-clock surveillance,” he added. Election Commissioner Professor Dr. Zulfikar Mahmud said that all preparations related to the election have been completed. “Responsibilities have been assigned to teachers and officials for election duties. We hope the election will be held smoothly with everyone’s participation,” he added. Jagannath University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim said, “The JnUCSU election will definitely be held. The ministry has sought some information from me regarding security matters. Overall, I am optimistic that the election will be conducted in a very fair and festive environment.” Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal-backed VP candidate AKM Rakib said, “Tomorrow (Tuesday) is our long-cherished election, for which we have been continuing movements and struggles for a long time. We have stood by the students in the past and will continue to do so in the future. We hope for a good election in a festive atmosphere.” Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed VP candidate Riazul Islam said, “Students are spontaneously participating in our campaign. Just as talented students in other campuses across Bangladesh have placed their trust in Shibir, we are hopeful that the same trust will be reflected in the JnUCSU election.” Chhatra Shakti-backed Oikjoboddho Jobiyan panel’s VP candidate Kishor Samya said, “The Election Commission is merely a nominal commission. This commission could not resolve even a single violation of the code of conduct. We call upon students to vote against oppression.” JnUCSU election: Students asked to vacate campus by 3:30pm According to the list published on the website, there are 4 candidates for the Liberation War and Democracy position, 9 for Education and Research, 5 for Science and Technology Editor, 5 for Health and Environment Editor, 4 for Law and Human Rights Editor, 8 for International Affairs Editor, 7 for Literature and Culture Editor, 7 for Sports Editor, 4 for Transport Editor, 10 for Social Service and Student Welfare Editor, 7 for Library and Seminar Editor, and 57 candidates contesting 7 general member positions. In the women’s hall, for 13 positions, the preliminary list includes 3 candidates for Vice-President (VP), 3 for General Secretary (GS), 2 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS), 2 for Literature and Publication Editor, 4 for Culture Editor, 2 for Library Editor, 2 for Sports Editor, 3 for Social Service and Student Welfare Editor, 4 for Health and Environment Editor, and 8 candidates contesting 4 general member positions in the hall parliament.

A delegation from Japan recently visited Sydney International School (SIS) and discussed educational development, international collaboration, and future expansion initiatives. The chairman and directors of the school welcomed the guests with flower bouquets and a school-branded crest, said a press release. During the visit, SIS Chairman Mynul Mridha briefed the delegation on the institution’s academic philosophy, growth, and long-term vision. He said the school is committed to providing quality international education and outlined plans to establish a new campus in Uttara to expand access to modern learning facilities. The visiting team included Motoyuki Odachi, chief operating officer of Cipher Core Co Ltd and former vice minister of finance of Japan; Apple Mahmud, chairman of Apple Corporation Ltd (Japan); Takatoshi Nakamura; Md Mehedul Islam; and architect Ahmed Imtiaz Khan, partner at 4 Walls Inside Outside. Both sides exchanged views on educational infrastructure, international best practices, and the potential for collaboration in developing future-ready campuses. Participants expressed optimism about strengthening education-focused partnerships between Bangladesh and Japan. SIS officials said such international engagements help broaden students’ global perspectives and support sustainable institutional growth.

The Jagannath University administration has asked general students to vacate the campus by 3:30pm on Monday for the university’s Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) and Hall Students’ Union elections. The directive was issued through an emergency notice signed by the university’s Acting Registrar Professor Dr Md Sheikh Gias Uddin. According to the notice, to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls maintain discipline on campus and ensure overall security, all students have been instructed to leave the campus by 3:30pm on December 29, it said. Voting in the JnUCSU and Hall Students’ Union elections is scheduled to be held on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Education on Sunday published the holiday list and academic calendar for government and non-government secondary and junior secondary schools for the 2026 academic year, showing a reduction in the number of holidays. According to the calendar, educational institutions will remain closed for 64 days in 2026, which is 12 days fewer than the previous year. In 2025, the total number of holidays was 76. The notification, signed by Sabina Yasmin, Deputy Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, was issued on Sunday. The gazette states that schools will remain open for nearly half of the holy month of Ramadan in 2026. Major holidays include 19 days off from March 8 to March 26 on the occasions of the holy month of Ramadan, Sri Sri Harichand Thakur’s advent, Shab-e-Qadr, Jumatul Bida, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Independence and National Day. Institutions will observe 12 days of closure from May 24 to June 4 for Eid-ul-Azha and summer vacation, five days from October 18 to 22 for Durga Puja, and 10 days from December 20 to 29 for winter vacation and Christmas. According to the schedule, half-yearly or pre-test examinations will be held between June 26 and July 10, with results to be published on July 29. Test examinations will take place from October 29 to November 10, with results on November 18. Annual examinations are scheduled to conclude between November 19 and December 6, with results to be published on December 30. The Junior Scholarship Examination will be held from December 15 to 20, and results will also be published on December 30. The academic year will run from January 1 to December 31, the notification added.

More than 75,000 students have applied online to sit for the first-year, first-semester undergraduate admission tests of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) for the 2025–26 academic session. Member Secretary of the Admission Committee Prof Dr Mohammad Selim confirmed that a total of 75,023 applicants submitted their applications before the deadline, which ended at 11:59 pm on Thursday (Dec 26). The applications were received for A, B and A2 (sub-unit for Architecture) units. According to the admission committee, the entrance examination for Unit A will be held on January 13, while the test for Unit B is scheduled for January 14. The examinations will take place at designated centres in Sylhet and the capital, Dhaka. SUST launches bus tracking system for students As per the admission guidelines, merit lists will be prepared out of a total of 100 marks. The score will be calculated based on the marks obtained in the admission test (out of 80). For HSC 2025 candidates, the combined GPA of SSC and HSC examinations will be multiplied by two, while for HSC 2024 candidates, the combined GPA will be multiplied by 1.6. This year, SUST will admit students to a total of 1,566 seats—985 seats under Unit A and 581 seats under Unit B. In addition, 77 seats have been reserved under five quota categories, including ethnic merit (28), disability merit (14), tea-labour merit (5), sports merit (10) and SUST community merit (20).    

Just one day before the end of campaigning for the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) election, allegations have surfaced that 40,000 leaflets of the leftist “Maulana Bhasani Brigade” panel were stolen. The panel leaders made the allegation at a press conference held at 3:30 pm on Friday (26 December). Amrin Jahan Opi, the panel’s candidate for Social Welfare and Student Affairs Secretary, said, “Yesterday at noon, 40,000 campaign leaflets of our 21 candidates went missing. At that time, we did not receive any satisfactory response from the university administration. Later, we came to know that the leaflets were taken away by cleaning staff in the name of cleaning.” GS candidate Ivan Tahseeb said, “Yesterday, our 40,000 leaflets were stolen from in front of the staircase of the Abakash Building. Although we managed to recover a portion of them, the campaign materials of several candidates are still missing. We demand compensation for this incident and call for punishment of those involved, following a proper investigation.” VP candidate Gourab Bhowmik said, “The cleaning staff who took our leaflets are claiming that since the campaign period was over, they sold them. However, we have seen that no leaflets of any other panel were stolen. We demand the administration to take appropriate action.” Demand for Manual Voting: At the press conference, the Maulana Bhasani Brigade also demanded that voting be conducted through a manual system. In this regard, the panel’s AGS candidate Shamsul Alam Maruf said, “In previous student union elections, we have seen allegations of election manufacturing. Moreover, the Election Commission has failed to provide any clear explanation on how the machine would read ballots if voters mark the cross symbol more than once. Therefore, we demand that voting be held through a manual system.”

Jahangirnagar University has published the admission test results of the D unit under the Faculty of Biological Sciences for first-year undergraduate Honours students of the 55th batch. The overall pass rate stands at 39.10 percent. The results were published on Thursday night on the university’s admission test website. University sources said a total of 22,671 candidates passed the D unit test. Of them, 8,237 were male students and 14,434 were female students. Dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences Professor Mohammad Mafruhi Sattar said female participation in the D unit admission test was comparatively higher. He said 33,491 female candidates appeared in the test, of whom 14,434 passed, making the female pass rate 43.10 percent. On the other hand, 8,237 out of 24,491 male candidates passed, with a pass rate of 33.63 percent. According to the admission office, the total number of seats in the D unit under the Faculty of Biological Sciences is 310. Of these, 155 seats are reserved for male students and the same number for female students. A total of 70,221 candidates appeared in the D unit admission test. University authorities said detailed information and results related to the admission test are available on the university’s admission website ju-admission.org. The admission tests for first-year undergraduate Honours programmes at Jahangirnagar University for the 2025–26 academic year began on December 21 and will continue until December 29.