United News of Bangladesh

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has launched a bus tracking system on Thursday to make student transportation easier. The ‘SUST Bus Tracking System’ app was officially inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A M Sarwaruddin Chowdhury at 11 am on a trial basis. The app was developed by Saifur Rahman and his team from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (2020-21 session) of the university. Nomination collection for SUSTCSU polls begins Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md Sajedul Karim, Treasurer Prof. Dr. Md Ismail Hossain, Transport Administrator Prof. A F M Zakaria, Additional Director of ICT Cell Prof. Dr. Pabel Shahriar, Registrar Syed Shalim Mohammad Abdul Qadir, College Inspector (Acting) Md Yunus Ali, Additional Accounts Director Md Murshed Ahmed, Superintending Engineer of the Transport Department Emran Ahmed Chowdhury, VC Secretary and Additional Registrar Dr. A F M Salauddin, Additional Accounts Director Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem Talukdar also graced the ceremony. Through the app, students can track the live location of buses and also check bus stops and route information.    

A total of 251 candidates collected nomination papers in three days for the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Central Students’ Union (SUCSU) and hall union elections, the election commission said on Thursday. Professor Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, spokesperson for the election commission, said the distribution of nomination papers concluded today. On the first day, December 2, 26 papers were collected for the central union and 20 for the hall unions. On December 3, 58 papers were taken for the central union and 45 for hall unions. On the final day, December 4, 61 candidates collected papers for the central union and 41 for hall unions. In total, 145 papers were distributed for the central union and 106 for the hall unions. Of these, 72 were male and 34 were female candidates. Participation of female candidates was also seen in the central union election, with 15 women collecting nomination papers. Professor Dr. Nazrul Islam said, “The nomination process was completed peacefully and orderly. The number of candidates this year is encouraging, and female participation is also noteworthy.” After nearly 28 years, elections will be held for 23 central union posts and nine hall union posts. The voting is scheduled for January 20.

Several UK universities have suspended or restricted applications from Bangladesh and Pakistan, citing concerns over visa abuses and new Home Office rules. At least nine institutions have altered their recruitment policies, following a rise in international student asylum claims that prompted warnings from Border Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle about misuse of the student visa system as a backdoor to UK residency, reports Financial Times. The University of Chester, for example, has halted recruitment from Pakistan until autumn 2026 due to “a recent and unexpected rise in visa refusals.” The University of Wolverhampton is not accepting undergraduate applications from Bangladesh and Pakistan, while the University of East London has suspended recruitment from Pakistan. Sunderland and Coventry universities have also paused applications from both countries. Sunderland defended its approach, stating it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the student visa system. The recruitment restrictions come after the Home Office tightened Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) thresholds in September 2025. Universities must now keep visa refusal rates below 5 percent, down from 10 percent previously. Bangladesh and Pakistan had average refusal rates of 18 and 22 percent, respectively, in the year to September 2025. Combined, these two countries accounted for nearly half of the 23,036 student visa rejections. Other universities affected include Hertfordshire, Glasgow Caledonian, Oxford Brookes, BPP University, and London Metropolitan University, all citing visa processing delays, compliance pressures, or risk mitigation as reasons for suspending recruitment. Many lower-fee universities, heavily reliant on international students, face a dilemma as even a few non-compliant cases could jeopardize their sponsor licences. Education agents and advocates have criticized the move for harming genuine students. Maryem Abbas, founder of Edvance Advisors, said the suspensions leave legitimate applicants stranded and highlight the profit-driven nature of some overseas recruitment agencies. Universities UK International has urged institutions to diversify intakes, improve application scrutiny, and adjust deposit policies to comply with the stricter rules. The Home Office emphasized that the reforms aim to ensure only genuine students enter the UK while holding education providers accountable. The crackdown is part of a broader effort to curb net migration, which is at a four-year low, while preserving the credibility of the UK’s student visa system.

Rajshahi University (RU) has taken disciplinary action against three teachers and five students following allegations of sexual harassment and other forms of misconduct. The decisions were approved at the university’s 544th syndicate meeting and took immediate effect, according to a notice issued by the Public Relations Office late Wednesday. Associate Professor Anik Krishna Karmakar of the Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering has been suspended for three years and barred from taking part in any examination-related activities for the next ten years. He was initially suspended on February 17 this year after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced, prompting the formation of an inquiry committee. The syndicate finalised its decision based on the committee’s report. Meanwhile, Prof Prabhash Kumar Karmakar of the Statistics Department and Associate Prof Mohammad Hedayet Ullah of the Finance Department have been temporarily suspended. A further probe body will review their cases before final decisions are made, said Prof Akhtar Hossain Majumdar, administrator of the university’s Public Relations Office. The action against Prof Prabhash follows student protests on August 13 demanding his expulsion over sexual harassment allegations, after which the university formed an investigation committee on August 17. Of the five students found guilty, studentship of two has been cancelled, one has been expelled, and two others have been suspended for one year. The university did not publish their names as the list includes female students, Prof Majumdar added.

The results of the O’ and A’ Level June 2025 examination series have been published, with Ariz Anas, an A Level student of South Point School & College’s English Medium section in Malibagh, earning the prestigious ‘Top in the World’ award for securing the highest global marks in Mathematics. Ariz, who also has a strong passion for Biology, previously won the ‘Champion of the Champions’ title twice at the National Biology Olympiad. He represented the institution at the International Biology Olympiad in the United Arab Emirates in 2023, where he received a Merit Award, and went on to win a Bronze Medal at the 2025 International Biology Olympiad in the Philippines, says a press release on Wednesday evening. Following these achievements, he paid a courtesy call on the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh. Colonel Md. Shamsul Alam (Retd.), Principal of the Malibagh campus, said Ariz’s pleasant manner and positive attitude make him a source of inspiration for junior students. He extended his best wishes for Ariz’s future success. The institution has also demonstrated strong overall performance. The Cambridge Learner Awards, also known as the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards, honor exceptional academic achievements across Cambridge qualification examinations, including the highest marks globally in various subjects. The ‘Top in the World’ category is awarded to students who achieve the highest score worldwide in a specific subject. South Point School & College, which began its journey in 2002 in Gulshan with 200 students, now accommodates 18,000 students across its campuses. The institution operates under the patronage of Engineer M. A. Rashid, Chairman of Karnaphuli Shipbuilders Ltd., and the supervision of Mrs. Hamida Ali, former Principal of Viqarunnisa Noon College.

The appointed Election Commission has postponed all activities related to the Begum Rokeya University Central Students’ Union (BRUCSU) and Hall Parliament elections due to major errors and inconsistencies in the voter list. The decision was announced at a press briefing in front of the university’s administrative building around 5pm on Monday. According to the schedule, distribution of nomination papers began on Sunday (November 30) and ended at 4pm on Monday. The postponement was declared shortly after the distribution closed. Chief Election Commissioner Dr Md Shahzaman, along with Election Commissioners Md Amir Sharif, Md Masud Rana, Dr Mohsina Ahsan, Md Hasan Ali and Dr Pradeep Kumar Sarkar, were present. At the briefing, Election Commissioner Dr Mohsina Ahsan said all activities, including the distribution of nomination papers, have been suspended until the hall-based voter list is corrected. She said the commission found serious discrepancies, incorrect information, and incomplete documents in the voter list and hall attachment records provided by the university registrar. “Continuing the nomination process based on an incorrect and inconsistent voter list would compromise the fairness, transparency, and acceptability of the election,” she said. She added that such errors could cause legal complications for candidates. The commission also questioned whether the inaccurate information was sent intentionally to undermine the Election Commission and called on the university authorities to investigate if any officials acted with ill intent. The commission further stated it would “not bow to pressure” and would not proceed until accurate documents are provided. University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Shawkat Ali described the errors in the voter list as “undesirable” and said those responsible would be held accountable. However, he noted that it might have been better if the Election Commission had continued the election process without suspending it.

Dhaka University has decided to launch online classes from tomorrow in order to keep academic activities running smoothly at all levels. The information was shared in a press release issued by the university’s Public Relations Office on Saturday. According to the press release, department chairpersons and institute directors, in coordination with the respective deans, will begin online classes in their respective departments and institutes. Online classes will continue until further notice. In addition, regarding the renovation of buildings damaged by the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, a decision on the winter vacation will be announced later based on the recommendations of the inspection team formed with engineers. The university authorities have requested everyone concerned to cooperate in ensuring the uninterrupted continuation of academic activities. It is to be noted that, considering the mental well-being of students following the post-earthquake situation and for inspecting and repairing vulnerable buildings, all academic activities of the university were suspended from November 22 to December 6.

Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) authorities have suspended a student for stabbing a fellow student over a dispute regarding street painting and stall locations for the first-year admission test. The accused, Kazi Sadiq Mahmud, is a student in the Civil Engineering Department of the 24th batch. A three-member committee has been formed to probe the incident. According to the university administration, the incident occurred around 3:00 pm on Thursday when a scuffle broke out between Kazi Sadiq Mahmud and Md. Zahirul Islam of the Leather Engineering Department, over the selection of street painting and stall locations near KUET’s main gate. During the altercation, Mahmud stabbed Zahirul Islam on the left side of his stomach with a cutter. Zahirul Islam was immediately taken to the university medical center by his classmates. After initial treatment, he was admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital and is currently receiving treatment there. Following the incident, KUET Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Maqsud Helali convened an emergency meeting at 6:00 pm with the university’s dean, institute director, hall provost, student welfare director, department heads, and security committee members. The meeting decided to suspend Kazi Sadiq Mahmud and ensure full coverage of the injured student’s medical expenses, provide proper treatment, and strengthen 24-hour campus security. Final action will be taken according to university regulations after the investigation report is received. In a separate notification, all street painting and stall-related activities have been suspended until further notice to ensure student safety.

The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) on Wednesday (November 26) published the circular for the 50th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination, announcing 2,150 vacancies in total. Of these, 1,755 posts are allocated for different cadres while 395 are reserved for non-cadre positions. According to the notification, applications for the 50th BCS will open on December 4 and remain available until December 31. The preliminary examination is scheduled for January 30 with results expected on February 10. Read more: Youth held in Dinajpur over BCS question paper leak Candidates who qualify will sit for the written examination starting April 9 and the written results are set to be published on July 30. The viva-voce will begin on August 10 and the final results are slated for release on November 25, reads the notification.

At least five candidates for the 47th BCS written exam were injured in a clash with police when they tried to march towards the Jamuna in Dhaka on Tuesday evening. The injured are Md. Shahin, 28, Ashikur Rahman, 29, Shakil Ahmed, 28, Riaz, 27, and Abrar Shahriar Ullas, 28. All the injured are undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Injured Shakil told reporters that the BCS preliminary exam results were published in September. However, the authorities announced the written exam date without giving sufficient preparation time. “For the past month, we have been protesting in Shahbagh demanding a rescheduling of the written exam. We had requested Dr. Asif Nazrul, our Law Adviser, to ensure the exam is held on December 28. Instead, the authorities set the date for November 27. When we tried to move toward Jamuna today, police used baton charge, sound grenades, and water cannons,” he said. Shakil also said that several candidates sustained head injuries, with Shahin requiring ten stitches. Another candidate was seriously injured and admitted to the ICU of DMCH. Usually candidates get at least 240 days to prepare for the written exam after the preliminary results. Some previous exams even allowed a 14-month preparation period. But they are now denied sufficient time and faced police violence instead, he said. Inspector Md. Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, said that the injured candidates were brought to the hospital emergency department and are currently receiving treatment.