United News of Bangladesh

Ahead of the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) and hall union elections, the Jagannath University Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Odhikar supported panel “Oikyoboddho Nirbheek Jobiyan” has announced a 13-point manifesto, prioritizing the assurance of hygienic food and the resolution of the accommodation crisis. The manifesto was unveiled at a press conference held at around 3:00 pm on Tuesday (December 23) in front of the Language Martyr Rafiq Building on campus. The panel’s Vice President (VP) candidate, AKM Rakib, read out the manifesto, while other candidates of the panel presented its various points sequentially. The 13-point manifesto of the Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Odhikar backed panel includes: ensuring a democratic and secure campus; short-term and long-term solutions to the accommodation crisis; renovation, expansion, modernization of the main campus infrastructure and the speedy completion of the second campus construction; improvement and expansion of transportation and commuting facilities; ensuring hygienic and nutritious food; guaranteeing quality healthcare services and health insurance; enhancing the quality of education and research; ensuring harassment-free and faster administrative services; job creation, career development, and strengthening professional networking; expansion of sports and cultural activities; protection of women students’ rights; waste management, environmental protection, and greenery development; and special initiatives for financially disadvantaged and students with special needs. JnUCSU Election: Ballot numbers of candidates published Additionally, at the press conference, three independent VP candidates announced their withdrawal from the election in support of AKM Rakib. They are Chandan Kumar Das, Rakib Hasan, and Mashruf Ahmed. Speaking at the event, they stated that there is no place for disunity in the struggle to protect the rights of Jobiyan students. Therefore, in the greater interest and with the aim of presenting strong leadership, they decided to withdraw their candidacies. They also announced their full support for Rakib, the VP candidate of the “Oikyoboddho Nirbheek Jobiyan” panel. Other candidates of the “Oikyoboddho Nirbheek Jobiyan” panel were also present at the press conference.  

Jahangirnagar University (JU) has published the results of the 2025–2026 academic year undergraduate (honours) first-year admission tests for the ‘B’, ‘C’, and ‘E’ units, on Tuesday afternoon. The results were released through a notice on the university’s official website. According to the notice, the results have been prepared based on a shift-wise merit list. Following previous years’ practice, admissions and migration processes will be conducted according to shift-based merit rankings derived from the published results, it said . The university administration also stated that detailed information regarding the admission tests and results can be accessed on JU’s admission portal at ‘ju-admission.org’. The 2025–2026 first-year undergraduate admission tests at JU began on December 21 and will continue until December 29.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice-President Abu Shadik Kayem has declined government-provided gunman support, saying security should be ensured for all citizens, not just a few individuals. In a Facebook post on Monday night, Kayem said the government had recently decided to provide gunmen to student leaders of the July uprising, leaders of various political parties and media personalities. He said he was informed about the decision but chose not to accept the offer for himself. Following the fall of the Hasina government, Kayem said people expected visible and fair changes in the country’s overall security system. However, he claimed that public security continues to be disrupted due to the ineffective role of law enforcement agencies and the direct or indirect support of what he termed fascist forces within various institutions. He said if law enforcement agencies were effectively activated and criminals brought to justice, public concern over security would not be so acute. Referring to recent incidents, Kayem said that while top criminals are released on bail and roam freely, leaders such as Osman Hadi have been killed and the perpetrators remain at large. “At the same time, there are proposals to provide gunmen for personal security. I am reluctant to accept this reality,” he wrote. Kayem acknowledged that security is necessary for everyone but stressed that it should not be limited to select individuals or groups. “Our demand is to build a safe and just Bangladesh for all,” he said. Bangladesh provides gunmen for 20 individuals on hit lists He added that as long as students and the general public remain unsafe, he does not consider it appropriate to accept gunman support solely for personal protection. Earlier today, Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the interim government of Bangladesh has assigned gunmen to 20 individuals who were on alleged hit lists doing the rounds and facing security risks. “Those who are on hit lists or concerned about their security have already been given gunmen,” he told reporters after a meeting on the law and order situation at the secretariat.  

Dhaka University (DU) has confirmed that none of its buildings are structurally at risk and regular academic activities will resume from December 28. “Considering students’ safety and mental well-being after the recent earthquakes, we quickly formed an expert committee. The committee’s report did not identify any major structural risks anywhere,” said Prof Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, yreasurer of the university and Chairman of the post-earthquake monitoring committee, on Monday. He provided an update on renovation and repair works at a press briefing in the university’s Professor Abdul Matin Virtual Classroom. He said that after completing all necessary technical inspections the buildings have been deemed safe for students and renovation work is ongoing in a few buildings. Earlier, all academic activities were suspended on November 22 to inspect and repair vulnerable buildings and students were asked to vacate their halls. The winter vacation was subsequently scheduled from December 6 to December 28.

Leaders of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), along with students, seized the Vice-Chancellor’s Office on Sunday, demanding the renaming of two residential halls of Dhaka University (DU) and immediate administrative action against teachers, officials and employees accused of supporting the massacre by government agencies during the The protesters demanded that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall be renamed “Shaheed Osman Hadi Hall” and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall be renamed “Bir Protik Sitara Begum Hall.” In this regard, they submitted a memorandum to the university’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Admin), Professor Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha. DUCSU Vice-President Shadik Kayem and other leaders along with students and hall union leaders, participated in the demonstration. Speaking at the programme, Shadik Kayem said, “The first demand we have brought today is that all name on the university campus that stand as icons of fascism must be changed immediately. We have already received students’ opinions.” He added that students have proposed renaming Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall after July fighter Sharif Osman Hadi, and that signatures are being collected from students to submit this demand formally to the administration. Similarly, students have expressed their support for renaming Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall as ‘Bir Protik Sitara Begum Hall.’ He alleged that collaborators of fascism are still conspiring while sitting in the registrar’s building, adding, “We will not make any more compromises.” Earlier, students of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall reportedly removed the hall’s nameplate last night and wrote ‘Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi Hall’ in its place.

Dhaka University has announced that the postponed admission test of the Science Unit (Ka unit) for the 2025–26 academic year will be held on December 27. The information was disclosed in a press release issued by the university’s Public Relations Office on Sunday. The release said Science Unit applicants from outside Dhaka who have admission tests at other universities in the capital on December 26 and 27 and therefore require a change of exam centre may apply online for a centre change within Dhaka. Applications can be submitted through the website admission.eis.du.ac.bd from 5:00pm on December 21 until 12:00 midnight on December 23. Applicants must upload copies of their HSC registration card and the admit card of the concerned university’s admission test while submitting the online application. The admission test was originally scheduled for December 20 but was postponed as state mourning was observed that day over the death of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi after an assassination attempt.

The deadline for applying for admission to Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) for the 2025-26 academic year has been extended till December 25. The matter was confirmed in a notification signed by the Admission Committee President, Professor Md Ahmed Kabir Chowdhury, on Saturday. The notification said that in view of the current situation in the country and the requests of students and guardians, the application period for the 2025-26 academic year has been extended until 11:59 pm on December 25. The admission test for the 2025-26 academic year will be held on January 13 and 14 next year.

The undergraduate (Honours) first-year admission test of Jahangirnagar University (JU) for the 2025–26 academic session will begin on Sunday with the examination of ‘C’ unit. The university authorities have issued nine important instructions for candidates appearing in the admission test, Syed Mohammad Ali Reza, member secretary of the university’s Admission Management Committee and deputy registrar (education), said on Saturday evening. 1.      Candidates must fill in the OMR answer sheet properly using a black ballpoint pen. Any incorrectly filled OMR sheet will be considered invalid. The form must not be folded, torn, stained, stapled or pinned. 2.      Candidates are required to write their roll number, shift and question set code in English. Both the OMR sheet and question paper must be submitted to the invigilator at the end of the examination. 3.      Information regarding exam centre and seat can be found on the downloaded admit card. 4.      Candidates must reach the centre at least 10 minutes before the examination begins. 5.      No bags, books, mobile phones, watches, calculators or any electronic devices will be allowed inside the examination hall. A wall clock will be available in the hall for time management. 6.      Only candidates and concerned officials will be permitted to enter the examination centre. 7.      The results of the admission test will be published within seven days after the completion of the examination on the website: ju-admission.org. Jahangirnagar University suspends 16 students over ragging of freshmen 8.      Candidates must bring the original Secondary School Certificate (SSC) registration card along with the admission test admit card. 9.      As the JU campus is located about 30 kilometres away from Dhaka city, candidates have been advised to arrive at the centre well in advance, considering possible traffic congestion. According to university sources, a total of 219,399 applications have been submitted this year against 1,844 seats in seven units, meaning an average of 119 applicants are competing for each seat.    

Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) has expressed deep concern, strong anger, and outrage over the attacks, vandalism, and arson at the offices of the national dailies Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in the capital, as well as the assault on New Age Editor Nurul Kabir. At the same time, the organization has demanded the swift identification, arrest, and exemplary punishment of those involved in these incidents. In a statement sent to the media on Friday, DUJA expressed its condemnation and anger. The statement said that the attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, and the assault on Editor Nurul Kabir, are blatant attacks on independent journalism. Those who fear the power of the pen resort to such acts of terror. The truth cannot be silenced by intimidating journalists. The statement further said that attacks on media offices and the physical harassment of a senior editor are not isolated incidents; rather, they constitute a direct and explicit assault on independent journalism, freedom of expression, and the public’s right to know. Such attacks aimed at silencing the media prove that the perpetrators are staunch enemies of democracy, transparency, and accountability. DUJA also said that newspaper offices can never be legitimate targets of attack. Ensuring the safety of journalists and editors is a fundamental responsibility of the state. Attacks on media houses and journalists with the intent to suppress dissent, stifle critical journalism, and create fear are an alarming sign that pushes society and the democratic system toward uncertainty.

Students of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University on Friday demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in the killing of Inqilab Moncho convenor Sharif Osman Hadi, attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, and the assault on New Age editor Nurul Kabir. In a statement, the students expressed deep concern and outrage over the incidents. They offered condolences to Hadi’s bereaved family, praying for his soul, and urged immediate arrest and legal action against the perpetrators. The statement highlighted that a vested extremist group exploited Hadi’s killing to carry out vandalism, arson, and looting at leading media outlets and the cultural institution Chhayanaut. The assault on Nurul Kabir was also strongly condemned. The students said such attacks directly threaten press freedom, freedom of expression, and are contrary to the spirit of the July uprising. They criticized the interim government, noting that nearly a week after Hadi was shot, the perpetrators have yet to be arrested, with reports suggesting they fled to India. The students called on citizens to maintain peaceful protests and avoid violence while urging the government to take strict and effective measures to ensure the safety of people, media, cultural institutions, and public and private property.