United News of Bangladesh

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.

Jagannath University (JnU) authorities have arranged transportation for students, teachers, and all concerned to attend the funeral of martyred Sharif Osman Hadi. In a message sent by the university’s Public Relations, Information and Publication Office, it was stated that buses will depart from the Jagannath University campus to Manik Mia Avenue at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 20. Those wishing to attend the funeral have been requested to be present on campus on time. Earlier, on December 12 in the afternoon, Sharif Osman bin Hadi,an independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency and spokesperson of the ‘Inqilab Mancha’ was seriously injured after being shot by assailants while returning from election campaigning. He was initially admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Evercare Hospital for advanced treatment. As his condition deteriorated, he was flown by air ambulance to Singapore General Hospital on December 15. He passed away while undergoing treatment there yesterday, Thursday. His funeral will be held tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. at Manik Mia Avenue.

The final preparations for the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) election have begun. The Election Commission has published the ballot numbers of 157 candidates contesting for 21 posts. According to commission sources, the publication of the ballot numbers was slightly delayed due to some official formalities. The information was obtained from a notice published on the Election Commission’s website today, Thursday (18 December).Earlier, on Wednesday night, the revised final list of 157 candidates was published. According to the Election Commission, among the key posts, 12 candidates are contesting for the Vice-President (VP) position, 9 candidates for the General Secretary (GS) position, and 8 candidates for the Assistant General Secretary (AGS) position. Among other editorial posts, 10 candidates are contesting for the Social Service and Student Welfare Secretary position, 8 for the International Affairs Secretary position, and 8 for the Sports Secretary position. The highest number of candidates is contesting for the Executive Member posts, with a total of 57 candidates in the race. JnUCSU Election: Student bodies move to form ‘inclusive panels’ In this election, the total number of voters is 16,725. According to the revised schedule, election campaigning began on 15 December and will continue until 27 December. The date for voting and vote counting has been set for 30 December. The university administration and the Election Commission have completed all preparations to ensure a festive and fair election.    

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, the student wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP), staged a protest at Dhaka University (DU) today demanding the resignation of Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, citing the failure to arrest those responsible for the attack on Inqilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi and the overall deterioration of law and order. Following a protest march, demonstrators burned an effigy of the Home Affairs Adviser.

Students at Islamic University staged a symbolic protest on the campus in Kushtia on Wednesday, calling for justice in the murder of Sajid Abdullah, a student of the Al-Quran and Islamic Studies department. Protesters carried a red shroud representing his body to dramatise their demand for accountability. The protest began around 1:00 pm in front of the university’s administrative building, where students laid a blood-stained shroud at the main gate, partially blocking the pathway with ropes. They also displayed banners reading, 'Running the administrative building while bearing responsibility for Sajid’s murder.' Red markings spelling 'corpse' and simulated blood stains were scattered around the shroud to dramatize their demand for justice. Students said the protest was meant to hold university authorities accountable. 'There is no excuse to evade responsibility. We will continue demanding justice for Sajid Abdullah until it is delivered,' they said. They added that if the administration fails to act, students will take it upon themselves to identify the perpetrators, vowing to maintain their movement until justice is ensured. Leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, and the Islamic Student Movement were present on the occasion.

Dhaka University has observed the great Victory Day today through a range of programs. On the occasion, activities were organized across the campus all day long.  The programs included the hoisting of the national flag at dawn at the Vice-Chancellor’s Building and other important university buildings, a gathering at the Smriti Chirantan premises, and the laying of wreaths at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar by teachers, students, officers, and staff of the university under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan. Among those present were Pro Vice Chancellor (Admin) Professor Dr. Sayma Haque Bidisha, Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed, Treasurer Professor Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Proctor Professor Saifuddin Ahmed, along with teachers, students, officers, and employees. Exhibitions and screenings of Liberation War-based paintings, films, and documentaries were organized at various residential halls. Different student organizations also arranged diverse programs marking the day. On the occasion, important campus locations including the Faculty of Arts Building, Curzon Hall, the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), and Smriti Chirantan were illuminated with decorative lighting. Residential halls were also adorned with lights. After the Asor prayers, special prayers were offered at the university’s central mosque, Masjidul Jamia, as well as at mosques in various halls and residential areas, seeking forgiveness for the souls of the martyrs and praying for the country’s prosperity and development. Special prayers for the eternal peace of the martyrs were also held at other places of worship on campus. In the evening, a cultural program was held at the TSC Auditorium, jointly organized by the Department of Music, the Department of Dance, and the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies of the university.  

A three-day programme, “Rokte Ranga Bijoy Amar–2025”, was held at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University, marking the Victory Month of December through a series of commemorative and cultural events. Organised jointly by all TSC-based social and cultural organisations, the programme took place from December 14 to 16 at the TSC premises. The event began on December 14 with a mourning rally in memory of the martyred intellectuals. Leaders and members of TSC-based organisations participated in the rally, which started from the TSC premises and ended at Smriti Chirotan at the VC Chattar. Floral tributes were paid to the martyrs, followed by a one-minute silence. In the evening, candles were lit in front of the TSC to honour the martyrs of the Liberation War. On the second day, a national flag sewing programme was held, where members of different organisations stitched the map of independent Bangladesh onto the red circle of the national flag. The flag was later hoisted at the entrance of the TSC. The main cultural segment of “Rokte Ranga Bijoy Amar–2025” began at 3pm on December 15 at the TSC Payera Chattar. In her opening remarks, TSC Director Farzana Basar praised the joint initiative, saying the Liberation War remains a source of strength and emotion for the nation. “It is encouraging to see young people commemorating the sacrifices of the martyrs through such programmes during the Victory Month,” she said. The cultural segment featured diverse performances, including an open quiz by Dhaka University Quiz Society, a street play titled ‘Khyapa Paglar Pyachal’ by Dhaka University Natya Sangsad, a mixed production ‘Rokte Diye Naam Likhechi Bangladesh-er Naam’ by Dhaka University Cultural Society, a puppet show by Dhaka University Environment Society, a planchette debate by Dhaka University Debating Society, and a special mime titled ‘Rong, Rokto O Chitkar’ by Dhaka University Mime Action. Poetry recitations, dance performances, and solo and group songs were also staged. The cultural programme concluded with a Victory Concert featuring performances by bands including Ila Lalala, Durga, Torture Goregrinder, Introit, Apon Ghor, DUBS Team, Red Wine, Unnamed, Krishnapakkha, Anesthesia, and Ants on the Run. The concert was coordinated by the Dhaka University Band Society. On Victory Day today, the program concluded with a collective rendition of the national anthem at the TSC Payera Chattar. Shahriar Nazim Simanto, General Secretary of Dhaka University Research Society and one of the organisers, said the aim of the programme was to spread the spirit of the Liberation War, the sacrifices of the martyrs, and the essence of victory among the younger generation. The “Rokte Ranga Bijoy Amar” programme is a joint annual initiative of TSC-based social and cultural organisations, traditionally held from December 14 to 16 every year.    

Professor Osama Khan, a Bangladeshi-born and Bangladesh-educated academic, has been appointed Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of South Wales (USW). He is set to join the university in May next year. Professor Khan joins USW from Aston University where he served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), according to the official website of the university. On his appointment, Professor Khan said, “It is a privilege to be appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Wales. I am deeply inspired by the University’s unwavering commitment to inclusive education and its pivotal role in driving social and economic progress across Wales and beyond. I look forward to working collaboratively with the USW community—students, staff, and partners—to build on the University’s impressive achievements and shape a bold, ambitious future together.” Richard Lloyd-Owen, Chair of the Board of Governors, said, “Professor Khan is an exceptional leader whose values-driven approach and strategic vision resonate deeply with the University of South Wales’ mission to transform lives through education. His commitment to inclusive excellence, innovation in teaching and learning, and empowering communities aligns perfectly with our institutional priorities. We are thrilled to welcome him to USW and look forward to a dynamic new chapter under his leadership—one that will inspire progress, collaboration, and meaningful impact across our university and beyond.” Osama is going to be the first Bangladeshi born, also educated in the country ascend to the post of the chief executive of a public university in the UK. Osama’s early academic foundation was laid at Cumilla Cadet College and Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), before he left for the UK to persuade his higher education at the University of Surrey and the University of Cambridge Judge Business School.     He began his academic career as a lecturer at the University of Surrey in 2004. He moved to Solent University in 2012, where he held a variety of roles including Director of Learning and Teaching at Solent Learning and Teaching Institute. He was appointed as Vice-Provost, Education at the University of Surrey in 2019. Osama will become the first UK public university chief executive who was both born and educated in Bangladesh. His academic journey began at Cumilla Cadet College and Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), before he went on to pursue higher studies in the UK at the University of Surrey and Cambridge Judge Business School. He started his academic career as a lecturer at the University of Surrey in 2004. In 2012, he joined Solent University, where he served in several roles, including Director of Learning and Teaching at the Solent Learning and Teaching Institute. In 2019, he was appointed Vice-Provost (Education) at the University of Surrey.

The Bengali nation proudly celebrates December 16 as Victory Day.  The date marks the surrender of the Pakistani army in 1971, bringing to an end the Liberation War.  A new country, Bangladesh, was born after a long and bloody nine-month war. However, even after 54 years of independence, questions remain about issues such as democracy, secularism, the objective history of the war and reform of the education system. In a special interview with UNB, Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, Vice-Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, shared his views on the importance of Victory Day, the university’s programmes, research on the Liberation War, the political reality of the 2024 Uprising, challenges in education, and the role of the younger generation. UNB: How do you see the importance of Victory Day on its 54th anniversary? VC: The greatest significance of this day is that Bangladesh emerged as a democratic state. Our main resistance against the Pakistani rulers was because they denied the people’s electoral mandate. The core spirit of the Liberation War lies in freedom, democracy and sovereignty. Our main goal was to establish the people’s rights and democracy in this country. UNB: What programmes has the university taken for Victory Day? VC: Like last year, the university administration has arranged various programmes. These include placing wreaths at the National Memorial, illuminating different offices such as the administrative building and residential halls, and providing improved food for students. There is also a plan to organise a victory rally if the situation allows. UNB: How much participation do you expect from teachers and students? VC: 1971 is our birth identity, and 2024 continues that journey—'24 has completed the unfinished work of '71. Due to long-term fascist rule, confusion was created, but after '24, history has been revived. I believe teachers and students will participate spontaneously. UNB: Does the university have any initiative to research and document the Liberation War? VC: We have established an art gallery to capture the spirit of 2024. We are also preserving the events of 2024 through an oral archive. 2024 was born from 1971 and emerged due to the unfinished promises after independence. It is important to document and remember this. If we fail to fulfil the promise of '71, '24 will return again and again. UNB: Are there any new steps to strengthen Liberation War history in the curriculum? VC: Every department will review its course content. Departments such as history, archaeology, government and politics should give greater importance to this topic. Many people are confused because they do not know objective history. We have both horizontal and vertical histories. The deprivation of Muslims in colonial Bengal and the contributions of Muslim thinkers of the subcontinent have not been properly highlighted. I urge the concerned departments to take immediate action. UNB: Is there any new project on campus to honour the martyrs? VC: There are several memorial structures on campus, including Amar Ekushey, Shaheed Minar, Sansaptak, and monuments for 1952, 1971 and 2024. Recently, we inaugurated ‘Adamya-24’ in memory of 2024. However, these are not enough. More visible initiatives are needed to commemorate 1971 and 2024. Failure to remember history has led to long dictatorships. UNB: Do students know the correct history of the Liberation War? VC: Except for a small number, most students do not know the correct history. Different governments have presented history based on their own ideologies. We want to ensure this does not happen again. Everyone’s contribution must be evaluated fairly. Otherwise, situations like 2024 may occur again. UNB: Is the new generation learning enough from history? VC: I have serious doubts. The main problem is the lack of objectivity. Awareness will grow if students learn history through interviews with families of martyrs, use of technology, oral archives and smartphones. UNB: How much of the spirit of independence has been realised today? VC: We are still trapped in divisive politics. Even a year and a half after 24, hatred has not stopped on the path to restoring democracy. This puts both 1971 and 2024 at risk. Despite many reasons for division, if there is even one reason for unity, we must accept it. Like '71 and '24, we must unite beyond race, religion, caste and gender. Jahangirnagar University suspends 16 students over ragging of freshmen UNB: What is the biggest challenge in the education system after 54 years? VC: There is a division based on education mediums—Bangla, English, Madrasa and technical. These must be unified. The education budget is very low. Internationally, 4–6 percent of GDP is recommended, but we allocate only 1–2 percent. Due to lack of respect and financial security, talented people are not choosing teaching as a profession. An education commission and major reforms are urgently needed. UNB: What are the future plans for academic development and research at the university? VC: Since taking office, we have increased research funding and supported quality researchers. Our international research standing has improved, and we have ranked top nationally several times. We also plan to allocate funds for student research. UNB: What is your message to students and youth on Victory Day? VC: History shows that young people have always led movements for democracy and rights. The experience of elders and the energy of youth together will move the country forward. Students should spend more time in classrooms and libraries to prepare themselves to lead the nation in the future.