The USAID-funded Strengthening Political Landscape Programme, implemented by Democracy International (DI), on Wednesday awarded certificates to 26 young political leaders from across Bangladesh at a Young Leaders Fellowship Program (YLFP) graduation ceremony organisedi in Dhaka. The graduating fellows are active leaders of Bangladesh Students League, Bangladesh Jatiyotabadi Chhatro Dol, and Jatiyo Chhatro Shomaj. The young politicians received comprehensive training for four months, covering a wide range of topics including politics, leadership, democratic practices, conflict mitigation, political party building and media relations. To date, 536 young leaders have successfully graduated from the program. The Young Leaders Fellowship Program aims to improve the political skills of young leaders, propel their careers within respective parties, and foster understanding between leaders of different political affiliations. The program creates a professional network that can help bridge the divide in the polarized political landscape of Bangladesh. The YLFP is widely acclaimed among young political leaders in Bangladesh, offering a rare opportunity to acquire knowledge and training in leadership and politics. Read: 48 scholars receive Prime Minister's Fellowship 2023-24 At the graduation ceremony, Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP’s Joint Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal; Presidium Member of Jatiya Party Shamim Haider Patwari, MP; And Democracy International’s Chief of Party Dana L. Olds presented certificates to the fellows. Political Processes Advisor of USAID Bangladesh, Lubain Chowdhury Masum is also present at the ceremony. The graduating fellows shared their insights, learning, and recommendations from the Young Leaders Fellowship Program (YLFP). They discussed their multiparty advocacy successes working together on community issues at the event. Furthermore, they emphasized how they intend to continue working together after the fellowship program and future plans to engage other youth and combat the political apathy of the youth at the grassroots level. According to Meher Afroz Chumki, those who have been given the chance to participate in this fellowship are fortunate because training always improves a person's skill set. She believes that with this fellowship, DI has shown the young leaders the right path. She urged the young people to be prepared for the future. According to Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Democracy International is attempting to bridge the gap created by the senior politicians with the newer ones. In reference to DI's achievement of developing this bridge, he claimed that future leadership would be at risk if young people get fed up with politics. Read: Save the Children launches digital equity fellowship for fresh female graduates Shamim Haider Patwari said that today's youth want politics to solve problems, they want to do politics of the future for the people of the future. The failure of senior politicians is that they have not been able to build bridges with the younger generation. Even though there will be many obstacles, he urged the youth to come and contribute to politics. In the closing speech, Chief of Party of Democracy International Dana L. Olds, Congratulating the graduates, she said, future parliamentarians, ministers and even a prime minister may be in this room today. It is because of your potential, USAID is investing in you. She said that the participants worked together to solve community issues, and added this is not the end of their collaboration, urging them to continue nurture the relationships built across parties and joint advocacy. Read more: Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship: US Embassy invites applications from Bangladeshi professionals The U. S. government, through USAID, has provided more than $8 billion in development assistance to Bangladesh since its independence.

A resident student of Dhaka University’s Ziaur Rahman Hall died after falling from the 6th floor of Jamuna block of Bijoy Ekattor Hall. Officer-in-charge of Dhaka Medical College Hospital police outpost Bacchu Mia confirmed the death. 2 schoolgirls ‘die by suicide’ in Magura The deceased Kazi Firoz was a student of Chinese language, of 2019-20 academic session. He stayed in room 203 of Ziaur Rahman Hall of Dhaka University. Suicide rate for young adults in US was worst in over 50 years during pandemic: Study According to Firoz’s roommate, Bin Yamin, “Firoz had been frustrated for a while. We always tried to cheer him up. Yesterday, he came to room around 10:30 pm, prayed, and asked if he owed us money.” “When he was leaving the room, he seemed quite depressed. I was determined to talk to him after his return. But after five minutes, I heard from nearby Bijoy Ekattor Hall that someone had committed suicide,” he added. “We immediately rushed there, and it was Firoz,” he said. Firoz was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital but doctors there declared him dead. CU student commits suicide in dormitory A note was also recovered from his table. The note reads: “Human beings live for dignity. If there is no dignity, life is meaningless... Mother, I’m sorry that I couldn’t keep my words.” Firoz’s body is now at DMCH morgue. After post-mortem, the body will be sent to his hometown Gopalganj. DU Proctor Prof Maksudur Rahman said, “The incident is heart-breaking. Hall authorities will primarily look into the case.”

The NRBC Bank has provided Tk 6.0 lakh for the renovation of Bangladesh Kuwait Maitree Hall of Dhaka University. NRBC Bank recommends a 12 percent dividend for shareholders Recently SM Parvez Tamal, Chairman of the bank handed over the donation cheque to Professor Dr. Nazmun Nahar, Provost Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall. Moreover, NRBC Bank also provided financial assistance of Tk5.0 lakh for the medical treatment of Al-Amin, a brilliant student of Dhaka Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College who is suffering from a brain tumor. NRBC Bank wins Global Economics Award  Golam Awlia, Managing Director and CEO, and Company Secretary Mohammad Ahsan Habib along with other senior officials of the bank were present at the event. NRBC gets nod to raise Tk500 crore through bonds Tamal said NRBC Bank is working on developing the educational sector of Bangladesh. For this financial assistance has been provided to various educational institutions of the country including the Prime Minister’s Education Assistance Trust.

An international seminar on ‘study and job opportunity’ in Japan was held at Islamic University in Kushtia on Sunday. Institute of Islamic Education and Research (IIER) of the University organised the seminar at Bir Shreshtha Hamidur Rahman auditorium this morning. Read: Seminar on industry Skills for Global Career held with more than five hundred students Professor Shaikh Abdus Salam, vice chancellor of IU, addressed the seminar as chief guest while professor Yoshio Maeda, dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences of University of Tokyo in Japan, and Kawamoto Yasuhiro, CEO of Every Japan Group, spoke at the seminar as the discussants.

The 26th council of Bangladesh Chhatra League's (BCL) Rajshahi University unit is going to be held on Monday after 7 years - with a committee that expired 6 years ago. The committee expired on December 11, 2017. A total of 94 aspirants submitted their CV for the post of president and general secretary. The post seekers were seen spending a busy time ahead of the council. Leaders who have been inactive for a long time have also seen making vigorous efforts to bag the top positions. The main gate of the campus, Kazla Gate, Paris Road, Tukitaki and Paribahan chattar are covered with banners, festoons and signboards of the aspirant leaders since Saturday morning. The stage for the council has already been prepared at Sabash Bangladesh ground of the campus, creating festive mood in and around the campus. According to the organisation sources, the last council of Rajshahi University Chhatra League was held on December 8, 2016. On December 11, a partial committee of 13 members was announced with Golam Kibria as president and Faisal Ahmed as general secretary. About six months later, the Central Chhatra League approved the full committee. According to the constitution, the term of that committee ended on December 11, 2017. However, the activities of the University Chhatra League have been going on for so long under the leadership of that expired committee. In the last six and a half years, the central leadership has changed three times, but the RU executive body has not changed. In the meantime, this organisation was involved in various unethical activities such as student torture, extortion, proxy cases, robbery and seat-trading in residential halls. According to the BCL sources, the studentship of most of the aspirants ended long ago due to not holding the council for a long time. Many of them are enrolled in evening courses to continue their studentship.

Dhaka University has introduced a new fund named 'The Dhaka University Trust Fund' today to strengthen its economic stability. DU Vice Chancellor prof Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman inaugurated the fund at the Abdul Matin Chowdhury Auditorium around 12 pm on Saturday. Read: 10 students receive Sitara Parveen Award for academic excellence in DU’s journalism discipline Four big corporate companies donated Tk 1.11 cr and the fund started the journey with this amount. DU VC prof Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman presided over the programme while DU treasurer prof. Mamtazuddin Ahmed was the special guest. Heads of the donor companies were present in the inauguration programme. They are Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury, president of Dhaka University Alumni Association, Alhaj Sufi Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Chairman of PHP Family, Dr. Preeti Chakraborty, chairman of Universal Medical College and Hospital, and Dr. Mostafizur Rahman, Chairman of Popular Medical College and Hospital. Read: Dipu Moni calls for education transformation through integrated and inclusive approach Deans from faculties and provosts from different halls were also present in the inauguration ceremony. DU VC said, " initially the activities of this fund started today by receiving donations. It will continue and every year through a programme, donation checks will be accepted from Dhaka University Alumni, established individuals from various walks of life, reputed institutions, wealthy donors, individuals who are fond of education and research." The Vice-Chancellor later expressed optimism that it would be possible to increase the capital of this fund to 1000 crores by accepting donations in a grand ceremony where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be present. Read: Sumon, Faraque elected as ERAB president, general secretary He also called upon well-established Dhaka University alumni and philanthropic individuals and organizations at home and abroad to further increase the funds of this fund to enrich the education and research of Dhaka University.

Shariful Alam Sumon, special correspondent of Deshrupantor and Faraque Hossain, chief reporter of the Daily Inqilab, were elected as president and general secretary of the Education Reporters Association, Bangladesh (ERAB). The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the organisation and its election for executive committee for 2023-24 years was held on Thursday at a hotel in Cox's bazar amid festivity. Read more: DUJA gets  new executive committee for 2022 The other office bearers are Shelina Sheuly of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (vice-president), Solamain Salman of New Age (treasurer), Piash Sarker of Daily Manabzamin (joint secretary) and Asif Hasan Kajol of Daily Janakantho (organising secretary) and Abdullah Al Jubair (office and publication secretary). Read: New BCCCI executive committee takes charge Moreover, Mir Mohammed Jasim and Erfan Hossain were elected as executive members. Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) general secretary and ERAB senior member Masudul Hoque conducted the election as chief election commissioner while Saif Sujon and ABS Yeamin were the election commissioners in the polls. ERAB, an organisation of journalists covering the education sector, is a government registered organisation. Read more: BFSA executive committee members visit Tungipara

Ten students of Mass Communication and Journalism (MCJ) department at Dhaka University (DU) have received Prof Sitara Parveen Award for their academic excellence. An amount of Tk 1, 18,534 was distributed among the award winners on the basis of their academic performance. The award ceremony was held at Prof Mojaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium of the Social Science Faculty Building at 10 am Thursday. Read: Community Digital Storytelling workshop held at Islamic University DU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman attended the function as the chief guest while Social Science Faculty’s Dean Prof Zia Rahman was the special guest. Chaired by MCJ department’s chair Prof Dr Abul Mansur Ahmed, Associate Prof Marzia Rahman conducted the event. Awardees are Md Nasimul Huda, SM Shams Rahman, Sumaiya Sanjana Nimmi, Nausheen Beethi, Orthi Navnita, Maria Anis Chowdhury, Md. Mahfuzul Islam, Niti Chakma, Sujan Sen Gupta and Syed Mohammad Rahatul Islam. Read: Applications for UK's Chevening scholarships to open on Sept 12 "Sitara Parveen was a very soft-spoken lady and perfect model for Bengali women. I feel sorry for losing her at such an early age. She passed away but will be remembered for her works and simplicity", VC Prof Akhtaruzzaman said this while addressing the event. "The main objective of today’s award giving ceremony is to inspire our students. My request to those, who are being awarded today, is that they will be honest and responsible in their respective fields,” he added. Recalling memories, MCJ Chair Abul Mansur said, "Her (Sitara) contribution to my life will be remembered till my death as she helped me in my tough times when my mother had died.” Read: Dipu Moni calls for education transformation through integrated and inclusive approach Late Sitara Parveen was a professor of the MCJ and wife of retired Prof Ahaduzzaman Md Ali who also served the department as a faculty member of the Social Science Faculty.

A workshop on 'Community Digital Storytelling' was recently held at Islamic University (IU), Kushtia, in collaboration with the Department of Journalism, Media and Communication, Daffodil International University (DIU). The Photographic Society of Islamic University and the Community Digital Storytelling Festival team jointly organized it on September 11 in room 134 of the university's Mir Musharraf Hossain Academic Building. Read: IU- issued open notice for information Associate Professor Dr Mohammad Nasir Uddin, President of Al-Fiqh and Legal Studies Department at IU, conducted the workshop, while Dr Md Abdul Kabil Khan, Associate Professor at the Department of Journalism, Media and Communication from Daffodil International University was the keynote speaker. Proctor of Islamic University and Shahadat Hossain Azad, Professor, Department of English; Shahjahan Mandal, Professor, Law Department, Adviser of Photographic Society; and Amjad Hossain, Associate Professor of Al Fiqh and Legal Studies Department were present as guests. Read: US lauds "robust exchange" of students, researchers, scholars, educators with Bangladesh In the workshop, Dr Khan discussed various topics including camera settings, pictures with contemporary needs, story ideas and research. He also discussed practical issues like camera settings, story quality, FPS (frames per second), using appropriate video frames. "The story that no one in the society talks about is the true story. There are many untold tales among the common people. One should choose a narrative with current issues as its subject. In addition to this, you have to select which social media platform will be used to reach your target demographic,” Dr Khan said at the workshop. Dr Shahjahan Mandal and Dr Mohammad Nashir Uddin discussed the legal and Shariah perspectives of Community Digital Storytelling. Read: Dipu Moni calls for education transformation through integrated and inclusive approach

The authorities of Islamic University in Kushtia have issued an ‘open notice’ for all of its students with a view to gathering information regarding the recent ragging incident allegedly by a group of students of the Human Resource Management department on September 2. A press release, signed by IU Business Administration Faculty dean Professor M Shaiful Islam, was issued in this regard on Tuesday. According to the press release, the university administration has issued the ‘open notice’ asking all students concerned to provide information about the torture on Tahmin Osman, a fresher of Human Resource Management department, to the probe committee for making a fair investigation report. Islamic University officials continue work abstention for 2nd day If anyone has any evidence or information about the torture of the student, he/she should be asked to submit it, in written form or in person, to the probe body convener, also business administration faculty dean, Professor Shaiful Islam's office by September 17. The identity of the informant will be kept confidential, the press release added. Professor M Shaiful Islam said that they issued the ‘open notice’ to gather actual information from the students. They would try to submit their investigation report in due time, he added. BCL's Islamic University unit suspends 8 activists for violating organisation rules IU acting registrar HM Ali Hasan said that the university authorities would take legal action against the accused involved in torturing the fresher after getting the probe report. Earlier, a group of students, including Hisham Nazir Shuvo, Mizanur Rahman Emon and Sheikh Salahuddin Shakib under 2021–22 academic session of the Human Resource Management department brought Tahmin Osman, a first year student of the same department, to Birshreshtha Hamidur Rahman Auditorium area after his orientation class on September 2 and tortured him mentally. They tortured him once again on September 3. 5 injured in BCL factional clash at Islamic University The victim, however, on Sunday lodged a complaint with proctor professor M Shahadat Hossain Azad, student adviser professor Shelin Nasrin and acting registrar HM Ali Hasan in this connection. The university administration later formed a five-member probe body led by the business administration faculty dean soon after receiving the complaint from the victim to look into the matter.