United News of Bangladesh

Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Monday said that there will be no marks-based test in the new education curriculum; rather the students will be evaluated on the basis of their skills.“The education system of the country has gone through radical changes. The new curriculum will be fully operational from the 2024 academic year. There will be no marks-based test in this system,” she said.The minister said this while speaking at a press conference at the International Mother Language Institute in the city today. Read: Vested interests campaigning against new curriculumDipu Moni said, “The guardians have become anxious after the introduction of the new curriculum. They are worried about how their children will get a job.”Many people are also saying that the academic results won’t be useful in getting jobs for their children, she said.“We have made this clear. That is, in the field of getting a job, one’s skills will be assessed. The recruitment will be made on the basis of evaluation of skills,” Dipu Moni added.The Education Minister said that we have already started working on the process of the new recruitment system on the basis of skills. Read: DU confers honorary Doctor of Laws degree on Bangabandhu “When the students who are studying in the new curriculum, will start entering in the job market, the recruitment system will also be in the new process. So there is nothing to worry about,” she said.Dipu Moni said that another rumor and misinformation about the new curriculum is that students will not be able to take the admission test. “When the students of this curriculum pass the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exam, then the admission process in the universities will also be changed.”Mentioning there will be no sufferings at the time of admission tests in the new curriculum, the minister said, “We have formed National Testing Authority (NTA). The admission tests of all the country's universities will be conducted through the institution.” Read: Russian Centre for Open Education begins journey at Dhaka UniversityStudents will be able to pursue higher education in the subject of their choice without any difficulties, she added.

Education Minister Dipu Moni on Sunday told parliament some teachers, coaching centres and note guide businessmen are involved in spreading confusion and propaganda centering the new education curriculum fearing that their coaching and guide business will be stopped. She said this while speaking on the “Thakurgaon University Bill” as several MPs criticised the new education curriculum while participating in the discussion on the bill. In response the education minister said that it’s not true that the examination system has not been kept in the new national curriculum. Mentioning the reason for launching the new curriculum, the minister said that there has been a discussion over the years about the world-class education system. “We are repeatedly falling behind in the area of soft skills. For this, new curriculum system is being introduced.” Explaining the allegation of bringing eggs and potatoes from home, Dipu Moni said that such allegations are nothing but propaganda. The minister said that some people are deliberately spreading confusion about the curriculum. She said some schools in the city are doing this. They were given strict instructions. Children will learn to cook from school picnics. This cooking is also an art. Dipu Moni also said there is no instruction to cook from home and take it to school. Those who are doing it are doing it to question it. Alleging the involvement of some teachers behind the agitators, the minister said, “we have seen human chains in some places. We have investigated. It is basically coaching business and note guide business. They are worried that their coaching and guide business will no longer exist.” Claiming that the new curriculum has already started yielding results, she said, we are getting the skills we need from the students. Now the students are writing a lot.

With the Draft Policy on “DIU 2023 Declaration: Advancing Local and Regional Media for a Sustainable Future,” the 8th CJEN Bangladesh Networking Conference, jointly organized by the Department of Journalism, Media & Communication at Daffodil International University and DW Akademie, concluded on Sunday. The two-day conference was held at Daffodil International University’s permanent campus in Daffodil Smart City, Birulia, Savar on the 28th and 29th of October.  The draft policy presentation session was chaired by Dr Golam Rahman, Professor at DIU and the Chief Patron of the conference. Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Associate Professor, Begum Royeka University, Rangpur, joined as the Co-Chair and Aftab Hossain, Co-convener of the conference, Head and Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism, Media and Communication, DIU were present in the hybrid session.  Faruque Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting joined the policy presentation as the chief guest. “It is imperative for newspapers and media outlets to enhance their vigilance and online presence. I believe the government will spare no effort to bring them to fruition. It necessitates a collective commitment from all stakeholders," he stated.

Dhaka University has conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, as a token of respect, in a special convocation today.  Prime minister Sheikh Hasina joined the convocation as the convocation speaker and Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni joined as the special guest. DU VC Prof Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman presided over the special convocation program.  The DU VC started the program at 11 am. The chancellor of the university, President Mohammed Shahabuddin, could not attend the program due to health issues. Read: National University suspends all exams on Oct 29 The convocation started with the national anthem; recitation from the holy religious scriptures followed. A cultural programme and a documentary reflected Bangabandhu’s contributions in leading the nation to freedom and rebuilding a war-torn country. At 11:57 am, DU Vice Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman adorned Bangabandhu with the Doctor of Laws degree. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received the degree and memorandum, and signed the acknowledgement paper on behalf of Bangabandhu.

All exams of the National University scheduled on Sunday have been suspended due to an unavoidable reason in the country. The university issued a press release in this regard today. The new schedule of the tests will be informed later, it added

The official opening of the Russian Center for Open Education has been launched at Dhaka University. The Russian Centre for Open Education was officially launched at the Institute of Modern Languages of Dhaka University under the management of Dagestan State Pedagogical University with the support of the Russian House of Dhaka. Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka, Professor Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman inaugurated the centre as the chief guest while a discussion meeting was held in the auditorium of the institute. Professor Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman said that this centre will play an important role in helping students learn Russian language and culture along with their mother tongue. Read: Govt to set up ‘Dr. M.A Wazed Miah Agriculture University’ in Natore Mentioning the relation between Bangladesh and Russia as a friendly relations for a long time, he said Russia is making important contributions in various sectors, including education and the socio-economic development of Bangladesh. This centre will further strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries in all fields, including education and culture.  

The government is going to set up a new agricultural university after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s late husband Dr. M.A Wazed Miah in Natore. The cabinet chaired by Premier Sheikh Hasina gave the final approval of the draft ‘Dr. M.A Wazed Miah Agriculture University Act-2023’ on Monday, Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain said this while briefing after the meeting. Read: Southeast University marks ‘Sheikh Russel Day 2023’ He said the cabinet on principal approved the Dr. M.A Wazed Miah Agriculture University Act on August 28 and now the final approval was given. The agriculture university will be set up in Natore but the university authority will fix which subjects will be taught there. Read: Khulna Agricultural University teachers continue work abstention for 10th day

After almost 7 years, the primary committee of Rajshahi University unit Chhatra League was announced on Saturday night, drawing almost immediate criticism from different quarters for the inclusion of some controversial names.  The 39-member committee was announced in a press release signed by BCL president Saddam Hossain and general secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan. Mostafizur Rahman Babu has been made the president and Asadullah-Hill-Galib general secretary of the new committee. However, none of them is a regular student at the university. As a result, some of the agitating Chhatra League leaders raised a bunch of complaints against most of the leaders of the new committee and declared the new unacceptable. Read: Textile Talent Hunt 8.0 National Conference held in Dhaka Mostafizur Rahman, president of the new committee,  is an alumnus of the 2013-14 academic year of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of the University. He is currently enrolled in a short course at the Institute of English and Other Languages. General Secretary Asadullah-Hill-Galib was the training secretary of the previous committee. He was admitted to the University's Department of International Relations in the academic session 2014-15. He lost his studentship by dropping out of that department. He is currently enrolled in an evening course in the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism. However, it is alleged that he got admission in this course using a 'fake' certificate of graduation from a private university in Dhaka. He is also accused of being involved in drug peddling on campus and carrying illegal firearms. Besides, most of the 20 vice-presidents of the committee have graduated long ago. Among the vice-presidents, Tamanna Akter Tonni was recently ordered to leave the hall by the  Rahmatunnesa hall authority as her studies finished. Instead of leaving the hall, the leader locked the gate of the hall and confined the general students in the hall.  Another vice-president, Momin Islam, is accused of beating the staff of the Sanskrit department and forcing out the resident student of the hall. Apart from this, there are allegations of seat trading against him. Read: Scholastica student wins Silver award in Commonwealth Essay Competition When contacted, Chhatra League general secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan said, “We have chosen the leadership considering the reality of the time. Even then, if there is any complaint against anyone, we will look into it.”

Textile Today Innovation Hub organized “TTH 8.0 National Conference- the Competition Day” to select 101 potential innovation masterminds. The conference was held at the Council Hall of IDEB in Dhaka’s Kakrail on Friday. Earlier, the Textile Talent Hunt (TTH) 2023-24 competition – presented by Centro and Powered by Archroma was launched on August 2 at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka. The conference selected 101 students from around 250 students through video audition, innovative idea audition and MCQ exam of around 25 textile universities from all over the country for the National Competition. Best 25 received Tk 1.25 lacs award money at the event. Earlier, Over 2,000 students directly participated in the TTH Campus Drive and Seminar at 30+ campuses from all over Bangladesh. Among the 101 Innovation Masterminds, five champions from the five zones are- NM Azizur Rahman from Bangladesh University of Textiles; Khalid Zaman Mumit from Jashore University of Science and Technology; Abir Hossain from Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology; Mohammad Asif from Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University and Mohammad Ibrahim from Textile Engineering College, Noakhali. All the participants received certificates for attending the “Transformation to Innovation” session conducted by Eousup Novee Bablu, GM at Textile Today Innovation Hub. All the selected 101 will be awarded Innovation Black Belt upon the project completion. Innovation Black Belt is an exclusive initiative of Textile Today Innovation Hub for the textile and apparel industry that helps to create professionals who go through 256 hours extensive Factory Skills Development training and real hands-on problem-solving experience in different particular areas of Textile Industry. Total Tk 49 lacs training, research and award money fund has been declared for the development of this Innovation Masterminds. Minhazul Hoque, director of Fatullah Dyeing and Calendering Mills Ltd said the industry needs to know demand precision. Ensuring quality is essential and professionals need to have problem solving skills. Thanking all the participants and the best 25 from universities and textile colleges, Engr Shafiqur Rahman CIP, president at the Institution of Textile Engineers and Technologists (ITET) said, “Our $100bn target will be achieved through your leadership. In recent years, our textile universities and institutions have increased greatly - which is hugely helping the industry. “Textile engineers and the sector are building BD's economic growth. You’ve to be future leaders of the industry. Past was production centric. But it’s sustainability, innovation. This leader making initiative is TTH. I'm thankful to the TT team. Without innovation our industry will be sick. That's why I think this National Conference will create a difference. “ Eousup Novee Bablu, GM, Textile Today Innovation Hub was the moderator of the event. TTH 8th Season’s other sponsors are – Platinum Sponsors Dysin Group and Jay Chemical Industries Pvt. Ltd.; Prize Money Sponsor is Apna Organics Private Limited; Sponsors are Sameet Dye Chem and Sota Ghar Colour House; Quality Partner is SGS Bangladesh Ltd. and TexMeta is the Networking Partner.

The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) concluded its Ninth Inter-University Student Conference and Cultural Competition, a two-day exclusive event organised by the Department of English and Humanities (DEH) in partnership with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Bangladesh. The conference, held from October 19–20 at ULAB’s permanent campus in the capital’s Mohammadpur, delved into the theme "Gender: The Binary and Beyond" and showcased the collective efforts of students from different public and private universities across Bangladesh, according to a press release. Also read: ULAB to host 9th Inter-University Student Conference Oct 19-20 “Beyond the Mirror,” the cultural production by ULAB, won the championship in the cultural competition. Stamford University bagged the runner-up award. Raina Isabela of BRAC University won the Best Paper Award while Amreeta Lethe Chowdhury from ULAB and Rohama Chowdhury of Metropolitan University jointly won the runner-up position. Also read: ULAB-MSJ publishes Whitepaper on Bangladeshi entertainment industry Academics from non-participating universities ensured fairness and transparency in the adjudication process for both academic papers and performances. This year, 19 universities presented academic papers on October 19, competing for the Best Paper Award, while day two saw seven universities vying for the coveted Champion's Trophy in the Cultural Competition. Also read: ULAB Ranks 75th in WURI’s Global Top 100 Innovative Universities 2023 The event's grand finale was the prize-giving and closing ceremony, which took place on Friday, October 20. Iqbal Hossain, programme advisor of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Bangladesh, was the chief guest. Prof Jude William Genilo, ULAB pro-vice chancellor, alongside Prof Kaiser Huq, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, and Arifa Ghani Rahman, head DEH, handed over the awards to the winners. The winners received a crest, a certificate of recognition, and prize money as awards. One of the notable highlights of this year's conference was the introduction of an art exhibition exclusively featuring artwork by DEH students and alumni, providing a visually captivating dimension to the event and attracting a diverse number of audiences.