United News of Bangladesh

The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations of 2024 will begin on February 15. Govt primary school assistant teachers' written test result published Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board chairman Prof Tapan Kumar Sarkar confirmed the matter to UNB over phone on Thursday. The schedule of the examinations will be published on the website, he said. Earlier in August, Education Minister Dipu Moni announced that the SSC and equivalent exams of 2024 will be held in February while the HSC and equivalent exams in April. JnU Teachers Association Election: Dr Zakir elected new president, Dr Mashrik Hasan general secretary For the past several years, the authorities concerned had to rearrange the academic calendar due to the Covid-19 pandemic and natural disaster, but it will be fully set from the next year, she said.  

The results for the written examination of the government primary school assistant teachers' recruitment test-2023 (first phase) (Barisal, Sylhet, Rangpur Division) have been published. About 9,337 aspirants passed the examination. Read: 43rd BCS: Demand to increase the number of posts by canceling non-cadre circular The results can be found on the website (www.mopme.gov.bd) of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and the website (www.dpe.gov.bd) of the Department of Primary Education. The candidates who passed the test will also get SMS on mobile. The date for viva will be informed later. The written examination was held on November 08 this year in 18 districts of three divisions. The total number of candidates was 3, 60, 697.

Jagannath University’s Professor of Marketing Dr Md. Zakir Hossain has been elected the president of Jagannath University Teachers’ Associations. At the Executive Council Election 2024, held on Tuesday, Professor Dr Md Zakir Hossain got 256 votes. Sheikh Mashrik Hasan, associate professor of Finance Department, has been elected the general secretary after getting 257 votes. Voting for this election was held on Tuesday (December 19) from 9 am to 2:30 pm at the central auditorium of the university. After counting the votes, the Chief Election Commissioner, Professor Dr. Md. Sagir Hossain Khandkar declared the result. In addition, the professor of the Department of English, Md. Momin Uddin has been elected as vice president, Associate Professor of the Department of Management Studies, Md. Miraj Hossain as treasurer and Associate Professor of the Department of Social Work, Md. Mohsin Reza has been elected as the Joint Secretary. The other elected members of JnUTA are Professor Dr. A.K.M. Lutfar Rahman, Professor Dr. Md. Abul Hossain, Dr. A M M Golam Adam, Professor Dr. Farhana Zaman, Associate Professor Shamima Akhter, Associate Professor Md. Ashraful Islam, Prof. Dr. Ainul Islam, Prof. Dr. Shamsun Nahar, Professor Dr. Md. Abdullah Mahfuz and Professor Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain.

Students at Jahangirnagar University (JU) staged a protest demanding the formulation of a proper masterplan for development based on the opinions of all stakeholders. Students took out a protest procession from the university's Murad square at 2:30 p.m. on Monday. The procession passed through several streets and ended at the Transport Square through the administrative building. Later a short rally was held there. During the protest, students carried placards with messages such as 'Give us a master plan, save Jahangirnagar', 'Oppose development at the cost of lives and nature', 'Ease student hardships through automation', and 'Reject the construction of a third administrative building worth Tk 152 crore'. Soma Dumri, the organizer of Biplobi Sattro Moitry JU wing addressed the rally moderated by Riddha Anindya Ganguly, General Secretary of the Student Union University Sangsad (Part) and said, “Administration working without a master plan has destroyed the vitality of our campus. A few months ago, in the dark of night, trees were cut in the Sundarbans area for the IBA building. In view of that, there was an investigation committee, but we did not get that investigation report. The administration is taking our movement lightly. I want to tell the administration that if our movement is taken lightly, this movement will turn into a wildfire one day.” Sajib Ahmed, the organizer of Samajtantrik Chhatra Front (Marxist) JU Branch, expressed deep concern, stating, "We're genuinely afraid and troubled because this administration has been cutting down trees regularly, even on holidays and in the dead of night. With the winter vacation approaching, we fear that this trend might continue, and trees may be cut again during this time." Sajib highlighted, "An astounding 1445 crore taka has been spent on projects without a master plan in place. Despite already having two administrative buildings, they're proceeding with another, incurring an additional cost of 152 crore. We stand against this needless construction. Over 1200 trees have been felled due to unplanned university development. It's clear: a master plan is crucial before any further development work proceeds." Speaking in the assembly, Riddha Anindya Ganguly, general secretary of the Student Union University Parliament (Part), said, "For quite some time, we've been urging for a master plan, but we haven't witnessed any progress on this front." Ashfar Rahman, the vice-president of the students' union at University Songsod (part), said, "We've persistently campaigned for the master plan over an extended period. The entire university acknowledges the reasonableness of our demand. Unfortunately, there's a lack of administration interest in pursuing this master planning initiative." "I want to caution the administration that if even one more tree is felled during the winter season, the students will take drastic action against this administration. Despite showcasing grand plans in the name of development, the outcomes fall short. Implementing automation across the university could alleviate student struggles, yet we witness a lack of commitment to ease the students' hardships by the administration."

Claiming the 43rd BCS non-cadre circular published by the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) discriminatory, the 43rd BCS result aspirants have demanded the cancellation of the circular and separate publication of cadre and non-cadre results.They made the demand at a press conference at Maulana Akram Khan Hall of the National Press Club on Monday.Nasir Uddin, spokesman for the 43rd BCS result aspirants, read out the written statement at the press conference.The result aspirants alleged that the meritorious job seekers are losing confidence in the BCS, which is considered a 'transparent recruitment process' in the recent activities of the Public Service Commission (PSC).According to the written statement, the PSC published a non-cadre list containing only 1,342 posts on December 14 which created severe discrimination against the 43rd BCS candidates. Read: 45th BCS written tests postponed"Prime Minister's Information and Communication Technology Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy has encouraged more recruitment from non-cadre posts. But why the current commission is shrinking the recruitment of non-cadre posts is raising questions in our minds,” said the spokesman.He said, “We strongly urge the BPSC to re-evaluate such a decision.”In the 38th BCS, 2,965 people were recommended from non-cadre. In the 40 BCS, the circular of 4,478 posts for non-cadre was published, from which 3,657 people were recommended. In the 41st BCS, there were 4,053 non-cadre posts, from which 3,164 people were recommended.But in the 43rd BCS, there are only 1,342 posts in non-cadre circular, from which only 360 posts are allocated for general candidates which is unprecedented and discriminatory, they claimed.

Nobel laureate professor Muhammad Yunus presided over the 3rd convocation of Al Bukhary (social business) University, held in its campus at Alor Setar, Kedah state of Malaysia, recently. Since its inception, Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, has served as the chancellor of the university. He was involved in designing this social business focused university from its conceptualising phase. At that time, Prof Yunus conferred degrees in business administration, early education, mass media and communications, and computer studies, to 231 students in presence of over 1,000 people, including the vice-chancellor, graduands, faculty members, seven ambassadors, members of the board of governors and senate, parents and family members. He also presented awards to students achieving the highest academic honors in various streams, including the Chancellor awards and the inaugural Sharifah Rokia award, named after the name of the university founder Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary's mother. Among the students was a young woman from Palestine, Ms Ghufran Zagmuth, who had the Palestinian flag draped around her gown as a protest against the extreme barbarity of the killing civilian population that is being perpetrated in her country, and powerful nations keeping complete silence about it. It was also a protest by the students of AIU for the killing of a fellow student, a very bright second year student named Suleiman Abu Anzar. He was killed in October by sniper fire during the Israeli attack on Palestine. He was visiting from AIU during semester break to meet his family in Gaza to show solidarity. He never got back to his friends at AIU. The whole campus burst into anger against this loss. He was a student of computer sciences.

Registration of DPS STS Merit Scholarship Test for Grades IX and XI opened for 2024-25 session. In 2021, DPS STS School Dhaka introduced this scholarship to create an opportunity for bright students from around the country to pursue education at the leading English medium school of the country, said a press release. Students of Grades VIII and X (current session) from any school and any curriculum (Cambridge/ IB/ National/ Edexcel etc.) in Bangladesh or overseas can take this scholarship test, reads the release. Read: Poetry contest at ISD to uphold patriotism Registration for the December cycle is now open and will continue till 15 January 2024. The assessment test will take place at the senior campus of DPS STS School located in Uttara on 20 January 2024. Interested candidates can register through this link: https://forms.gle/R5UfWZfEpUFCTSYUA. Participants who will get a minimum percentage of 80% in the scholarship test (both in written and oral assessment) will be shortlisted for the final scholarship. Finally-selected candidates will be offered up to 100% scholarships on their tuition fees based on their scores in the written test, added the release. Here is the link of the scholarship test curriculum and other details: https://dpsstsdhaka.org/stsmeritscholarship/ Read: BYLC concludes its first ever job readiness programme The assessment will cover a wide range of subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, Current Affairs, and Logical Reasoning (for scholarship in Grade 9) whereas for Grade 11 scholarship, candidates can choose any subjects from Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Business Studies, Accounting, and Economics. A negative marking system will be followed while assessing written parts. Dr Shivananda CS, Principal of DPS STS School Dhaka, said, “This scholarship introduced by DPS STS School speaks of our commitment to promote inclusivity. We want to create opportunities for meritorious students who want to strive for academic excellence at DPS.” Around 200 students registered for this scholarship in the last session. Two students were granted a 50% waiver in their tuition fees through this scholarship program.

International School Dhaka (ISD), which offers International Baccalaureate curricula to its local and foreign students, organised a Bangla poetry writing competition marking the country’s 53rd Victory Day on Saturday. Nazifah Tasnim Tabassum came out as the winner in the Middle School section for her poem ‘Jonmobhumi’ (Motherland) while Wafa Jahan Shakira won at the High School level for her poem ’Bhalobasar Bangladesh’ (Of Love for Bangladesh). They were awarded at the Victory Day Assembly organised by the school’s Bangla Department. Reciting poem ‘Shadhinotar Shukh’ (Happiness of Freedom) grade 2 students joined the celebration that included music. Grade 7 students performed a musical drama titled ‘Hridoy Amar Bangladesh’ (Bangladesh is in my heart) illustrating the history of Bangladesh inclusive of the 1971 liberation war. “Through this assembly we try to instill in our students a deep sense of pride and responsibility towards the legacy of our nation,” said Bangla Department Head Ishrat Jahan. ISD Director Steve Calland-Scoble said, “It’s a great opportunity for our kids to share their culture and values with everyone in the school.” The school’s Primary Principal David Longworth and Secondary Principal Chris Boyle also spoke.

The newly-appointed Vice-Chancellor of Jagannath University (JnU), Prof. Sadeka Halim, has stated her commitment to seeing Bangladesh move forward with the spirit of the Liberation War, after paying homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar, marking the 52nd Victory Day. “Bangladesh has progressed a lot in social, political and economic sectors. However, there are many obstacles and limitations,” she said. Dr Sadeka, who in her last post served as chair of the Sociology department of Dhaka University, also urged the young generation to know the history of their Liberation War from the brave freedom fighters. She praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for developing the country 'enormously' and said, “At present, we have achieved a lot. We are applying that achievement internationally. At present, the main achievement of our victory is that the country is moving forward with emphasis on all the issues of victory under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Apart from this, the Prime Minister's dream of making Smart Bangladesh requires economic development, civil sector mentality and acceptance of diversity.” The first woman to be appointed as Vice-Chancellor of Jagannath University (JnU) also added, "It is not possible to repay the sacrifices of freedom fighters. But we should think about why they fought. And we must uphold their sacrifices. We have to protect our independence and move forward with the spirit of the Liberation War." Among others, Humayun Kabir Chowdhury, treasurer of the university, deans of various faculties, Hall Provost, and the President and General Secretary of the Teachers Association, were also present. Dr Sadeka Halim is the daughter of the late, great scientist Fazlul Halim Chowdhury, who himself was one of the longest-serving vice chancellors of Dhaka University.  Apart from her academic positions, she also served as one of the commissioners in the country's inaugural Information Commission. 

Expressing solidarity with Palestinians, a cultural event 'Intifada Palestine', was held on Jagannath University (JnU) campus in protest against the barbaric Israeli aggressions supported by the US on innocent people on Wednesday. The students of different departments participated in the cultural function organised by 'Chintak' on the university's "Vaskharya Chattar" premises. Sammilita Sangskritik Jote protests against Israel's attacks on Palestinians in Gaza The programme was organised under the initiative of 'Chintak', a quarterly periodical published by the students of the university. In the event, the tragic pictures of torture of the Palestinians were put up before the participants through revolutionary speeches, protest songs and poems. Protest marches from US to Berlin call for immediate halt to Israeli bombing of Gaza In addition, pictures of brutal killings on Palestinians were also displayed at the event. The revolutionary spirit of the Palestinians was depicted through the recitation of Kazi Nazrul Islam's 'Bidrohi'. Ivan Tahsib, editor of "Chintak" magazine and one of the organisers of the protest programme, said, "We want to say from this solidarity programme that American imperialism is responsible for the terrible situation of the Palestinian people today, just as Israeli Zionism is responsible. This is not just a war of religion, it is a war for the survival of America's capitalist interests. Not all Jews support the genocide of Palestinians. Many Jews in the UK, France and Germany are against the genocide." Islamic parties stage protest condemning Israeli attacks on Palestine Joydeep Bhattacharya, organiser of the Bangladesh Chapter of "Health Care Workers for Palestine", Rafiquzzaman Farid, adviser of the quarterly periodical 'Sairen', published by the students of Dhaka University, and cultural activists joined the event and expressed their solidarity with the freedom-seeking Palestinians. Along with them, Sushmita Roy Supti, organiser of 'Charan Cultural Centre’' and many leaders joined their voices.