United News of Bangladesh

Prothom Alo Chittagong University (CU) correspondent Mosharraf Shah suffered grievous injuries after being assaulted by activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) early Sunday. Mosharraf said the attackers repeatedly asked him why he wrote news reports regarding BCL and threatened him not to write any more reports in the future. He identified the attackers as members of the 'CFC group', led by CU BCL vice president Mirza Khabir Sadaf. He was assaulted at around 11:30 a.m. on Sunday in front of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities on the CU campus. BCL dissolves its CU unit committee Mosharraf Shah told UNB that he was headed to the Vice-Chancellor's office to get a statement on the issue of Chhatra League clashes, vandalism, and the recent beating up of the chief engineer. Around 15-20 BCL activists cornered him when he reached in front of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. They asked him why he filed reports on BCL. Some of them kicked him in the chest, punched him in the face and forehead, and hit him on the hands. During the beating, Mosharraf said that leaders and activists threatened him not to publish news about the Chhatra League and said, “We will see who comes to save you if you write any more news.  There will be no news about Chhatra League.” Four members of a family rescued after landslides on Chittagong University campus The injured Mosharraf was given primary treatment at the University Medical Center. He was sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital later. CU’s Medical Center's Chief Medical Officer, Abu Taiyab, said four stitches had to be given to close the wound on his forehead. Chittagong University proctor, 16 others resign from admin posts He is also suffering from a hand injury; an X-ray should be done, he said. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) dissolved its Chittagong University (CU) unit committee on Sunday afternoon by issuing  a press release. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of BCL, it said.  

Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB) Khulna Branch Council (KBC) organized a colorful orientation program for the newly admitted students of the July-December 2023 session on Wednesday at CMA Bhaban, Sonadanga, Khulna. Abdur Rahman Khan FCMA, President of ICMAB was present as the Chief Guest of the program, said a press release. He appreciated the decisions of the newly admitted students in choosing the CMA profession. He presented a clear picture of the country’s need for professional accountants. Read: BAT Bangladesh scoops up ‘ICMAB Best Corporate Award’ for sixth time He assured that the Institute will provide the necessary support to facilitate their CMA journey. Past President Prof. Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed, Treasurer Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Prof. S.M. Zahidur Rahman, Business Administration Discipline, Khulna University, Kartick Chandra Mondal, Principal, Azam Khan Govt. Commerce College and Professor Dr. Mohammad Zakaria Masud, Director of ICMAB, also addressed at the function. Read: Islami Bank scoops up ICMAB Best Corporate Award Khulna Branch Council Chairman Mr. Md. Arifur Rahman presided over the program and Vice Chairman Azizur Rahman delivered a welcome speech. A large number of students from several parts of Khulna attended the program. Read more: ICMAB signs MoU with Bogura Azizul Haque College to promote CMA studies

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday approved a $100 million loan to improve computer science, software engineering and information technology (IT) programmes in three universities in Bangladesh. ADB Social Sector Economist Ryotaro Hayashi said that uplifting software engineering programme in higher education is the needs of time to accelerate fourth industrial revolution technology adoption and realize the vision of Digital Bangladesh. Also read: ADB to provide Bangladesh $300 million loan to boost skills of labour force  “This project will help develop more competent and technology-savvy graduates and entrepreneurs who can help propel the country’s IT industry.” The project will upgrade the computer science and engineering, software engineering, and information technology degree programs of the leading public universities in Bangladesh which are Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, and the University of Dhaka, as well as Jashore University of Science and Technology, according to a release from the Bank. These programmes will adopt blended learning techniques and integrate the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and internet of things. Also read: ADB provides $490 million to Bangladesh for 2 projects These programmes will seek international accreditation to ensure that students get updated curricula that adhere to international standards.  ADB will support the establishment of modern classrooms and laboratories, collaboration and start-up spaces, and auxiliary facilities in the three universities. These facilities will incorporate climate- and disaster-resilient designs, energy- and water-saving features, and will include women-friendly amenities and services. The universities will develop capacities of teachers to be proficient in new instructional approaches and emerging digital technologies. Also read: ADB mobilizes $261 million for Rampura Amulia Demra Expressway The students and teachers from the three and other universities will also work with industry partners to come up with innovative solutions through joint research and development. Mandatory internship opportunities, career counseling, and industry placement will be provided to undergraduate students, particularly for women.

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