United News of Bangladesh

Due to the national parliamentary elections, the secondary-level summer vacation has been canceled across the country. This holiday will be coordinated with the next winter vacation, said Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Wednesday. Also rwad: Education Minister seeks media’s support to advance education She said this after holding a meeting with teacher leaders demanding the nationalisation  of secondary educational institutions at the Mother Language Institute in the capital. Also read: Education Minister embarrassed by assault on Rajshahi college principal According to the academic calendar, there was a summer vacation in the educational institutions from July 20 to August 2. After the education minister's announcement, it is no longer happening. Also read: Action if any attempt is made to leak questions: Education Minister In a meeting with the protesting teachers, the education minister said that the teaching and evaluation of sixth and seventh grade in the new curriculum should be completed by November 30. In addition, all the annual examinations of the schools will have to be completed within the same time.   End/UNB/M/MB/JA

The Anti-Corruption Commission has started an investigation regarding the allegations brought against Islamic University vice-chancellor Professor Shaikh Abdus Salam for his alleged involvement in irregularities in recruiting teachers at the Finance and Banking Department of the university. M Shahbub Alam, a job seeker and also a former student of the department, lodged a complaint with the ACC against the vice-chancellor for his alleged involvement in the irregularities. A two-member team, assistant director Nilkamal Paul and deputy assistant director Syed Maidul Islam, of Kushtia Anti-Corruption Commission went to the IU vice-chancellor’s residence and started investigating the allegations of bribery, corruption and illegal transactions against the VC on Tuesday evening. Nilkamal Paul, the investigating officer and also the assistant director of the ACC’s Kushtia office, on Wednesday told UNB that they started investigating the allegations brought against the IU VC. They also inspected various issues including the leaked audio conversations of the vice-chancellor, mega projects and his financial irregularities. He, however, denied saying anything more in this regard for the sake of investigation. A selection board for the appointment of lecturers in the finance and banking department of the university was held on the campus in Kushtia on September 25, 2022. Read: 3 IU BCL activists suspended over medical centre vandalism The finance and banking department chairman Professor M Bokhtiar Hasan left the selection board as an altercation between Bokhtiar and the board members took place over selecting final candidates. The board later selected two candidates as the lecturers of the department without the signature of the department’s chairman. Shahbub Alam, a job seeker of the department, filed a complaint with the ACC head office on February 27 with various allegations including the leaked audio conversations regarding the selection board. The VC appointed teachers at the department in exchange of bribes and illegal transactions, the complaint said. Awami League-backed teachers’ alliance Shapla Forum’s general secretary Professor M Mahbubar Rahman said that no teachers could be appointed without the signature of the department’s chairman in the final tabulation sheet of the selection board. The IU VC appointed the teachers at the finance and banking department illegally, he added. Contacted, Shahbub Alam said, 'The IU VC has appointed the teachers at the department through illegal and unethical transactions. The audio clips containing conversations between the VC and a person regarding the recruitment board of the department that went viral on social media proved it,’ he said. Read: Student torture: IU expels 1 BCL leader, 4 activists for one year He demanded a fresh selection board. The IU VC, however, could not be reached over phone despite repeated attempts for his comment in this connection. Earlier, a total of 13 audio clips containing conversations between the vice-chancellor and different people went viral on social media from February 16 to June 11. On February 17, IU acting registrar HM Ali Hasan filed a general diary with the Islamic University police station after an audio clip containing conversation between the VC and a job seeker of the IU’s Mass Communication and Journalism Department had gone viral. Read more: 2 IU teachers sued for allegedly harassing woman in Jhenaidah

Results of this year's Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations will be published on July 28 (Friday). Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board Chairman Professor Tapan Kumar Sarkar made the announcement today. Academic activities of 66 educational institutions suspended amid flood in Kurigram This year's SSC and equivalent exams under all boards, including madrasa (Dakhil) and technical education boards, began simultaneously across the country on April 30. According to the Ministry of Education, a total of 20,72,163 candidates appeared for this year’s SSC and equivalent exams. Enrolment in Grades 6-12 in schools up 52.5% since 2009: Dipu Moni    

Academic activities of 66 primary and secondary schools and madrashas have been suspended due to ongoing flood in Kurigram district. District Education Department sources said due to the overall flood situation and disrupted communication system, the authorities decided to suspend the activities of 66 educational institutions in seven upazilas of the district. The decision was taken on Sunday, according to the District Primary Education Office. Read: Kurigram flood situation improves as water level of rivers receding Among the educational institutions, 54 are primary schools while the rest are secondary and higher secondary level educational institutions and madrashas. Of the total schools, 25 primary schools are in Nageshwari upazila, six in Ulipur, six in Sadar, eight in Chilmari, seven in Phulbari and one each in Roumari and Bhurungamari upazilas have been closed, said District Primary Education Officer Shahidul Islam. Already a list of damaged educational institutions was sent to the ministry, he said. Read: Dudhkumar river in Kurigram overflowing Shamsul Alam, District Secondary Education Officer, said the academic activities of 10  secondary schools in Nageshwari upazila, one each in Bhurungamari and Ulipur upazilas have been suspended. Read more:  Under-trial prisoner of Kurigram jail dies at hospital

EDOTCO Bangladesh has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ActionAid International Bangladesh Society aiming to empower 50 ‘Shishu Bikash Kendra’ (child development centers) by providing free solar energy. The collaborative initiative, named “Empowering Shishu Bikash Kendra” by ActionAid, demonstrates EDOTCO’s unwavering commitment to fulfilling the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and Goal 7: Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Sunil Issac, Country Managing Director of EDOTCO Bangladesh, and Farah Kabir, Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh, inked the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations. Under the terms of the MoU, as part of its Tower2Power corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, EDOTCO will act as the financial partner for the project. The company will fund the installation of solar panels, providing power support for lights, fans, and audio systems in 50 child development centers of ActionAid across the country. Read: EDOTCO Bangladesh appoints Sunil Isaac as new country managing director Sunil Issac, Country Managing Director of EDOTCO Bangladesh, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, 'Our collaboration with ActionAid presents an excellent opportunity to make a positive impact on the community. By leveraging our combined strength and resources, we can promote sustainable business practices that benefit the areas where we operate. Our goal is to create a just and sustainable ecosystem where everyone has access to connectivity. We remain dedicated to building a sustainable and connected future for the community, and this collaboration will undoubtedly contribute to that mission. We hope our efforts will inspire others to join us in making an even greater impact to the country and our society.” Read: Edotco sets up 15,000th tower in Bangladesh Farah Kabir, Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh, thanking EDOTCO as the new partner remarked, “ActionAid Bangladesh has been at the forefront of advocacy for social and climate justice for the last four decades. In our child development centers, we have been working with marginalized children, investing in their early childhood development, and helping them grow up as smart and responsible citizens. We believe children should have access to equal rights and opportunities and live in a sustainable, safe environment. This partnership exemplifies commitments to child rights and a sustainable planet and intends to encourage the younger generation to be mindful of protecting the environment while pursuing their education and rights.” By joining forces, EDOTCO and ActionAid are set to positively impact the lives of marginalized children in Bangladesh, while advancing the country's sustainable development agenda. The partnership exemplifies the commitment of both organizations to drive social and environmental progress and sets the bar for the highest standards in social, economic, and environmental responsibility. Read more: edotco wins multiple awards at the Global Best Employer Awards 2022

Postgraduate intern doctors at  Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) have held a protest in Dhaka's Shahbagh area, demanding a higher monthly allowance, timely payments, and clearance of dues. They demanded a raise in their monthly allowance — from Tk 20,000 to TK 50,000. The protesters called for a sit-in at the Shahbagh intersection this morning at the behest of the Postgraduate Private Trainee Doctors’ Association. BSMMU students demand allowance increment However, police personnel deployed in the area ahead of the demonstration stopped them from marching towards Shahbagh intersection. In a protest against police interference, they locked up all the gates of BSMMU around 12 pm. Later, they came out of the hospital and staged a protest, blocking the road in front of BSMMU. Witnesses said, around 1 pm some of the protesters came out of the hospital and tried to block Shahbagh intersection but police stopped them. Neurosurgery training centre to be introduced at BSMMU Tension escalated between doctors and the police, resulting in a chaotic situation. During the protest, doctors tried to obstruct the road, leading to the Science Lab from Shahbagh. Eyewitnesses, including a nearby vendor, reported that in response to the road blockade, police resorted to using batons to disperse the doctors. Protesting intern doctors said that police have been interfering in the protest since they announced their demand publicly. Postgraduate doctors get Tk 20000 as allowance per month which is insufficient to meet their basic needs, they said. BSMMU prepared against Monkeypox: VC They also said that they are not allowed to see patients outside BSMMU. In an attempt to pacify the protesting students, Dr. Sharfuddin, Vice-Chancellor of BSMMU, made an appearance at approximately 3:50 pm. Addressing the demonstrators, he stated, "In response to your demands, I have successfully arranged for the payment of your outstanding dues. Today, I held a meeting with the relevant officials to discuss the issues you have raised. If you heed my advice and return to the hostel, I anticipate being able to provide you with positive news soon. However, if you choose not to follow my instructions, you will need to find your own means to resolve the situation." He asked the students to give him seven days to resolve the situation and urged them to get back to their studies. The protest and blockade, lasting four hours, resulted in significant traffic congestion heading towards the Science Laboratory. The tailback caused considerable delays for motorists in the area. END/UNB/AHT/FK/KW

The authorities of Islamic University in Kushtia on Saturday suspended three activists of the university unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League for their alleged involvement in vandalising the equipment of the medical centre on campus.The decision was made at a meeting of the university’s student disciplinary committee held on the campus in the morning with Vice-chancellor Professor Sheikh Abdus Salam in the chair.The suspended students are: Rezwan Siddiqi Kabbo, a student of law department under 2018-19 academic session, Atik Arman and Salman Ohin under 2021-22 academic session of the same department. They are all activists of the university unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League.IU Proctor Professor M Shahadat Hossain Azad told UNB that the VC issued the suspension order against the trio for violating the university’s rules and regulations. Read: 2 IU teachers sued for allegedly harassing woman in JhenaidahA three-member probe committee was also formed to look into the matter and further action would be taken against them after getting reports from the probe body, he added.Earlier, on Monday night, Kabbo along with Atik and Salman went to the medical centre with chest pain.Later, he asked the duty doctor Wahidur Rahman Milton for an ambulance to go to Kushtia General Hospital for better treatment. Read: 3 BCL activists vandalised Islamic University’s medical centre, says duty doctorKabbo with his associates started “vandalising equipment including chairs, table and land phone” in the medical centre as the doctor delayed giving him the ambulance.

Two teachers of Islamic University in Kushtia among six people have been sued under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act on charges of sexually harassing a woman at Jhinuk Tower of sadar upazila in Jhenaidah. The victim, Sadia Mollik, lodged the case with Jhenaidah Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal on July 3. The Jhenaidah police station received the case from the court on July 5, police said on Wednesday. BCL men assault IU student The accused are- Professor M Anowar Hossain of Islamic History and Culture Department and Debashish Sharma of Economics Department. The four others are- Liyakot Hossain, 42, son of Abdul Jalil, Md Abdus Saad, 40, son of Rahmat Ali, Mokarram Hossain, 43, son of Mosharraf Hossain and Mamun, 30. All are the residents of the Jhinuk Tower in the upazila. According to the case statement, the victim, Sadia Mallik, 29, wife of an Italian expatriate, rented a block on the fifth floor of the Jhinuk Tower and used to live there for the past seven months. The accused tried to come close to the victim on different occasions, according to case details. Recruitment Scam: IU VC’s conversation goes viral again Professor Anowar Hossain often harassed the victim both physically and mentally, the statement said. Professor Anowar Hossain with the assistance of five others has been accused of entering the victim’s room at night and attempting to harass her physically, the statement added. Sadia Mollik, however, could not be reached over the phone as her phone was found switched off. Denying the allegation, Professor M Anowar Hossain said that the allegation brought against him was false and fabricated. IU Students protest attack on teacher, block Kushtia-Jhenaidah highway Investigating officer of the case M Kamruz Zaman said that they were investigating the incident. He would submit the case reports to the Jhenaidah court after the investigation.    

Three activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League’s Islamic University unit allegedly vandalised the medical centre on campus in Kushtia early Tuesday. The three have been identified as Rezwan Siddiqi Kabbo, Atik Arman and Salman Ohin – students of the university’s law department. All are activists of BCL’s Islamic University unit. Wahidur Rahman Milton, duty doctor at the medical centre on campus, told UNB that Kabbo along with the two others came to him, complaining of chest pain. Ten minutes after receiving treatment, Kabbo misbehaved with him, as he was “drunk” and asked for an ambulance, the doctor said. Read: Universal College Bangladesh hosts Monash Graduation Convocation Later, the three students vandalised the medical centre and forced the ambulance driver to take them to Kushtia town, he added. Islamic University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof M Mahbubur Rahman, Treasurer Prof M Alamgir Hossain Bhuiya and Proctor Prof M Shahadat Hossain Azad visited the medical centre this morning. The proctor said that they would take legal action against the accused involved in vandalising the medical center. Read: BCL men assault IU student A written complaint was submitted to the university’s Acting Registrar HM Ali Hasan in this regard. It is worth mentioning that the university authorities suspended Kabbo for violating the university’s rules and regulations on July 23, 2022.His suspension has not been withdrawn yet, the proctor said.

Universal College Bangladesh (UCB), an exclusive partner of Monash College, Australia in Bangladesh, hosted the Monash College Graduation Convocation 2023 on Saturday.  Seventy-six students across the different programs offered by Monash College namely, Monash University Foundation Year, Monash College Diploma of Business, Information Technology and Engineering graduated through a stunning event held at the Utsab Banquet Hall of Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel in the capital. Kate Sangster, Acting Deputy High Commissioner of the Australian High Commission joined the event as chief guest, alongside Bob Kundanmal, Chairman of STS Group; Zarif Munir, Director and Member of the Board, Universal College Bangladesh; and Professor Muhammad Ismail Hossain, Dean of Academic Affairs, Universal College Bangladesh attended the event, with the graduating students, other high officials and esteemed guests.  Aga Khan School, Dhaka celebrates the Class of 2023 The event began with a welcome note from the Academic Dean, followed by a heartwarming video reflecting the graduating students’ journey. The event moved forward with a speech by Prof Hew Gill, President and Provost designate, followed by a board commendation speech by Zarif Munir. Bob Kundanmal, Chairman of STS Group said, “I am ecstatic to be standing here and looking at all of these accomplished faces ready to conquer the world. Being able to provide such a pathway for Bangladeshi students to access the top-notch education standards of Monash University has been a very fulfilling experience. Through UCB, we hope to continue making international education more accessible for the promising students of Bangladesh”. DU announces Tk913 crore budget for FY 2023-24 Kate Sangster, acting Deputy High Commissioner of the Australian High Commission said, “We are always honoured and are proud to reflect on strong ties and relationship with Bangladesh based on people-to-people link. Education is also a very important part of the people-to-people links, and Monash University and Monash College are amongst the most prestigious institutions known internationally.” “We’re very excited that these convocations are available in Bangladesh now. Education and skills development are also important to our development relationship with Bangladesh. We appreciate the Bangladesh government's decision to permit foreign universities to open branch campuses such as Universal College Bangladesh,” she added. Zarif Munir, Director and Member of the Board of Universal College Bangladesh said, “I would like to convey my congratulations to all the students for successfully navigating their personal academic journeys. As graduates of the nation's premier transnational higher education institution, our students can stride confidently into the future, accompanied by all the new skills and learnings. I am incredibly proud to witness this success”. UCB, the country's first Ministry of Education-approved international education provider, recognises the growing need for quality education and its impact on building a highly-skilled workforce for the future of Bangladesh. Enrolment in Grades 6-12 in schools up 52.5% since 2009: Dipu Moni According to QS World University Rankings 2024, Monash University is ranked 42nd globally; hence, making their world-class educational facilities available in the country enables Bangladeshi students to create a strong foothold within their respective fields. Moreover, this opportunity gives Bangladeshi students a direct pathway to Monash University, making international education accessible through UCB.