United News of Bangladesh

A five-day book fair at Jahangirnagar University (JU) came to an end Thursday. The Faculty of Arts and Humanities of JU organised the fair in collaboration with Traxila Bookshop. Jubayer Ahmed, a student of the English department, said he could buy books at a cheap rate from the fair. "Our campus is far from Dhaka. So it is not always easy for us to get good books. This fair filled the gap." Professor Emran Jahan of the history department said: "We want this kind of book fest to take place more frequently." Read: 'Secret Documents' on Bangabandhu: International editions launched at London Book Fair "Nowadays students just read books only for academic purposes, but to enrich our knowledge, we should read other books along with the academic ones," he added.

From the Wild Atlantic Way to the Brú na Bóinne, Ireland is undoubtedly one of the most scenic countries in the world. Being part of the British Union, the country thrived in the middle to late middle ages and today presents a mix of cultural heritage and modernity. The country has professed development in the education sector.  Ireland owns some of the best higher study institutes in the world which have steadily positioned the country as an affordable, world-class higher study destination among prospective students. Let's look at the process and requirements to study bachelor, master's, or Ph.D. in Irish higher study institutions.  Why Study in Ireland?  The main reason to study in Ireland has to be world-class, progressive, and innovation-led studies in almost every discipline. And it's just not in words; the OECD report of 2019 puts Ireland as the 4th best study destination in the world. In addition to that, the Bloomberg Innovation Index of 2020 puts Ireland as the 12th most innovative country in the world.  Read More: Study in Thailand: Admission process, cost for International Students Beyond its academic and innovative rigor, Ireland is home to some of the most scenic places in the western hemisphere. From the castles to the ridges to the shires, the views will fill your senses, unlike anything.  Another great thing about Ireland is the stay-back visa. Ireland welcomes its international graduates to stay back, find jobs, and contribute to the Irish economy. In that regard, the country offers up to 2 years of stay-back visa for students to find a job and settle in Ireland.  Higher Education in Ireland  Like most other EU countries, Ireland offers higher education through bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. There are generally two intakes per year, one in the fall and the other in the spring. The spring semester starts in early January, and the fall semester starts in early September.  The bachelor's generally last for about three to four years, the masters for about one and a half to two years, and the Ph.D. usually lasts for about three to five years.  Read More: Higher Study Opportunities in Turkey for International Students: Process, Cost How to Apply to Ireland for Higher Studies  There are several steps for applying to Ireland for higher studies. Here are the main ones.  Finding the Right Course  The first thing to do is to find the right course. If you are a student applying for bachelor's, you can choose streams based on your preference. And if you are a student applying for a master's or Ph.D., then you can choose courses based on your bachelor's stream or research interest.  The Education in Ireland portal is the perfect place to search for streams and degrees available at each of the degree levels. It is a repository for all the existing higher education programs in Ireland. You can easily find your desired course here. Read More: Study in Czech Republic: Application process, cost, scholarships Admission Requirements  The admission requirements in Irish Universities are in line with most EU countries. Depending on courses and streams, the application and admission requirements may vary. But you will at least need the following in any application.  -Official Transcripts (Last completed Degree) -LOR (Up to three)-Statement of Purpose -Language Proficiency certification (IELTS/TOEFL iBT) -Bank statement -Proof of application fee payment  One thing to note here is that most Irish Universities require at least 6.5 to 7.0 on the IELTS band. It's one of the stringent regulations that apply to most universities except for a few. If you cannot secure the required band score, you might have to enroll in a foundation course at your accepted university.  Read More: Self-Funded Study Opportunity in France for International Students Application Process  There are mainly two ways to apply to Irish Universities. Either through the central application or a professor. If you are applying for bachelors, then the central application is the only way.  But if your masters are thesis-based or you’re applying for a Ph.D., then you can opt for a professor referral as well as a central application. Note that applying through a professor’s referral ensures better chances of securing funding.  Tuition Fee and Scholarship Opportunities in Ireland  Tuition fees in Ireland grossly differ based on whether it is a publicly funded or privately funded university. Depending on the course and the university, the undergraduate tuition fee can run anywhere between 3500 euros to 8000 euros or 377,742 BDT to 863,657 BDT per year (1 EUR = 107 BDT).  Read More: Study in Japan: Scholarships, Tuitions, Application Process for Bangladeshi Students Tuition costs for masters are also similar at around 4000 euros to 9000 euros or 431828 BDT to 971614 BDT per year. Unfortunately, the cost of a Ph.D. is some of the highest in the world at around 9000 euros for non-EU/EEA students. But most prospective Ph.D. opts for funding first before pursuing a doctorate in Ireland. In terms of scholarship, masters and Ph.D. students gets the most preference. Unfortunately, the number of bachelor’s scholarships is very limited in Ireland. Some of the common and prestigious scholarships in Ireland include –  -Dublin City University Scholarship -University of Limerick Scholarship -Dublin Institute of Technology Scholarship -The Walsh Fellowship -Central Bank of Ireland Undergraduate Scholarship -Trinity College Dublin Scholarship. Read More: Study in Belgium: Bachelor's, Masters and PhD options for Bangladeshi students Cost of Living and Work Opportunities in Ireland  The cost of living in Ireland is one of the more lucrative aspects of studying in the country. Compared to other EU countries and even England, the cost of living is much lower. A student can expect to shell out anywhere between 650 euros to 1000 euros or 70172 BDT or 107957 BDT per month. Depending on location and personal spending habits, the cost can be even lower.  A full-time student can work for 20 hours per week as per the immigration law of Ireland. The time goes up to 40 hours in summer vacation. As a student working part-time jobs, you can expect to earn around 10 to 12 euros per hour.  Final Words  Beyond its picturesque cities, Ireland offers some of the best education you can find anywhere in the world. Besides education, Ireland is currently one of the most immigration-friendly countries in the world, with the government actively encouraging students to stay back and build a career in Ireland. Read More: Study in Denmark: Costs, opportunities for international students So far we have discussed the admission process, tuition, and living cost of international students in bachelor, master, or Ph.D. in Ireland. Students from Bangladesh can choose Ireland as a study hub to fulfill their dreams. So what are you waiting for? Apply away to experience Irish life. 

Rajshahi University (RU) teachers and officials allegedly assaulted the students of the Urdu Department who were staging a hunger strike since Monday morning. Four female students were admitted to the university medical center after the incident. The incident took place in front of the administration building of the university on Monday evening. The injured students are Monija Akhtar, Runa Akhtar, Nusrat Jahan Priya and Sumaiya of the 2019-20 academic year of that department. Among them, Manija Akhtar and Sumaiya were taken to Rajshahi Medical College (RMC) Hospital as their condition was critical. The remaining two students are admitted to the university’s medical center. Eyewitnesses and students of the Urdu department said that the officers and teachers of the university came in front of the administration building to break the hunger strike of the students. At one point, a fight broke out between them and the agitating students. This led to a scuffle between the two sides. Later, four students of the Urdu department got injured. The students claimed that they all were beaten up by the authorities. During the scuffle, university pro-vice-chancellor Prof Sultan-Ul-Islam, Proctor Prof Ashabul Haque, Student Advisor M. Tareq Nur, Assistant Proctor Zakir Hossain, Theatre department Prof Ataur Rahman Raju, among others, were present. Later protesting this incident, the students raised various slogans in front of the administration building. Earlier, at 10:30am in the morning, the 2nd year students of the Urdu Department sat on hunger strike in front of the Administration Building of the University, demanding reevaluation of the results. When the university administration wanted to negotiate, the students announced that they would continue their hunger strike until their demands would be met. Read more: RU says yes to second-time admission seekers While asked about the complaint, Ataur Rahman Raju, professor of Theatre department said, “If they can prove the allegations against me, I will leave my job tomorrow morning. When the administration came to talk to them they were loud with the authorities and raised various slogans against the administration. Then I tried to make them understand." In the meantime, a five-member delegation of students held discussions with the administration. Later at 8:30om, University vice-chancellor Professor Golam Sabbir Sattar, two pro-vice-chancellors and Proctor came and broke their hunger strike by feeding students water and biscuits. Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor Golam Sabbir Sattar said that according to the university's ordinance, there is no opportunity to re-evaluate the results after the publication of the results. But we will always work in the interest of students. He assured to form an investigation committee within seven days to solve the case. “Later, regular counseling will be done to improve the relationship between teachers and students of the department,” Prof Sattar stated. Read more: RU to take action over attack on students in RMCH  

Students of Dhaka University held protest rallies to make a safe campus and launched campaigns to control the vehicles in the campus area. At 11am on Sunday, students started gathering at the foot of the anti-terrorist Raju monument where they observed a minute of silence by taping their mouths and eyes to symbolize the inaction of the administration for a safe campus and pressed an 11-point demand for a safe campus. During the campaign, students stopped various vehicles inside the campus area and redirected them if they found the vehicles unwanted in the campus. Protesting students are staying at VC Chattar of the University till now. Most of the students are from 2019-20 and 2020-21 academic session of Dhaka University. Read more: Horrific death on DU campus: Ex-teacher sued After that they went to the important roads of the campus to control traffic in the campus area. "Everyday 37,000 regular students move around the campus putting their life in security risk. Last Friday, a woman was dragged to death on the campus by a private car," one of protesters said, demanding to ensure a safe campus for students. "This campus is not a racing ground but during night time, outsiders come to the campus and most often they do car racing and motorcycle racing. Heavy vehicles also move around the campus which is very risky for the students. Anything could happen anytime," another student said seeking anonymity.

If you were to name some of the most happening places worldwide, Thailand would easily top the list. From its luscious nature, white elephants, delectable cuisines, and possibly the best nightlife experience in the globe, Thailand has more to offer than meets the eye. But many don’t know about the thriving higher education opportunity in Thailand. Let's find out whether this Asian peninsula can be your next higher study destination.  Why Study in Thailand?  As of 2022, Thailand is home to about 15,000 international students. It's easy to see why students choose Thailand. It's cheap, offers world-class education, and is a multicultural hub with a robust tourism sector.  This year 8 universities from Thailand made it to the QS Ranking of best universities across the globe. Additionally, almost all Thai universities consistently feature within the top 500 range in the Asian ranking.  Read More: Higher Study Opportunities in Turkey for International Students: Process, Cost A prospective student can choose from 12 public and 39 private universities in Thailand. A regulatory body known as the Thai Qualifications Framework oversees and monitors higher education in Thailand.  The robust curriculum, industry-driven education, and practical implementation of knowledge easily make Thailand one of the best countries to pursue higher studies.  Admission Process in Thailand Universities Just like western countries, Thailand primarily offers higher education in bachelor, masters, and Ph.D. The intakes are in spring and autumn, with expected classes to begin in the second week of January and September, respectively. Read More: Study in Czech Republic: Application process, cost, scholarships The process of admission starts around three months before class commencement. Most Thai universities follow a rolling admission process, so students should prepare at least a year before the intended admission semester.  Required Document There is no central application system in Thailand. So a prospective student will have to apply to each university individually. Depending on the universities, the required document also differs. But some universal documents apply to almost every university.  Application form -Certificate of graduation (Last passed examination for bachelors, masters, and Ph.D.) -Academic transcripts (Last passed ones for bachelors, masters, and Ph.D.) -GRE (Only for Bachelors) -LOR -Statement of Purpose -Language proficiency certification (IELTS/ TOEFL-iBT) -Application fee payment receipt Additionally, the transcripts need to be notarized or translated if they are not in English.  Read More: Self-Funded Study Opportunity in France for International Students Application Process  Almost every university in Thailand follows a central admission system as outlined by the specific university. The process applies to bachelors, masters, and Ph.D. as well.  However, for thesis-based masters, candidates may contact professors beforehand. While the applicant will still have to go through the central admission and screening process, managing a supervisor will expedite the process.  The admission process for Ph.D. exclusively requires a supervisor owing to the nature of the degree.  Read More: Study in Japan: Scholarships, Tuitions, Application Process for Bangladeshi Students For each session, the admission occurs on a rolling basis. So it's recommended to apply early.  Scholarship Opportunities in Thailand  Scholarship opportunities in Thailand can be divided into several streams. There are government-funded ones as well as organizational scholarships available for prospective students.  There are also specialized scholarships dedicated to a specific stream. For example, the SIIT scholarship (https://www.siit.tu.ac.th/admission.php?sid=21). It is one of the prestigious scholarships provided to masters and Ph.D. students who holds an exceptional academic track record and industry insight. Read More: Study in Belgium: Bachelor's, Masters and PhD options for Bangladeshi students The scholarship is provided to students of life sciences and engineering. The scholarship covers everything from tuition, accommodation, and living expenses for the awarded students.  Other scholarship opportunities include –  Petchra Pra Jom Klao Scholarships (https://iadmission.kmutt.ac.th/afford/scholarship) Chulalongkorn University Scholarships for International Students (https://www.grad.chula.ac.th/en/scholarship.php?type=1) PSU-Med ISG Scholarships (https://grad.psu.ac.th/en/news/scholarship/953-142.html) TIPP Scholarship (https://tica-thaigov.mfa.go.th/en/page/cate-7115-what-is-tipp?menu=605b1272233f4b075654ba92) Mahidol Postgraduate Scholarships for International Students (https://graduate.mahidol.ac.th/inter/?p=scholarship) Read More: Study in Denmark: Costs, opportunities for international students While most of these scholarships are available for the postgraduate level, some are available for the graduate level as well. Almost all of these scholarships are based on merit so expect tough competition to secure one.  Associated Costs of Higher Studies in Thailand Cost of Education in Thailand  One of the key reasons behind the popularity of Thailand as a study-abroad destination is the affordable tuition structure. But the affordability is mostly limited to public universities as private universities can run an eye-watering sum each year.  The cost of education in public universities at the undergraduate level is around 1700 euros or 1,88,063 BDT per semester. For masters, the cost is around 2000 euros or 2,21,250 BDT per semester (1 EUR = 110 BDT).  Read More: Overcoming Study Gap: How to Start Studying after a Long Break But for a private university, the cost can be as high as 20,000 euros or 22,12,505 BDT per year for bachelors. For masters, it can cost up to 14,000 euros 15,48,754 BDT per year. The Ph.D. cost is relatively cheap at around 700 euros or 77,437 BDT per year.  Living Costs in Thailand  The cost of living in Thailand greatly depends on the location you’re staying. Downtown Bangkok would cost much more compared to Chiang Mai or Lampang.  On average, a student can expect to spend around $600 or 64,079 BDT to $1200 or 1,28,158 BDT on living expenses in Thailand every month (1 USD = 106 BDT). The sum isn’t fixed, and it will greatly depend on the lifestyle and spending habits of the student.  Read More: Cheapest countries for Bangladeshi students for higher studies Work Opportunity in Thailand  An international student will need to obtain a permit from the immigration office to be eligible for part-time jobs alongside studies. A student can work up to 20 hours per week as per the stipulated regulation.  The minimum wage in Thailand is around $9.27 per hour. So a student working 20 hours per week can expect to earn around $ 750 or 80,099 BDT per month.  Final Thoughts  Thailand has much to offer beyond its touristy cities and neon-flooded nights. The country of the white elephant is steadily becoming the perfect study-abroad destination for many prospective international students.  Read More: SoP for Higher Studies: How to write an unfailing Statement of Purpose? The accredited certificates, practical skill-oriented education, and a great career opportunity are sure to be lucrative for many. The diverse stream of education is another plus point of Thai higher education. Even though the country is heavily focused on industrial development, arts and humanities studies are equally thriving.  Additionally, there are generous scholarships and work opportunities for students. So it won’t be very difficult to finance the education once you’re admitted to a university. On the whole, it can be said that international students including Bangladesh have scopes for higher studies in Thailand. 

A girl apparently committed suicide in Mymensingh's Gafargain as she could not obtain GPA-5 in the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exam this year. Proma Dutta Nijhum,16, was the daughter of Nirmal Chandra and a student of Khairullah Government Girls High School. Police said Proma obtained a GPA of 4.67 from Science background in the SSC results released on Monday - excellent in itself. Due to not getting the desired result, she was mentally broken. Later in the afternoon, in the absence of family members, she took antiseptic liquid Savlon that was in the house and fell seriously ill. Read: SSC Results 2022: 2,975 institutions achieve 100% pass rate, none passed from 50 She was first taken to the Upazila Health Complex and the doctor on duty sent him to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for better treatment. She died in the evening while undergoing treatment there. The body has been kept in the Mymensingh Medical College Hospital morgue, said Faruque Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Gafargaon police station. "No complaints yet received in this regard," added the OC.

The result  of examination for the recruitment of 45,000 assistant teachers in government primary schools will be published on December 14. The result for the government primary school assistant teacher recruitment test, 2022 will be published in the afternoon of December 14, according to a press release from the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. The first phase of the examination was held on April 22, second phase on May 20, and third phase on June 3.  The number of candidates in this year's recruitment test for assistant teachers was 13,09,461. At present, there are 65,566 govt primary schools in the country with 4,28,701 vacant  teachers’ post.

A total of 2,975 educational institutions, under all education boards, secured 100 percent pass rate in Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations for 2022. The number of institutions with 100% pass rate has declined this year compared to the previous year. Last year, the number was 5,494. Meanwhile, the number of educational institutions with zero pass rate is 50 which was 18 last year. Read more: SSC Results 2022: 2.69 lakh students score GPA-5. Education Minister Dipu Moni shared detailed information on this year’s SSC results during a press conference at International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka this noon. This year, 17,43,619 students – 8,70,046 boys and 8,73,573 girls – from 29,639 institutes under 11 education boards in the country successfully cleared the exams. This year, more than 20 lakh students took part in SSC and equivalent examinations under 11 boards, including madrasa (Dakhil) and Technical Education. Read more: SSC results 2022: Average pass rate 87.44% Of them, 15.99 lakh were from nine general education boards, 2.68 lakh under the Madrasa Education Board, and 1.53 lakh under the Technical Education Board. SSC and equivalent examinations of 2022 began across the country on September 15.

Female students have secured slight better pass rate, at 87.71 percent, than their male counterparts at the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent exams for 2022, as in the previous year. The SSC pass rate of male students is 87.16 percent. Education Minister Dipu Moni shared detailed information on this year’s SSC results during a press conference at International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka on Monday noon. Read: Don’t be obsessed with a few famous schools: PM to parents of SSC-passing students This year, 17,43,619 students -- 8,70,046 boys and 8,73,573 girls -- from 29,639 institutes under 11 education boards in the country successfully passed the SSC and equivalents exams. Girls also ahead in achieving GPA-5 A total of 2,69,602 students across the country have scored GPA-5. Among them, 1,21,156 are male students and 1,48,446 female. Read: SSC Results 2022: Jashore Board’s pass rate 95.17%, highest in country This year, more than 20 lakh students took part in SSC and equivalent examinations. Of them, 15.99 lakh were from nine general education boards, 2.68 lakh under the Madrasa Education Board, and 1.53 lakh under the Technical Education Board. SSC and equivalent examinations began across the country on September 15.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (November 28, 2022) asked parents to change their mindset that their children must get admission to the few schools that are famous in order to get good education. She said this while receiving the result summary of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations for 2022 at the PMO in Dhaka. “There are only a handful of famous schools. Many of us think that there would be no dignity, while some think that their children would get no education unless they can study in those schools. This mentality needs to be changed,” she said. Reaed more: SSC Results 2022: Jashore Board’s pass rate 95.17%, highest in country Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni handed over the summary of SSC results and related statistics to the prime minister. Sheikh Hasina said many noted dignitaries, including highly knowledgeable persons, scientists, civil service officers and leaders in the country studied at district-level schools. Such schools should not be neglected, she added. “It is easy for the famous schools to show off good results as they deal with the brightest students,” she said. Reaed more: SSC Results 2022: 2.69 lakh students score GPA-5 She said that credit should go to those (teachers and schools) who can groom and develop mediocre students and ensure they earn the best possible results. “They should be given support and should be rewarded,” she said. The PM stressed the need for close monitoring so that students can get proper education in every school. This year, more than 20 lakh students took part in SSC and equivalent examinations under 11 boards, including madrasa (Dakhil) and Technical Education. Read More: SSC Results 2022: Girls slightly ahead of boys with 87.71% pass rate Of them, 15.99 lakh were from nine general education boards, 2.68 under the Madrasa Education Board, and 1.53 lakh under the Technical Education Board. 2022 SSC and equivalent examinations began across the country on September 15.