United News of Bangladesh

The Centre for Higher Studies and Research (CHSR) of the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) Saturday held a meeting of the supervisors and researchers of their MPhil and PhD programmes. The interactive session was arranged to create a nexus among the researchers and supervisors to enable the smooth and effective running of research projects, according to a media statement. Read: BUP Freshers’ Reception-2022 held on campus In the 2022-2023 academic sessions, 24 researchers got enrolled in the MPhil and 38 in PhD programmes at the BUP. BUP Vice-Chancellor Major General Md Mahbub-ul Alam was present at the programme as the chief guest. Brigadier General Monzurul Alam, dean of CHSR, moderated it.   Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Khondoker Mokaddem Hossain, renowned academicians of well-reputed universities and prominent professionals, and other high officials of the BUP were also present.

Education Minister Dipu Moni on Saturday dismissed as false some social media speculation that religious studies are being excluded from the new curriculum for students. She was talking to the media after attending a programme at the National Press Club in the capital. “A specific group of people is spreading propaganda as part of an anti-government campaign. As they find nothing else to talk about, they are now spreading propaganda about the new curriculam,” said Dipu Moni. Also read: Educational institutions to remain closed for 2 days a week to save power “We are working to expand knowledge, skills and morality through education by implementing the new curriculum. Religion, morality, values are an inseparable part of it,” she said. Also read: Energy crisis: Govt mulls 2-day weekly holiday in educational institutions

A third-year female student of Rajshahi University filed a case on Wednesday afternoon at the city's Boalia Model Police Station claiming she was sexually assaulted at Bashar Road in the Tikapara area of Rajshahi city. The incident happened on Tuesday morning while she was heading into town for tuition. Earlier, the victim student lodged a written complaint on Tuesday with the proctor's office of the university in this regard. The written statement said that a stranger suddenly grasped her from the back, and touched her private parts at Bashar Road in Tikapara area of the city. The stranger left her when she started screaming, she stated. In the written statement, the victim student demanded the punishment of the accused and wanted her own safety. The victim said, “I don't know him personally, but he seemed to be a local. I can clearly identify the man.” Proctor Professor Ashabul Haque said, “We have already instructed an assistant proctor to assist the victim.” While contacted, Majharul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Boalia Model Police Station, said, “I don’t want to say anything in this regard because of victim’s safety issues.”    Also read: RU student assaulted ‘by BCL men’

The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) held a scholarship award ceremony Wednesday at its permanent campus in the capital's Mohammadpur. Crests and certificates were given to 163 students who received scholarships of Tk95 lakh in total. Professor Biswajit Chanda, a member of the University Grants Commission (UGC), joined the ceremony as the chief guest and Omar Faruque, director of the Private University Division of UGC, as special guest. Biswajit encouraged ULAB to have its eyes set on becoming a globally renowned university like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) or Harvard. ULAB Vice-Chancellor Professor Imran Rahman delivered the welcome address and Professor Dr Shamsad Mortuza gave the vote of thanks. ULAB Treasurer Professor Milan Kumar Bhattacharjee, Registrar Lieutenant Colonel Md Foyzul Islam (retired), faculty members, and administrative officials were also present.  Also read: ULAB Moves Up in WURI’s Global Top 100 Innovative Universities

All educational institutions under Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) will remain closed for two days week as part of government’s move to save power. The students will enjoy holidays on Friday and Saturday, said a notification of Education Ministry issued on Monday. The new arrangement will be effective soon, it said. The authorities concerned of the universities have been asked to take necessary steps in this regard. Also read: Energy crisis: Govt mulls 2-day weekly holiday in educational institutions On June 17, the government directed the authorities concerned to take necessary steps to close shopping malls and kitchen markets by 8 pm to save energy. Also read: SUST to take online classes one day in a week to save energy A letter, signed by Ahsan Kibria Siddiqui, director-general of the Prime Minister's Office (Administration), said that the prime minister has instructed to take necessary steps to ensure that shops, shopping malls, kitchen markets are not kept open after 8 pm.

Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Diplomatic Representative for Bangladesh Munir M Merali on Sunday said education remains a key area of interest for AKDN in Bangladesh. He spoke about Aga Khan’s vision for the Academies and the impact that its future leaders would have in the decades to come. With around 40 million young students in the primary and secondary education system in the country, the quality of education and teaching is most important, he said. "For this and other reasons, AKDN is committed to helping improve the education sector by developing models of excellence in education, such as the Aga Khan Academy Dhaka," said Merali while welcoming students, staff and parents gathering on the grounds on the momentous opening day. The Aga Khan Academy Dhaka, an agency of the AKDN, opened its doors for the first time on Sunday to 575 students. Also read: Aga Khan School holds first in-person graduation ceremony after 2019 The long-awaited moment was met with anticipation, excitement and joy as students explored their new 17-acre, state-of-the-art, award-winning campus. “I am feeling so ecstatic right now for the first day of classes, and to learn here and dive deep into various topics and use them in my daily life,” said Grade 6 student Dootee Oronna.  Located in Bashundhara, the Academy is the fourth in an integrated global network of non-profit, non-denominational, residential schools. The Aga Khan Academies is dedicated to expanding access to education of an international standard of excellence to exceptional girls and boys regardless of their ability to pay. Also read: UK Education Expo 2022 to be held in Chittagong Saturday Currently, 50 per cent of students across the Academies receive some level of financial aid through scholarship funding. The Academy in Dhaka follows the highly successful models established by the Academies in Mombasa, Kenya, Hyderabad, India and Maputo, Mozambique. In addition, the Academy carries forward the legacy of The Aga Khan School, Dhaka – which has been providing high quality education to students in Dhaka for over 30 years – with more than 90 percent of students from the school transitioning to the Academy. AKDN has been active in Bangladesh for nearly seven decades, working in areas of early childhood development, pre-tertiary education and financial services within the country. In 2013, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and AKDN signed a Protocol of Cooperation – building off an earlier protocol signed in 1993 – to enhance the collaboration between the country and AKDN in areas of economic, cultural and social development.  In addition to providing excellence in education, this Academy will also be rooted in the local contexts of Bangladesh, with the aim of developing well-rounded, ethical homegrown leaders who will use the knowledge they have gained to enhance the quality of life in their home country. Similar to its sister Academies, the Academy in Dhaka is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. The curriculum is designed to be inquiry-based and holistic, which is complemented by the Academy’s co-curricular, arts, athletic and community service initiatives. This will be further enhanced through the Academy’s residential programme, which – once established in the near future – will bring students and staff from around the world to the Academy to provide a broad selection of activities and leadership opportunities. Parents equally shared the excitement of students, who were eager to get to their classrooms. “We’ve been waiting for the Aga Khan Academy Dhaka to open, and we really wanted our daughter to go to a school that provides all the facilities from arts, to academics, to sports and everything else,” said Nehal Ahamad, a parent of a Grade 3 student, who attended the parents’ morning coffee event at the Academy. “We’re very excited to be here and to meet the parents, the staff and the teachers. It’s a wonderful campus – well done to the Aga Khan Academy Dhaka.” For the teachers at the Academy, not only are they looking forward to beginning this academic year at a new campus with state-of-the-art facilities, but also to the professional development opportunities they will be exposed to through the Academy’s Professional Development Centre.  "I’m excited to be here at the Aga Khan Academy Dhaka because we’re making history here – we have a wonderful campus that caters to our students’ needs and we have an incredible curriculum,” English teacher Tahmina Begum said. “I’m happy to be a part of this history here that is also allowing me to become a better teacher for my students through the professional development workshops the Academy will provide.”  The establishment of the new Academy has been made possible by the continued support of the government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, whose vision for excellence in education has closely aligned with that of AKDN, as well as the dedicated staff and parents, all of whom have contributed to ensure that the students have access to the very best standards of education at the Academy. 

The intern doctors at Dhaka Medical College and hospital (DMCH) on Sunday called off their indefinite strike in protest against the failure of the police to arrest those who attacked one of their peers. The decision was taken after a meeting of intern students with the director of DMCH in the afternoon. Victim of the attack, intern Dr Md Sazzad Hossain told UNB that a meeting of the interns was held with the administrative body of Dhaka University and DMCH. “Though the authorities seem not to be taking any action to identify the attackers, considering the public sufferings we decided to call off the strike. Besides internship period of our batch is  also running out,” he said Officer-in-Charge of Shahbagh police station Moudut Howladar said, "Investigation is going on in this matter and we have a list of suspects who can be the students of Bijoy Ekattor Hall of DU or also can be disguised outsiders." Read: BCL President demands resumption of politics on BUET campus "We are working with the Dhaka University proctorial team to identify the attackers," he added. On August 8, some students wearing T-shirts with the logo of Dhaka University thrashed Dr Sazzad Hossen on Central Shahid Minar premises "without any valid reason". When Dr Sazzad identified himself as a DMCH student, they wanted to check his ID card. As he failed to show it  they started beating him hurling abusive words, said Dr Sazzad. Later, the victim filed a complaint against some unidentified people at the Shahbagh Police Station in this connection. An FIR was subsequently filed on the basis of the complaint. From August 11, interns at DMCH decided to abstain from their services for an indefinite period protesting the attack and demanding punishment.

The students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) held a demonstration as some former leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League held a prayer session and discussion programme marking the National Mourning Day on the campus.Earlier, former BCL leaders of BUET arranged a discussion and prayer seminar on the occasion of the upcoming National Mourning day at the seminar hall of BUET cafeteria around 5 pm under the banner of the Bangladesh Chhatra League that created discontent among the incumbent students.Later, the students strongly protested the program chanting, "Chhatra Rajnitir Thikana, BUET campus e hobe na, Abrarer Rokto Britha Zete debo na." Read: BCL faction’s blockade halts classes, exams at CUThe authorities banned political activities on BUET campus after the death of a student, Abrar Fahad, following torture by the leaders and activists of BCL in one of the university’s dormitory.They also addressed the leaders as the "killer" during  slogan.Later, the students held a press conference where they said, the program could be arranged under the banner of former students of BUET but they arranged it under the banner of Chhatra League who are responsinle of killing Abrar Fahad.Despite the prohibition of politics, the university administration gave permission to organise programs under the banner of political organizations. They also said that the BUET students would not tolerate this kind of negligence of the University authorities.They questioned the role of BUET admission as they let such programme allow on campus."We want to know the position of BUET administration in thius regard and want clear-cut answers," it said. Mentioning the brutal killing of Abrar Fahad, they voiced concern about resurrection of 'Students politics' in the BUET campus.On October 11, 2019, the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology banned all sorts of political organisation and their activities on the campus, days after torturing its student Abrar Fahad to death by BCL leaders and activists on October 7, 2019.Professor Mizanur Rahman, director of BUET's Student Welfare (DSW) said, "While taking permission, they said that they are ex-students, and they will arrange a reunion on the campus."If we had known that they were former leaders of BUET Chhatra League, then we would not have given permission," he added.

The government plans to introduce a two-day weekly holiday in educational institutions across the country soon to save energy, said Education Minister Dipu Moni on Friday. She said this while responding to a question at an event in the capital. Read: No changes on religion made to textbooks: Dipu Moni Dipu Moni also said the government has announced a two-day weekly holiday in all educational institutions from 2023. “We are thinking about whether it will be implemented from now to save electricity,” she said. The decision will be announced soon, she added.

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) authorities decided to take classes online one day in a week to save power and energy. The decision was taken on Thursday at a meeting of the deans and faculty heads chaired by SUST Vice-Chancellor Farid Uddin Ahmed. According to the decision, on Thursday the classes will be held online and on other four days of the week the classes will be taken physically. The decision will be effective from next Thursday. Read: SUST closed till June 25 amid flooding Besides, transportation facilities of the university will remain suspended on Thursday and on other days it will remain limited, according to university authorities. “We are trying to stand beside people amid the national crisis caused by a global crisis. We will try to save 20 per cent fuel,” said VC Farid Uddin Ahmed.   He requested the department heads and teachers to ensure that the decision does not cause harm to the students.