United News of Bangladesh

At least four students of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) were injured in an alleged attack by a group of outsiders on Sunday evening, during a protest in which students had confined Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan and nearly 250 teachers for over five hours, demanding the introduction of a single combined degree. The incident took place near the Zainul Abedin Auditorium, a central location within the university premises. The identities of the injured students could not be confirmed immediately. Eyewitnesses said the attackers were not students of BAU and entered the campus unlawfully. Following the attack, the students dispersed, allowing Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan and the confined teachers to be released. The attackers, believed to be outsiders, left the campus shortly after the incident. In response, hundreds of students began gathering on campus to protest the attack. They are currently preparing to hold a press conference, where they are expected to announce their demands. Earlier, students from the Faculty of Veterinary Science and the Faculty of Animal Husbandry confined Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan and nearly 250 teachers for over five hours, demanding the introduction of a single combined degree. The students were protesting a decision by the Academic Council to continue offering three separate degrees — BSc in Animal Husbandry, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), and a combined degree — a resolution they said did not meet their expectations. Rejecting the council’s decision, students locked the doors of the auditorium where the meeting had taken place, effectively detaining the VC and faculty members.

Students of the Faculty of Veterinary Science and the Faculty of Animal Husbandry at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) on Sunday confined Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan and nearly 250 teachers, demanding the introduction of a single combined degree. The incident occurred around 1 pm at the Zainul Abedin Auditorium, where an emergency meeting of the Academic Council had been held earlier in the day in response to the students’ long-standing demand. Students began gathering outside the auditorium from around 11 am. Following the Academic Council's decision to continue with three separate degrees — BSc in Animal Husbandry, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), and a combined degree — the students expressed dissatisfaction, saying the resolution did not meet their expectations. Rejecting the decision, a large group of students locked the auditorium doors, effectively confining the VC and faculty members inside. As of 6:22 pm, they had been held for over five hours. The protesting students declared they would not accept the continuation of multiple degrees. They insisted on the full implementation of a single combined degree for both faculties and vowed to continue their protest until the demand is met.

A 20-year-old Bangladeshi student was killed in a road accident in southern Australia early Sunday. The accident took place around 6 am local time on Sunday (August 31) in Newcastle city, family said. Md. Adib Farhan, son of Mosharraf Hossain from Jagatpur village in Darbarpur union of Fulgazi upazila, Feni, had been living in Dhaka’s Nakhalpara with his family for several years. He had travelled to Australia six months ago to pursue higher education. According to family sources, Adib had gone out for breakfast with 3 friends when their private car lost control and overturned. All four were critically injured in the crash. Locals rushed them to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared Adib and another student dead. The remaining two are currently receiving treatment. Adib's uncle, Abul Hasnat, said Adib was the eldest child in the family. He had completed his O-level and A-level studies before moving abroad. “He had come home just two months ago on holiday,” Hasnat added. Following the news of the accident, Adib’s mother has been fainting repeatedly, and his father remains in shock and unable to speak. The family has appealed to the government for urgent assistance in bringing Adib’s body back to Bangladesh for burial.

All classes and exams at Dhaka University will remain suspended from September 7 to 10 due to the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election. The university's Public Relations Office confirmed the development on Saturday. Candidates are currently busy with their campaigns for the DUCSU polls, scheduled to be held on September 9. In this year’s DUCSU election, a total of 471 candidates will contest for 28 positions. Ducsu polls: JCD unveils 10-point manifesto promising changes Among them, 45 candidates are vying for the post of Vice President (VP), 19 for General Secretary (GS), and 25 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS). For the post of Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary, there are 17 candidates. For Common Room, Reading Room, and Cafeteria Secretary, 11 candidates are contesting, while 14 are running for International Affairs Secretary. Besides, 19 candidates are contesting for Literature and Cultural Secretary, 12 for Science and Technology Secretary, 9 for Research and Publication Secretary, 13 for Sports Secretary, and 12 for Student Transport Secretary. DUCSU and hall union election campaign rules and regulations For the post of Social Service Secretary, there are 17 candidates; Health and Environment Secretary, 15; Human Rights and Law Secretary, 11; and Career Development Secretary, 15. This time, for the member posts, a total of 217 candidates will compete.

Vehicular movement on Agargaon road in the capital resumed after students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) ended their hour-long road blockade on Thursday afternoon. The students under the banner of ‘Krishibid Oikya Parishad’ took to the street around 11:30 am to press home their three-point demand, halting vehicular movement. Emaul Haque, officer-in-charge of Sher-e-Banglanagar Police Station, said the students cleared the road around 12:45 pm after police intervention. Buet students announce 'March to Dhaka' for Wednesday Their demands include introducing 10th-grade posts at the Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and other research institutions exclusively to candidates with degrees in agriculture, no opportunity for promotion to the ninth grade (cancellation of BADC's quota) without passing the recruitment exam and issuing a government notification prohibiting the use of the title "Krishibid" (Agriculturist) by people who do not hold a bachelor's degree in agriculture or an agriculture-related field.

Academic activities came to a halt at all engineering universities and colleges across the country on Thursday as students under the banner of ‘Engineering Rights Movement’ enforced a ‘complete shutdown’. The protest follows Wednesday’s clashes in Dhaka where the law enforcers allegedly attacked them during the demonstrations. Leaders of the movement announced the shutdown around 10:30pm on Wednesday, calling off road blockades to ease public suffering while declaring suspension of academic activities until their demands are met. On Thursday morning, classrooms and exam halls at Rajshahi, Khulna, and Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Ruet, Kuet and Cuet) remained empty. Similar scenes were reported nationwide, with students boycotting all academic activities. “Our movement will continue until justice is ensured and all our demands are met. No classes or exams will take place,” said a student. Engineering students continue blockade at Shahbagh despite police action Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali visited students at Shahbagh late Wednesday and expressed regret for the baton charge earlier in the day. He assured that an inquiry panel would investigate and action would follow. On Wednesday, the protestors had gathered at Shahbagh as part of their scheduled ‘Long March to Dhaka.’ Roads in the area came to a standstill as police blocked their procession near Hotel Intercontinental. Several students and journalists were injured when the students and police clashed. 

The Election Commission of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and Hall Union has formed a taskforce to look into complaints about election code of conduct violations – confirmed by the Chief Returning Officer, Prof. Dr, Mohammad Zashim Uddin, through a notification. Professor Dr. Golam Rabbani from the Institute of Social Welfare and Research will lead the taskforce as Convener. Other members are Professor Dr. Shahidul Islam of Banking and Insurance, Associate Professor Sharmin Kabir of the Institute of Education and Research, Associate Professor Syed Tanveer Rahman of Psychology, Assistant Proctor Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam, Jahangir Alam, and Rezaul Karim Shohag. Ducsu election: Shibir’s banners vandalised on first day of campaign The taskforce will review complaints and help ensure the elections are fair and transparent.

On the very first day of official campaigning for the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, allegations have been raised that the banners of the Shibir-supported panel “Oikyoboddho Shikkharti Jhot” were pulled down and distorted at the Faculty of Fine Arts (Charukola). The incident took place on Tuesday noon. Visiting the spot, UNB found that the images on the festoons had been distorted, which is a clear violation of the code of conduct. According to sources, from the morning different panels and candidates began their election campaign. As part of this, the Shibir-supported panel set up a temporary banner at the Fine Arts faculty. However, in a video it was seen that shortly afterwards, two unidentified individuals came and threw away the festoon. Miftahul Maruf, sports secretary of Dhaka University Shibir branch, alleged two of their banner-festoons were taken down which was set up at the Faculty of Fine Arts. He urged the administration to check CCTV footage. “If the footage is reviewed, the culprits can be identified.” Regarding this, Assistant Proctor of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Md. Israfil, said he visited the spot. “Efforts are underway to identify who did this,” he added. Meanwhile, the panel has submitted a written complaint to the Election Commission about this matter. Final List Out: 471 candidates running in DUCSU elections On this matter, Shibir also held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon. They called upon the administration to identify those involved and take action against them. VP candidate Shadik Kayem said in the July movement and against Awami League, the students of Charukola protested through different artworks. They are helping to preserve the aspiration of July. But some defeated miscreants are lying low. Those who want to re-establish Shahbagi politics, those who legitimized various mass killings of Awami League.” He called upon all conscious teachers and students of the country to protest the incident.

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr. SMA Faiz has assured that complete transparency and accountability are being maintained in the evaluation of sub-projects under the ongoing Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project. He made the remarks during a press conference held at the UGC auditorium on Tuesday, where details were shared regarding the sub-project selection process and the upcoming agreement signing with universities for project implementation. Prof Faiz said the UGC has taken every necessary initiative to ensure transparency in evaluating the sub-projects. He said that he has personally monitored each step of the process to ensure fairness and uphold institutional integrity. Referring to his own professional record, he said, "Before joining the UGC, I have honestly and sincerely fulfilled my duties as the Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University and the Chairman of the Public Service Commission. I will not want the honor earned in my long service life to be destroyed for any reason." He welcomed constructive criticism from the media and stakeholders in higher education, encouraging active engagement in ensuring accountability. Addressing concerns of political bias or favoritism in the selection process, Professor Faiz clarified that there is no opportunity for individuals to submit sub-project proposals directly. All proposals must be submitted through the respective university’s academic committee and with the approval of its vice-chancellor. As such, the UGC does not have the jurisdiction to consider the political affiliations of the applicants. He emphasised that the evaluation process was conducted by impartial reviewers, consisting of qualified teachers and researchers from universities across the country. He added that national interest and academic merit were prioritied in the selection of sub-projects. UGC members Professor Dr. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, Professor Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Professor Dr. Md. Saidur Rahman, Professor Dr. Machuma Habib, and Professor Dr. Mohammad Ayub Islam were also present. HEAT Project Director Professor Dr. Asaduzzaman highlighted the progress of the project and elaborated on the selection procedure. Director of the Public Relations and Publications Department Dr. Shamsul Arefin moderated the event, which was also attended by UGC Secretary Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam, along with department heads and officials involved in the HEAT project. China’s cooperation significantly contributes to education sector: UGC Chairman On Wednesday, August 27, the UGC is scheduled to sign agreements with various universities for the implementation of 151 selected sub-projects under the HEAT project. The five-year HEAT project, aimed at enhancing the quality of higher education in Bangladesh, is estimated to cost over Tk 4,000 crore. The government of Bangladesh will cover 50.96 percent of the project cost, while the remaining 49.4 percent will be funded by the World Bank. The project is designed to address key challenges in higher education by modernizing curriculum to meet market demand, improving digital connectivity across institutions, building teacher training infrastructure, enhancing the capacity of the Bangladesh Research and Education Network (BDREN), supporting the Bangladesh Accreditation Council, and promoting innovation and competitive research in universities across the country. Prof Faiz reaffirmed that the UGC remains committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency and national interest throughout the project's implementation.

Students of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) have announced a 'March to Dhaka' programme for Wednesday, as part of their ongoing movement to press home a three-point demand. The announcement came on Tuesday, with student leaders calling for nationwide solidarity among engineering students. Speaking to UNB, Zubair Ahmed, a student of the Department of Municipal Engineering at BUET, said, “We will block Shahbagh at 10 am on Wednesday as part of the programme.” Students from engineering universities across the country have been urged to join the protest and gather at Shahbagh at the same time. Earlier, the protesters started their demonstrations around 3 pm and continued till 8pm, halting traffic in the busy Shahbagh area. Their demands are mandatory tests for all candidates seeking entry into the ninth grade in engineering, or for posts such as assistant engineer and equivalent, with eligibility restricted to those holding at least a BSc degree. They also oppose promotions through quotas or by creating equivalent positions under different titles. They also demand that recruitment examinations for the technical 10th grade, or sub-assistant engineer positions, be open to both diploma and BSc holders. Legal measures must be taken against those using the engineer title without having a BSc degree in engineering. Besides, non-accredited BSc engineering courses must be brought under IEB-BTEB accreditation following proper procedures. Nishad Rahman, a student from the 21st batch of the Department of Civil Engineering, said, “This is our prolonged movement but the government is not paying any attention to our demands. So, we have been compelled to take to the streets.”