United News of Bangladesh

Islamic University authorities have launched an environment-friendly electric shuttle car service for students on the campus in Kushtia. IU Vice-Chancellor Professor Nakib Muhammad Nasrullah inaugurated the 14-seat electric vehicles on a trial basis on Saturday. According to the VC’s office, the shuttles will operate across the entire campus, with a flat fare of Tk 5 regardless of distance. Electric shuttle car service launched at DU The vehicles were purchased through an installment plan, under which the university will gain full ownership within two years. University Grants Commission Chairman SMA Faiz, IU Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor M Yeaqub Ali, Treasurer Professor M Jahangir Alam, Acting Registrar Professor Monjurul Haque, and Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies Professor ABM Siddiqur Rahman Ashrafi were among those present at the launch.  

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Saturday said spending on education is always an investment in the nation’s future. “By investing in education, we are not merely helping individual students—we are shaping the future of the country,” he said while addressing a scholarship distribution ceremony of the Brahmanbaria District Association, Dhaka. He praised Brahmanbaria as the ‘Land of Heritage and Harmony’, and lauded the community’s unity and vision for building a district recognised for knowledge, culture and innovation. The Association hosted its Executive Committee Installation and Scholarship Award Ceremony at International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), highlighting both the district’s heritage and its ongoing commitment to education and social advancement. A total of 312 scholarships were distributed among meritorious students—25 at Honours level, 182 at HSC level, and 105 at SSC level, aimed at nurturing academic excellence and creating opportunities for Brahmanbaria’s youth. Quality services needed to boost revenue collection: Finance adviser Brahmanbaria District Association President MA Khalek said the district has a proud tradition of producing leaders, scholars and artists. “Today we renew our commitment to building a Brahmanbaria recognised for its talent and contribution, not for negative stereotypes,” he said. General Secretary Engineer Md Khaled Hossain Mahbub (Shyamal) said the gathering was ‘a call to action’ to create and uphold a positive image of Brahmanbaria across Bangladesh and beyond. The event ended with cultural performances showcasing the rich traditions of the district, reinforcing the message of unity and pride in its heritage.

The Institute of Nutrition and Food Science (INFS) at the University of Dhaka hosted ‘INFSian Reunion-2025’ on Friday. The event brought together former students from across generations, said a media release. The day-long event turned the Teachers-Students Centre (TSC) into a vibrant gathering place filled with joy, nostalgia, and camaraderie, The reunion was graced by the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Dhaka, Prof. Dr. Mamun Ahmed, as the chief guest. Prof. Dr. Md Saidul Arefin, Director of INFS, presided over the programme. The event began with a welcome address delivered by Md Saimumuzzaman, President of the INFSian Alumni Association. Former teachers and alumni were honored at the event in recognition of their contributions. In addition, Alumni Association General Secretary Md Zahidul Monir presented an overview of the association’s background, activities, and future plans. With lively interactions, shared memories, and renewed bonds, the reunion created a bridge between past and present students, highlighting the legacy and spirit of the INFS community at Dhaka University.

Jagannath University (JnU) has arranged special buses for candidates of the 47th BCS examination scheduled for Friday. The buses will operate on three routes from the university’s transport pool. JnU Transport Administrator Tarek Bin Atik said the first bus will leave the campus at 6:45 am. He mentioned in a Facebook post on Thursday night that the buses will be at Shaheed Minar by 6 am and depart between 6:45 and 7 am. BAU to run special bus service for BCS examinees One route will cover Gulistan, Shahbagh, Farmgate, and Mohammadpur. Another will go through Gulistan, Mogbazar, Mouchak, and Titumir College. The third will operate via Gulistan, Bangla College, and Mirpur. This initiative is aimed at helping BCS candidates reach their examination centers smoothly and on time.

Masud Rumi Mithun, member secretary of the Islamic University unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, has applied for a grade improvement examination eight years after his undergraduate results were published, in violation of university regulations. According to the university’s examination ordinance, grade improvement applications must be submitted within 20 days of result publication. Mithun cited political circumstances at the time as the reason for missing the original opportunity, and his late application has sparked discussion on campus. Mithun, an English Department student from the 2011–12 academic session, received his results in 2017. Despite the eight-year gap, he submitted his application to the department head in the first week of September 2025. Other students from the same department, including Ullash Mahmud (2011–12 batch) and Tapas Adhikari (2017–18 batch), have also applied for grade improvements. Ullash Mahmud is an active IU Chhatra Dal member and joint secretary of the Jhenaidah district student wing. Both Mithun and Mahmud have applied for grade improvements in more than 14 courses. According to department sources, the departmental academic committee reviewed their applications and recommended them to the university’s Controller of Examinations. Professor Shahadat Hossain Azad, head of the English Department, noted that the university rules allow grade improvement exams under certain circumstances. Mithun told reporters, 'I applied for grade improvement because my results were poor. I could not study properly or take exams at that time. Now, with better conditions, I hope to improve my grades.' Ullash Mahmud said, 'I could not sit for the exams properly back then. My application is purely to appear for the exams.' Senior university officials said that normally, grade improvement or retake exams must be taken soon after results are published. Long-delayed applications are uncommon but may be considered on humanitarian grounds if required for certification. However, the university’s 2006–07 and 2017–18 ordinances specify that grade improvement applications must be submitted within 20 days of result publication through the department head to the Controller of Examinations. Failure to do so generally means the original results remain valid, and no further opportunity is granted. Islamic University forms committee to draft Iucsu constitution IU acting controller of examinations M Waliur Rahman said, 'I have not yet received any recommendation from the English Department. Whether grade improvement can be allowed after such a long time is unclear; we will need to review the ordinance.' IU English department chairman Professor Shahadat Hossain Azad said, 'After the departmental academic committee meeting, recommendations were forwarded to the university authorities. The final decision on whether the grade improvement will be approved depends on their verification and review.'  

Islami Chhatra Shibir on Thursday  announced its panel for the upcoming Chattogram University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) and hall union elections. The announcement was made in the afternoon by Shibir’s human resources secretary Saidul Islam at Jarultala area of the university. The panel was named ‘Sampritir Shikkharthi Jot’. Ibrahim Hossain, president of Chattogram Metropolitan South unit of Shibir and an MPhil student of the Department of History at CU, was nominated for vice president (VP) post. Md. Saeed Bin Habib, literature secretary of CU Shibir and a postgraduate student of the Department of History, was announced to run for the general secretary (GS) post. Additionally, Sajjad Hossain, president of Shahjalal Hall unit of Shibir and a postgraduate student of the Department of Finance, was announced to contest for the assistant general secretary (AGS) position. Akash Das, a visually challenged third-year student of the Hindu community, was also included in the Shibir panel to run for the post of an executive member. Other candidates on the panel - Mohammad Shawon for sports and games secretary, Shahporan Maruf for assistant sports secretary, Harezul Islam (Hares Matabbar) for literature, culture, and publications secretary, and Jihad Hossain (Jihad Ahnaf) for assistant literature secretary. Abdullah Al Noman and Jannatul Adan Nusrat were nominated for office secretary and assistant office secretary, respectively. Tahsina Rahman was nominated to run for social welfare and environment secretary, Tanvir Anzum Shovon for research and innovation secretary, and Mahbubur Rahman for science and IT secretary. Nahima Akter Dipa and Jannatul Ferdous Rita were announced to contest for female student welfare secretary and assistant female student welfare secretary, respectively. Other posts included Afnan Hossain Imran for health secretary, Monayem Sharif for liberation war and democratic movement secretary, Mehedi Hasan Sohan for career development and international affairs secretary, Ishak Bhuiya for communication and housing secretary, Obaidul Salman as assistant communication secretary, Tawhid Rabbi for law and human rights secretary, and Masum Billah for library and cafeteria secretary. Aside from Akash Das, executive members included Jannatul Ferdous Sanjida, Salman Farsi, Sohanur Rahman Sohan, and Adnan Sharif. From DUCSU to JUCSU: Shibir’s winning streak rolls on It is to be noted that the CUCSU and hall union elections will be held on October 12 after a 35-year gap. About 27,000 students are eligible to vote and 1,162 students collected nomination papers to contest different posts. The preliminary list of candidates will be published on September 21. The last date to withdraw candidacy is September 23, and the final candidate list will be released on September 25.

The first-year undergraduate (honours) classes for the 2024–25 academic session at Jahangirnagar University (JU) will commence on 21 September, university authorities confirmed on Thursday. Deputy Registrar (Academic) Syed Mohammad Ali Reza told journalists, “We hope to issue an official order by Friday (Sept 19) listing the class roll, registration numbers, and allocated halls for the new students.” A total of 1,889 first-year students have been admitted for the 2024-25 session. From DUCSU to JUCSU: Shibir’s winning streak rolls on The decision to start classes on September 21 was taken at a meeting of the central admission management committee, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, on August 13. The university’s Public Relations Office also confirmed that the vacant seats left after cancellation of some admissions were filled before finalizing the schedule for first-year classes.

Chattogram University unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) announced its panel for the upcoming Chattogram University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) and hall union elections on Thursday. The announcement was made by JCD’s central general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir at a press conference held at the university’s Buddhijibi Square around noon. In the panel, Sajjad Hossain Hridoy, a student of 2015-16 session and organisational secretary of the CU JCD, was nominated for the vice president (VP) post. For the general secretary (GS) position, Md. Shafayet Hossain, a student of 2016-17 session and general secretary of the university’s Sports Welfare Association, was nominated. Additionally, Ayubur Rahman Taufiq, a 2020-21 session student of the Department of Islamic History and Culture, was announced to run for the assistant general secretary (AGS) post. After announcing the panel, Nasir said, “We believe that brave, talented and wise students will vote for Chhatra Dal’s panel as the panel includes the most popular students who have worked for students’ rights for a long time.” He added, “Chhatra Dal has given full panels in student union elections at different universities and received complaints of irregularities.” Nasir also addressed the university administration, saying, “The administration is acting biased here. They are showing partiality towards a single party. We urge them to act impartially.” CUCSU election schedule was announced on August 28. After Ducsu, CU to hold Cucsu election According to the schedule, the preliminary list of candidates was set to be published on September 21, followed by the final list on September 25. It is to be noted that the much-awaited elections will be held on October 12, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) will operate a special bus service for its residential students scheduled to appear in the 47th BCS Preliminary Examination at the Mymensingh center on Friday. The announcement was made on Thursday through a notification signed by the Director of the university’s Transport Unit, Professor Dr. Mohammad Golzarul Aziz. JnUCSU election roadmap announced, polls on Nov 27 The initiative aims to ensure that students can reach the examination center on time and return safely to the campus after the test. According to the notification, two special buses will depart from Jabbar intersection for Town Hall, the designated exam venue, at 8:15 am. After the examination ends, the buses will bring students back to the campus from the same location at 12:20 pm. Prof Golzarul Aziz said the transport arrangement was made following specific instructions from the Vice-Chancellor. Although there was initially no plan to operate buses due to the ongoing stalemate on campus, the decision was later reconsidered to support students during this important examination. Polytechnic students block Satrastha intersection over 6-point demand "The Vice-Chancellor instructed us to take necessary steps so that no student faces difficulty in attending the BCS exam. The special buses are part of that directive," said Dr. Aziz.

For the first time since its establishment, Jagannath University is set to hold its Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) election in November. Following long-standing demands from the students, the university authorities have finally announced the roadmap for the election, setting November 27 as the possible date for the polls. According to a circular signed on Wednesday by the university’s acting registrar, Professor Md. Sheikh Gias Uddin, the election process will begin on October 8 with the formation of the election commission and related activities. The circular further stated that on October 8, discussions will be held with student organisations, journalist associations, and other stakeholders to initiate the election process. Afterwards, the schedule will be declared in phases, including the preparation of the voter list, submission and scrutiny of nomination papers, and other activities. The process will conclude with voting and the announcement of results. Students’ three-point demand includes: specifying when the supplementary scholarship will come into effect, announcing the roadmap for the JnUCSU election, and ensuring healthy food at subsidized rates in the cafeteria along with improved facilities and air-conditioning at the central library. Meanwhile, despite the administration’s statement regarding scholarships and cafeteria facilities, protesting students have refused to accept it. Rejecting the statement, protester Shahin Mia said, “The administration’s statement is full of deception. There is no clear declaration on who will receive the benefits, how many students will get it, or how much will be provided. Similarly, there is no specific decision regarding the cafeteria. Therefore, we reject this statement.” He further added that if the third demand is clarified, they might call off their hunger strike tonight. However, at the time of writing this report, the hunger strike had not yet been broken. In this regard, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Rezaul Karim said, “We have accepted the students’ demands in writing with clarity. The election will be held on November 27. Everything is clear. I personally went to them and requested they end the hunger strike, but they refused. What else can I do?” JnU students to receive supplementary grants by January: UGC chairman Earlier on Tuesday, five leaders of the Student Rights Council (Shakha Chhatra Adhikar Parishad) and Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangh (Bagchas) began a hunger strike on campus with three demands, including the announcement of the JnUCSU election roadmap. On the same day in the afternoon, leaders of JnU’s Islami Chhatra Shibir unit met with the University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr. S.M.A. Faiz regarding the JnUCSU policy and supplementary scholarship. At the meeting, the UGC chairman assured that the supplementary scholarship funds would be distributed among JnU students in November and that he would make efforts to finalize the JnUCSU policy as a regulation through the ministry very soon.