United News of Bangladesh

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) detained two suspected criminals with a foreign pistol, a magazine and four bullets from Mohammadpur's Nurjahan Road area on Tuesday night. The detainees were identified as Md Maruf Hasan, 22, and Md Abdur Rahman Siam, 21. They were rounded up during a raid conducted inside Qureshi Kabab and Restaurant around 11:10pm, Sanad Barua, said senior assistant superintendent of police (media) of the Rab-3. A Rab team conducted the operation after being tipped-off that the duo had been staying inside the restaurant. DMP arrests 71 during raid at Mohammadpur, Adabor Sensing the presence of the Rab members, the accused attempted to flee but were detained. While searching their bodies, the foreign pistol, one magazine and four rounds of live ammunition. During preliminary questioning, they confessed to keeping the weapons in their possession and using them to carry out various criminal activities in the area. Legal action against the duo was underway.

The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations under the Jashore Education Board are set to begin on Thursday, with 27,597 examinees expected to sit for the exams in Khulna district as elsewhere across the country. The candidates include students from schools, madrasas and vocational institutions, and the exams will be held across 83 centres throughout the district. Last year, a total of 29,545 students took part in the exams, showing a decline of 1,948 candidates this year. Officials have cited ongoing political instability and the financial challenges faced by students’ families as the primary reasons behind the decline. According to the district administration, 37 decisions were adopted at an SSC exam coordination meeting held on March 12. SSC, equivalent exams 2024: Significant gains for Madrasa Education Board Among the key measures taken: only button phones will be allowed inside examination centres—smartphones are strictly prohibited; student seating arrangements have been finalised using the ‘Z’ system to ensure fairness; each exam centre will have a designated medical team available; uninterrupted electricity supply will be ensured at all centres; and journalists will not be allowed to enter centres in groups—they have instead been instructed to collect information directly from the centre secretaries. Besides, the exam question set codes will be shared through a secure group, while executive magistrates and Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) will verify the codes before distribution.

BNP-Jamaat-affiliated teachers' organisation Sada Dal (White Panel) of Dhaka University has demanded the trial of DU Sociology Department teacher Dr. Zeenat Huda, former general secretary of Dhaka University Teachers’ Association. The demand came in a statement signed by the organization's convener, Professor Dr. Morshed Hasan Khan, and joint conveners, Professor Dr. Abdus Salam and Professor Dr. Abul Kalam Sarker, on Sunday. DMP arrests 71 during raid at Mohammadpur, Adabor In the statement, the leaders said, "We observe with anger that Dr. Zeenat Huda, who was rejected by the Dhaka University teachers’ community for taking a stance against students and people in the 2024 anti-discrimination movement,  unconditionally supporting the fascist Sheikh Hasina and her government, and encouraging genocide, is continuing to issue statements and remarks on various issues using the name of the DU Teachers’ Association." On behalf of Sada Dal, the nationalist teachers’ organisation of Dhaka University, we strongly condemn and protest such malicious activities by Dr. Zeenat Huda, who is a collaborator of fascists and has been rejected by DU students and teachers, said the statement. The leaders of the pael stated that since Dr. Zeenat  has been rejected by the respected teachers of the university and the DU Teachers' Association’s executive committee has already expired, she is no longer the general secretary of the teachers' association. Nagorik Committee member arrested for Mosque attack, robbery in Pirojpur By issuing statements and remarks under the title of general secretary, she is attempting to destabilize the university and make the administration controversial, according to Sada Dal. Sada Dal strongly demands that the government immediately arrest and bring Dr. Zeenat  under trial for her defamatory statements against students in the anti-discrimination movement, negative remarks, opposition to the mass uprising, and for attending Ghonobhaban as a representative of the teachers' association to support the genocide of the murderer Sheikh Hasina. Zeenat Huda belongs to the Neel Dal (Blue Panel), Awami League backed teacher's organisation, of the university. After supporting autocracy against the students' mass uprising, she was rejected by the students after August 5. 4 operatives of ‘Magnetic Coin’ fraud gang arrested with huge money in Adabor

The High Court has ordered a two-month suspension of the publication of the admission test results for Dhaka University's 'Ga' (Business Education) unit. The High Court bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi issued the order along with a rule on Wednesday following a writ petition. The rule issued by the court sought to determine why the inaction of the respondents, after receiving the petitioner's request to cancel the exams due to errors in the question paper, should not be considered illegal. Lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir, representing Dhaka University, appeared before court along with lawyer Mohammad Saddam Hossain. Deputy Attorney General Akhtar Hossain, Md. Abdul Wahab, and Syeda Sazia Sharmin represented the state during the hearing. Earlier, the exam for this unit was held on February 8. Jihan Al Fuad, a student who took the admission test, submitted an application to the Vice Chancellor titled "Request for re-examination to publish fair results due to multiple errors" but received no response. Two cases filed over mob attack in Dhaka’s Khilkhet: 2 held As a result, he filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging the authorities' inaction and asking for the test to be canceled due to errors in the question paper. The petition also requested instructions to dispose of the application filed on February 20. Besides, the petition sought a stay on further proceedings until the application was resolved. Jihan Al Fuad personally participated in the court hearing on behalf of the writ petition.

British Council launched a research report on Tuesday with insights into the current and future potential of Transnational Education (TNE) in Bangladesh. The report was launched at an event hosted at the British Council’s Fuller Road auditorium in Dhaka, according to a press release on Tuesday. JU expels 289 students, suspends 9 teachers over July uprising attacks Both opportunities and challenges faced by students and institutions in the country were included in the report. Professor Dr SMA Faiz, chairman of University Grants Commission (UGC), was the Chief Guest, while the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, attended as Special Guest at the event. Salvador Carbajal Lopez, director of Education for South Asia at the British Council, presented the key findings of the research. Stephen Forbes,country director for British Council Bangladesh, spoke about the role of TNE in shaping the future of higher education in Bangladesh, it said. He said, “This report helps identify challenges and opportunities for TNE growth and closer cooperation between the UK and Bangladesh’s higher education sectors, bridging gaps in access and driving economic growth.” Prof Faiz spoke about the British Council’s efforts to foster TNE collaboration between Bangladesh and the UK and the mutual benefits for both countries in terms of academic excellence, capacity-building, and global competitiveness. Sarah Cooke talked about the importance of TNE in strengthening UK-Bangladesh ties, calling it an opportunity to explore how global education partnerships are shaping the future of learning. 128 DU students expelled for attacks on protesters during July movement The event included a panel discussion on unlocking the potential and social value of TNE in Bangladesh, moderated by David Knox, director of Programmes at the British Council, said the release. Panellists included Mohammad Anwar Hossen, member of UGC; Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, vice chancellor of Jahangirnagar University; and Ishtiaque Abedin, secretary general of the Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh. The report, commissioned by the British Council and conducted by Ecctis, provided several key recommendations, including improving regulatory processes, addressing language barriers, enhancing digital infrastructure for remote learning, and promoting gender equity in diverse subject areas, it added. Toufiq Hasan, head of Education at the British Council, announced the winners of the 2025 TNE Grant, awarding GBP 25,000 to UK-Bangladesh collaborations, including partnerships with Liverpool John Moores University, Nottingham Trent University, and others. These grants aim to strengthen institutional partnerships through TNE initiatives. The full report is available on the British Council’s website.

Jahangirnagar University has expelled 289 students for allegedly attacking fellow students during the July protests and suspended nine teachers for directly supporting police attacks. The suspended teachers were accused of directly assisting the police crackdown, and all the expelled students were leaders and activists of the banned Chhatra League, said JU Vice-Chancellor Dr Kamrul Ahsan during a press briefing at 3:15 am on Tuesday, following a closed-door Syndicate meeting that took place from 11:00 am on Monday to 3:00 pm on Tuesday at the Registrar Building. “Those responsible for the attacks on students will face three categories of punishment. Former students will have their certificates revoked; students who have completed exams or viva will have their results withheld, and current students will be expelled,” said the OC. “Nine teachers have been suspended for allegedly supporting the police attack on students. Furthermore, six faculty-based structural committees have been formed to investigate allegations against ten other teachers,” he added. Jahangirnagar University: Students struggle as mosquitoes take over The suspended teachers include former Pro VC (Education) Mohammad Mostafa Firoz; former proctor Prof Alamgir Kabir; Associate Prof ASM Firoz-ul-Hasan (Department of Government and Politics); former dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Prof Bashir Ahmed; former proctor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall Prof Israfil Ahmed; Associate Prof Mehedi Iqbal (Department of Geography and Environment); Prof Hosne Ara (Department of History); former proctor of Rabindranath Tagore Hall Najmul Hasan Talukder; and Prof Mohammad Tajuddin Sikdar (Department of Public Health and Informatics). Teachers under investigation by the structural committees include Prof Kanan Kumar Sen, Palash Baha, Shafi Mohammad Tarek, Zahirul Islam Khandaker, Md Jahangir Alam, Monir Uddin Shikder, Saidur Rahman, Anwar Khasru Parvez, Muhibur Rouf Shaibal, and AA Mamun. Additionally, the syndicate revoked the pension benefits of former VC Dr Nurul Alam and former registrar Dr Abu Hasan due to their alleged involvement in facilitating the police attack on students. Two officers and one staff member of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall had also been suspended. The syndicate also decided to rename Sheikh Mujib Hall, Sheikh Hasina Hall, and Sheikh Russel Hall in response to student demands, with a committee to be formed for finalising the new names.

Dhaka University has temporarily expelled 128 students for their alleged involvement in attacks on protesters on the campus from July 15 to August 5 last year. This decision was made at a DU Syndicate meeting on Monday based on the report of the fact-finding committee regarding the attacks during the July mass uprising. DU registrar Munshi Shams Uddin Ahmed confirmed this information. A probe committee has been formed, headed by Syndicate member Professor Dr. Tajmeri S A Islam, to conduct more in-depth investigation regarding the expelled individuals. The committee has been instructed to submit the report as soon as possible. DU proctor Associate Professor Saifuddin Ahmed said that the university administration has temporarily expelled the 128 individuals. CUET suspends 19 students involved with Chhatra League for disciplinary violations On behalf of the administration, a probe committee has been formed with Syndicate member Professor Dr. Tajmeri S A Islam as the head. It also includes the proctor, Sir A. F. Rahman Hall Provost Kazi Mahfuzul Haque Supon, Law Faculty Dean Professor Dr. Mohammad Ikramul Haque, and several others as members. Based on the investigation committee’s report, a final decision will be made regarding those involved. The proctor further mentioned that no concrete decision has been made regarding the disclosure of the 500-page fact-finding committee report. Additionally, a separate committee is working on teachers' involvement in the July mass uprising.

The authorities of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) suspended 19 students, apparently leaders and activists of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), for different periods for their involvement in anti-disciplinary activities on the campus. Of them, seven were suspended from academic activities for different periods and permanently barred from residential halls, with 12 others being suspended from only residential halls. Twenty-one separate notices, signed by Md. Mahbubul Alam, member secretary of the university’s disciplinary committee and director of the Student Welfare Office, were issued on Monday. The decisions to take the actions were made at the 281st emergency meeting of the disciplinary committee on Tuesday last. According to the notices, the committee reviewed written complaints lodged against the accused, their responses to show-cause notices, and other evidence before taking punitive actions. Residential halls closed, all academic activities suspended sine die at KUET Among the seven students, four were suspended for two years while the remaining three received one-year suspension, but all seven were also expelled from the university’s residential halls. Those facing two years of suspension are Bijoy Hossain, Md. Imam Hossain, Azharul Islam, and Mohammad Toufiqur Rahman. Of them, Bijoy was general secretary of the banned BCL; Imam held the post of vice president, with Azharul and Toufiqur holding posts of organizational and joint secretary respectively. Those suspended for one year are Soumik Joy, Ashikul Islam and Tahsin Ishtiaq, and they were involved with the BCL politics. Furthermore, the 12 students who were suspended from residential halls are Tofaiya Rabbi, Md. Sadiquzzaman, Yusuf Abdullah, Md. Tanvir Joni, Iftikhar Sajid, Shakil Farazi, Talha Zubair, Mahmudul Hasan, Md. Rifat Hossain, and Moinul Haque, Irfanul Karim, and Abdur Rahman. All the convicts were involved with the politics of the banned BCL on the campus.

Dreamers Academy, online coding platform for children, hosted the “Code for Language” coding competition and award ceremony at Emerald International School (EISD). The event, held in celebration of International Mother Language Day, offered young coders a platform to display their creativity and technical expertise, according to a press release on Thursday. SUST cancels quotas in admission test Mohammad Rownok, chief advisor of Emerald International School, along with Dreamers Academy Co-Founders Sharif Ahmed and Ashfaq Zaman were present at the time, among others. The competition attracted 350 students, competing across categories such as Scratch, Python, and Website Design. After a thorough evaluation, 28 participants were selected as finalists, with nine excelling as top coders. The winners, including the Champion, First Runner-up, and Second Runner-up, were celebrated for their exceptional projects that showcased innovation and technical skill. All participants were awarded certificates, while the top achievers received crests, the release said. DU publishes ‘Kha unit’ admission results In his address, Sharif Ahmed, Co-Founder of Dreamers Academy, said, “Coding is not merely about programming; it involves problem-solving, creativity, and preparing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We are proud to support these young minds on their path to innovation.”

The authorities of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) have cancelled all types of quotas for first-year undergraduate admissions. This decision was made during the university's 180th Academic Council meeting on Wednesday. 'Abolish irrational quotas': SUST students issue 48-hr ultimatum SUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A M. Sarwaruddin Chowdhury said that all quotas were suspended with everyone's consent. Discussions, however, were underway to keep some reasonable quotas. A final decision will be made based on the recommendations of the admission committee. The university offers 1,671 seats across 28 departments. Of these, 985 are in the Faculty of Science (A Unit), and 581 are in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Commerce (B Unit). Previously, there were several reserved quotas: 28 for freedom fighters, 28 for Minority Ethnic/Nationality/Harijan-Dalit groups, 14 for disabled students, 20 for dependents, 5 for tea workers, and 10 for BKSP (Players). Students at SUST raise their voice against quotas remaining in place Earlier, students staged multiple protests—including on December 10, last year, January 4, this year, and a human chain on Tuesday—demanding the abolition of what they called unreasonable quotas in the admission process. In response to these demands, the university suspended the admission process for reserved quota seats.