United News of Bangladesh

Considering personal freedom and privacy, the Dhaka University authority has decided to identify female students wearing niqab and hijab through female teachers, female officers, and female staff. The decision was made during a meeting of the Deans' Committee, held on Thursday in the Vice-Chancellor's conference room, said Rofiqul Islam, acting director of the university’s public relations office. DU publishes ‘Kha unit’ admission results The meeting was chaired by DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan. As per the decision, if necessary, female assistant proctors will assist in verifying the students' identities. Besides, the feasibility of implementing fingerprinting or a biometric identification system will be evaluated in due course. Renaming IU hall after Shah Aziz sparks criticism

Dhaka University published the admission test results for the “Kha unit” (Arts, Law, and Social Sciences) for the academic year 2024-2025 on Thursday evening. This year, 114,904 students participated in the admission test for the “Kha Unit”. Of them, 11,310 students qualified for admission, giving a pass rate of 9.85%. The total number of seats available in this unit is 2,934, said the Director of the university’s Public Relations Office. The detailed results can be found on the website admission.eis.du.ac.bd. Additionally, results can be obtained by sending an SMS with the format “DU ALS <roll number>” to 16321 from Teletalk, Robi, Airtel, and Banglalink mobile numbers. Successful candidates must complete the detailed form and subject preference form on the admission test website between 3:00 PM on March 24 and 3:00 PM on April 16, 2025. Candidates who passed under different quotas must collect the relevant quota form from the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Arts between April 13 and April 17. The completed forms must be submitted to the Dean's Office within the specified timeframe. For result reviews, applications can be submitted to the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Arts from March 9 to March 13, upon payment of the required fee.

Widespread criticism has erupted across the country over the renaming of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall at Islamic University (IU) to Shah Azizur Rahman Hall. Shah Azizur Rahman remains a highly controversial figure due to his collaboration with Pakistan  against Bangladesh’s war of  independence in 1971. The decision on renaming the hall was made at the 267th syndicate meeting held on the university campus in Kushtia on February 26, chaired by IU Vice-Chancellor Professor Nakib Mohmmad Nasrullah. IU authorities rename four halls, academic building Netizens began denouncing the decision immediately after news broke about the renaming the hall. Shah Aziz opposed the Language Movement in 1952. During the Liberation War, he became a member of the cabinet led by Abdul Motaleb Malik in then-East Pakistan, later serving as the revenue minister. He opposed the Liberation War and was part of the delegation sent by Pakistan to the United Nations, where he strongly denied that the Pakistan Army had carried out genocide in Bangladesh through "Operation Searchlight." Shah Aziz was arrested as a collaborator of Pakistan for opposing the Liberation War and was tried under the Bangladesh Collaborators (Special Tribunals) Order, 1972. The university authorities also renamed three other halls following the directive of the education ministry's Secondary and Higher Education Division. Stadium in Purbachal renamed as 'National Cricket Ground' A press release, signed by IU acting registrar HM Ali Hasan, was issued in this regard on Wednesday. According to the press release, Sheikh Hasina Hall has been renamed 'July-36 Hall,' Sheikh Russell Hall as 'Shahid Anas Hall,' Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Hall as 'Ummul Mumineen Ayesha Siddiqah Hall,' and Wazed Miah Science Building as 'Ibn Sina Science Building.'

The authorities of Islamic University (IU) have renamed four residential halls and an academic building that were previously named after ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members. A press release, signed by IU acting registrar HM Ali Hasan, was issued in this regard on Wednesday afternoon. According to the press release, the decision was made at the 267th syndicated meeting held on February 26 with IU Vice-Chancellor Professor Nakib Mohammad Nasrullah in the chair. The name of Sheikh Hasina Hall has been renamed as 'July-36 Hall', Sheikh Russell Hall as 'Shahid Anas Hall', Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall as 'Shah Azizur Rahman Hall', Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Hall as 'Ummul Mumineen Ayesha Siddiqah Hall'. Besides, Wazed Miah Science Building now will be called 'Ibn Sina Science Building' as per the change. The university authorities changed the names following the direction of the Education Ministry's Secondary and Higher Education Division, the release added.

Former Education Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud on Wednesday said festival allowance, entertainment allowance, house rent and other perks will be increased for the MPO listed teachers. "I assured everyone that we will try to meet the demands as much as we can in the upcoming budget after holding a meeting with the Finance Ministry, but 15/20 years of deprivation cannot be met with a one or two year budget. It's very hard to explain,” he said. Biman a frain, loss-making organisation for years: Wahiduddin Mahmud Wahiduddin came up with the information while speaking at a programme on the occasion of the joining of the newly appointed Education Adviser CR Abrar, held at the conference room of the Education Ministry. "We will be able to increase their (MPO teachers) festival allowance, entertainment allowance, house rent, medical allowance from this year's Eid-ul-Azha to next year's budget. I know that provision is being made in this year's budget and next year's budget.,” he said “We can understand the demand that private salaries should be made equal to government salaries, but how can a one-year budget fix a 15-year disparity? But we need to start. That's the beginning we're making,” said Wahiuddin. Noting that, a fund is being created for teachers' retirement and welfare allowances, Wahiuddin, said, “It’s been built a little bit this year and the rest will be included in the next budget. However, to make the whole fund sustainable, it will be solved in the upcoming three or four budgets in the future.” Interim government won't name establishments after any person: Wahiduddin Mahmud The money in the retirement and welfare fund was deliberately kept in a bank that no longer has money. Some funds have already gone elsewhere, he claimed. "Welfare allowance and retirement allowance for private MPO teachers are their most legitimate demands. But they are not united. They never even take the streets. But I thought the demand should be met first,” he said.  

A pioneering book titled ‘Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance and Artificial Intelligence’, authored by Dr. Md. Shah Nawaz Khan, a former lecturer at Dhaka University now residing in the UK, has been launched. The Faculty of Pharmacy at Dhaka University hosted the launch event on February 26, where the book was unveiled by Prof. Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, Chairman of the Bangladesh Accreditation Council; Prof. A.K. Azad Chowdhury, former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University; and Prof. Dr. Selim Reza, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy. Ambassador Tariq Karim’s book on ‘Evolution of SA Regional Cooperation’ unveiled Dr. Khan presented the book’s objectives and key themes to an audience comprising alumni, faculty members and students, who praised his comprehensive work for its potential to advance Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical sector. Presiding over the event, Prof Dr Selim Reza lauded the book as a valuable contribution to pharmaceutical education and industry development in Bangladesh. The book explores AI’s transformative impact on pharmaceutical manufacturing, demonstrating how advanced algorithms and data-driven systems are redefining safety, efficacy, and efficiency standards. As cutting-edge AI technology integrates with established quality assurance principles, the industry stands on the brink of a new era. ‘Sparsho Braille’ distributes free books for visually impaired at Ekushey Book Fair  AI is not just an innovation—it is reshaping quality standards, ensuring safer medicines and fostering a more sustainable future. Addressing critical challenges such as cybersecurity, regulatory compliance and ethical oversight, the book underscores the balance between technological advancement and responsible governance. It also offers practical strategies for integrating AI into pharmaceutical processes while safeguarding public health.  

The Central Programme of the Youth Festival was held at Comilla University on Thursday. The Department of Information and Communication Technology, in collaboration with Comilla University, organised the Central Programme of the Youth Festival 2025. The festival was celebrated under the theme "Let's change the country, change the world", aiming to encourage young entrepreneurs in the use of ICT while fostering creativity and innovation among the younger generation. The day-long event featured documentary screenings, a youth fair exhibition, cricket matches, online quiz competitions, seminars, prize distribution, and cultural performances. ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury attended the programme as the Guest of Honour. Vice-Chancellor of Comilla University, Prof. Dr Md Haider Ali, presided over the event. Shish Haider Chowdhury stated that the spirit of youth inspires everyone to contribute to building a better Bangladesh. "This nationwide celebration, the Festival of Youth, will be a cultural event that also integrates technology, creativity, and entertainment to bring communities across Bangladesh together," he said. Partners of the event included DOICT, A2i, Bangladesh Data Center Company Limited, Startup Bangladesh Limited, Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, and Bangladesh Computer Council. Co-partners were PENCONS and the Peninsula Consortium. In collaboration with the Bangladesh Premier League, the Youth Festival 2025 aims to unite the nation, foster a spirit of mutual cooperation, and celebrate the beauty of Bangladesh’s diversity and culture.

The authorities at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology have announced the closure of all residential halls until further notice in the interest of ensuring students' overall safety. Students have been instructed to vacate the residential halls by 10:00 am on February 26. Kuet student delegation moves towards Dhaka to meet CA Furthermore, all academic activities at the university have been suspended until further notice. This decision was made at the 99th (Emergency) meeting of the university's syndicate, which was held on Tuesday, February 25.

A study titled ‘Expenditure review of TVET institutions in Bangladesh’ conducted by Dhaka University Bureau of Economic Research (BER) found that the annual per-student cost in polytechnic institutes is BDT 40,855, while public universities have a significantly higher average cost of BDT 166,859, about four times higher. BER revealed their study report in a roundtable conference, held in the DU Senate building on Monday. Dr. K M Kabirul Islam, secretary, TMED, ministry of education was present as a chief guest while Prof. Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha, DU pro VC (admin), and Mr. Shoaib Ahmad Khan, director general, DTE as special guests at the programme. DU economics department assistant Prof. Md. Nazmul Hossain gave the finding presentation. He said, “The study aims to analyze expenditure activities, assess cost per student across programs, identify cost drivers, and recommend cost-efficiency improvements. Using a mixed-method approach, it examines 13 polytechnics and 10 TSCs, selected based on program diversity, institutional scale, and geographical location.” The study shows that in the government Technical School and College -TSCs Students’ enrolment 64% per year, activity-wise yearly per-student operating cost BDT 31,840 taka, yearly government contribution BDT 32,075 taka for per-student in the FY 2022-23. In the government polytechnics institutions, students’ enrollment is 77%, activity-wise yearly per-student operating cost BDT 27,911 taka, graduation rate 72.63% and dropout rate 27.37% in the 22-23 session. 30 Scientists, 5 farmers & a journalist honoured at BAU “The annual per-student cost in polytechnic institutes is BDT 40,855, while public universities have a significantly higher average cost of BDT 166,859, about four times higher. The median university cost is BDT 144,670. Public engineering and technology universities have the highest per-student cost at BDT 179,559, approximately 4.4 times that of polytechnics,” finds the study. The study recommends that a systematic approach is needed to boost TVET enrollment, including surveys, feedback, and awareness campaigns. Upgrading the curriculum with industry collaboration, ICT, and soft skills is crucial. Adequate funding for modern labs and alternative financing sources should be explored. Ensuring quality through assessments, stakeholder feedback, and continuous teacher training will enhance TVET’s credibility and effectiveness.

A delegation of 80 students of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) on Sunday left Khulna for Dhaka to meet Chief Adviser (CA) Prof Muhammad Yunus amid unrest on their campus following series of clashes between two groups of students. Two buses carrying the students left the Kuet campus at 8am as they were scheduled to meet the CA at 11am at his official residence Jamuna. Before leaving the campus, the students wearing red clothes on heads and eyes said they were going to Dhaka to put forward their six-point demand, including resignation of Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mashud Chowdhury and Pro VC Prof Dr Shariful Islam. Kuet sues 400 people over attacks on students They alleged that they are feeling insecurity on the campus and will go into safe places after meeting. The students said they would not return to the campus until their security is ensured but their activities will go online. Tensions gripped the campus following reported attacks on general students over the demand of banning student politics on the campus. Chhata Shibir and Chhatra Dal blamed each other for the attacks that left at least 50 students. In the face of demonstrations by the students, the Kuet authorities said all kinds of politics on the campus will remain banned as earlier and announced the suspension of academic activities at the university till February 28. Politics at Kuet remains banned; committee formed over clashes But, the students have been continuing their movement to realise their six-point demand.