United News of Bangladesh

A crucial step has been taken towards the long-sought Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) election, as the university administration confirms the possibility of forming the Ducsu Election Commission soon. According to the election timeline published in mid-April, the commission was scheduled to be formed in the first half of May and work is currently progressing towards that objective. Once constituted, the commission will officially initiate the Ducsu election process. Professor Dr Sayma Haque Bidisha, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of Dhaka University, said, “The election commission may be formed soon. We are considering a few names—individuals capable of connecting with students, fostering good relations and organising a fair election. We are speaking with those who are experienced and broadly acceptable.” Earlier, a survey indicated that students supported a jointly formed commission with representation from both students and teachers. Overwhelming majority of students in favour of DUCSU election by June: Survey Addressing this, Dr Bidisha noted, “Students have given some excellent opinions. However, students will not be included in the election commission. Once the commission is formed, implementing student suggestions will be among its responsibilities.” Meanwhile, the Ducsu constitution and the code of conduct for the election have been finalised. Key Provisions of the Code of Conduct: ·         No rallies or processions are allowed during the collection and submission of nomination papers. ·         Candidates must not be accompanied by more than five supporters when collecting or submitting nomination forms. ·         No individual, group, or student organisation may obstruct another candidate during nomination submission or withdrawal. ·         Use of vehicles for processions or transporting voters is prohibited, although rickshaws and bicycles may be used to reach polling centres. ·         Distribution of drinks, food, gifts, or tips to voters is strictly forbidden during the campaign and on the election day. ·         Campaigning is permitted from the publication of the final candidate list until 24 hours before the election day, between 10:00 am and 11:00 pm only. ·         Microphone use is prohibited after 10:00 pm. DU students submit memorandum demanding DUCSU election roadmap ·         Only Ducsu and hall union voters and candidates may campaign; no external campaigning is allowed within the campus. ·         Permission must be obtained at least 24 hours in advance for holding any meetings or gatherings. ·         Each candidate or group may hold one projection meeting in each hall and a maximum of three across the university. ·         Meetings, gatherings, or processions are restricted to locations approved by the chief returning officer or returning officers. Violations of the code of conduct may result in cancellation of candidacy and a fine of Tk 20,000. Besides, offenders may face expulsion or other penalties under applicable university or state laws. Reforms in the Ducsu Constitution: ·         This new Ducsu constitution includes notable reforms: ·         The mass uprising of 2024 has been formally recognised. ·         Two new sub-sections have been added under Section 2: ·         2(b): To establish the spirit of the July 2024 uprising against all forms of discrimination and fascism, and uphold the legacy of democratic movements in Bangladesh’s history. ·         2(c): To strive for excellence in students’ academic and co-curricular pursuits. The post of Secretary, Struggle for Independence and Liberation War Affairs has been restructured as Secretary, Liberation War and Democratic Movements. The roles of Cultural Secretary and Literature Secretary have been merged into a single position—Secretary, Culture and Literature. The Treasurer will be nominated by the Vice-Chancellor from among the university’s professors, in consultation with the union’s executive committee. Any objections regarding the election must be submitted to the president within three clear days of the results’ publication. The president’s decision will be final. DU Chhatra Shibir demands DUCSU election roadmap announcement by Jan However, the previous clause stating, “No action will lie against this decision in any court of law,” has now been removed.    

Students of Barishal University (BU) on Monday night began an indefinite hunger strike demanding the removal of Vice Chancellor Professor Sucharita Sharmin, against whom they were already embroiled in a movement stretching back over four weeks. Till now, the students had organised sit-ins on campus, torch processions on the Dhaka-Kuakata highway, blockades, and press briefings, besides locking the Vice Chancellor’s residence, to press home their demand.  Today's move raises the stakes of the movement, although the demand remains the same. The announcement of the wildcat hunger strike came during an emergency press briefing where student leader Sujoy Shuvo declared Dr. Sharmin ‘unwanted’ on campus. The students started the strike at 9:30pm. Apparently the VC has not communicated with students at any point during their 28-day-long protest, instead choosing to address the situation via a Facebook livestream recently. “We reject this fascist leadership],” Shuvo said. Barishal University students begin academic shutdown

The University Grants Commission (UGC) will soon take a decision on allowing private universities to introduce PhD programmes, UGC Chairman Professor Dr SMA Faiz said on Sunday. He made the remarks while speaking at a stakeholder consultation on the Private University Act 2010 (Amended 2024) held at the UGC auditorium. Dr Faiz said only those private universities that meet the required academic and infrastructural standards would be permitted to offer PhD programmes. Highlighting the role of universities in society, he said they are not isolated from its challenges and therefore have a responsibility to conduct research aimed at solving pressing social issues. He also urged university authorities to be mindful of students’ changing expectations and mental well-being in the context of current social and political dynamics, and to take proactive steps in addressing these concerns. Govt to initiate PhD programme in nursing: UGC chairman Clarifying the Commission’s role, he said, “The Commission does not view itself as a regulatory authority but rather as a facilitator for enhancing the quality of higher education and research.” He assured that all constructive recommendations made during the meeting would be given due consideration. The event was chaired by Dr Md Sultan Mahmud Bhuiyan, Director of UGC’s Private University Division, while Prof Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Acting Member in charge of the division, attended as special guest. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan, Rajshahi University VC Dr Saleh Hasan Nakib, Jagannath University VC Prof Dr Rezaul Karim, North South University VC Prof Dr Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, East West University VC Prof Dr Shams Rahman, National University VC Prof Mohammad Nurul Islam, Brac University Dean Prof Dr Yusuf Haider, and Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Daffodil International University Dr Mohammad Sabur Khan, among others, also joined the consultation. Nuri Shahreen Islam, Senior Assistant Director of the Private University Division, conducted the programme.

Students at Barishal University have started academic shutdown on Monday demanding the removal of Vice-Chancellor Dr Shuchita Sharmin. The announcement came on Sunday night during a torch procession on the campus and surrounding areas, marking the 26th day of the ongoing protest. The students declared that academic activities will remain suspended until the VC is removed from office. Sujoy Shuvo, a student of the university, said letters were sent to all departments requesting cooperation from teachers who have expressed solidarity with the movement. He added that while regular classes and administrative activities would be suspended pre-scheduled semester examinations and emergency services would continue during the shutdown. Met office issues lightning alert in 21 dists Dr Unmesh Roy, Head of the Bangla Department, confirmed receiving the students’ letter. “We have already expressed our solidarity with the movement. We fully support the students.” The protesting students alleged that VC could not undertake any development initiatives during her tenure but filed cases against students and facilitated the return of the banned Chhatra League on the campus. They also blamed her negligence for the death of a female student who died without receiving proper medical care. A large number of students participated in Sunday night’s torch procession, chanting anti-VC slogans and vowing to bar Dr Sharmin from entering the campus.  

The government is set to take legal action against 18 private universities for their failure to relocate to their permanent campuses, despite operating for over 12 years and receiving multiple deadline extensions. The Ministry of Education has recently instructed the University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman to take action against these universities for not complying with the requirement under the Private University Act, 2010. Rabindra University will be developed like Biswa Bharati: Planning Adviser UGC Member Professor Dr Mohammad Anwar Hossen said, “These 18 universities have crossed the permitted time limits, some have taken 12, 15, even 20 years but still haven't shifted to their permanent campuses despite repeated reminders,” he said. “We wrote to the Ministry of Education three months ago regarding what action can be taken. In response, the ministry has directed us to take action against 16 universities, but the number under scrutiny will ultimately be 18,” he added. According to sources at the ministry, the Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Division wrote to the UGC chairman stating that the provisional approval period for 16 private universities has expired, yet they continue to operate without transferring academic activities to permanent campuses. The letter cited Section 12(1) of the Private University Act, 2010, as the legal basis for action, they said. When asked about the nature of action being considered, Dr Anwar Hossen said, “This will be decided in our upcoming monthly meeting, led by the UGC Chairman. Measures could include revoking approvals among other options.” BU students lock admin offices demanding VC’s removal He added that the deadline set earlier for moving to permanent campuses passed long ago, and even with fresh deadlines the universities may need another three to four years to complete the transition. “Some universities have taken over a decade—12, 15, or 20 years—and still haven’t shifted. We will consider a range of responses in the meeting, from warnings to granting additional time based on individual circumstances,” he said. Dr Anwar said among the 117 private universities currently operating in the country a large number still do not have permanent campuses. “Even so, many of them are still being given time,” he said. In January 2023, the UGC had issued letters to 18 universities asking them to move to permanent campuses by December 31 of that year. As they failed to comply with the directive student admissions were suspended at four universities, temporary campus admissions were halted at two others and the remaining 12 were given extended timeframes. Of the 18 universities under scrutiny, nine are located in Dhaka. Those are University of Development Alternative (Satmasjid Road), Stamford University Bangladesh (Siddheshwari), Millennium University (Rajarbagh), People’s University of Bangladesh (Mohammadpur), Presidency University (Gulshan), Primeasia University (Banani), ASA University Bangladesh (Shyamoli), Sonargaon University (Panthapath) and Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (Mirpur). The other universities are North East University Bangladesh (Sylhet), Isha Khan International University (Kishoreganj), North Western University (Khulna), Feni University (Feni), Port City International University (Chattogram), Chittagong Independent University (Chattogram) and Britannia University (Cumilla). In a hurried move, Sonargaon University recently inaugurated an incomplete permanent campus at Khilgaon’s Ward 75 in the capital last Saturday. KU authorities decide to expel student who attacked teacher; committee formed According to the Private University Act, 2010, universities must shift to permanent campuses within seven years of establishment with a five-year extension allowed. Failure to do so may result in penalties, including suspension of student enrollment.    

The government plans to transform Rabindra University into a world class one like Shanti Niketon or Bishwa Bharati. Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud said this on Wednesday while briefing reporters after the regular Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) at the NEC Conference Room in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. ECNEC Chairperson and Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus presided over the meeting. The planning adviser said that the chief adviser has directed the authorities concerned to take effective steps as a project on the university' was placed at the meeting. The meeting sent back the projecy and asked the relevant authorities to prepare a new plan for the University. Rabindra University is the 40th public university in Bangladesh. The university is named after the Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore. The university is located in Shahjadpur Upazila of Sirajganj district, which is famous for the poet's memory. On July 26, 2016, the 'Rabindra University, Bangladesh Act 2016' was passed by the National Parliament. In 2018, the academic activities of the university started in the academic year 2017-2018 with 113 students in the undergraduate (honours) class in three departments under two faculties. Currently, teaching is going on in five departments under four faculties at Rabindra University. The faculties and departments are- A. Faculty of Arts: 1. Bengali, B. Faculty of Social Sciences: 2. Sociology; 3. Economics; c. Faculty of Business Education: 4. Management; and d. Faculty of Music and Dance: 5. Music. The number of degrees awarded is eight- 1. BA (Hons), 2. BSS (Hons), 3. BBA 4. BMU 5. MA 6. MSS 7. MBA and 8. MMUS. It has been decided to introduce MPhil and Ph.D degrees under various faculties of the university. The total number of students at Rabindra University is more than 2000. Students of various academic years are studying at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the departments of Bengali, Sociology, Economics, Management and Music. At present, the total number of teachers in the university is 34, officials are 49 and the number of employees is 106. The academic activities of the university and the central library are being conducted by setting up temporary campuses in the buildings of three higher educational institutions in Shahjadpur Upazila. The process of acquiring the proposed site and constructing the permanent campus of Rabindra University on 225 acres of land of Rabindranath Tagore's estate, surrounded by natural beauty at the confluence of three rivers, at a place called Buripotajia, near Shahjadpur Upazila town of Sirajganj district, was underway. Adviser Mahmud said that there are so many universities in different districts across the country. “But I do not know the future of these universities, we are not preparing any new plan for infrastructural development of these universities,” he said. He also mentioned that the interim government is not also encouraging these universities to increase their students and teachers. The adviser said that as the Rabindra University is a different one, it will not be a regular local university. “There will be no profit by that move,” he added. He said that the university authority has prepared a mega plan of 500 acres of land for the University. “But we cut that to 100 acres of land, there will be three water reservoirs and two rivers, the Vice-Chancellor of the university had told me,” he said. He also said that the VC also apprised him that after completing the project it would be a very good place for the tourists also. “There is a Rabindra Museum in there which will be linked with the university,” he said. The planning adviser said that for all these matters there should a very good architectural plan and it should be transformed in to a world standard good university.

Students of Barishal Nursing College on Wednesday morning started an indefinite ‘complete shutdown’ to press home their six-point demand. They also staged protests seeking justice over an alleged attack on them by teachers and postgraduates. The protest began at 9am in front of the college with the protesters gathering with placards and slogans. Earlier on Tuesday morning, the protesting students were allegedly barred by teachers from holding a scheduled programme on the campus that left four students injured. Nursing College student commits ‘suicide’ in Barishal The students have been carrying out movements on six point demands including teachers recruitment following the policies of Dhaka University and the University Grants Commission (UGC). The students warned that the ‘complete shutdown’ will continue until their demands are met. However, the teachers denied the allegation. A tense situation was prevailing on the college campus.

The protesting students of Barishal University (BU) locked all administrative offices on Tuesday demanding the immediate removal of Vice Chancellor Dr. Sucharita Sharmin. The protesters put the administrative offices under lock and key following a half-hour demonstration on the ground floor of the university. They warned that they would  paralyse the entire southern region of the country if their demand is not met immediately. The protest that began 15 days back intensified on Sunday when students consolidated their demands into a single call for the VC's removal. Students accused the VC of favouring authoritarian faculty members, failing to implement 22-point demand submitted six months ago and filing cases against protesters while sparing others involved in previous violent incidents. "Despite submitting our demands six months ago, none have been implemented," said Shahidul Islam, a protesting student. “The administration didn’t even file a case against Shahriar Shan, one of the perpetrators during the July movement, but instead filed cases against students protesting for legitimate reasons,” he said. KU authorities decide to expel student who attacked teacher; committee formed Abdur Rahman, another student, said, “Our classmate Zebunnesa Haque Jimmy, who had cancer, died without treatment after the VC ignored her appeal for support. Months passed, but her application sat unsigned in the office. We don't want such an inhumane VC.” Another student Ashik Ahmed said the corrupt and incompetent VC has lost the moral right to remain in office.  

The authorities of Khulna University (KU) have decided to cancel the enrolment of the accused of forming assaulting a teacher of the university. The accused student is Abdullah Noman, a student from the 18th batch of the Bengali Department. A high-level investigation committee was also formed during the syndicate meeting held on Saturday afternoon, said Prof Dr. Rezaul Karim, VC of Khulna University. It was also decided that the student's graduation certificate will be suspended until the committee submits its investigation report within the next five working days, he added. Prof Dr. Md. Imdadul Haque has been appointed as the head of the committee, while two other members are Professors Dr. Md. Khasrul Alam and Dr. Md. Ajmal Huda. According to students, on Friday night, Noman struck the head of the teacher and Assistant Student Affairs Director Hasan Mahmud Saki with a metal object on the university campus, causing him to fall to the ground and lose consciousness. Later, the injured teacher was taken to hospital in serious condition. Meanwhile, after receiving the news of the physical assault on the teacher, students emerged from all the halls of the university and began a procession on campus. They took a stand in front of the VC's bungalow, demanding justice against the accused student. They said that they would not leave their position until punishment was confirmed. At the same time, the student was declared unwanted on campus by the general students. The protests continued until 2:30 am. In light of the emerging situation, an emergency syndicate meeting was held on Saturday at 3 pm. VC Professor Dr. Rezaul Karim briefed journalists after the meeting. Pro VC Professor Dr. Harun Or Rashid Khan and other teachers were present at the time. The VC said that the 231st emergency syndicate meeting condemned the incident and made the decisions outlined above. Moreover, the university's registrar will file a case against the student under criminal law at Harintana police station.

Prof Dr Md Hazrat Ali of the Civil Engineering Department at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology has been appointed as the acting Vice Chancellor (VC) of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET). The Ministry of Education issued a notification regarding his appointment on Thursday (May 1). According to the notification, the appointment was made with the approval of the President, who is the Chancellor, to fill the vacancy on an interim basis until a full-time VC is appointed. During his tenure, Prof Hazrat Ali will receive the salary and allowances equivalent to his current position along with other relevant benefits as per the rules. He will serve as the university’s chief executive officer and will be required to stay on the KUET campus on a full-time basis. JUCSU election set for July 31, army to be deployed if needed The order also states that the President and Chancellor reserves the right to revoke the appointment at any time, if deemed necessary. The appointment followed student protests following an incident of violence on the KUET campus on February 18. Students had demanded the resignation of the Vice Chancellor, Pro-Vice Chancellor, and Director of Student Welfare (DSW). After more than two months of continuous demonstrations and a hunger strike unto death by students, the Ministry of Education removed both the Vice Chancellor and Pro-Vice Chancellor on April 25.