Education
PUST VC, UGC chairman sued over recruitment irregularities
A case has been filed against the vice chancellor of Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) and the chairman of University Grants Commission of Bangladesh over recruitment irregularities.
The accused are PSTU VC Prof Swadesh Chandra Samanta, Additional Registrar (Acting) Prof Santosh Kumar Basu, Treasurer Prof Muhammad Ali, and the UGC chairman.
PSTU halts appointment process amid protests
Israt Jahan filed the case at the Patuakhali Senior Assistant Judge's Court on February 27.
Humaun Kabir Badsha, lawyer for the plaintiff, confirmed the matter. "My client filed a case at the court on February 27, and the court issued summon notices to the accused."
PSTU students protest ongoing recruitment
Regarding the matter, PSTU Registrar (Acting) Prof Santosh Kumar Basu, stated, "I cannot comment on whether the case has been filed or not as no official documents have been received yet."
"I heard that a case has been filed, but no documents have been received yet. If a case is filed, we will officially respond,” said PSTU VC Prof Swadesh Chandra Samanta.
Second convocation at PSTU Wednesday
According to the case details, recruitment notices were issued for the “section officer” position on October 31, 2018, and for other positions on November 16, 2022, by the Registrar's Office of the university. Israt Jahan, the plaintiff, applied for the “section officer” position from Dhaka.
Consequently, on November 2, 2023, she appeared for an interview. Although the selection board committee chairman was supposed to be the VC but Treasurer Muhammad Ali became the chairman. Later, the committee recommended the appointment of six individuals for the “section officer” position.
The case details further mentioned that there are rumors of widespread irregularities and money transactions regarding the appointments in various posts including section officers. Due to this, the plaintiff Israt Jahan claimed she was deprived of appointment despite being a suitable candidate.
The case also appealed to cancel the appointments and requested issuing re-notification for recruitment.
East West University hosts 23rd Convocation
The 23rd Convocation of the East West University (EWU) took place on Wednesday at Aftabnagar Sports Ground in the capital, conferring degrees to 2,861 students of undergraduate and graduate programmes.
Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury, as the representative of the Chancellor, the President, awarded the degrees at the convocation. Moreover, four students were honoured with gold medals for their meritorious excellence.
Professor Dr Farashuddin, the Chief Adviser of EWU and the former Governor of Bangladesh Bank, highlighted the contribution of EWU to the country’s higher education sector and urged the government to grant permission for the initiation of MPhil and PhD programmes.
Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury stated that the government does not discriminate between public and private universities. Some private universities like EWU have reached such a standard that the time has arrived for them to offer PhD and MPhil degrees.
SSC questions leaked before exam in Kurigram: Two individuals interrogated
Secondary School Certificate (SSC) question papers were leaked just before the commencement of the examinations at Nageshwari upazila of Kurigram on Tuesday.
Police have interrogated the director of Nageshwari New Pratisti Private School and one of his teachers at Nageshwari Adarsha Pilot Girls' High School centre already.
Also, a teacher in charge of the invigilation has been relieved of his duty for entering a room of the centre with a mobile phone.
Nageshwari UNO Ashik Ahmed and Nageshwari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Roop Kumar Sarkar confirmed the information.
It was learned that before the start of the SSC Islamic studies subject examination on Tuesday, a picture of an answer sheet came on WhatsApp Messenger on the mobile phones of some parents. The photos also come to journalists.
OC Roop Kumar Sarkar said the answer sheet was taken from a phone of a teacher named Manjur. Some teachers of New Pratisti Private were blamed for it. For this reason, director of the school Shahidul Islam and his teacher Manjur were called and interrogated. His mobile phone was confiscated. For now, it turns out Manjur’s phone was not used to take the photos of the question.
Everything will be clear once the investigation ends, he said.
While several guardians near the exam centre expressed dissatisfaction, they refrain from revealing their names publicly, fearing repercussions for their children in the ongoing exams. They alleged that within the examination centre, some students were favoured with leaked answer scripts, causing distress among other candidates.
However, the center's secretary, Mosharaf Hossen, denied the allegations, stating that the teacher, Abdul Safi, who was present in Room-7, was relieved of duty immediately after unauthorized entry. No incriminating information related to the exam was found on his phone.
Abdul Hai Rocket, an official from the Nageshwari Upazila Education office, acknowledged the reports of answer script leaks but emphasizes the need for a thorough investigation before drawing conclusions.
A teacher has been relieved from all duties of the ongoing examination for entering the examination room with a smartphone. His phone has been seized. The phone will be verified if there is any information related to the exam. Legal action would be taken if anything objectionable is found, said the UNO.
‘Banking Reporter Kala-kausal’ hits Amar Ekushey Book Fair
Journalists aspiring to pursue a career in banking journalism can enhance their knowledge by reading a book titled "Banking Reporter Kala-kausal” (Techniques of Banking Reports) that hit the Amar Ekushey Book Fair on Sunday.
Shahin Howlader, a journalist with expertise in widely covering the banking sector, authored the book published by Anindya Prokash.
The book provides a comprehensive overview of business journalism, specifically focusing on Bangladesh's banking sector.
CRI stall ready to welcome visitors at Ekushey Book Fair
By sharing personal experiences, the author provides valuable insights, rendering it an indispensable resource for young journalists and those already working in the field.
The book delves into various aspects of banking sector journalism, encompassing fundamental concepts, fact-checking, interviewing techniques, and data journalism.
The language used in this book is clear and simple, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of readers.
"In our country, there is a shortage of tools for data journalism in the banking sector. I wrote this book to fill that gap. I believe it will assist journalists interested in covering the banking sector and business journalism to file news reports more effectively," stated the author.
Prothoma book fair held at Nagad’s head office
The book can be found at Anindya Prakash (Pavilion No 20) and Dhaka Reporters Unity’s stall (Stall No 773) at the book fair on the Bangla Academy premises.
The book is also available at the Kazi Nazrul Islam Library of Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) and other libraries of journalists association.
Four day-long Quranic Exhibition and Workshop inaugurated in the city
A discussion meeting and inauguration programme of four-day long Quranic Exhibition and Workshop was inaugurated at Kabi Sufia Kamal Auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum in the afternoon.
Cultural Centre of the embassy of the I.R. of Iran in Dhaka arranged the Quranic Exhibition and Workshop with the title of ‘Days of Quran’ at Nalinikanta Bhottoshali Exhibition Hall of the National Museum.
Director General (Additional Secretary), Bangladesh Islamic Foundation Dr. Md. Bashirul Alam was present as chief Guest while consular and economic Affairs of Iran Embassy in Bangladesh.
BUET admission 2023-24: pre-selection test held
Pre-selection test for Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) for academic session 2023-24 was held at BUET campus in two phases today (Saturday).
The one-hour-long pre-selection phases started from 10am and 3 pm consecutively.
The result of these pre-selection is expected to be published on February 29 as the press notification, signed by BUET public relation officer Shofiur Rahman, said.
A total of 17,428 students were selected for the pre-selection test of a total of 100 marks, of which at least 6000 students will be selected for the main test, two hours long written test and of total 400 marks, which is scheduled to be held on March 9.
The final test will be held in two segments as module A and module B.
The main examination will consist of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry for Module-A 'A' and 'B' groups from 10 am to 12 pm.The exam for Module-B of ‘B’ group will start from 2 pm and continue till 3.30 pm on free handwriting, visual and spatial acuity.
The final result of the main test is expected to be published on march 31.
This year there are only 1309 seats available in the BUET of which at least 4 seats are reserved for tribal quota.
Inter-School Bangla Olympiad held
The Inter-School Bangla Olympiad was held in grand style with the participation of a large number of students from English medium and English version schools on Saturday.
The competition related to Bengali language with the participation of English medium and English version schools of the country is organized by International Hope School Bangladesh located in Uttara of the capital in the month of language.
A total of 1630 students from 120 branches of 85 schools across the country participated in the various events while the prize giving ceremony will be held on March 2.
At the beginning of the programme, Shimul Mustafa recited poems and gave a speech while Roksana Zarin, Principal of International Hope School Bangladesh delivered a welcome speech.
During the day-long programme, the contestants participated in various age-wise categories in essay writing, recitation, dance, song, drawing, quiz and extempore speech.
This year, like other times, the advisors and judges of this competition are eminent educators-writers-artists of the country.
National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Soumitra Shekhar, and Director General of the International Mother Language Institute Dr. Hakim Arif.
Competitions are held in seven groups of several categories – Essay, Recitation, Music, Painting, Extempore Speech, Dance and Bengali Quiz.
Anti-rape graffiti over Bangabandhu’s portrait at JU: 2 Chhatra Union leaders sued
A case has been filed against Jahangirnagar University Chhatra Union president Amartya Roy and general secretary Anindya Ganguly for drawing anti-rape graffiti over Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait on the campus.
JU Chief Security Officer Sudipto Shahin filed the case on behalf of the university at Ashulia Police Station on Thursday afternoon.
2 JU Chhatra Union leaders suspended for drawing anti-rape graffiti over Bangabandhu’s portrait
"According to the decision of the university syndicate, the case has been filed under the state law. I have completed the work of the case at Ashulia Police Station this afternoon,” said Shahin.
Earlier on February 20, the university administration expelled them for one year at a special syndicate meeting.
JU fires Johnny following prolonged probe into allegations of sexual harassment
On February 7, a section of the university's Chhatra Union (Amartya Roy-Riddha Anindya) reportedly painted anti-rape graffiti by removing Bangabandhu's potrait on the wall of the new arts building of the university.
Protesting the incident, two Chhatra League leaders sat on a hunger strike for four consecutive days since February 15 demanding capital punishment for those involved.
University Vice-Chancellor Prof Nurul Alam met the hunger strikers on the night of February 18 and assured them of punishment for those involved.
DU defends allegations of entry test question paper leakage as ‘rumour’
Just a few hours prior to the entry tests of Arts, Law and Social Science faculties, the Dhaka University (DU) authority defended itself regarding the allegations of admission test question paper leakage, saying it just a ‘rumour’ spread on social media including Facebook on Thursday morning.
The admission tests of the three faculties under a single unit are scheduled to be held between 11 am to 12.30 pm on Friday in the country’s eight divisional headquarters including Dhaka.
DU student suspected to be militant operative detained at Jagannath University
On Thursday morning, rumours spread on social media that the question paper of the entry test was available in exchange for money and the admission aspirants were asked to contact through Telegrams to have those.
The aspirants were asked to pay Tk 20, 000 in advance and the rest Tk 30, 000 will have to be paid post the examination.
Dhaka University celebrates tapestry of festivals Wednesday
Asked about the rumour, Prof Zia Rahman, dean of Social Science Faculty and chief coordinator of the admission test, said, "The rumour that spread on social media about question paper leakage makes no sense at all to us.”
“Those (rumours) are totally misinformation. No one even can predict the process of this admission test and there is no chance of question out. We are one hundred percent confident about ourselves and our efforts. I think we will be able to conduct the admission test peacefully and transparently," he asserted.
‘Amader Ei Potaka’: Chhayanaut, Dhaka University celebrate V- Day 2023
DU Proctor Prof Makshudur Rahman told UNB that the things spread on social media were false and baseless.
Clearing their stance against the issue, he said an unscrupulous section wants to earn money by fooling people.
He, however, said they informed the law enforcement agencies about the rumour shortly after they had apprised of the matter. “They (law enforcers) are working on it to identify them.”
A total of 1, 12, 278 students submitted applications against 2,944 seats, meaning one student will have to compete with 37 others to secure his or her position.
The candidates will be able to download admit cards till 10 am on Friday.
The admission aspirants will have to overcome MCQ and broad question hurdles in two segments while 60 marks on MCQ basis will be from English, Bangla and General Knowledge and the rest 40 marks in the written test. The written part consists of Bangla and English.
EWU marks International Mother Language Day 2024
The East West University (EWU) on Wednesday observed the International Mother Language Day and Shaheed Dibash at its permanent campus in the capital’s Aftabnagar.
The programme began with a 'probhat feri' in the Aftabnagar area, and placing wreaths at the ‘Shaheed Minar’ on the EWU campus.
The EWU Clubs for Performing Arts (ECPA) organised a special cultural programme titled “Obinashwar Bahanno” which showcased a variety of activities to highlight the country’s diverse culture through talks, dances, recitations, and poster presentations.
The discussion programme was joined by Professor Dr Mohammed Farashuddin, Chief Adviser and founder Vice Chancellor of the EWU as the chief guest. H N Ashequr Rahman, a Member of the EWU Board of Trustees, joined the discussion as the special guest, while Professor Shams Rahman, Vice Chancellor of the EWU was the chair.
Ekushey Padak and Rabindra Puroshkar-winning prominent researcher and academician Professor Syed Akram Hossain joined as the keynote speaker of the session.
The discussants at the event concentrated on the accomplishments of the language movement on February 21, 1952, a day that commemorates the language movement in Dhaka and was instrumental in making Bangla the official language and, eventually, Bangladesh's independence in 1971. They urge the students of the EWU to disseminate the spirit of the language movement towards the nation as much as possible.
Members of the Board of Trustees of the EWU, alongside the EWU academic personnel including Pro-Vice Chancellor, Treasurer, Deans, Faculty members, officials, staff, and students attended the event.