United News of Bangladesh

Synergy University, Russia, has announced a strategic collaboration with Bangladesh, aimed at fostering educational and cultural exchange between the two nations. The partnership will involve the establishment of Synergy University Bangladesh, including plans for a Russian Language Institute, exchange programs, and dual degree programs, according to a media statement. On Thursday, Khashiev Alikhan, Vice President of Synergy Corporation, and Professor Brigadier General Dr. AKM Iqbal Azim, Vice Chancellor (Designate) of Synergy University Bangladesh, held productive discussions with Education Adviser Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud. The Education Adviser expressed enthusiasm about the proposal to open Synergy University's foreign campus in Bangladesh and assured full support for the initiative.

The digital lottery for selecting students from Class I to IX to the country's for admission to public and private schools have been published. The digital lottery was held on Tuesday. The results were published in the afternoon showing that preliminary 98, 205 students selected for public schools and 270, 883 students for private schools. Professor Dr Md Aminul Islam, special secretary (state minister rank) to the Ministry Education, inaugurated the process at the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh will be made a ‘university commission’ dropping ‘grants’ word from it in a bid to improve the quality of the country’s tertiary education. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said this at a press briefing here at Foreign Service Academy on Tuesday. " The University Grants Commission will be a university commission excluding ‘grants’ word so that it can act in a bigger sphere to maintain the quality of all sorts of tertiary education and make the education a time-befitting one,” he said. Though an education reform commission has not been formed, this government is working on many issues here phase by phase to bring reforms in the education sector, said the press secretary. “The possibility of formation of an education reform commission can’t be ruled out,” he said. Noting that bribery and irregularities take place also in the education sector, he said, “We’ve identified this area. We’ll also work on it so that we could make the education sector free from all sorts of corruption,” he said. Shafiqul Alam said the education sector has long been neglected as the desired investment was not made here decade after decade. “Now we need to increase allocation for the education sector,” he said. CA's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad were present at the briefing.

Bangladesh Government has simplified the document attestation process necessary for citizens going abroad by introducing a digital approach. This streamlined system allows students to authenticate their credentials from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need for in-person visits. Launched on October 1, 2024, the online service offers numerous benefits, including time-saving, convenience, and accessibility. Let’s explore how Bangladesh government's online certificate attestation system works. Prerequisites and Steps of Attesting Certificates Online  . Required Documents A National Identity Card (NID) or birth registration certificate issued online is essential for all study-related attestation categories. Since the procedure is entirely online, the relevant documents must be available in digital format for upload. All documents should be scanned in advance and saved on a computer in JPEG, JPG, or PNG format, ensuring the file size does not exceed 1 MB (megabyte). Step-by-Step Process to Attest Certificates Online . Registration on the MyGov Platform The process begins by visiting the official MyGov website at ‘www.mygov.bd’. The signup procedure requires the applicant to enter a user name with a valid mobile number or email address. This initial registration is completed by setting up a secure password. Read more: Sanchayapatra at Maturity: Encashment or Renewal of Bangladesh’s National Savings Certificate Profile Verification After account creation, a unique profile will be automatically generated for the applicant. This profile must be verified immediately using the NID, birth registration number, or birth year. Note that a single NID can only be used to verify one MyGov account. Searching for a Specific Application On the MyGov homepage, the first visible service is ‘certificate attestation for citizen going overseas’. Clicking this option leads to a new page offering a range of applications for attesting documents required by foreign institutions. Additionally, users can search for a specific document attestation service by typing keywords into the homepage search bar. The most relevant application will appear at the top of the search results. Alternatively, searches can also be conducted using voice commands for added convenience. Read more: How to Apply Online for Police Clearance Certificate in Bangladesh? Application Procedure Each application option provides a detailed overview of requirements, including: - Necessary documents- Rules for uploading files- Application fees- Instructions for completing the online form- Estimated processing time These requirements may vary depending on the type of document being attested. Processing times differ for different services. While some services are free, others may incur a specific fee. Applicants can pay this fee conveniently via online banking, credit/debit cards, or mobile payment gateways. While filling up the application form, fields marked with a red star (*) are mandatory and the rest are optional. If applicable, the applicant can attach additional pages or files by clicking the plus (+) button. Read more: Get Digital Birth Certificate (English) in Bangladesh: Process, documents, frees The applicant can fill up the form over multiple sessions, as it is not mandatory to complete the whole process in a single session. Partially filled forms can be saved as drafts for later submission. These drafts can be resumed through the ‘Service Management’ option after logging in with the registered mobile number or email ID and password. Uploading Relevant Documents Applicants can upload all types of documents required for the attestation directly to their account. Until the uploading process is complete, the process cannot proceed to the next stage. For efficiency, all necessary documents can be uploaded in advance, immediately after verifying the account. These stored documents will automatically be linked to respective applications as required, eliminating the need for separate uploads. Read more: SSC, HSC Certificate Information Change or Correction Process in Bangladesh Tracking Application Updates After final submission, the system will assign a unique tracking number for each application. This number allows the user to monitor his/her application's progress through the ‘Service Management’ option in their personal dashboard. Regular updates on the status of the application are accessible from this dashboard. Receipt of Verified Documents Once the attesting process is completed, the attested document will appear on the user’s dashboard. The attested document can then be downloaded immediately after the specified number of working days. By following this structured approach, users can efficiently complete the online attestation process for their educational certificates, ensuring a smooth transition for academic pursuits abroad. Read more: IELTS vs TOEFL: Which is better for study abroad? Key Takeaways This online certificate attestation unveils a wide range of benefits for Bangladeshi students who are planning to study abroad. By creating an account for every user, the system provides a dedicated one-stop platform to save all necessary documents. However, it is essential to remember that a single NID can verify only one account, enhancing security and preventing misuse. The platform’s efficient search functionality further improves user-friendliness, allowing quick access to specific services. Read more: How To Prepare For Higher Studies Abroad After HSC

The  JU unit of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement laid wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar on the morning of the great Victory Day, paying tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 mass uprising. At 8 am on Monday, the students  laid wreaths at the National Memorial to pay tribute to the brave martyrs. Online application for 47th BCS postponed After laying the wreaths, the students  observed one minute of silence and paid tribute to the martyrs of the 24 mass uprisings. After paying tribute, the convener of the JU branch of the Anti-Discrimination Movement, Arifuzzaman Ujjwal, said, "We will never be able to repay the sacrifices of the martyrs in the mass movement to build a discrimination-free Bangladesh." First year admission process begins in agricultural universities The joint convener of the organisation, Farhana Binte Jigar Farina, said, "We have not seen 71 but we have seen 24." If the dictator Hasina and her accomplices are not brought to justice for the genocide, injustice will be done to the martyrs of the 2O24 mass uprising.

A student of Jahangirnagar University’s  Department of Geography and Environment was declared dead by a doctor after she was found hanging from the ceiling fan at a room in the university’s Bir Pratik Taramon Bibi Hall. The deceased, Takia, a first-year student of the department’s 53rd batch (2023-24) died early Friday at room 7005 on the 7th floor of the residential hall around 4:45 am, according to friends and fellow students. Injured student dies at DMCH two days after attack in N'ganj They suspect it as a case of suicide, saying Takia took the drastic step following an alleged dispute with her boyfriend, Sabbir, during a video call. Moments after the call ended, Sabbir alerted her friends, urging them to check on her immediately.  The friends rushed and broke into the locked room, but they found her hanging from the ceiling fan upon entry. Later, the university's medical officer on duty was immediately brought to the hall. The doctor declared the student dead after conducting an examination. Four arrested for vandalising Hindu properties in Sunamganj The university’s proctorial body and her uncle reached the hall following the incident, and Ashulia police was informed. Although Takia was a registered resident of the hall, she did not stay there regularly and mostly lived with her uncle in Savar. According to students in neighbouring rooms, she had arrived at the hall the previous day.  

Dhaka University (DU) students staged a protest on Thursday night in front of the Vice-Chancellor's residence after Prof Shishir Bhattacharya of the Institute of Modern Languages posted comments on Facebook that were deemed insulting to Islam and the martyrs of the July-August uprising. During the protest, students chanted slogans such as "Break the syndicate of the killers, crush them," "Religious insult will not be tolerated," "Shishir, where are you?" "Insulting the Prophet, we Muslims will not tolerate," and "Boycott the teacher’s association, boycott!" among others. The protesters presented a three-point demand to the Vice-Chancellor, insisting on the dismissal of Shishir and his prosecution for insulting religion, dismantling the current illegal syndicate to form a lawful one, and removing fascist teacher’s associates while taking legal action against them. Dhaka University teachers, staff bring out victory procession Mossadek Ali, a student from the Bangla department, said, “If our three-point demands are not met soon, we will launch a more intense movement. Over the next two days, we will carry out public outreach to garner support for our cause.” Another student, A B Zubayer, said, “When any teacher insults religion, we no longer consider them a teacher but a scoundrel. Shishir Bhattacharya has dared to do this. We demand his resignation and punishment.” He also criticised the teacher’s association, claiming, “The association is trying to rehabilitate fascist forces by electing the Nil Dal. Many fascist allies still hold positions within the teacher’s association. This attempt by the Nil Dal to bring back fascism must be stopped.” Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan joined the protest and assured the students that their demands would be considered legally. Dhaka University lifts ban on Pakistani students Addressing the allegations against Shihir, the VC said, “Any form of religious insult is a despicable act. We cannot tolerate such behaviour. The martyrs of the 24th are revered heroes, and insulting them is a vile act. Legal action will be taken against anyone who engages in such behaviour.” Regarding the syndicate issues, the Niaz said, “Many members of the university’s syndicate have already been removed through legal processes, and the remaining issues will also be resolved in the same manner.” Chhatra Dal activists demonstrate at Dhaka University

The British Council, in collaboration with the Bangladesh English Language Teachers Association (BELTA), the Department of English and Modern Languages (DEML), the US Embassy, and North South University (NSU), hosted the BELTA-NSU International Conference 2024 and the 11th BELTA International Conference on December 6 and 7 at the NSU campus in the capital. The conference titled “Re/Envisioning Paradigms in English Language Education” was organised to provide a platform to explore the profound shifts in English language education due to the rapid changes in the global landscape and equip stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the evolving terrain of language education. Prof Ahmed Bashir, President of BELTA and Professor in the Department of English at Dhaka University, and Dr Nazia Manzoor, Assistant Professor and Chair of the Department of English and Modern Languages at NSU, convened the conference. Dr Martin Lamb, Senior Lecturer in TESOL and Academic Lead for Internationalisation in the School of Education at the University of Leeds, UK, delivered the keynote address. The plenary speakers Dr Shamsad Mortuza, Professor of English at Dhaka University; Dr Shaila Sultana, Professor and Director of the BRAC Institute of Languages at BRAC University; and Professor David D Perrodin, English Language Specialist and Journal Manager with the Institute of Population and Social Research at Mahidol University shared their valuable expertise. Eminent scholars and experts, including Dr David Teh, Lecturer in the Department of Academic Excellence at the Institute of Teacher Education; Dhani Ram Sharma, President of NELTA Karnali; and Dr Ikhsanudin, Associate Professor at Universitas Tanjungpura, Indonesia, discussed critical themes in English language education, such as translanguaging, multilingual teaching strategies, and professional development. In addition to the featured sessions, the conference hosted a colloquium on “Prospects and Challenges of OBE in the Department of English,” a panel discussion on “Pathways for Promoting Sustainable Partnerships: Strengthening Language Teacher Association Ties,” and the BELTA Signature Event titled “Perspectives on the Future of English in the Global South.” The conference also featured a segment for student poster presentations and various workshops, including “Integrating Digital Learning Resources into English Language Classrooms,” “Social Emotional Learning (SEL),” and “Instilling Integrity: Promoting Values and Ethics in Primary and Secondary Classrooms.” Conference participants, from students to seasoned academics, presented their papers and discussed various topics, including language policy, translation studies, applied linguistics, special education, and educational leadership, fostering rich academic dialogue and exchange. Stephen Forbes, Country Director Bangladesh, British Council, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with our partners in hosting the 11th BELTA Internal Conference. The British Council’s commitment to enhancing the UK’s reputation as a leader and trusted partner in promoting English language education aligns with this theme of fostering innovative and effective teaching practices and strengthening global collaboration and knowledge exchange in English language education.” Sarwat Reza, Business Development Director Bangladesh, British Council, presented a session on various assessments and exams such as IELTS, ESOL, and Aptis, focusing on English language proficiency and educational qualifications. Imran Saifur, Senior Academic Manager at the British Council, presented the outcomes of a recent research project titled “Being a Teacher with Disabilities: Perspectives, Practices, and Opportunities.” In partnership with the University of Cambridge, Prominent figures from Bangladesh’s academic scene also joined the event including Professor Dr Mohammad Anwar Hossen, Member of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh, and Professor Dr Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of North South University. 

Five teachers of the Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) have been suspended , after allegations of their involvement in illegal recruitment and promotion rackets were proven to be true upon investigation. The decision was made during the university's 95th syndicate meeting held December 5th, as stated in a letter issued on Monday. The suspended teachers are Dr. Masrura Mostafa, professor in the Department of Humanities and Business; Dr. Subrata Talapatra, professor in the IEM Department; Dr. Md. Ikramul Haque, associate professor in the BECM Department; Nibhin Mandal, assistant professor in the ESE Department; and Shahriar Roman, assistant professor in the Department of Humanities and Business. Shaheduzzaman Sheikh, Section Officer in charge of the university's Public Relations Department, said the allegations were investigated before taking action. The findings, which indicated evidence of misconduct, were presented to the syndicate before the decision was made, he added.

The online application process for the 47th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) Examination, which was slated to begin on December 10, 2024, has been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances, according to the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC). In a press release, the BPSC assured candidates that a revised timeline for the application process would be announced soon, pending necessary approvals. First year admission process begins in agricultural universities Initially, the application period was scheduled to run from December 10 to December 31, 2024, closing at 11:59 pm. Applicants have been advised to monitor updates on the official BPSC website (www.bpsc.gov.bd) or Teletalk Bangladesh Limited’s portal (bpsc.teletalk.com.bd), where the official notice has been published. Former VC of KUET opts for retirement, nine officials suspended The postponement follows the circular published by the Public Service Commission on November 28, 2024, which announced 3,688 vacancies for the 47th BCS examination. The circular detailed opportunities across various cadres and generated significant interest among aspirants nationwide.