United News of Bangladesh

Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof Anwar Hossain said on Tuesday that the government will initiate the PhD programme in nursing education after consulting with stakeholders including Banganbandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). He came up with the announcement in a views exchange meeting with a seven member delegation of Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) with the UGC. Addressing the importance of improving nursing education to build a better Bangladesh, he said Bangladesh lags behind in the quality nursing education. The UGC chairman said huge employment will be created at home and abroad if skilled nurses can be created. KOICA representative Prof Taehwa Lee put forward a report on the country’s nursing education and research sector and demanded to launch the PhD programme through the National Institute of Advanced Nursing Education & Research (NIANER). The education and research in the nursing sector will thrive if the nursing teachers are conferred the PhD degree, he opined, stressing the need for drafting a principle on the commencement of the PhD degree. There are diploma, Bsc and Msc programmes in nursing in the country.

The Council of Advisers on Thursday decided that a candidate can appear at Bangladesh Civil Services (BCS) examinations maximum four times. The decision came from a meeting of the council, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.   The Council of Advisers directed the Public Administration Ministry to incorporate a provision in the BCS Recruitment (age, qualification, examination for direct recruitment) Rules 2014 so that a candidate can sit for the BCS examination maximum four times. Chief Adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at Foreign Service Academy over the outcome of the meeting. Deputy Press Secretaries Aburba Jahangir and Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder also spoke at the briefing.

The impasse at Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU) finally ended Tuesday with a promise from the authorities to meet the students' demands. The students suspended their movement following discussions with the university’s Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Alimul Islam on Tuesday afternoon. They have been asked to attend classes from Thursday. The students said that seven out of eight demands pertained to various academic issues, while the remaining one called for the resignations of the university’s registrar, proctor, and public relations officer. The proctor, Dr. Mozammel Haque, was temporarily suspended. He will not resume his duties until the ongoing investigation is ended. Moreover, the VC assured the students that the remaining seven demands will be implemented soon, asking the students to join academic activities from Thursday. This deadlock started following a clash between general students and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activists after banners welcoming admission seekers were torn down. Allegations surfaced that some outsiders joined in the clashes, resulting in injuries to ten people, including the proctor. Since then, students have been protesting, holding the administration responsible for the incident. To press home their demands, general students locked the administrative building last Sunday. Though the SAU authorities sat with the protesters on Monday to address the matter both sides failed to reach consent. Students again staged protests and locked the administrative building on Tuesday.

English medium school Playpen recently hosted a “Science Fair” at its Bashundhara Residential Area campus in Dhaka. The event took place on Thursday. The school’s principal, Sorabon Tohura inaugurated the fair at 8:30. Vice principals, heads of departments, teachers, and other staff members were present at the time.

A six-member delegation led by Khondokar Nazmul Hasan, additional commissioner (Traffic) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), met with Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan, at his office on Monday. During the meeting, various topics were discussed, including the establishment of a shuttle bus service for DU students on campus, route determination, control of public transport on campus, and the installation of barriers at six entry points. Md. Rafiqul Islam, director of DU’s Public Relations Office, confirmed the matter. DU VC stated that the process for launching the shuttle bus service is underway and expressed hope for its swift implementation for the benefit of students. He also sought the support of the DMP in improving traffic management and other affairs on campus. Prof Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, DU treasurer and Proctor Associate Prof Saifuddin Ahmed, were present at the time, among others.

Many students in Bangladesh dream of going abroad for higher studies as it offers both academic and personal development. The opportunity to get global experience, access global-standard education, and build a promising career are behind this dream and Cosmos Education is helping students turn their aspirations into reality through expert guidance. Cosmos Education arranged an event, ‘Study Abroad Expo 2024’, in the city on Saturday, aiming to provide detailed information to students interested in pursuing higher education abroad, featuring various educational institutions from multiple countries. The expo attracted many intending students who explored and applied to their preferred study destinations. Saifuddin Rahi, who attended the event, said he wants to go to New Zealand for a Master's programme in English. “I have completed graduation in English. I have chosen the country as it will be suitable for me.” The student consultancy in the expo helped students simplify their study abroad journey, he said. Md Shadman Abdullah said he has two options for the BSC programme in Computer Science-one is USA and another is Canada. Cosmos Education hosts ‘Study Abroad Expo 2024’ “My first preference is the USA, if I can't get an opportunity there, I will try for Canada. Both countries I personally prefer because of their global rankings. Universities in the USA and Canada are the best options for me. Study Abroad Expo 2024 was really helpful for me to choose my destination for higher studies,” he said. Kate Jaro Khan, director of Cosmos Education, said, "We are committed to simplifying your study abroad journey with expert guidance and support, helping students unlock global opportunities with confidence.” It shows how student consultancy helps them study abroad with confidence, she said. Cosmos Education offers a one-stop solution for educational queries, overseas relocation, and application procedures, she added. It provides expert guidance on when and how to study abroad without any service charge. The expo highlighted on-spot assessments, top-ranked universities, tuition-fee coverage and scholarship opportunities. Cosmos Education has a rich history of providing quality student advising services in Bangladesh. It provides higher study solutions for students and assists in studying in the USA, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

Twenty-two individuals were caught posing as proxy candidates during the oral examination for office assistant positions at the Gaibandha Deputy Commissioner’s Office on Saturday. They were later handed over to police. The detainees, hailing from various areas across Gaibandha, were identified when discrepancies were noted between the handwritings on the written exam papers and of those who appeared for the oral test. Members of the recruitment board noticed irregularities during the oral examination, which began at 2 pm on Saturday. Out of the 226 candidates who qualified for this phase, 36 were marked absent. Agri Sciences entry test held at SAU after overnight clashes Md. Shariful Islam, Deputy Director of Gaibandha’s Local Government Division and a member of the recruitment board, confirmed the incident. “When confronted, the detainees admitted that they were appearing as proxies for the actual candidates,” Islam said. Officials suspect the involvement of an organized syndicate facilitating this type of examination fraud. The recruitment process, initiated on May 25 by former Deputy Commissioner Kazi Nahid Rasul, aims to fill 55 office assistant vacancies in the revenue section of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office. The positions are open to candidates with SSC and HSC qualifications, drawing 3,722 applicants for the written exam held on Friday across various district educational institutions, with 226 advancing to the oral round.

Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Farida Akhter, has said the interim government is working to control commodity prices, although matching them to production costs remains challenging. “Commodity prices are deeply intertwined with production costs and the overall market system. Due to this, price control has become a challenge for the interim government,” she said on Saturday. Farida was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a national technical seminar on "Food Security and Health," held at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). Bangladesh Society for Safe Food (BSSF) organised the seminar. BAU students can now submit complaints online and offline as university seeks to address past misconduct She identified feed as the primary barrier to reducing poultry prices. “We must ensure feed safety because unsafe feed leads to unsafe poultry,” she noted. The adviser also highlighted the harmful practice of using pesticides or toxins in fishing, posing significant health risks. She emphasised the need for stricter enforcement to penalise those engaging in this harmful method of fishing. “Food safety awareness is crucial across all sectors,” she urged. She underscored the importance of implementing the "One Health" approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health professionals. “One health can only be achieved through collaborative efforts,” she said. BSSF President Dr Md. Khaled Hossain presided over the event, while BAU Vice-Chancellor  Prof. Dr AK Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan offered patronage. The keynote was presented by Prof. Dr. Md. Mahmudul Hasan Sikder from BAU’s Department of Pharmacology, with Prof. Dr. KHM Nazmul Hussain Nazir from the Department of Microbiology and Hygiene serving as the event’s moderator.

Cosmos Education organised “Study Abroad Expo 2024”, held on Saturday at a restaurant in Dhaka. The event provided detailed information to students interested in pursuing higher education abroad, featuring various educational institutions from multiple countries. Through Cosmos Education, students can explore and apply to their preferred destinations for study. "We are committed to simplifying your study abroad journey with expert guidance and support, helping students unlock global opportunities with confidence.,” said Kate Jaro Khan, director of Cosmos Education. Over 69% candidates participate in Agriculture Cluster Admission Test Cosmos Education offers a one-stop solution for educational queries, overseas relocation, and application procedures. The organisation provides expert guidance on when and how to study abroad without any service charge. The expo highlighted on-spot assessments, top-ranked universities, tuition fee coverage, and scholarship opportunities.

The entry test into bachelor degree in Agricultural Sciences through Agriculture Cluster Admission System (ACAS) was held peacefully Friday on Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU) campus following clashes between general students and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activists late Thursday. At least five to six students from both groups were injured in the clash that erupted over tearing a banner of the JCD outside the campus. It was learned that the JCD men hung a banner outside the second gate of the university to wish the admission seekers earlier. Unidentified miscreants tore the banner triggering anger among the JCD followers on the campus, though there is no committee of the BNP’s student wing. Centring the issue, an argument broke out between the general students and Chhatra Dal men at a resident dormitory around 1am late Thursday. The general students allegedly beat up an outside JCD leader after identifying him at the hall. Enraged by it, the outsider, in collaboration with locals, chased the students at the hall, causing a counter-chase that left five to six students injured. Though initially the university authority tried to rein in the situation, failing the sought intervention from police and army personnel, said proctor Prof Md Mozammel Haque. The law enforcers brought the situation under control around 2am, he said. Accusing the proctor of being failed in performing duty, the students demonstrated seeking removal of the teacher. Meanwhile, the central JCD dissolved its SAU committee following the clash and suspended the committee’s Senior Vice President Sahedul Islam Roman. Moreover, the JCD formed a two-member body to investigate the incident and asked to submit a report by October 27. The SAU got a JCD committee in 2017 and since then no committee was approved.  The post bearers of the committee have already left the campus after completing their academic life. Shah Poran police station’s Officer-in-Charge Md Monir Hossain they deployed additional forces to ward off any unwanted incident. A total of 75,017 applications were submitted for the admission test in the agricultural cluster at nine public universities offering degrees in Agricultural Science for the 2023-2024 academic session. With 3,718 seats available across these universities, approximately 20 candidates competed for each seat. Some 4,210 admission seekers sat for the entry test at nine centres on the SAU campus.