United News of Bangladesh

Professor Nakib Muhammad Nasrullah, Vice-Chancellor of Islamic University (IU), underscored the university's mission to provide globally competitive education and research at the Islamic University Alumni Association (IUAA) general meeting on Friday. Addressing attendees as the event's chief guest, he emphasized that the university is distinct in its commitment to integrating modern and Islamic education, aiming to forge an academic path unique to Bangladesh. Held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, the meeting drew a crowd of around 3,000 registered alumni. The role of the alumni is pivotal in supporting the university’s growth and preserving its dignity, Prof. Nasrullah said. He called on the IUAA to strengthen its involvement in advancing IU’s mission, particularly as the university continues to embody an international character through its founding vision. Alumni convener Muhammad Nazmul Haque Saeedi chaired the meeting, with member secretary Muhammad Abdul Hai delivering the opening remarks. Several esteemed university figures and alumni leaders also spoke, including DIG Dr. Md. Ashrafur Rahman, Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Hannan, and Advocate Abdul Awal.

The Russian House in Dhaka organised an educational seminar at the Legend International School on the possibilities of getting higher education in Russia under the quota of the Russian government. Director of the Russian House in Dhaka P. Dvoychenkov told the participants about the procedure for selecting students for educational programmes of higher and additional professional education within the quota established by the Government of the Russian Federation and about the process of submitting documents by candidates on the online platform https://education-in-russia.com . More than 300,000 students from around the world come to study at Russian universities every year, and this number is constantly growing. This level of trust in the quality of Russian education makes the country one of the leaders in popularity among foreign students. In the system of higher education of the Russian Federation there are more than 750 universities and more than 650 specialties at various levels of education. As part of the event, the participants watched video presentations about Russia and Russian education and also received answers to questions about registration on the online platform https://education-in-russia.com.

A total of 75,017 applications have been submitted for the admission test in the agricultural cluster at nine public universities offering degrees in Agricultural Science for the 2023-2024 academic year. With 3,718 seats available across these universities, approximately 20 candidates will compete for each seat. Khalilur Rahman, Senior Deputy Director of the Public Relations and Publication Office at Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU), confirmed this information to UNB on Thursday. The admission test will take place simultaneously across the country on October 25 at 11 am, with eight main centres and three sub-centres designated for the exam. The main centres include Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Sylhet Agricultural University, Khulna Agricultural University, and Habiganj Agricultural University. The sub-centres are Dhaka University, Khulna University, and Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet). BAU professor suspended over ‘sexually harassing’ Malaysian student The results will be announced on October 30, and in-person formalities regarding the admission will take place from December 9 to 12.

The admission test for undergraduate programmes of Dhaka University (DU) for 2024-25 academic session will begin on January 3. The admission tests will begin with the exam of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) on January 3. The entry test of Fine Arts faculty has been scheduled to be held the next day on January 4. Admission exam of Arts, Law and Social Science unit is scheduled to be held on January 25, the exam of Science unit will be held on February 1 and the entry test for business unit will be held on February 8. Hijab on Raju Sculpture female figure: DU forms probe committee This decision was taken on Monday afternoon in a meeting of the general admission committee. Deans of faculties confirmed the information too. According to the notice, the candidates will be able to apply for the exam from 4th November and it will continue till 25 November. Students have to pay an amount of total Tk 1050 against every application.

A four-member probe committee has been formed to investigate the incident in which a hijab was placed on the female figure of the Raju sculpture at Dhaka University. The incident occurred late Sunday night when unidentified individuals draped a hijab over one of the female figures of the iconic Raju sculpture. The act has raised concerns over campus security and the university's response to such actions. Those responsible for the act have not yet been identified. DU-affiliated college students block Nilkhet, Newmarket intersections Upon being informed, University Proctor Saifuddin Ahmad dispatched two assistant proctors—Muhammad Rafiqul Islam and Md. Rabiul Islam—to inspect the site around 1 pm on Monday. Assistant Proctor Muhammad Rafiqul Islam said, "We visited the Raju sculpture and saw that the hijab had already been removed. As of now, we do not know who is responsible for this incident." He assured that the authorities are investigating the matter and will review CCTV footage from the area. "Those involved will be identified through a thorough examination of the CCTV footage," he added. Additionally, he confirmed that a four-member committee has been set up to investigate the incident in detail. "The footage will be sent to relevant agencies for further analysis," he noted.

A group of students from seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University blocked the Nilkhet and Newmarket intersections in the capital today, demanding the cessation of their affiliation with Dhaka University and autonomy of the colleges. Beginning at 10 am, students from the seven colleges gathered at Dhaka College and staged a protest on the campus, chanting slogans in support of their demand for autonomy. Students of 7 DU-affiliated colleges stage protest blocking Nilkhet Around 11 am, they exited the campus and blocked the Science Laboratory and Nilkhet crossings. During the demonstration, the protesting students expressed their frustrations, saying they have faced numerous problems due to their affiliation with Dhaka University. They specifically cited discrimination in the exam evaluation system. The students declared they would not leave the road until their demands were met and would not participate in any examinations or attend classes. Mohammad Tahsin, a student of Dhaka College, told UNB that students from the DU-affiliated colleges have faced long-standing discrimination. "We do not want to be placed under the National University. We seek an independent platform free from this disparity, and it could take the form of a new university." He continued, "We have a severe shortage of classroom space and other facilities, and our teachers face limitations. They instruct us according to their capacity, which does not match our needs. However, Dhaka University’s teachers evaluate our papers, creating an imbalance that affects our results. Furthermore, the bureaucratic issues at the DU register building exacerbate our struggles. We want to be rid of these problems." "We will end the blockade if the authorities promise to form a committee or commission to establish the seven colleges as an independent entity," he added. Rahatul Islam, a student from Kabi Nazrul Islam Government College, said that they have approached various authorities over the years, but no one has paid attention to their demands. As a result, they felt they had no option but to stage this protest. "We understand that many people and passersby are suffering due to our actions on the roads, but we are not responsible for this. The education adviser and the DU vice-chancellor are accountable for this public suffering," he asserted. It is worth noting that the blockade has caused severe traffic congestion in the New Market and Nilkhet areas.

Dhaka Education Board Chairman Prof Tapan Kumar Sarkar has resigned. Prof Tapan said he submitted his resignation letter to Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Department Secretary. Earlier on Sunday night, he announced his resignation after a section of HSC examinees besieged the board office remanding re-evaluation. A group of students under the banner of ‘HSC-Batch 2024’ entered the Dhaka Education Board premises and staged a demonstration opposing the HSC results terming it ‘discriminatory’. Terming the results as discriminatory the students demanded the government to publish the results through mapping of all subjects. On October 15, the results of HSC and its equivalent examinations were published.

Several students were injured in an attack allegedly by some staff of Dhaka Education Board when they were staging demonstration protesting the results of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examinations through subject mapping. Witnesses said a group of students under the banner of ‘HSC-Batch 2024’ entered the Dhaka Education Board premises and staged demonstration opposing the HSC results terming it ‘discriminatory’. Four of the injured were taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. Protests grip Begum Rokeya University over teasing of female student by outsiders Professor Tapan Kumar Sarkar, Chairman of Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board, said the students who failed to pass the examinations were staging protests.  

Eight people were injured in a clash between two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Birganj upazila of Dinajpur on Saturday. Abdul Gafur, officer in charge of Birganj Police Station, confirmed the matter. Four injured during BNP factional clash in Gazipur The injured are BNP Municipal Committee Vice-President Habibur Rahman Hablu, Chhatra Dal Leader Mahfuzur Rahman Babu, and Swechhasebak Dal members Sujan Ali, Babu, Ekram Ali, Salim Reza, Tanvir Chowdhury, and Akash Chowdhury. Five of the injured have been admitted to Birganj Upazila Health Complex and Dinajpur Medical College Hospital. The confrontation began around 4:00 pm centring on a rally of Sujalpur Union Committee No. 5 of Juba Dal, where supporters of BNP upazila committee leader Manjurul Islam Manjur clashed with those of general secretary Zakir Hossain Dhalu. In response to the attack, both groups marched through the city with sticks. Efforts are being made to de-escalate the situation and maintain law and order, said the OC. Following the clash, tensions remain high in the area. BNP factional clash leaves two brothers dead in Narail Additionally, two factions of the Phulbari Upazila BNP also clashed, chanting slogans against one another.

Although 20 are still vacant admission aspirants at Jahangirnagar University (JU) are unable to secure a spot, as the university administration has stopped the admission process ahead of the start of classes for the 2023-24 academic session on October 20, leaving hopeful students frustrated. According to the JU admissions office, the fifth merit list was published on September 15, yet 20 seats in various faculties remain unfilled. In the ‘A’ unit, male students up to merit position 2158 get admission, leaving six seats vacant. Similarly, female students up to rank 659 were admitted, with six more seats still open. In the ‘C’ unit's science division, female students up to rank 199 have been admitted, but two seats are yet to be filled. Times Higher Education Ranking: NSU is among top 5 universities in Bangladesh One of the hopefuls, Ummey Hani, ranked 202nd in the merit list, is waiting for a chance. "If the sixth merit list is published, I will be able to secure one of the vacant seats," she said. "I've taken the admission test for JU twice, and now, despite vacant seats, we are not being given the chance to study. Leaving these seats empty doesn't make sense, and it's disappointing." Hani, alongside several other students, visited the campus on September 17, 18, and 19 to discuss the matter with the university's admissions office. Syed Ali Reza, head of the admissions office, said they were informed that no further admission would be accepted. The group was directed to meet the Vice Chancellor, but their request for a meeting was denied. Sheikh Kahrooba Munira Mughdha, ranked 663rd in the 'A' unit merit list, expressed similar frustration. "Despite vacant seats, we are being denied admission," she said. "I waited outside the Vice Chancellor's office, hoping for a solution, but was met with hostility from the staff." Syed Ali Reza explained that the initial class start date was July 21 but was deferred to September 30 due to student protests, leaving 50 seats vacant. Even after publishing the fifth merit list, around 20 seats remained unfilled. "We decided to conclude the admission process in accordance with the central admission committee's decision to avoid complications for students and faculty," he said. Classes resume at Chittagong University after three months Reza added that some students withdrew from their courses, triggering automatic subject migration, which caused confusion and administrative challenges. "Since 2018, we have concluded admissions before classes begin, even if seats remain vacant, to avoid further complications," he noted. However, many students believe that the university staff's reluctance to work is the real reason for ending the admission process prematurely. Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr. Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman acknowledged flaws in the admission process, attributing it to the unit-based exam system. "Previously, students took exams for specific subjects, but now they are being assigned subjects they didn't opt for. This mismatch leads to many students leaving, and every year, 150-200 seats remain vacant after classes begin. If the subject-specific exams were reinstated, the situation would improve, and it would be easier to fill the vacancies from the waiting list," he said.