United News of Bangladesh

Education Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud has accused conspirators of attempting to obstruct the distribution of textbooks and vowed that their activities will be thoroughly investigated. "There is a conspiracy over the distribution of books. Conspirators have obstructed in various ways. The information is being collected about those who have helped us and those who have created obstacles," he said speaking at the launch of the online version of textbooks at the International Mother Language Institute on Wednesday. Chairman of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) Prof Dr AKM Riazul Hasan highlighted the immense scale of this year’s textbook revisions and distributions. "We have revised 441 books in just two and a half months. Six crore books have already been distributed, and four crore are ready to be loaded onto trucks," he said. Dr Hasan assured that all primary and 10th-grade books would reach schools by January 5, with eight secondary-level books arriving by 10 January and the remaining books by January 20. This year, the government has printed some 400 million new textbooks. The revised editions include significant changes, with some prose, essays, novels and poems being omitted, while new stories, poems and historical topics, such as the July mass uprising, have been incorporated. Read: Govt prioritises timely textbook distribution: Education Adviser Adjustments have also been made to the contents related to the Liberation War, including the declaration of independence, with some topics being added and others removed. The authorities remain determined to complete the distribution within the set timeline despite challenges.

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) will resume its academic and administrative activities from tomorrow (Wednesday) after 10-day of the winter vacation. The university’s Acting Registrar Syed Salim Mohammad Abdul Kadir confirmed the matter. Earlier, a press release sent from the university's Public Relations Office announced that all administrative and academic activities would remain suspended from December 22 to December 31 due to the winter vacation. Read: SUST to reopen male dormitories on Oct 8: Official The university will resume its regular academic and administrative operations on January 1.

The white panel of Dhaka University teachers, backed by BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, has got a new convening committee, says a press release. Professor Dr. Morshed Hasan Khan of the Department of Marketing has been chosen as  the convener with the highest number of votes. Professors Dr. Abdus Salam and Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Sarkar are the new joint conveners. DU students throw shoes at redrawn image of Hasina on metro rail pillar The new committee will be in office for the next two years, according to the press release on Monday. It said  the central convener and two joint conveners for 2025 and 2026 were elected at a general meeting of the white panel on Monday. DU restricts outsiders’ entry on 31st night

The recent installation of barriers at the entrances of Dhaka University (DU) to restrict the entry of external vehicles for a certain time has drawn mixed reactions from different quarters. University students have largely welcomed the initiative as a positive move for campus security, while city dwellers, especially regular commuters through the area, have expressed frustration over the resulting inconvenience. In a notice published by the proctor's office on December 14, the university authorities restricted entry of all types of vehicles through all the entrances (Shahbag, Doyel Chattar, Burn Unit, Shibbari Crossing, Fuller Road, Palashi and Nilkhet) from 3pm to 10pm on Fridays, Saturdays and other government holidays. Besides, movement of external vehicles inside the campus was banned from 5pm to 10pm on general working days. Only vehicles with DU stickers and emergency vehicles, including ambulances, media, and government cars, were permitted inside the campus. 3-day non-fiction book fair begins at Dhaka University The restriction has led to traffic congestion at these entry points, said drivers of some vehicles. However, students and university officials said the situation is improving as people adapt to the new regulations. Sharifa Akter, a member of the Dhaka University Ranger Unit working at the Nilkhet entrance and a resident student of Bangladesh Kuwait Maitree Hall, said, "People are gradually accepting the change. Although there was severe traffic congestion at the entrance initially, it is now decreasing." Students said the barriers will help control the entry of outsiders into the campus and ensure students’ safety. First-ever ‘Ambassador’s Travel Grant’ awarded to Bangladeshi students  Due to the barriers, they can move around the campus without interruption and they no longer fear accidents when crossing the road, they said. "I welcome this decision of the administration. Although it causes some problems for pedestrians, we need a solution that ends inconveniences for both pedestrians and students," said Hafizul Islam, another DU student. Sohel, another student who resides at Jahurul Haque Hall, said, "Earlier, I had to ride a bicycle on the footpath from Jahurul Haque Hall to TSC due to the presence of outsider vehicles. But since the barriers were installed, now I can move freely." On the other hand, city dwellers, especially commuters who used to use the university's entrances, have complained of severe problems in their daily journeys due to the barriers. Bus, car, rickshaw, and auto-rickshaw drivers have stated that traffic movement has significantly slowed down due to the barriers, which have exacerbated the already challenging traffic situation in the area. A pedestrian travelling from New Market to Gulistan said, "Because of Dhaka University’s decision, I have to take a much longer route to reach my destination which wastes my time." Rickshawpuller Shariful Islam said, "We are facing some difficulty because we cannot use the internal roads of the university. There is traffic congestion at the entrances, and we have to take a longer route." JU student dies allegedly by suicide in residential hall DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed said, "The restriction will be relaxed to some extent. Vehicles, except for rickshaws and motorcycles, will be allowed to enter. We will discuss the matter further." He, however, said on the 31st December, all types of vehicles will be prohibited from entering the campus. On December 14, security and surveillance boxes were installed at seven entrances of Dhaka University to enhance overall security on the campus.

The 8th Non-Fiction book fair, organised jointly by Faculty of Business Studies of Dhaka University and Bonik Barta, began on Saturday on the Faculty of Business Studies premises. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan inaugurated the fair as the chief guest. Professor Dr. Dilip Kumar Barua, Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman University,  Prof Dr. Mahmud Osman Imam, dean of the Faculty of Business Studies at Dhaka University, Managing Director of University Press Limited, Mahruhk Mohiuddin, Publisher of Ardon Publications, Syed Zakir Hossain, and Publisher of Anupam Publications Milan Kanti Nath also attended. Bonik Barta's editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud delivered the welcome address.  Faculty members, students from various departments of Dhaka University and officials from various publishing and research organisations were also present. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan said events like this book fair play is essential for creating and sharing knowledge. Such events can also help strengthen the bond between universities and society , he said. This 8th Non-Fiction Book Fair features stalls from 39 publishing houses including the Dhaka University Press. The fair is open daily from 10am to 6 pm till December 30.  

Prime Asia University students on Sunday staged a road blockade at the capital’s Banani Kakoli intersection for the second consecutive day on Sunday, pressing for several demands, including the construction of a permanent campus and the resignation of the chairman of the board of trustees. Md Ashikur Rahman, sub-inspector (SI) of Banani Police Station, said the demonstration, which started at 3:10 pm, caused serious traffic disruptions in the area before dispersing them at 3:45 pm. Jatrabari’s Kitchen Market: Traders block roads, cause traffic turmoil  Students expressed their grievances, alleging that promises to shift at least one department to the university’s permanent campus by December remain unfulfilled. They said that the board of trustees is attempting to sell the designated permanent campus site at Purbachal’s 300 Feet area instead of relocating academic activities there. Inquilab Mancha stages sit-in outside CA’s residence The students also accused some members of the board of trustees of embezzling university funds.  

The Bangladesh Embassy in Myanmar has awarded the first-ever ‘Ambassador’s Travel Grant’ to four expatriate Bangladeshi students, during the celebration of ‘International Migrants Day and National Expatriates Day 2024’ at the Embassy.  Ambassador Dr M Monwar Hossain launched this grant programme with the aim of informing the new generation of expatriate Bangladeshi nationals about the history, tradition, culture, socio-economic development of Bangladesh and enhancing people to people contact between the two countries.  Under this programme, the Bangladesh Embassy bears the travel expenses of expatriate Bangladeshi students related to their education/research work within Myanmar or in Bangladesh. On the occasion of ‘International Migrants Day and National Expatriates Day 2024’, the Bangladesh Embassy organized a meeting with the participation of expatriate Bangladeshis living in Myanmar.  The event included reading out of the messages by the president, chief adviser, expatriate welfare adviser and home affairs adviser, screening of documentaries on expatriates, and expressions of feelings expressed by the grant awardees. Ambassador Monwar Hossain paid deep respect to all the heroes of the great Liberation War and all the martyrs of the July-August Movement. 

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.