United News of Bangladesh

Applications to study in the UK with a Chevening Scholarship or South Asia Journalism Fellowship (SAJP) will be opened for the candidates aimed at mid-career journalists on September 12, 2023. Applications will be accepted till November 7, 2023 and applications will have to be submitted via www.chevening.org/apply or www.chevening.org/fellowship/sajp. “If you are someone who is passionate about driving change, whether on a local or global scale, if you want to be the best at what you do and if you have the imagination to inspire others, then a Chevening Scholarship could be the perfect opportunity for you,” said British High Commissioner to Bangladesh HE Sarah Cooke. READ: US lauds "robust exchange" of students, researchers, scholars, educators with Bangladesh “There’s no such thing as a typical scholar. Your age, race, gender, religion or background don’t matter. We want to see that you have energy, curiosity, compassion and a clear vision for your future. If this sounds like you, why not join our community of alumni from Bangladesh! “‘Our alumni network is full of dynamic influencers who have shared the same experience that you will. They can offer encouragement, mentorship, advice, and contacts. When you return home after your studies you should feel well-equipped to start making a real difference in Bangladesh,” said the High Commissioner. Chevening Scholarships are awarded to individuals from all backgrounds who can demonstrate that they have the commitment and skills required to become future leaders, and can show how a UK master’s degree will help them to create positive change in their country. The scholarship offers full financial support for scholars to study for an eligible master’s degree, from over 150 UK universities, whilst also gaining access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional and cultural experiences. READ: 21 professionals awarded new Chevening scholarships The Chevening South Asia Journalism Fellowship (SAJP) is aimed at mid-career journalists from South Asian countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The fellowship is hosted by the University of Westminster. UK degrees and teaching methods are world-class and give scholars the opportunity to develop professional skills and shape their future career. Successful applicants will also join a vibrant global network that includes more than 380 alumni from Bangladesh, and over 55,000 alumni worldwide. Since the programme was created in 1983, over 55,000 professionals have had the opportunity to take their career to the next level through Chevening. There are approximately 1,500 awards on offer globally for the 2024/2025 academic year, demonstrating the UK’s ongoing commitment towards developing the leaders of tomorrow as Chevening celebrates its 40th anniversary year. Bangladesh has more than 380 Chevening alumni. Chevening scholarships are fully-funded (flights, accommodation, and course fees are all included). READ: 200 Bangladeshi students join US Embassy’s English Access Microscholarship prog Interested applicants can go through chevening.org/scholarships for detailed information on the eligibility criteria and scholarship specifications.  

Two separate cases were filed on Saturday night accusing over 500 people in connection with the vandalism at the bungalow of Chittagong University (CU) Vice Chancellor (VC) and buses of the transport department after 20 students sustained injuries when they fell off a university-bound train’s roof on Thursday night. The university’s Acting Registrar KM Nur Ahmed and Security Officer Sheikh Md Abdur Razzaque filed the cases on behalf of the university respectively.  Abu Taiyeb Md Arif Hossain, additional superintendent of district police, confirmed the development saying that the cases were filed with Hathazari police station over allegations of extortion and torching buses.  20 CU students injured falling off roof of running shuttle train In the cases, 14 were named as accused and 400-500 unidentified were accused, he said.  Earlier on Thursday night, 20 students were injured after being hit by a branch of a tree when they were returning to campus from Chattogram city, riding on the train's roof due to overcrowding. Sixteen of the injured students were admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH). As per regular schedule, the university-bound shuttle train carrying over 2,000 students left the city’s New Market Station At 8:30 pm on Thursday. Risking lives, some students were seen riding on the train’s roof due to lack of seats. As the train arrived in Fatehabad area under Hathazari upazila, some students fell off the train after being hit by a branch of a tree which was hanging low due to rains.   Enraged by the incident, the CU students vandalised the campus police outpost, shops, and set tyres on fire in front of the Zero Point at the university. At one stage, they also moved to the bungalow of the university’s VC, went on rampage there and torched buses, creating panic on the campus. On Friday, VC Prof Dr Shireen Akthter held a press conference on the campus alleging that some miscreants carried out the vandalism and torched the buses.       

North South University (NSU) Social Services Club prepares to host the eleventh edition of Pathao presents Socio Camp powered by Lira Imports in association with Computer Mania BD and Blucheez, a dynamic idea generating competition that promises to unite the brightest minds from universities across Bangladesh. The event is scheduled to take place on September 9th, 2023, at North South University campus, said a press release. Also read: NSU hosts workshop on negotiation and contract administration Socio Camp has become a hallmark event in the academic calendar, fostering an atmosphere of creativity, collaboration, and healthy competition. This year's edition aims to further elevate the spirit of innovation as teams from diverse educational backgrounds converge to present their groundbreaking ideas. Also read: NSU VC meets President Shahabuddin This is open to all universities in Bangladesh, with teams comprising of passionate studentswho share a common goal of making a positive impact on society. Socio Camp XI will culminate in a grand finale where the most promising ideas will be showcased in front of a distinguished panel of judges and a captivated audience. "Universities are wellsprings of brilliant ideas, and Socio Camp serves as a platform to channel that potential into actionable solutions. We’re thrilled to welcome participants from universities all over Bangladesh, as their diverse perspectives and innovative thinking will undoubtedly shape the future” said Raju Ahmmed, General Secretary of NSUSSC. Also read: Times Higher Education Rankings 2023: DU, NSU ranked top Bangladeshi universities A dedicated registration booth will be stationed on the North South University campus from September 9th to September 14th. Participants can register through online or in-person at the booth paying a fee Tk 500. The club has declared a prize money of Tk100,000 for the champion, Tk60,000, and TK40,000 to be awarded to first and second runners-up, respectively. Participants are encouraged to visit the official website www.nsussc.com and Facebook page of North South University Social Services Club.

Charge d’ Affaires at the US Embassy Nathan Flook on Saturday highlighted the continued success of Bangladeshi students on U.S. campuses across the United States. He lauded “the robust exchange of students, researchers, scholars, and educators, along with broader international education efforts between the United States and Bangladesh.” Flook also highlighted the increasing number of Bangladeshi students studying in the United States with Bangladesh currently ranking 13th among the top 20 sending countries of origin for students studying in the United States. The Charge d’ Affaires inaugurated the Fall 2023 U.S. university fair, organized by the U.S. Embassy, through its EducationUSA platform. More than 5,000 visitors from across the country came to interact with 31 American colleges and universities – the highest number of U.S. institutions to date in Bangladesh.  This follows a student fair that saw around 3,000 visitors in Chattogram and was the largest U.S. university engagement outside of Dhaka.  The fair provided prospective students, teachers, parents, and school counselors with an opportunity to speak face-to-face with 31 U.S. university admissions officials.  Representatives from the following U.S. universities participated in the fair:  Canisius University, Cascadia College, Drexel University, Emporia State University, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Louisiana Tech University, Mercy University, Northeastern University, Nova Southeastern University, Old Dominion University, Pacific Oaks College, Seattle Central Community College, SUNY at Albany, SUNY at Buffalo, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Trine University, Troy University, University of Cincinnati, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Massachusetts – Lowell, University of Michigan Flint, University of Missouri – Columbia, University of New Haven, University of Oregon, University of Utah, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Virginia Commonwealth University, Youngstown State University, and Wayne State University.  

Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni called for enriching and transforming the existing education system through integrated and inclusive approach. The minister came up with the urge while speaking at the conference held at UNESCO, Paris on September 8, 2023, on the occasion of 'International Literacy Day 2023'. Aslo read: Enrolment in Grades 6-12 in schools up 52.5% since 2009: Dipu Moni Dipu Moni attended the conference as a member of the High Level Steering Committee on Transforming Education. The main theme of the conference was to achieve SDG target 4.6 with emphasis on youth and adult literacy through adequate financing which will implement programs, content and practices that explore ways to enrich the culture of lifelong learning. Also read: Many new universities don’t have their own campus: Dipu Moni The Education Minister said that the existing education sectors need to be enriched and transformed through an integrated and inclusive approach so that no one is left behind to achieve lifelong literacy. Dipu Moni believed that education is the best way for solving conflicts in our world, society and nation. “To strengthen the literacy movement, she emphasized on the involvement of stakeholders and communities, especially the youth.” The minister also focused on the need to reaffirm political commitment to secure a better future for the people and protect them from transitional and political obstacles. She concluded by saying that we must help the marginalized to advance without prejudice or psycho-social trauma and we must build a social contract to establish education as a basic human right. Dipu Moni MP also attended the award ceremony of the ‘UNESCO International Literary Prize 2023’ where a Bangladeshi NGO received the 'UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy for their contribution to promoting literacy among disadvantaged groups.

Police baton-charged a rally of protesters who have been asking to increase age limit to 35 for government job seekers. The incident took place at the Shahbagh intersection around 5.30 pm today.  Despite calling several times, Noor Mohammad, OC of Shahbag police station, could not be reached for his views.

An education fair was held in Chattogram on Thursday aiming to provide information for Bangladeshi students about higher education application process in the United States. The US Embassy in Dhaka organised the fair through its EducationUSA platform in partnership with EdPrograms at hotel Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View. Representatives from 26 accredited higher education institutions in the US participated in the fair with all the information about the admission process. Apart from from Chattogram city, interested students from Cox's Bazar, Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachari joined the fair. The fair created a unique opportunity to communicate directly with representatives of colleges and universities in the United States. Students learned valuable information about academic programmes, campus life, scholarship opportunities, application procedures, and application fee waivers.

An international seminar on Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah, one of the co-founder of Dhaka University and the founder of Ahsania Mission, has been scheduled to be held at Dhaka University's Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate building on September 9. The Department of Farsi language and literature and the Ahsania Mission will jointly organise the seminar. The main theme of the seminar is 'Education, Social reform, literature and spiritual thoughts of Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah.' Read more: Exploring Smart Grid to shape future of sustainable energy: Seminar with DPDC held at UIU Prof. Mohammad Bahauddin, chairman of Farsi Literature Department of Dhaka University, said that Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah has become immortal among us with his literary works and philosophy. His message is equally relevant in today's modern world of science and technology." "Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah's philosophy is very relevant in building a peaceful and humane world.  His educational philosophy, social reforms, practices and pursuit of Sufism, literary works and human values are beacons for the present society,” he said. Read more: UN Deputy Secretary-General to speak at SDG seminar in Dhaka today DU VC Prof. Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman will inaugurate the day-long programme, which will be chaired by Sufi Mohammad Mizanur Rahman. Dr. Amit Dey, Professor of History Department of Calcutta University; Dr. Mohammad Abdul Mazid, a former bureaucrat, AFM Enamul Haque, director general of Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah Institute, will join the seminar as main discussants. Dr. AFM Ruhul Haque MP will also attend the seminar. Read more: Seminar on Prevention of Misinformation and Social Inoculation held at JU Mr. Mansour Chavoshi, ambassador of Iran, will join the second part of the programme as the chief guest. Dr. Mazid Pooyan, visiting Professor at the Farsi Language and Literature Department of Dhaka University, Dr. KM Saiful Haque, Professor of Persian Language and Literature Department, Dr. Abu Tayeb Abu Ahmed, Professor of Zoology Department of Dhaka University, will join the programme as the discussants.

Dr Haseena Khan, a prominent researcher and retired professor at Dhaka University, has joined the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh as a full-time member. Read : UGC asks universities to follow financial regulations properly She presented her contract letter to UGC Secretary Prof Ferdous Zaman after a meeting with UGC Chairman (additional charge) Prof Mohammad Alamgir on Thursday. Read : UGC members Sajjad, Alamgir reappointed for another term Haseena is a retired professor of biochemistry and molecular sciences. The Swadhinata Padak-winning scientist was directly connected with the invention of the hilsa gene mystery and the jute gene discovery. The renowned researcher also worked as an UGC professor.

Former Bangladesh Bank governor Atiur Rahman has assumed the role of professor emeritus in Dhaka University's Development Studies Department. A ceremony was held today at the Professor Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium  on the Dhaka University campus to extend congratulations on behalf of the Faculty of Social Science. The Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University attended the welcoming ceremony as the chief guest, and teachers from various social science departments were also in attendance. Also read: Budget FY23-24: Focus should be on tackling macroeconomic challenges, says Dr Atiur Rahman Expressing high expectations for Prof. Atiur Rahman's contributions, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Akhtaruzzaman stated, "Prof. Atiur Rahman has played a significant role in the economic development of this country. He has worked tirelessly for the people and is widely admired. I trust that he will make valuable contributions to the advancement and enrichment of the University in the fields of education and research." It is worth noting that Atiur Rahman was born in a village in Jamalpur on December 13, 1951. He completed his sixth grade at a village school before enrolling in Cadet College. Following his completion of HSC there, he pursued his education in the Economics Department of Dhaka University, where he obtained BDS and MSS degrees. Also read: Corporate good governance should be a part of our life: Dr Atiur Rahman In 1977, he received a Commonwealth scholarship to pursue a Ph.D. at SOAS, University of London. His Ph.D. thesis was later published as a book titled "Peasants and Classes." Atiur Rahman served as the 10th governor of Bangladesh Bank and is renowned for his contributions to the development of Bangladesh's economy, particularly his policies that aimed at achieving a more financially inclusive society for all. Also read: Budget: Dr Atiur for reconsidering some tax proposals