United News of Bangladesh

A student of Scholastic School, Mirpur Branch, has won a Silver award in a prestigious international essay writing competition arranged by the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS). Wasiq Ahnaf Chowdhury,15, a student of class 10 , has been recognized for his exceptional performance in the Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023, said a press release on Thursday. Read: The Importance of Instilling Leadership Skills in Your Child His essay, centered on the theme 'Does age matter?, has earned him this esteemed accolade. The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023 has asked entrants to explore the power of young people hold within the global community and consider how this power can be harnessed to make a meaningful impact in the world. Read: Prof Dr Shams Rahman appointed as new Vice-Chancellor of EWU This illustrious competition, which originated in 1883, holds the distinction of being the world's oldest international writing competition for schools.

In a constantly evolving world, where challenges and opportunities abound, preparing your child for success means more than just academics. It's about equipping them with the skills and qualities that will distinguish them as confident and capable individuals, and leadership stands out as one of the most crucial qualities we can instill in them. Leadership isn't merely about holding a position of authority; it's about inspiring, guiding, and positively influencing others. As parents, we naturally aspire for our children to excel in their skill development. Picture your child growing up with the ability to communicate effectively, collaborate seamlessly, and make sound decisions. These skills extend beyond the classroom, helping them excel in academics, extracurricular activities, and social life. As your child enters their teenage years, they are poised for personal growth and self-discovery. This is when they should be encouraged to question assumptions, take risks, and experiment, all crucial skills for innovative leadership. During this phase, it's essential to encourage them to channel their learning into real-world change through community service projects. This transformative experience molds them into capable individuals ready to drive positive societal change. Read more: BYLC Ventures announces Cohort 5 winners Leadership skills go far beyond career aspirations — they shape well-rounded individuals who thrive in various aspects of life. Instilling leadership skills in your child matters because it nurtures their self-confidence, encouraging them to speak up, share their ideas, and take initiative. These skills empower them to tackle challenges creatively and with resilience, developing problem-solving abilities to serve them throughout life. Effective communication is another vital aspect, allowing them to express themselves clearly and listen empathetically while fostering stronger connections with others. Commencing this journey early is pivotal for developing strong leadership skills, emphasizing values like ownership, teamwork, community service, and active citizenship. In today's tech-driven world, BYLC’s Building Bridges through Leadership Training Junior (BBLTJ) and Building Bridges through Leadership Training (BBLT) programs sensitize younger minds to the power of human connection, empathy, and making a difference. They plant the seeds of leadership at a young age, ensuring your child grows up with a profound sense of purpose and responsibility. In our ever-evolving world, adaptability is vital; leadership skills help your child embrace change and guide others through it. At the heart of great leadership lies empathy, making your child more compassionate and inclusive. Lastly, leadership instills the initiative to create opportunities rather than passively waiting for them, setting your child on a path of continuous growth and personal development. Read more: How BYLC’s Art and Practice of Leadership workshop is changing the approach to leadership Leadership skills are the foundation of a successful and fulfilling life. Investing in your child's leadership development yields lifelong rewards. The programs of BYLC provide the tools, experiences, and inspiration necessary to shape your child into a leader who excels academically and professionally while positively impacting their community and the world. So, take that step forward and enroll your child in a leadership program today because nurturing tomorrow's leaders begins with your actions.

Professor Dr Shams Rahman has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor (VC) of East West University (EWU). President Mohammed Shahabuddin, Chancellor of the University, appointed Prof Dr Shams as the new Vice-Chancellor for four years. He will serve as the sixth VC of EWU. Prof Dr Mohammed Farashuddin, Chief Adviser and founder VC of EWU, and a former governor of Bangladesh Bank welcomed the new VC Prof Shams Rahman at the EWU campus in Aftabnagar, Dhaka on Wednesday, October 18. Also read: Rubana Huq named as AUW Vice Chancellor An international expert in the field of supply chain management, Prof Dr Shams Rahman has been recognized as one of the world’s top 2% scholars twice consecutively in 2021 and 2022. Before joining EWU as its new VC, he was a professor in the Department of Supply Chain Management at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia. More than 250 of his research papers have been published in various international reputed journals, conferences and book chapters. He is the Associate Editor of the International Journal of Information Systems and Supply Chain Management, said a press release. In addition, he is also a member of 15 international journals editorial board. Also read: Prof  Maksud Kamal made 29th VC of Dhaka University Professor Rahman has been awarded by various renowned institutions at home and abroad in recognition of his academic and research work. He was involved in teaching and research work including at the University of Sydney, Australia and several universities in the UK and USA. During his academic career, Prof Shams obtained his PhD degree from the University of Exeter, UK, under the Commonwealth Scholarship. Besides, he obtained his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Belarus Institute of Technology and Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering and Management from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Thailand. He completed SSC and HSC from Mirzapur Cadet College.

University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) is set to host the 9th Inter-University Student Conference and Cultural Competition, scheduled to take place on October 19-20 at ULAB’s permanent campus in the capital’s Mohammadpur. The event, organised by the Department of English and Humanities (DEH), promises to be an insightful exploration of the theme "Gender: The Binary and Beyond." Also: WURI Ranking 2021: ULAB among global top 100 innovative universities This year, the Department of English and Humanities has partnered with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Bangladesh to host the event. The first and only one of its kind, the DEH Inter-University Student Conference and Cultural Competition has become an annual highlight in the academic calendar, providing a platform for students from universities all across Bangladesh to engage in scholarly discourse and creative expression. Also: ULAB celebrates 18th Foundation Day This year, the event has grown to include 21 universities, all presenting academic papers on day one to compete for the Best Paper Award, and seven of them vying for the coveted Champion's trophy in the Cultural Competition on day two. The conference aims to delve into the intricate ways in which gender is constructed, performed, and represented in literature, language, linguistics, cultural studies, communication studies, translation studies, and the digital humanities. Also: ULAB holds scholarship award ceremony Students from universities all over Bangladesh will present their research to share their explorations of the theme. The Cultural Competition, a vibrant component of the event, encourages students to express their ideas creatively, fostering teamwork, leadership, and friendly competition. According to ULAB, it is a platform where participants can explore diverse artistic expressions in the context of the theme. To ensure fairness and transparency in the adjudication process, academics from non-participating universities will assess the academic papers and performances as usual. For the first time, DEH will also hold an art exhibition at the conference exclusively featuring artwork by DEH students and alumni. The highlight of this year's conference is the prize-giving and closing ceremony, scheduled for Friday, October 20, 2023, at 3:00 pm. Iqbal Hossain, programme advisor of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Bangladesh, will join the closing ceremony as the chief guest. The ceremony will be the culmination of two days of academic and creative exploration.

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) on October 17 announced the launch of up to 56 fully funded Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) Scholarships for students from Bangladesh, India, Ghana and Belize. Funded by the UK government's £500 million Blue Planet Fund, the scholarships are open to students from these destinations wishing to undertake a master’s degree in their country of citizenship and develop a career in marine science, according to a press release. Also read: UK accepting applications for GREAT Scholarships The OCPP Scholarships have now opened for applications at selected universities in Ghana, India, Bangladesh and Belize for the forthcoming academic year, following a successful pilot programme in the South Pacific last year. Hosted by Bangladesh Agricultural University, University of Belize, India’s Berhampur University and Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), and Ghana’s University of Cape Coast, the OCPP Scholarships 2023-24 will fund a range of master’s degree courses in marine science, enabling scholars to undertake world-class research and innovation in this area. Also read: Applications for UK's Chevening scholarships to open on Sept 12 By supporting early career researchers who wish to develop a career in marine science, the scholarships will contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of marine resources and strengthen responses to marine environmental challenges, the press release reads. The scholarships will also make a positive and tangible impact on the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on healthy marine ecosystems, as scholars harness their on-the-ground knowledge, conduct vital research and help develop local solutions to local marine environmental issues. Also read: Applications invited for Chevening scholarships Professor Colin Riordan, chief executive and secretary general of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), said: “This latest round of scholarships, launching in universities across Ghana, India, Bangladesh and Belize in the next academic year, will go a long way to support sustainable marine environments whilst also helping the next generation of marine scientists to develop their careers, skills and knowledge through Master’s study.” “The ACU has an impressive track record of delivering scholarship and fellowship schemes on a global scale and this initiative is a further chapter in that story. We look forward to continuing our work with the OCPP delivery partners and universities in coastal communities to protect ocean environments and support sustainable marine practices,” he added. Neil Hornby, chief executive of Cefas, said: “Cefas is delighted to be working with the ACU to support these additional Ocean Country Partnership Programme scholarships in Ghana, India, Bangladesh, and Belize building on the success of the first round of scholarships in the South Pacific. These scholarships contribute to an enhanced knowledge base in OCPP partner countries to tackle the key marine challenges of biodiversity loss, marine pollution and sustainable seafood. This initiative broadens Cefas’ support for students internationally, creating opportunities for them to develop their science and enabling much needed scientific research to take place in these countries.” Professor Sushil Kumar, director of research at University of the South Pacific (USP), summarised his experience of hosting the OCPP Scholarships pilot programme: “The Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) has provided an excellent opportunity to the budding researchers from Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Fiji, to pursue higher research degree (Master’s and PhD) and develop skills and expertise to address the regional and global challenges in the areas of Marine Pollution, Marine Biodiversity, and sustainable seafood, supporting sustainable ocean practices.” “The USP currently has 13 early-mid career researchers registered in Master’s and PhD programmes under the pilot OCPP scholarship programme, with backgrounds in marine and environmental management. This partnership between USP and ACU and Cefas, has also provided an opportunity for USP academics to collaborate on different research projects and produce research output. The USP looks forward to having more students under this scholarship scheme, both from the region and internationally contributing to the capacity building in these areas of regional significance.” The OCPP scholarship pilot last year was the first collaboration between the ACU and Cefas following the signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in May 2022, formalising their partnership on research capacity strengthening activities in the areas of environmental science, according to the press release. The ACU has been appointed to administer the OCPP Scholarships on behalf of the programme. The OCPP is delivered by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Teachers of Khulna Agricultural University observed work abstention for the 10th consecutive day today to press home their demands including immediate solution to problems related to the appointment of 73 teachers of the university. They started work abstention on October 8, halting the academic activities, and have vowed to continue till their demands are met. Their demands include the promotion of 39 teachers of the university and ensuring their financial compensation, along with an immediate solution to the crisis related to the appointment of 73 teachers. Read: Parents' sexism associated with poor parenting: study Besides, the teachers' association held a general meeting on October 15 and announced to stop the work of dean and departmental offices for an indefinite period from October 16. Earlier on August 3, 2022, the Ministry of Education ordered KAU to cancel the appointment of 73 teachers of the university. Later, the list of the teachers was re-evaluated by a special committee. Md Ashiqul Alam, general secretary of the teachers' association, said, “The re-evaluation committee has verified the validity of the files and appointments of 73 teachers. However, the report has remained stuck in the ministry for two months. As a result, we are constantly frustrated.” Meanwhile, the promotion of 39 lecturers of the university has not been implemented for 11 months due to the cancellation of the recruitment process. Read: Anti-Fascist Students’ Solidarity to discuss 9-point demand with students, teachers, and parents Md Asaduzzaman, president of KAU Teachers’ Association, said, “Actually, a few people are responsible for creating this complication. Thirty-nine of our teachers are not being promoted due to this complication.” “University Administration, or Ministry even, is not taking this problem seriously,” he said. Read: Student tortured all night by 'Chhatra League activists' at Barishal University hall The teachers said that they do not want to disrupt the academic activities and that is why they are taking classes and exams despite various problems. But they are not seeing any visible initiative from the administration to resolve the problem, which has caused great frustration among the teachers. “We would not return to the class unless these problems are resolved,” they warned.

Fathers and mothers who believe men should hold the power and authority in society and the family were less responsive to their children during family interactions, according to University of Auckland research. "For decades, sexism has been known to predict negative behaviors toward women, from discrimination to violence," said the research's lead author Nickola Overall from the University of Auckland. Read: Students with Depression: Tips for Parents and Educators The study, published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science on Tuesday, was the first of its type, suggesting that the effects flow through to poorer parenting. Video-recording family groups in the laboratory, researchers assessed parents' responsiveness, including warmth, involvement, engagement and sensitivity toward their children. The less responsive parents, both mothers and fathers, had disclosed higher levels of "hostile sexism," an academic term for attitudes favoring male authority and antagonism toward women who challenge men's social power, according to the study. The results for fathers were expected and highlight that the harmful effects of men's sexist attitudes may also involve poorer parenting, it said, while the discovery that mothers who agree with hostile sexism were likely to be less responsive parents was unexpected. Read: Fire Safety Tips for Parents to Keep Children Safe "It could be that these mothers follow the father's lead in family interactions, which leads to less engaged parenting," Overall said, adding that another possibility is that mothers guard their traditional role as caregiver by restricting the father's parental involvement, which detracts from being responsive to the children. Responsive parenting is pivotal to healthy child development, and its absence can lead to behavioral issues, emotional difficulties and lower academic achievement, she said. "The novel results offer new directions in understanding the broader impact of sexist attitudes on children across generations," said Overall and her co-authors from the Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Essex. There is also more to understand about why women continue to agree with sexist attitudes despite the harm they have for women and children, they wrote.

A total of 173 students from different departments of Islamic University in Kushtia have been selected for the Centre for Zakat Management scholarship. The CZM announced the names for the scholarship in a function held at Birshrestha Hamidur Rahman Auditorium of the university, IU registrar office officials said on Tuesday. IU vice-chancellor Professor Shaikh Abdus Salam addressed the function as the chief guest while pro-VC Professor M Mahbubur Rahman and treasurer Professor M Alamgir Alamgir Hossain spoke as special guests. Read: 55 IU students selected for science, technology fellowship CZM head of operations Kazi Ahmad Farooque chaired the programme. CZN Kushtia Zone assistant manager Rakibul Islam conducted the programme while IU acting registrar HM Ali Hasan delivered a welcome speech. Around two hundred students of different departments attended the programme. The Centre for Zakat Management would give Tk 3,000 to each selected student per month for two years, the acting registrar said.  

Fifty five students from different departments of Islamic University in Kushtia were selected for Science and Technology Fellowship 2023-24 for special research under the Ministry of Science and Technology. IU acting registrar HM Ali Hasan said on Tuesday that he received a letter from the ministry in this regard. A total of 45 students were selected from biotechnology and genetic engineering department, five students from biomedical engineering department and five students from five other departments- mathematics department, statistics department, environmental science department, information and communication engineering department and electrical and electronic engineering department. Read: Graduates encouraged preparing themselves in line with global demands Each nominated student will get Tk 54,000 for the fellowship programme, HM Ali Hasan said. IU vice-chancellor professor Shaikh Abdus Salam told UNB that the students who were selected for the fellowship would brighten the name of the university after completing their research. Read: Student tortured all night by 'Chhatra League activists' at Barishal University hall He also congratulated the students selected for the fellowship.

The much-awaited elections to choose 33 teacher representatives for  Jahangirnagar University(JU) senate ended on Monday afternoon in a festive atmosphere on the campus. The last election took place 8 years back in 2015. The voting started at 9:00am and will continue till 1:00pm at the university’s teacher's club, Abu Hasan, returning officer of the election, said.