United News of Bangladesh

The British Council wrapped up yet another successful ‘Your World’ video competition this year with Cau Giauy Secondary School in Vietnam being announced the global winner; having created an outstanding video entry. The winning video showcased the students’ social action project addressing Good Health and Well-being. Lahore Grammar School, Johar Town in Pakistan was awarded the regional winner, having competed with other British Council Partner Schools across the South Asia region. Scholastica, Mirpur was awarded the title, ‘National Winner’ in this year’s competition competing with other British Council Partner Schools in Bangladesh. Sydney International School and The Radius International School have jointly secured the first runner-up position, and Yale International School took home the 2nd runner-up award in the competition. The Your World video-making competition is a flagship activity for British Council Partner Schools across the global network. Participating in the competition is a fantastic opportunity for students to use their creativity, problem-solving and digital skills to compete globally while also providing a window into their own lives, communities, and experiences. The competition is open to students aged 14 to 17 years studying in British Council Partner Schools. Now in its seventh year, the theme for Your World 2022-23 was ‘good health and well-being’, linking directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number three. Students drew upon their knowledge of subjects studied at school, such as science, business studies and global studies to produce exceptional video entries. These videos demonstrated students’ ability to work collaboratively to solve real life problems in their own communities, putting both their skills and learning to practical and positive use. This year the submissions counted to more than 750 video entries, with over 3500 students taking part from our Partner Schools across the global network. Utsob Sarker, a student of Grade-12 in Scholastica school and a team member of the winning team said, “Working on this video taught us 21st century skills of teamwork, collaboration, problem-solving, creativity, and digital literacy. In addition, we learned hard work and above all, perseverance, and resilience.” By participating in this competition students develop core skills which enable them to grow into well-rounded, creative and critical citizens, ready to engage with job markets and shape the future for themselves and future generations. Through Your World, the British Council hopes to inspire students to be drivers of positive change. Talking about the positive impact of taking part in the competition, Fidia kamal, Academic Programme Manager, Grade-10, Scholastica School shared her thoughts, “I encourage other Partner Schools to participate in the competition, this is because the rationale behind the competition is not just to win awards, but to challenge the creative abilities of students to showcase their talents and compete with their peers from around the world to find solutions to the climate crisis confronting us and win the fight against climate change’. Tom Miscioscia, Director Bangladesh, British Council said, "In preparing for their A levels, O levels and IGCEs, not only do the students at British Council Partner Schools receive a world-class education but through extra-curricular activities and joint classroom projects - such as the Your World video competition - they are also connected to peers from around the world to explore solutions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and grow into responsible global citizens."

Jahangirnagar University, Aug 8 (UNB) -  Jahangirnagar University’s corridors are now echoing with discontent as a series of violations of examination rules have come to light, leaving students and faculty in dismay. Students are alleging that teachers are dedicating more time to personal pursuits and university politics rather than focusing on their classrooms. This has led to a pattern of delayed result publication and disrupted academic routines, contrary to the university's central examination regulations. According to the Office of the Controller of University Examinations, several departments of the university, including Bangabandhu Comparative Literature and Culture, Urban and Regional Planning, Law and Justice, Bangla, and Pharmacy, have been affected by these issues. Notably, the Bangabandhu Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture is currently conducting final exams for fouth-year students of the academic year 2017-18 (batch 47) without having published the results for the previous year. This delay has been attributed to a shortage of teaching staff within the institute. The Department of Law and Justice has also faced criticism for conducting post-graduation exams for both the 2016–17 (batch 46) and 2017–18 (batch 47) academic years simultaneously, starting on July 25. This move was prompted by the fact that these batches had previously undergone graduation exams together. Also read: Jahangirnagar University  students attacked Unfortunately, this decision resulted in a significant number of students failing—9 from batch 46 and 8 from batch 47. Instead of availing the usual option of a quality improvement examination, these students were required to undertake a special examination, costing TK14,000, which posed a financial challenge for many. Associate Professor Tapas Kumar Das, the Dean of the Faculty of Law and Justice, defended the simultaneous examinations, citing student requests and the urgency to expedite their education. On the contrary, the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, with an equal number of teaching staff, has managed to publish student results promptly without any regulatory violations. Although the university's examination rules do not explicitly permit such an arrangement, he asserted that the necessary permissions were obtained from the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) to proceed accordingly. In response to the criticism surrounding the special examination costs, he said that students didn’t pay any extra fees. Although the students of the department said they had to bear the expenses themselves. Delays in releasing results have plagued the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, which led to the completion of post-graduation exams for the 2016–17 academic year before the results for the previous year were released. Also read: Daylong bird fair at Jahangirnagar University Friday Professor Dr. Anisha Noori Kankan, the department chairman, attributed the holdup to the time-consuming process of evaluating theses at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The university's Examination Rules of 2003, clause 20(iii), stipulates that teachers should be allocated one day for every five exam copies for evaluation purposes. Additionally, clause 26(iii) mandates that exam results be published within 75 days of the conclusion of written examinations. The rules also dictate that theses must be submitted within three months of theory exam completion. Clause 30 states that thesis must be submitted within three months of completion of theory examination. Another glaring case of delay was witnessed in the Bengali department, which commenced the final exams for the 2017-18 academic year while the results for the previous year, 2016-17, remained undisclosed. Similarly, the Pharmacy department carried out fourth-year exams without releasing the third-year final exam results from the academic year 2016–17, causing a nearly two-year delay in result publication. Professor Dr. Mostafa Feroze, the current Pro Vice Chancellor (Education), said that he had engaged with the respective faculty deans to assess the status of results and streamline the academic session. He said that conducting exams for two academic years simultaneously was not feasible. He asserted that the existing guidelines, which grant one day for every five exam copies, provide ample time to publish results within the prescribed 75-day window. Regarding the Bangabandhu Institute of Comparative Literature, he expressed his disapproval of disregarding regulations and sought cooperation from both students and teachers to restore order to the university's academic calendar.

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent exams will start from August 17 as per the schedule, said Education Minister Dipu Moni  on Tuesday. The minister said this at a briefing on the HSC examinations at the International Mother Language Institute in the capital. Besides, coaching centres will remain closed across the country from August 14 to September 25 due to the exams, she added. Also read: Next year's HSC exam on revised syllabus: Education Minister Dipu Moni announced that all educational institutions in Bandarban, Cox's Bazar, Khagrachhari and Chattogram districts will remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday due to the ongoing flood caused by heavy rains. A total of 13,59, 342 students—6,88, 887 boys and 6,70,455 girls--- expected to appear in this year’s HSC examination, 1,55,935 more than the previous year as  a total of 12,03, 407 students sat for the exam last year, she said. The HSC exams will be held at 2,658 exam centres and 9,169 educational institutions. Also read: HSC 2023: Exams to begin from Aug 17, routine published Among the total students, 11,08,594 students will appear for the exam under the nine general education boards, 98,031 under the Madrasha board and 1,52,717 under the Technical Education board. Like previous year, students have to enter their respective examination halls  30 minutes before the examination starts, said the minister. The Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board released the routine of the exams for all education boards on June 8. According to the routine, HSC written exams will begin on August 17 and will continue till September 25. Also read: SSC, equivalent exam results 2023: Girls outshine boys Practical exams will be held from September 26 to October 4, according to the routine. HSC exams will be held for three hours from 10 am to 1 pm and 2pm to 5pm. This year's HSC exams will kick off with the Bangla first paper.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has decided to scrap scholarship examination for class five students. However, scholarships will be given to the students by evaluating them in a different process, Mahbubur Rahman Tuhin, public relations officer of the ministry told UNB on Tuesday afternoon. Read: 140 Bangladeshi students to benefit from Erasmus+ scholarships for academic year 2023-24 The decision was taken at a meeting on the primary scholarship examination of 2023 at the meeting room of the ministry.  Read: Freshers' Reception and orientation held at Southeast University  However, no decision has been taken yet on the criteria for awarding scholarships, said Mahbubur Rahman.

 The students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology on Monday formed a human chain as one of the accused in the Abrar Fahad murder case attended a class yesterday (August 6).The name of the accused student is Ashikul Islam Bitu who was earlier expelled from the BUET as he was accused in Abrar Fahad Killing. Read: Freshers' Reception and orientation held at Southeast University Earlier on May 22, 2021, Bitu attended an online class with the 17th batch of the Chemical Engineering department. As the students protested strongly, he did not attend classes again till yesterday. But yesterday, when he joined another class with the 17th batch of the Chemical Engineering department, general students again protested it.Demanding to cancel his registration, the students said, "It is sure that Bitu was one of the accused and involved in the Abarar Fahad murder case. He was also expelled from the university. It is the second time he attempted to attend class. It is a shame for us to attend class with a murderer of our brother." Read: UAP Department of Architecture celebrates its Silver Jubilee"Bitu has been notorious for ragging. He has Records of abusing students in the dorm," they added while reading out the statement during the human chain.The human chain was formed in front of BUET Shahid Minar around 5.20 pm today. BUET authorities on 22 November 2019 expelled 26 students including Ashikul Islam Bitu permanently for their alleged involvement in the Abrar Fahad murder case. However, Ashikul Islam was not named on the police charge sheet and got a 'stay order' from the court against his expulsion decision.  

Freshers' reception & orientation programme of the newly admitted students of Electrical & Electronic Engineering Department (EEE),Textile and Architecture for Summer Semester 2023 under the School of Science and Engineering (SSE) of Southeast University (SEU) held on Sunday. The programme was held at SEU Multipurpose Hall of the permanent campus in the city's Tejgaon area. State Minister for Planning Dr. Shamsul Alam was present as the Chief Guest while Vice Chancellor of SEU Prof. Dr. AFM Mafizul Islam chaired the programme. Chairman of Board of Trustees of the University attended the programme as Guest of Honor while Maj Gen Kazi Fakhruddin Ahmed (Retd), Registrar of SEU welcomed the newly enrolled students. Prof. ABM Faroque, Dean of SSE introduced respective faculty members to the students. Prof. Dr. ANM Meshquar Uddin, Adviser to BoT also spoke on the occasion. Among others, Chairmen of the departments, faculty members, officials, newly enrolled students and their guardians were also present in the program.    

The Department of Architecture at the University of Asia Pacific (UAP) celebrated its Silver Jubilee with various programmes, including an exclusive exhibition. Marking the occasion, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid inaugurated the exhibition titled 'Old Dhaka' and unveiled the cover of a special publication titled 'UAP Accolades' at the University's permanent campus on Saturday. Members of the UAP Board of Trustees Qayum Reza Chowdhury, Engineer M Abu Taher, and Architect Mahbuba Haque, alongside UAP Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Qumrul Ahsan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Sultan Mahmud, Dean of School of Environmental Sciences and Design Pro Dr Abu Saeed Mushtaq Ahmed, Head of the architecture department. Navnita Islam and others were present during the inauguration ceremony. Read: Dainikshiksha.com Ranking: Only 7 Colleges Ranked A-plus Chief guest and State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid said, “The way the UAP Architecture Department is organizing and working to preserve the country's heritage and history is commendable. Through the implementation of projects like these, we are determined to preserve our history.” After the discussion, Khalid unveiled the book 'UAP Accolades', a compilation of national and international achievements of past and present students of UAP's Department of Architecture. The UAP Architecture Department has an archive for architect Mazharul Islam, widely regarded as the founder of contemporary Bangladeshi architecture. Two volumes about Mazharul Islam's works will be released by the UAP Department of Architecture on December 25 later this year, the day of Mazharul Islam's 100th birthday, and the cover of those books were also unveiled in this event.

A total of seven colleges ranked ‘A-plus’ out of 277 colleges in the Dhaka Metropolitan City in 'Dainikshiksha.com College Rankings 2023’ survey, organised at the capital’s Bishwo Shahitto Kendro on Friday. The colleges are: Notre Dame College; Holy Cross College; Adamjee Cantonment College; Dhaka Residential Model College; Dhaka College; Rajuk Uttara Model College; and St. Joseph Higher Secondary School. The survey findings showed that only seven colleges that ranked ‘A-plus’ or ideal category obtained over 85 percent marks. Apart from this, 36 colleges ranked ‘A’ or very good category by securing between 75 and 84 percent marks. A total of 19 colleges ranked ‘B’ or good by obtaining between 65 and 74 percent marks, and seven colleges ranked 'C' or not satisfactory by getting between 50 and 64 percent marks. The survey findings unveiling programme was graced by Curator of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and former secretary of education ministry Md. Nazrul Islam Khan, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Dhaka Professor Dr. ASM Maksud Kamal, Acting Vice Chancellor of National University Abdus Salam Hawlader, President of Bangladesh Principals Council Professor Mohammad Mazharul Hannan, Daily Samakal Editor Alamgir Hossain, renowned senior journalist Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, senior journalist Khayrul Anwar Mukul, Bangladesh Bureau Chief of AP Julhas Alam, among others. The rankings of the colleges were finalised on the basis of a survey conducted by setting up separate questionnaires for college authorities, students, and guardians. A dedicated, well-trained, and hardworking team featuring the students of the Institute of Education and Research of the University of Dhaka, led by educationist and researcher Masum Billah, conducted the survey.

A Sumanganj court on Wednesday granted bail to 32 people including 24 students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) who were arrested during their trip to Sunamganj’s Tanguar Haor. Judge Farhan Sadik of Judicial Magistrate Court-4 of Sunamganj passed the order. The hearing on bail and remand petitions took place at 12 pm on Wednesday in the accused’s absence but their guardians’ presence. Taibur Rahman Babul, the lawyer of the accused, said the court granted bail to 32 people on bond of Tk 5000 each. Read: 34 Buet students among 36 detained while touring Tanguar Haor In a protest at the Buet campus on Tuesday, the guardians of the students said the law enforcers arrested them in a false case intentionally to harass them. Police detained 34 people, including 24 Buet students while they were visiting Tanguar Haor in Tahirpur upazila of Sunamganj district on Sunday. Rashedul Kabir, sub-inspector of Tahirpur Police Station, filed a case against them under the Anti-Terrorism Act. All of them were produced before the court on Tuesday. The accused went to Tanguar Haor around 7am on Sunday by a boat. A team of police from Tahirpur police station on two speed boats obstructed them while they were heading towards Tekerhat tourist spot and detained the students and two boatmen—Ahadul Mia and Muhaddis Mia. Later, they were taken to Tahirpur Police Station. Read: Bank recruitment test question leak: BUET Prof Nikhil, 15 others indicted Syed Iftekhar Hossain, officer-in-charge of Tahirpur Police Station, said they gathered in the area in a bid to hold a clandestine meeting and tried to carry out criminal activities there to embarrass the government. A press release, issued by Additional Superintendent of Sunamganj police (Amin) Abu Syed, said after primary interrogation it is known that all the arrestees led by Afif Anwar, Baitul Mal Affairs Secretary of Buet unit Islami Chhatra Shibir, gathered there aiming to disturb public safety and create anarchic situation through anti-government activities. Police also seized 33 mobile phone sets, leaflets and other documents from their possession.

 The European Union (EU) in Bangladesh, together with EU Member States, hosted a reception on Monday for 140 Bangladeshi students who will benefit from an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarship under the Erasmus+ programme. Erasmus+ is the EU's flagship education and training programme, promoting student mobility, academic cooperation, and intercultural exchange between European countries and their global partners. The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme offers fully-funded scholarships and the beneficiaries are awarded a joint, double degree, or multiple degrees, upon graduation. During the event, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whitely said: "We are proud to celebrate this momentous occasion, marking the allocation of 140 prestigious Erasmus+ scholarships to Bangladesh. A flagship programme like Erasmus+, with a strong external dimension that aims to promote people-to-people exchanges, can and should be a game-changer." He said the new, larger programme for the period 2021-2027 has an increased budget of €26.2 billion. "It enables the EU to support new initiatives and attract an even greater number of participants. This initiative reflects the EU's steadfast commitment to nurturing academic excellence, fostering cultural exchange, and empowering the youth of Bangladesh with an excellent education. We believe that these scholarships will pave the way for a brighter future and further strengthen the people-to-people ties between Europe and Bangladesh." Bangladesh is ranking third this year in terms of number of awarded scholarships; 140 Bangladeshi students have received a scholarship to study in various European cities for completing a Masters degree in areas such as data science, engineering, climate change, gender studies, circular economy, public health, public policy and human rights. The knowledge and skills gained will be applied in Bangladesh and contribute to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.