United News of Bangladesh

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

A total of 14 students of Theater and Performance Studies Department of Dhaka University (DU) have been awarded with Professor Zia Hayder Memorial Scholarship for their outstanding academic results. Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman, vice chancellor of Dhaka University, distributed the scholarships among the students at a ceremony held at DU (Nat Mandal) on Sunday. The programme was presided over by the department's chairperson Mrs. Kazi Tamanna Haque Sigma while DU VC attended the programme as the chief guest. DU Vice Chancellor said, Prof Zia Haider had played a pioneering role to promote theatre education and culture in the country. The VC urged the students to enrich themselves with cultural and humanitarian values to establish the light of truth in the society. The scholarship winning students are: SM Latiful Khabir, Kirti Vijaya, Imtenan Mohammad Zaki, Kamrun Nahar Liza, Md. Aminur Rahman, Ahmed Raufur Rahim, Rudra Sawzal, Farzia Haque Farin, Md. Ashraful Islam, Debashish kumar de Prashant, Kripa kona Talukdar, Tanjila Jannat Ruma, Umme Sumaiya and Shanker kumar Biswas.  Among others, DU Treasurer Professor Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed, Arts faculty dean Prof Abdul Bashir and Associate Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism Shaonti Haider addressed the programme.

A freshers' orientation programme was held at Islamic University in Kushtia on Saturday amid festivity and much enthusiasm. IU Law and Land Management department organised the programme at room no-415 of the university's Mir Mosharraf Hossain Academic building in the morning. Read: IU-209 seats still vacant IU law faculty dean Professor Syeda Siddika addressed the programme as chief guest while IU law administrator M Anisur Rahman, assistant Professor Mehedi Hasan were present as special guests. IU Law and Land Management department chairperson assistant Professor Shahida Akhtar chaired the programme.  Alif Hasan, a student of the department, conducted the programme attended by around one hundred students of the department.  Read: IU students, teachers stage demonstration demanding investigation into Nowrin’s death Later, the freshers' were accorded  with floral reception on the occasion.  Meanwhile, the orientation programmes of all departments were held at the respective department on Saturday. 

Friday's Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) rally turned the Dhaka University campus into a messy ‘bus stand’ as all the activists who came to join the rally from across the country hiring buses and microbuses chose to park on the campus. From the very morning, leaders and activists were seen to come to the University area as the BCL rally was organized at the adjacent Suhrawardy Uddyan. The vehicles were parked on the sports ground of the Kabi Jashimuddin Hall, sports ground of Muhsin Hall and on the roads everywhere without taking any kind of permission from the DU authority and the people’s gathering made a worsening situation to move freely across the campus. On the other hand, BCL leaders and activists who came from outside, were seen gathering the hall canteens. Moreover, some of the DU BCL leaders evacuated students from 'gono room' and let outsiders stay at the hall. Due to this extra pressure of outsiders, there was a shortage in cooked foods in almost every male hall and the students who went a little bit late, were not able to buy lunch from the canteens.