United News of Bangladesh

Two leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League, student wing of the ruling Awami League of Rajshahi University unit, allegedly forced out a resident student from his hall room. The incident took place at Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Hall of the university at around 3.00 pm on Thursday. Following the incident, victim Mahtab Uddin, student of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology department, submitted a written complaint with the hall provost. Read: Ragging at Hajee Danesh: Action taken against 9 students The accused Chhatra League leaders are RU Shamsuzzoha Hall unit general secretary Momin Islam and RU BCL joint secretary Khandkar Shahriar Sourav. Both of them are the supporters of Faisal Ahmed Runu, general secretary of the university unit Chhatra League. "I have been re-allocated to room no. 326 by the hall provost. On Thursday around 2:30pm, Momin Islam, General Secretary of Shamsuzzoha Hall unit Chhatra League forcibly dragged me out of the room and threw my bedding elsewhere. They also threatened to beat me if I would not leave the room. Now I am suffering from insecurity," Mahtab Uddin wrote. However, Chhatra League leader Momin Islam claimed that the allegation against him is completely false and baseless, and no one dragged him out. Read: Students of 7 DU-affiliated colleges stage protest blocking Nilkhet Faisal Ahmed Runu, general secretary of the university unit Chhatra League, said the issue has been settled by the provost. Ikramul Islam, provost of Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Hall, said recently that Mahtab was shifted to room no. 326 from 154, and he has been staying there since Wednesday. “As the room was allotted to Mahtab, he will be in that room, and we are arranging to transfer Mahtab to that seat by talking to the university administration,” he added.  

Germany has expressed interest to cooperate with Bangladeshi universities in conducting research and innovation, and establishing international centres there. A three-member delegation of German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), led by its director Dr Katja Lasch showed this willingness while paying a courtesy call on Chairman (in-charge) of University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh Dr Muhammed Alamgir on Thursday here in the city, said press release. Read: UGC asks universities to follow financial regulations properly In the meeting, they said they are keen to run joint research programmes and conduct education and research at joint finance in the universities of the two countries, and help Bangladesh establish international centres in its universities. They said the German government will create scope for the teachers of Bangladeshi universities to pursue higher study in German universities. Dr Katja Lasch said the German Academic Exchange Service provides fund to German universities to offer higher education opportunities to foreign students. Read: Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon welcomes Myanmar students of AUW A scholarship program has already been offered and eligible and interested candidates from Bangladesh can apply for this scholarship till 28 October next, he said requesting the UGC to encourage Bangladeshi students to apply for the scholarship. He expressed interest in exploring the issue of cooperation to set up international centres in Bangladeshi universities to increase communication with foreign universities. The DAAD Director said Bangladeshi teachers and researchers can also participate in various exchange programmes by contacting German universities. He asked the UGC to help introduce courses on German studies in Bangladeshi universities and take initiatives to create higher education opportunities for Bangladeshis in German universities with joint funding. Read: DPS STS School Dhaka becomes the first school in Bangladesh to launch the Cambridge Early Years Programme Dr Katja Lasch expressed interest in organizing necessary training and workshops to enhance the capacity of the people concerned in the management of innovation and incubation centres in Bangladesh. Dr Alamgir asked the DAAD to come up with specific proposals over its support programme to improve the quality of higher education and research of Bangladesh. He called upon the German delegation to cooperate in establishing a German language learning institute in Bangladeshi universities and increasing the management capacity of the Innovation and Incubation Centre in Bangladesh.  

A total of 209 seats of Islamic University in Kushtia have remained vacant at the undergraduate level after enrolling candidates who entered the first merit list into unified admission test under 2022-23 academic session of the university.  Around 1,781 candidates who secured admission in the university's first round of seat allocations, against 1,990 seats, got admitted, IU academic section office officials said on Thursday.  Read: CU BCL faction locks university gates Among the 209 seats, 63 seats have remained vacant in the science faculty; 76 seats in arts, social science and law faculties altogether and 40 in the business administration faculty, IU academic section Director ATM Emdadul Alam told UNB. The vacant seat would be fulfilled by enrolling students from the upcoming merit and waiting lists, he said. Read: Memorandum submitted to DU VC demanding relocation of 300 Maitree hall students More information regarding the admission procedure is available on the university website at www.iu.ac.bd.  

The University Grants Commission (UNB) of Bangladesh on Wednesday asked the public universities to follow the financial regulations properly. The UGC asked the universities to properly apply the Public Procurement Act, the 9th Pay Scale, the financial and revenue guidelines and others to bring down the audit objections to zero. UGC chairman Prof Dr Md Abu Taher made the call while addressing a training programme on 'Use of Audit Management and Monitoring System (AMMS) Software' here in the city. The UGC arranged the training programme for the officials concerned of nine universities of Dhaka region, aiming to enhance the financial transparency and accountability as well as ensure quick services by using the software. Read: President Shahabuddin asks UGC to roll out job-based curriculum Dr Abu Taher said the use of audit management and monitoring system software will strengthen transparency and accountability in the financial sector and increase dynamics. Besides, the audit process could be done in a shorter time and lower cost, and the number of audit objections would come down, he said. UGC Secretary Dr Ferdous Zaman also spoke at the event, said a press release. Read more: UGC proposes Tk12262 crore for higher education sector for FY2023-24  

The authorities of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University have taken disciplinary action against nine students, including expelling them from class examinations, in connection with a ragging incident. A notice signed by the university's registrar Professor Saifur Rahman, informed the concerned about the punishment. Read: HC orders Kushtia DC to probe ragging of a female student at IU The university Proctor Dr Mamunur Rashid confirmed that disciplinary action has been taken against the accused. According to the extent of ragging, two students of the 22nd batch of Marketing department were expelled from participating in classes and examinations for two semesters (one year) and four from one semester (six months). Three other students have been warned on oral notices. Read: JU organises ragging resistance rally Some of the new students of the university's 2023 academic year were harassed in different ways on the pretext of ragging in the residential hostel area including the campus on August 24. In this regard, the students complained to the university administration. The matter was investigated and evidence was found.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Md Monwar Hossain has said the quality and atmosphere of higher education in Bangladesh is poised at a very high standard and one of the best in South Asia at this moment. The Embassy of Bangladesh in Yangon organized a sending-off reception on Monday for the Myanmar students of the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh. This year 10 Myanmar students were awarded fully funded scholarships to study in AUW in Computer Science, Environmental Science, Economics and Public Health, said the Embassy. The function at the Chancery included welcoming the 10 Myanmar students to the Bangladesh Embassy with flowers and handing over Bangladesh visa. The Ambassador congratulated the 10 scholarship awardees of Myanmar and said Myanmar students have been awarded with a unique opportunity to learn in their respective fields of interest and on completion of their study the students will be able to make a positive difference in their home countries to build a knowledge based economy. He said the students can play a pivotal role as an Ambassador to the Bangladesh-Myanmar relationship using their intercultural relationship and experience gathered in Bangladesh. He opined that Bangladesh Embassy supports the activities of deeper engagements between the educational institutions of the two countries to foster mutual prosperity. The Ambassador recalled that the Asian University for Women, operating since 2008, currently has more than 1300 students from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Senegal Sri Lanka, Syria, Temor Leste, Vietnam and Yemen enrolled in pre-university & undergraduate program. The Ambassador concluded by proposing an ‘Asian University for Women Alumni Association of Myanmar Students’ for further strengthening the ties between the students and the Embassy. He wished the Myanmar students good luck for their pursuit of higher studies and a better future.    Officers and officials of the Embassy were present at the programme.  

Leaders and activists from progressive and left leaning parties have demanded the release of Jagannath University student Khadijatul Kobra from a rally held on the Dhaka University campus. The rally was called marking one year of the arrest of Khadijatul Kobra, a student of Jagannath University, under the draconian Digital Security Act that is now set to be amended, for hosting an online talk show where a guest made comments that offended the government. Two cases were filed against her by police.   Today's rally was attended by former president of Communist party of Bangladesh, Mujahidul Islam Selim; Prof. Tanzimuddin Khan of international relations department of Dhaka University, convenor of Ganasamhati Andalon, Junaid Saki; and leaders and activists from left leaning students parties. Prof. Tanzimuddin said, "The system under which we are living in is totally inhumane. We all are in danger. We are living in a ‘culture of fear’ and we do not have the right to express our words." "The system that is going on, must be changed because there is no governance. to change the government, we have to fight till the end," he added Demanding release of Khadijatul Kobra, he said, " Khadija is a woman and she has legal rights to defend herself but state mechanisms deprived her from her rights. To have our rights back we have to establish a democratic government by applying our proper voting power. If we elect a government democratically, the government will be bound to hear us and respond to our questions." Junaid Saki, said, "Khadijatul Kobra was captured under the allegations of ‘attempt against the government and creating unrest situation in the country’. But in a democratic country it is legal to attempt to remove the government from power. It is very much democratic and constitutional because taking attempts to Against government and taking attempts against the state(treason) are not the same things." Demanding unconditional release of Khadija, he said, "Khadija has been arrested under DSA which act has recently been removed under foreign pressures but Khadija is still in the prison. On the other hand they are trying to reinforce the same act by renaming the cybersecurity Act which will be the same as Digital Security Act." Later, Saki asked the students to form a movement to remove the 'fascist government' from the power to protect the country and to implement the potentials that our country has. Mujahidul Islam Selim, former president of CPB, said, "People of our country will remember Khadija forever as a fighter of democracy and those, who imprisoned her, will be remembered as the culprits." "The release of Khadijatul Kobra from the prison is related to the government in power. We have to remove this government from the power to free Khadija." Demanding caretaker government during the next national election, he said, "AL representatives saying that if they do not come to power in the next election, they have to fly to foreign country. That's why, to stay in this country and to be in power, they will again stage a 'fake election drama'. We have to resist them and remove them. We want a caretaker government."

Chittagong University authorities have suspended 24 examinations of 22 departments as heavy rainfall lashed the region again. An official press release by the CU administration on Sunday afternoon confirmed the postponement. Read more: Teesta's water level crosses danger mark, triggers flooding in Lalmonirhat History, Philosophy, Anthropology, International Relations, Persian Language and Literature, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Chemistry, Oceanography, Pali, Islamic Studies, English, Sanskrit, Education and Research, Arabic, Marketing, Communication and Journalism, Psychology, Accounting, Banking and Insurance, Finance, Botany, and Physics department’s all examinations scheduled for Sunday (August 27) were postponed. However, Fine Arts, Physical Education, and Sports Science Departments proceeded with their examinations. Read more: Bandarban flood: 15,600 houses left severely damaged, people going home from shelters  The shuttle train service between the city and the university came to a halt today. Torrential overnight rainfall led to the closure of the Chattogram-Hathazari road communication on Saturday.

Students of seven colleges affiliated to Dhaka University blocked the capital’s Nilkhet intersection for 6 hours demanding an easing of CGPA conditions for promotion and to protest "discrimination of DU authority" by staging a symbolic 'mass suicide' program. They formed the blockade at the intersection around 12.45 pm. Earlier they brought out a procession from TSC of Dhaka University to the Nilkhet intersection. Later, the students withdrew their blockade around 6.45 pm. Following the blockade, DU postponed the 3rd year final exams of the 2022 academic year. Taslim Chowdhury, coordinator of the Seven College Movement, said, "We met Supriya Ma'am, principal of Eden Mohila College, she assured us to fulfill our demands earlier on August 16. But we see no visible advancement in this process. That's why we again came here to claim our demands. We will not go back home until our demands are heard." They demanded a balanced promotion policy following the promotion policy of Dhaka University and cancelling the police action to bar them from appearing in the final exams when their CGPA is below 2.50 out of CGPA 4.00, and allowing them to be promoted to the next year through quality improvement tests if a student fails three subjects. While protesting, some seven college students fell sick and immediately were taken to Dhaka Medical college hospital for treatment.      

There is no crisis or problem in printing new books for the next academic year, Education Minister Dipu Moni said on Friday. Last year there were several issues including paper and electricity shortage, but this year there is no issue, the minister said while talking to journalists after a views-exchange programme with the administration on the law and order situation and development activities of the district at Chandpur Circuit House this afternoon. Read: School feeding programme to be launched in 150 upazilas soon: primary edu secretary The tender process for printing primary books has already been completed and tender work is going on for secondary schools, Dipu Moni informed. Besides, there is a committee who is responsible to complete the tender work. "All the books for the next academic year will reach the upazilas on time and we will be able to hold the book festival on January 1st," she hoped. Regarding internal conflicts of Awami League, Dipu Moni said not only in AL, conflict is basically present everywhere. Awami League is a big party. The country has been run by AL under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the last 15 years with enormous success, she said. Read: New textbooks to reach upazila level by November: Primary and Mass Education Secretary "Under her leadership, we have improved in every field and we are dreaming to be turned into a developed country, and now we have all kinds of capabilities to build a developed country," she said. Dipu Moni said that a committee has been made centrally to resolve the conflict. This committee is working to resolve conflicts at all levels. Chandpur Deputy Commissioner Kamrul Hasan, Police Superintendent Mohammad Saiful Islam, Chandpur Municipal Council Mayor Zillur Rahman, Faridganj Upazila Parishad Chairman Zahidul Islam Roman were also present.