United News of Bangladesh

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.

The Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DB) arrested two people accused of pirating the "Surongo" movie. The information was shared through a press release from DB on Saturday. After receiving a complaint, police arrested two people named Inamul Kabir and Monir Sheikh. Two of the film's producers, Chorki CEO Redoan Roni and Alpha-i Studios Managing Director Shahriar Shakil, along with "Surongo" director Raihan Rafi and actress Tama Mirza were present at a press confernece at the DB office. Shahriar Shakil said, "Thanks to the administration. They took our complaint seriously and took action within such a short time. Special thanks to Harun-or-Rashid (DB chief), who has been working on this issue very sincerely." Read: ‘Surongo’ to hit theatres in Saudi Arabia Chorki CEO Redoan Rony said, "Piracy is a serious crime. Those associated with cinema are vocal opponents of this distasteful practice. The action taken by the administration today will remain an example, and such a step will ensure good days for the film industry." Harun-or-Rashid said, "As soon as we received the complaint, we assured the 'Surongo' team that we will take swift action against it. We think this act was an attempt to hamper the impact of the film. However, we caught two of the criminals and they have admitted their involvement." Read: Bongo BD releasing south Indian movie ‘Mersal’ in Bangla "Surongo" was released in 28 theatres on the day of Eid-ul-Azha this year and is still running successfully across the country in 50 theaters since last Friday. Besides, the movie is running in 31 theaters from July 21 in India's West Bengal and has also been released in several Middle Eastern countries alongside theatres in the US and Australia. Read more: Winners of Star Cineplex's Awesome Autumn get air tickets, movie vouchers

The overall results of twenty-three students, who sat for the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination from Bogura’s Kahaloo Govt Model High School this year, appeared as failed due to negligence of an exam centre secretary. The centre secretary and headmaster of Kahaloo TN Girls High School is Belal Uddin Promanik who allegedly didn’t submit the results of practical examination of ICT to the board. Read: SSC 2023 results: Barishal Education Board sees highest pass rate Sources said a total of 108 students from Kahaloo Govt Model High School attended this year’s SSC examination at the Girls High School. Of them, 23 students were from the commerce background and the accused didn’t submit their practical results of the ICT subject to the board authority. Govt. Model High School’s Headmaster FMA Salam alleged that the exam centre’s secretary Belal did it deliberately to tarnish the image of their school. Teacher Belal admitted to him that the results were not submitted, he said.   The headmaster Belal could not be reached despite calls as his son received the call saying that his father was sleeping. Read: SSC, equivalent exam results 2023: Girls outshine boys The results of SSC and equivalent examinations of 2023 were published on Friday. The results showed that the average pass rate in SSC examination under nine general education boards is 80.94 percent. Read more: No students from 48 educational institutions passed SSC this year 

Barishal Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board is at the forefront in terms of pass rate in SCC examination 2023 among the nine general education boards. Also read: SSC results handed over to PM The results of SSC and equivalent examinations of 2023 were published today. The results showed that the average pass rate in SSC examination under nine general education boards is 80.94 percent. Also read: No students from 48 educational institutions passed SSC this year Among the nine general education boards, Barishal Education Board has a pass rate of 90.18 percent, which is the highest. The pass rate of Sylhet Education Board is 76.06 percent, which is the lowest among the nine general education boards. Also read: SSC, equivalent exam results 2023: Avg pass rate 80.39% Among other education boards, the pass rate of Dhaka Board is 77.55 percent, Rajshahi Board’s pass rate is 87.89 percent, Jashore Board 86.17 percent, Chattogram 78.29 percent and Mymensingh Education Board’s pass rate is 85.49 percent.