United News of Bangladesh

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.  

A faction of Bangladesh Chhatra League’s Chittagong University unit locked the gates of the university on Thursday in a bid to voice their concerns over the ongoing crisis surrounding Alaol Hall. Acting under the banner of the general students, this demonstration started around 7 pm. During this time, the protesters resorted to burning tires, effectively halting traffic on an adjacent roadway. They called off the protest after two hours at 9 pm when the proctor intervened and gave assurances to the demonstrators. They presented nine-point demands, with the immediate resignation of the hall's provost topping the list. The demands are: regular cleaning of water tanks, maintenance of bathing facilities, ensuring robust internet services, provision of sports equipment, maintenance of the hall's overall cleanliness, expeditious completion of ongoing renovation projects, diligent oversight of hall employees' duties, and administrative accountability for any employee negligence. Speaking out about their motivations, some participating students said the longstanding nature of the issues, the provost's alleged indifference despite being apprised of the problems on numerous occasions led them to take to the streets. The protest unfolded under the banner of the general student body; however, it has emerged that the demonstrators are primarily affiliated with Mohammed Eleyas, the joint secretary of the CU Chhatra League. This affiliation has led to assertions from certain faculty members, including the provost, who have opined that the protest is, in fact, an offshoot of the exclusion of three followers of Mohammed Eleyas. Contrary to the student claims, Mohammed Faridul Alam, the provost of Alaol Hall, said that while the protest indeed illuminated prevailing concerns, the crux of the matter lies in the expulsion of several students. These expelled students were allegedly involved in an altercation wherein an assistant proctor was targeted, he said. According to the university administration, twelve leaders and activists linked to Bijoy sub-party, led by Mohammed Eleyas, were expelled for their involvement in clashes, vandalism, and reportedly charging towards an assistant proctor with weapons on January 9. In a counter-narrative, Mohammed Eleyas, the joint secretary of the CU Chhatra League, said that his participation in the protest was a display of solidarity with the students' legitimate demands and not a reaction to the expulsions. Proctor Nurul Azim Shikder said that after a dialogue with the demonstrators, the Vice Chancellor was apprised of their demands.  

The STS Group has partnered with the Cambridge University Press and Assessment under the University of Cambridge, to delightedly announce the launch of ‘Cambridge Early Years Programme’ (Cambridge EY) in Bangladesh through Delhi Public School (DPS) STS School Dhaka. A signing ceremony held on Tuesday  at the DPS STS Junior School auditorium featured the Managing Director of the Cambridge University Press and Assessment, South Asia, Arun Rajamani, and the CEO of STS Group, Manas Singh, wherein they signed the agreement for offering Cambridge EY on behalf of their respective organizations.  Read: 9,841 pass 43rd BCS written test Principal of the DPS STS School Dhaka, Dr Shivananda CS and other guests attended the ceremony alongside parents of the DPS STS students. The Cambridge EY Programme is a holistic educational approach designed for children aged 3-6 years, with play-based learning to unlock a unique intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development. Termed the ‘First stage to the Cambridge Pathway,’ this programme focuses on developing children’s knowledge and skills in certain areas, namely – personal, social and emotional development, physical development, communication and language, mathematics, understanding the world, expressive arts and design, and much more.  The child-centred plan aims to enable learners to develop at their own pace, help them act independently and encourage them to discover feelings of self-worth.  Read: School feeding programme to be launched in 150 upazilas soon: primary edu secretary Regarding this momentous agreement, the Managing Director of the Cambridge University Press and Assessment, South Asia, Arun Rajamani, said, “We are glad to partner with STS Group to bring the Cambridge EY Programme to Bangladesh via our partners DPS STS and GIS. The Cambridge EY programme provides young learners with a strong foundation. It also equips them with the skills and knowledge necessary for future excellence.” The CEO of STS Group, Manas Singh, said, “At STS, we are committed to providing our students with the best educational opportunities. We are excited to partner with Cambridge to offer the Cambridge EY Programme, which will enhance the overall learning experience of our young students and help us ready the next generation leaders with the right skill sets.” Read: Memorandum submitted to DU VC demanding relocation of 300 Maitree hall students  About the Cambridge EY, the Principal of the DPS STSSchool Dhaka, Dr Shivananda CS, said, “We are proud to be one of the first schools to offer the Cambridge EY Programme in Bangladesh. This programme will provide our students with a solid foundation for lifelong learning and prepare them to pursue higher benchmarks in future academic and professional careers.”    

The students of and teachers Islamic University staged a demonstration on the campus in Kushtia  on Tuesday demanding proper investigation into ‘mysterious death’ of the university’s debating society president Nowrin Nusrat. A group of students and teachers under the banner of Islamic University Debating Society formed a human chain in front of Mrittunjoyee Mujib Mural adjacent to the university's main entrance around 11:30am. Over 50 students from different departments of the university took part in the human chain to press home their demand. Addressing the human chain, the speakers said that Nowrin Nusrat was a sensible student of the university who used to take part in different awareness programmes including campaign to prevent suicide. The speakers urged the university administration and the law enforcement agencies to investigate Nusrat’s unusual death and give exemplary punishment to the culprits.  Among others, IU progressive alliance Shapla Forum general secretary Professor M Mahbubar Rahman, IUDS adviser Professor Dr Mamunur Rahman, IU English department associate Professor Sazzad Zahid, IUDS moderator and the chairman of Law and Land Management department Shahida Akhtar and IUDS general secretary Nazmus sakib were present in the human chain.  Nowrin Nusrat , a student of IU Law and Land Management department under 2017-18 academic session and president of Islamic University Debating Society, got married to Ibrahim Khalil on July 21. Nowrin and her husband started to live in a rented house at Savar in Dhaka. On August 8, she locked into an altercation with her husband and at one stage she jumped off the 6th floor of the house and received critical injuries, according to her family. Later, local people rescued Nusrat and took her to a clinic where the attending doctors declared her dead.