United News of Bangladesh

“Since the [US] Fed Rate hikes were initiated in March 2022, the Bangladeshi Taka has lost nearly 25% of value against the US dollar, and foreign exchange reserves plummeted as import costs and debt-servicing became more expensive,” writes Dr. Saim Amir Faisal, founder and CEO of a developmental social entrepreneurial organization called Citizens Programme for Human Development (CPHD). “The Pakistani Rupee has lost nearly 45% of value against the US dollar, the economy is on the verge of a collapse, as inflation soars, and foreign reserves continue to plummet to record lows; foreign reserves as low as $3bn. The Sri Lankan Rupee plummeted nearly 50%, ultimately bankrupting the economy, as dollar denominated debt could no longer be serviced due to the tremendous loss in value of the Sri Lankan Rupee, import bills could no longer be met,” he writes. In no way, shape or form does the author claim that the US Federal Reserve manufactured the currency crisis, but, there is tangible economic reasoning to suggest that the Fed rate was integral to the crisis unfolding. Dr. Faisal refers to the US Fed rate hike, between 1997 and 1998, which had a debilitating effect on Asian economies including the likes of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and South Korea – known as the Asian Financial Crisis. “The Thai baht was one of the first currencies to come under pressure, with speculators betting against the currency and pushing it to devalue in July 1997. The baht lost more than half of its value against the US dollar over the course of 1997, triggering a wave of contagion, as investors began to flee other Asian currencies as well. “The Malaysian ringgit and the Indonesian rupiah both saw sharp devaluations in the following months, and the South Korean won also came under increased pressure by currency speculators” reads the write-up by Dr. Faisal. Like this thought-provoking piece, with a number of takes on a range of issues – covering diplomacy, governance, policy and politics – a specialist English language blog “The Confluence” was launched yesterday. “In the current social media-driven, live update culture, we often miss the necessary contexts, including the backgrounds,” said founder and publisher of The Confluence, Barrister Shah Ali Farhad, who holds a Master of Public Policy degree with ‘Merit’ from Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. The ultimate challenge comes when perceptions are created based solely on such short-form content. With the objective to “globalize the local of Bangladesh”, The Confluence intends to fill those gaps with the requisite details through expert commentaries and analysis, according to the site’s objective. Renowned journalist and author Syed Badrul Ahsan is the blog site’s Chief Editorial Advisor. An interactive session was held at the launch, well-attended by the country’s senior journalists from leading local and international media outlets, who also stressed the need for such platforms that can bring insightful perspectives in policy discourse. “We are happy to welcome articles that seek to bring in fresh perspectives into even contested issues,” said Barrister Farhad. Somoyer Alo Executive Editor Harun Ur Rashid, who is also a correspondent of DW Bangla, said, “It is important to have such platforms to offer space for policy debates,” – pointing out a lack of such initiatives. Gazi Nasiruddin Khokon, who held senior ranks in prominent national media outlets, said that this initiative deserves attention but also advocated for strong adherence to a set of principles. Absence of such platforms often lead to the rise of speculation-driven narrative on certain policy issues as often relevant experts are not even quoted and disinformation reigns supreme, added Nurul Islam Hasib, a senior journalist. Visit the blog: https://theconfluence.blog/    

Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Tuesday sought the media’s support in advancement of the country's education sector. She sought this from journalists while addressing an iftar event organised by the Education Reporters Association, Bangladesh (ERAB) at a hotel in the capital as the chief guest. The minister said, "Our education family is one of the partners in the progress of Bangladesh under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter." She said, "We want our journalist friends to be with us at every stage of our progress in the education sector." "We hope that journalists are alongside us and will be with us and they will be objective and positive in all cases," she continued. ERAB President Mir Mohammad Jasim presided over the event which was moderated by its General Secretary Faruque Hossain. University Grants Commission (UGC) members Prof Dr Muhammad Alamgir, Prof Dr Biswajit Chanda, National University Vice-Chancellor Prof Moshiur Rahman, North South University VC Prof Atiqul Islam, Samakal Editor Mozammel Hossain, National Press Club General Secretary Shyamal Dutta, Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Director General Prof Nehal Ahmed, Dhaka Education Board Chairman Prof Tapan Kumar Sarkar, National Curriculum and Textbook Board Chairman Prof Farhadul Islam, Madrasah Education Board Chairman Prof Kaiser Ahmed also spoke, among others. Apart from this, Dhaka University Professor Tofail Ahmed Chowdhury, Professor Dr Mizanur Rahman, UGC Director M Omar Faruk, Journalist Borhanul Haque Samrat, Advisor to the Board of Trustees of Southeast University ANM Meshkat Uddin, Member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Scholars, Abdul Hasib Siddique, Education Engineering Department chief engineer Delwar Hossain Majumdar, General Secretary of the shadinata Shikkok Parishad Principal Shahjahan Alam Saju were also present at the event.

Professor Jude William Genilo has been appointed Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB).  ULAB’s Chancellor, President Mohammad Abdul Hamid has recently appointed him for this position for four years.  Prior to becoming the Pro VC, he served as the head of the Media Studies and Journalism department, Dean of the School of Social Science, and the Director of the Institutional Quality Assurance Cell at ULAB. Professor Jude earned his Doctor of Philosophy and Master’s Degree in Communication from the University of the Philippines-Diliman, the country's national university. He completed his undergraduate degrees in Bachelor of Arts (Economics) and Bachelor of Science in Commerce (Management) from De La Salle University, Manila. Before joining ULAB as one of its respected foreign instructors, he headed the postgraduate program of the London School of Public Relations in Jakarta, Indonesia. He served as a research fellow at the Kasertsart University Research and Development Institute in Thailand.  Professor Jude received numerous awards such as ASIA Fellows Awards and the UN Foundation-International Communication Association Research Grant Award. He also served as the author/editor of ‘Community-Based Communication: A New Approach to Development Communication’; ‘Bangladesh's Changing Mediascape: From State Control to Market Forces (with Prof. Brian Shoesmith)’; and Revisiting Anwar Hossain's '71 (with Muhammad Abdul Kader).  

Dhaka University authorities have suspended two students of 2020-21 academic session for their involvement in anti-disciplinary activities, misconduct and tarnishing image of the university. Those suspended are Naimur Rahman Durjoy of Anthropology Department and Sakib Ferdous of International Business Department, both members DU based of 'Proloy' gang, known for criminal activities. The university authorities issued a notice in this regard on Tuesday. Also Read: Two 'Proloy gang' members arrested  over assaulting DU student The notice also asked the suspended students to explain in written in next seven days why they will not be expelled from the university.' They were arrested and sent to jail on Monday on charge of assaulting a student of Dhaka University in front of Kabi Jasimuddin Hall on March 25. Sadia Afroz Khan, mother of victim Jobayer, filed a case accusing 24 students ( Proloy gang members) with Shahabag police station on March 26. According to the complaint, the gang members beat up Jobayer in front of Kabi Jasimuddin Hall of Dhaka University.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and economist Professor Muhammad Yunus recently visited Adelphi University in New York. During the visit, Adelphi University President Christine M Riordan and Yunus on behalf of Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing (GCCN) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a formal collaboration to promote positive change within their respective communities. In January, a team led by Dr Deborah Hunt, dean of Nursing School, and Dr Ani Jacob of Adelphi University visited Bangladesh to study GCCN nursing college's activities and operations and meet its principal and board. Yunus' visit which came as a follow-up of that visit included a tour for him by top university officials of the state-of-the-art nursing school and facilities of Adelphi University, "reinforcing their shared goal of inspiring youth to drive societal transformation." Adelphi University's nursing program prioritises holistic patient care, evidence-based practice, and hands-on clinical experience, taught by experienced faculty, with graduates "highly sought after" in nursing and their Center for Nonprofit Leadership is similarly committed to supporting nonprofit organisations and social enterprises in fostering positive transformations in their respective communities. The centre provides training, resources, and support to nonprofit leaders to enable them to enhance their organisations' effectiveness and sustainability. Also, the event "An Afternoon with Professor Yunus: Creating a World of Three Zeros," took place at the Adelphi University Ballroom in Garden City. Christine and The President of Adelphi University, Vice-President Christopher K Storm also spoke at the event, which was moderated by Deborah Hunt, dean of the university's College of Nursing and Public Health. Yunus spoke about the objective and current status of the establishment of the GCCN in Bangladesh with the support of the UK's Glasgow University, whose aim is to provide quality healthcare education to disadvantaged communities, which aligns with Adelphi's commitment to public health and community service.

Two members of ‘Proloy gang’, a Dhaka University based gang,  have been arrested for assaulting a student of the university in front of  Kabi Jasimuddin Hall on Saturday night. The arrestees are Naimur Rahman Durjoy of Anthropology Department and Foysal Ahmed Sakib of International Business Department. Both are the students of 2020-21 academic session.  Noor Mohammad, OC of Shahabag police station, said following a complaint of the victim's mother the two students were arrested on Sunday night and then sent to court.  Victim Jobayer's mother, Sadia Afroz Khan lodged a complaint  with Shahabag police station against 24 students of the university.  The accused belong to a group formed by some DU students of 2020-21 academic session named 'Proloy'. Its members are allegedly involved drug abuse, extortion and assaulting outsiders on the campus specially at the Suhrawardy Udyan and Shaheed Minar area at night.

At least seven students were injured in a clash between two groups of Bangladesh Chhatra League’s (BCL) Ashutosh Government College unit of Boyalmari Upazila in Chattogram on Sunday during the Independence Day ceremony. The clash took place around 12.30 pm at a programme on the college campus. Later, the police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. The injured are Arafat Hossain Tarek, Convenor of the College Chhatra League, Mahim Uddin, Jahed Hossain, Mithu, Altaf Hossain Hriday and Shubo Dash. All were treated at the Upazila Health Complex. Among them, Altaf Hossain Hriday and Shubo Dash have been referred to Chittagong Medical College Hospital. Students said, in the Independence Day program, two groups of College Chhatra League suddenly clashed with each other with iron rods and sticks which spread panic in the college campus quickly. Abdur Razzak, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Boalkhali Police Station, said that there was a clash between two groups of the BCL college unit. We are looking into the matter. Neither party has filed any complaint yet, said the OC adding that legal action will be taken if any complaints would be filed.

A seminar on "Prevention of Misinformation and Social Inoculation" was held at Jahangirnagar University recently. The seminar was organised by the pharmacy department of the university in collaboration with UNESCO Bangladesh Representative and In-Charge of Dhaka Office Dr. Suzanne Wise. As the chief speaker of the seminar, Dr. Suzanne brilliantly illustrated this with various contemporary and real-life examples in her lecture. Besides, she shed light on the creation and spread of such misinformation and how it can be identified. Sakiba Yasmin, professor of Pharmacy department, briefly discussed how society can be protected from the harm caused by such misinformation. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Didare Alam Mohsin, head of Pharmacy department, appreciated the contribution that UNESCO is making on behalf of the United Nations in the development of education, science and culture of the country. Briefly highlighting the major obstacles in the field of scientific research in the country, he sought the cooperation of UNESCO in collecting data from various databases and providing the necessary equipment for scientific research. Dr. Suzanne assured to extend all possible cooperation from her office under their regular programme and to continue bilateral communication in this regard. Earlier, Dr. Suzanne met with JU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Nurul Alam and had a brief courtesy. Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Sheikh Md. Manjurul Haque and Treasurer Professor Dr. Rasheda Akhtar were also present.

All primary schools in the country will remain open until 15 Ramadan (April 7), according to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. The school schedule has been fixed from 9 am to 3:30 pm, said a release of the ministry on Thursday. The schools will remain open a total of nine working days during Ramadan, it added. A coordination meeting presided over by secretary to the ministry Farid Ahmed took the decision at Primary and Mass Education Ministry conference room.

Enabling environment and equal opportunities can ensure children enjoying their full potential regardless of gender and can build their future to contribute to their country’s progress, said the speakers at a Model School Fair on Tuesday. The fair was organized by Plan International Bangladesh and SUROVI with the support of Directorate of Secondary & Higher Education (DSHE) under the project Child Bride to Bookworm in the premises of Maniknagar Model High School. This unique fair was inaugurated by the Chief Guest DSHE Directorate (Secondary) Mohammad Belal Hossain. Around one thousand students took part in this fair along with Government officials, teachers, and parents. Addressing the event, DSHE Directorate Professor Mohammad Belal Hossain said, following the efforts of the Bangladesh Government, a new curriculum has been introduced for two classes in 2023. Teachers are being trained to implement the curriculum.    He also mentioned that Head Teachers play the key role in driving the schools as model schools creating an enabling environment for the children. Teachers and parents have a supportive role to play here. This cannot be done alone. Integrated efforts are required. SRHR Lead of Plan International Bangladesh Ferdousi Begum said, Plan International Bangladesh has been working with several secondary schools following the guidance of DSHE. The learning should be disseminated among other schools. Syed Mainul Hassan, Deputy Director (Special Education) of DSHE, said, there is no alternative to develop smart Bangladesh to compete with the global world. For this, each and every school has to be a model school where all students, specially girls, will have the space to build themselves as skillful human resources. DSHE’s Assistant Director Md Khalid Saifullah said, to make a school a model one a few things need to be ensured, and these are- gender equity, quality education, inclusive education and trained teachers. In the conclusion remark, Ashik Billah, Head of Central and Northern Region of Plan International Bangladesh said, the project is working to reduce child marriage, school dropout, child labour and to strengthen school management through its intervention.  Executive Director of SUROVI Md Abu Taher spoke on the occasion as well. Following the event, children received awards for the best stalls of the day presenting the elements and process of their model school ensuring gender equality and enabling environment.