United News of Bangladesh

Zeiss, a leading German company with a global reputation operating in the optics optoelectronics sector and the only brand to provide both light, electron and X Ray Microscopes in Bangladesh inaugurated the state-of-the-art Labs@Location at the Biomedical Engineering (BME) Department of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) today. Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain Howlader, Secretary (Health Services Division) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, joined the inauguration program as the Chief Guest. Additional Secretary of Health Services, Mr. Nazmul Haque Khan, Director General of Health Services, Prof. Dr. Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam were present among other guests. Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain Howlader said, “Bio-Medication Engineering (BME) was established in BUET in 2016. Bangladesh has a large population. Medication is a necessary need of people. It is true that our economic capacity is not enough for our huge population. We do not have the industries to produce enough medical instruments for our country and we have to import the instruments from abroad.” “We always try to buy the best medical equipment but sometimes we could not avail them due to the ill practices of vendors,” he said while talking about importing medical equipment from abroad.   Addressing  Zeiss, one of the biggest medical equipment importers to Bangladesh, he said, “Bangladeshi patients have a great fascination toward German-made products. I request Zeiss to extend their facilities for Bangladesh and Bangladeshi people.” BUET pro-vice chancellor Prof. Abdul Jabbar khan said, “We are trying to prepare our graduates with knowledge in addition with information. So that they can function in industries with efficiency. We are focusing on making practical engineers, not theoretical engineers. And for this we are putting emphasis on soft skills of our students.” “This is the age of knowledge economies, and the main component of knowledge economy is intellectual capacity. It is a matter of regret that we are far behind in this sector. We need to focus on this part by producing skilled manpower who will contribute for the nation and the world,” he added. Speaking at the inauguration event at BUET, Vikas Saxena, Regional Head of SAARC, Zeiss Group said, "We are delighted to inaugurate Zeiss Labs@Location at BUET, which is one of the most prestigious institutes in Bangladesh. Zeiss has always remained committed to innovation in the field of science, and the latest Labs@Location is a testimony of our continued focus on providing current and future generations of science enthusiasts cutting-edge technology in the form of advanced microscopes and healthcare equipment. Each machine has been devised very carefully with the hope and belief that it will bring a significant change to how researchers view life and substance." Before the inauguration, Dr. Tarek Arafat, chairman of the department of Bio-Medication Engineering of BUET, gave a brief lecture about the fields in which they can contribute in the medication sector of Bangladesh, which include dialysis, medical gas systems, waste management, equipment management, fire safety systems, eye health, digital dentistry using 3D printing technology, and rehabilitation assessment through gaits.

The publication ceremony of a book on the country’s Bauls was held at a city hotel on Sunday. The book, “The Bauls of Bangladesh and the Untold Stories” was based on a research work by Professor Dr Anwarul Karim, an author, and researcher.  The Minister, LGRD&C Tajul Islam, MP was present at the ceremony as Chief Guest. Minister Tajul Islam paid glowing tributes to Professor Dr Anwarul Karim for his massive contribution to the Bangladesh culture by producing around 40 books both in English and Bengali. The Book, the Bauls of Bangladesh and the untold stories, had in it the songs of Lalon and the other Bauls. The minister said: “Lalon is now a world poet as his songs together with the other Bauls had left their mark on Tagore and our national poet Nazrul. Tagore’s Gitanjali which earned Nobel Prize has enough of Lalon and Baul influence in it. Lalon equals Socrates in his search for the ‘self’ through his songs. He also supersedes Homer as a folk poet regarding the theme and message as delineated in his songs.” Meher Afroz Chumki, the former Minister of Women and children affairs and President of Awami Mahila League in her speech also thanked Professor Karim for his contribution to the culture of Bangladesh through his research on the Bauls. She added that the government had also contributed to the development of Lalon academy which dr. Karim was founded in 1963 with the help of the local people.  Fariza Amena Karim, the young granddaughter of Professor Karim in her maiden speech praised her grandfather for his research on the Bauls. Presided over by Sultana Afroz the former Secretary and the Vice Chair of Bangladesh Institute of Folklore and Community Development the program was attended among others by the former Women and Child Affairs State Minister, Meher Afroz Chumki as the Special Guest, Professor Dr Tone Bleie of Norway, Director General (RO) Foreign Ministry, the Ambassadors of KSA and Norway and the High Commissioners of Australia, Members of the Diplomatic Corps. Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro and Professor Dr Abu Yousuf Md. Abdulla of Northern University Bangladesh was also present at the unveiling ceremony.    

The 15th convocation of Brac University was held Monday at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in the capital. A total of 4,889 students received degrees while 31 gold medals were awarded in various categories. Education Minister Dipu Moni presented the chancellor's gold medals. Professor Syed Mahfuzul Aziz, pro-vice-chancellor and acting vice-chancellor of Brac University, presented the vice-chancellor's gold medals. Omar Ishrak, former chairman and CEO of Medtronics, was the convocation speaker. Dipu Moni said: "We want our students to take the lead in knowledge creation, be progressive in thinking, inspired by honesty, humanity and patriotism, healthy in body and mind and energetic in action." "Since its establishment in 2001, Brac University has been producing competent graduates by imparting quality education," she added. Tamara Hasan Abed, chair of Brac University's board of trustees, said: "By exercising Brac University's teachings on empathy, graduates can switch on the light of hope for others." She also added that the graduates will take many journeys and reach many destinations over the next 50 years taking Bangladesh to the forefront. Mahfuzul, acting vice-chancellor of Brac University, said: "As a forward-looking institution, Brac University aims to help students develop empathy, creativity and entrepreneurship so that they can thrive despite significant social changes and grow as future leaders." "This will go a long way to help fulfil the mission of the present and future governments, businesses and social enterprises." Omar urged the graduates to develop a sense of purpose and a vision of how they all could make a difference. "This is the right time to think about it and drive priorities. Having long-term goals makes a difference and graduates should achieve purpose in life, remain committed to lifelong learning, stay informed and adapt to challenges," he added.  

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced that 22 universities in the country will join the uniform entrance test for university admission in the 2022-2023 academic session. Quoting Prof. Mohammad Alamgir, UGC member and convenor of the uniform admission test committee, a media release said a uniform admission test will be organized in all the universities of the country that are part of the process for the next (2023-2024) academic session.  Also Read: Islamic University won't join combined admission test system The commission directed the universities to take the test and complete the admission process promptly, reads the release. Authorities of the universities were advised to make the admission test process easy and student-friendly, it said.  The decision was made in a meeting at the UGC on Monday. Prof. Kazi Shahidullah, Chairman of UGC, said there are some challenges, but  there’s no scope to opt out of this system.     

The authorities of Islamic University in Kushtia on Sunday decided not to join the combined admission test system for the 2022-23 academic session. The decision was made at the 125th academic council meeting of the university with its vice-chancellor Shaikh Abdus Salam in the chair. IU acting registrar HM Ali Hasan told UNB that the university authorities would conduct its own entry test for the students as per its previous system. "Most of the departments opposed holding the admission test under the unified admission test system and that’s why we aren’t joining it," he said. IU VC Shaikh Salam would inform the decision to the University Grants Commission at its meeting scheduled to be held on Monday and final decision would be taken then, he added. Among others, IU pro vice-chancellor Professor M Mahbubur Rahman, treasurer Professor M Alamgir Hossain Bhuiya, acting registrar HM Ali Hasan, chairmen and deans of different faculties were present on the occasion. Meanwhile, a group of students of the university staged a demonstration on the campus in Kushtia on Sunday morning demanding to hold the admission test under its own process. Around 50 students from different departments formed a human chain in front of the university’s Mrittunjoyee Mujib Mural to press home their demand. Earlier, the Islamic University Teachers’ Association on February 12 decided not to join the cluster intake test process as it would create complexity, deferment and lack of combination instead of reducing the hassle of admission seekers. The association submitted a written statement to the university administration regarding the matter. IUTA president Professor M Jahangir Hossain said that the cluster admission process failed to meet its target of reducing hassles and sufferings of the admission seekers and their guardians as well.  

Team Sirius from the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) Saturday clinched the title of the AdventHR 2.0, an HR strategy-based case competition. The champions were followed by Team Scrutinizer from Dhaka University and Team Lamestream from the Islamic University of Technology (IUT). These three teams of the final round shared a prize pool of Tk100,000. As artificial intelligence (AI) and other forms of automation have become more advanced, they are increasingly able to replace human workers in a variety of roles. This creates a challenge for human resource (HR) managers to manage the workforce and ensure that their needs are met while also using the power of AI. To face these challenges and explore more about AI and its effect in the HR world, BUP Human Resource and Leadership Club hosted the second season of its flagship event AdventHR. The grand finale of the competition took place at BUP's Bijoy Auditorium.  

Activists and leaders from different women's rights organisations on Sunday protested against frequent torture and harassment, often sexual, by members of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the ruling party's student front. The protest was held in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh around 4.45 pm, and joined by the activists and leaders of different left leaning organisations too. The participants demanded justice for previous incidents perpetrated by BCL activists and leaders and also called on women to stand boldly against all forms of harassment. They demanded to form anti-female harassment cells in every campus centrally and at department level, to not restrict the movement of female students on campuses and not to fix the time for returning to halls for the female students at night. Mentioning the recent incidents at Islamic University, Badrunnessa Govt. Women college, Eden Mohila College and other universities, Biplobi Chhatra Federation president Mitu Sarkar, said, "The incidents of abusing women in the educational institutions especially in the public universities by Chhatra League has become a common thing. They are not only abusing girls verbally but also abusing them physically and sexually." "Female students are even being abused by female leaders and activists of BCL in the campuses," she added. General secretary of Biplobi Nari Forum, Amina Khatun said, "Today we are standing here to gain our rights. The name Chhatra League has turned synonymous with rape and abuse. I have two daughters, I'm worried about their safety." "Our prime minister is a woman. In spite of having a woman prime minister, we are not safe under her leadership. Our demand to prime minister is that she take measures to prevent sexual abuse of females and ensure our safety by expelling the criminals from the organisation, " Amina furthermore said. Jannatul <awa from Bangladesh Sammobadi Andolon, lawyer Sadia Ahmed, and students from different universities also joined the protest. They also protested BCL harassment through songs, poems and displaying news articles about rape, harassment and sexual abuse.

Chittagong Medical College (CMC) has expelled seven activists associated with ruling party's student front Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) found guilty of torturing four students in their hostel. The decision was taken as several allegations, besides that of torturing students and perpetrating violence in the dormitory, against them proved to be true, CMC Principal Professor Shahena Akter said Thursday night. "The decision was taken at the academic council meeting of CMC in the evening," she added. The expelled students are Abhijit Das and Md Riazul Islam Chowdhury of the 59th MBBS batch; Saju Dash, Sourav Debnath, Mahin Ahmed, Zakir Hossain Sayel, and Md Ibrahim Khalil Shakib of the 62nd batch. One of them was expelled for three years, three for two years and the remaining three for one and a half years. The academic council meeting also decided to install close circuit cameras at the main gate of CMC and appoint several hostel superintendents instead of one. On February 8, four students were confined in a room at the hostel from midnight to evening on unfounded suspicions that they were activists of the Islami Chhatra Shibir. Two students were admitted to its CMCH ICU after they along with two others were tortured. Later, CMC formed a committee to probe into the allegations of torture of the students.    

Fewer than one in five children (18.7 per cent) in Bangladesh participated in remote learning during COVID-19 school closures, which at one and a half years were among the longest pandemic school closures in the world, said UNICEF on Thursday. This extraordinary scale of the impact of school closures was confirmed today in the National Survey on Children’s Education in Bangladesh 2021, a joint survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and UNICEF. The survey shows that the hardest hit are the most vulnerable children who have limited access to the Internet and TV, and who lack supportive devices such as computers or smartphones at home. Fewer children from rural areas (15.9 per cent) participated in remote learning, such as online and televised, compared to those from urban areas (28.7 per cent). Significant geographical disparities also come to the fore with the highest percentage of students remotely participating in classes in Khulna and Dhaka (23.4 per cent and 23.1 per cent respectively), and the lowest in Mymensingh (5.7 per cent). The youngest children carry the heaviest burden as participation in remote classes was lower among primary school children (13.1 per cent) compared to secondary students (20.3 per cent in lower secondary and 23.7 per cent in upper secondary). “The pandemic’s impact on children is still reverberating throughout the country. It is critical to close the digital divide and to make the education system more shock responsive,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh. UNICEF provides technical assistance to the Government in support of learning recovery and acceleration, including on innovative remedial education.  “The Survey on Children’s Education in Bangladesh 2021 would help to understand the extent of the impact of the prolonged school closure during COVID-19 pandemic on attendances, out-of-school, drop-out, and learning loss of children, along with other education outcomes and support the Government to take steps for improving the quality and standard of education,” said Mohammad Abdul Mannan MP, Minister, Ministry of Planning. The survey also includes preliminary post-pandemic data on child marriage. The survey indicates a downward trend, giving cause for cautious optimism. According to the Bangladesh 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) – the country’s largest-scale and most authoritative survey on the situation of children – 51.4 per cent of girls are married before turning 18. The next MICS, set to be conducted in 2024, will confirm if the positive downward trend for child marriage indicated in the National Survey on Children’s Education in Bangladesh 2021 is sustained.

Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni said on Wednesday that students will be enrolled in universities through creating a national merit list after holding one admission test from the next year.   She told this to reporters after inaugurating a ‘Science Fair’ of the National University at Daulatpur College in Kushtia on Wednesday. Acknowledging some problems and limitations in the cluster system of the university admission test in 2022-2023 sessions, the minister said the problems will be addressed in future. Cluster method admission test was introduced  in 2021-22 academic year after bringing 32 public universities under it to enroll students on the basis of a merit list. Replying to a question about ragging at the educational institutions, Dipu Moni said it as a social menace and coordinated effort is needed to prevent it. She also sought cooperation from the media to address the social problem. Local lawmaker Advocate AKM Sarwar Jahan Badshah and NU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mashiur Rahman, among others, attended the event. A total of 18 science colleges participated in the fair this year.