United News of Bangladesh

The Aga Khan School, Dhaka (AKS, D) has recently celebrated its graduating class of 67 talented students from the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) and the Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) A Levels.   To honour the graduates, the ceremony was held at a Dhaka hotel which was attended by parents, students, staff and the Aga Khan Education Service (AKES), Bangladesh Board of Directors, said a media release on Monday.  PM Hasina thanks Prince Rahim, Aga Khan Development Network for contributions in Bangladesh Head of Senior School Fahmida Chowdhury congratulated the parents and graduates, envisioning a triumph-filled journey ahead. “Remember that good things come to good people,” Fahmida said. “And if there is one thing I hope your education at The Aga Khan School, Dhaka has done, I hope it has instilled the values and ethics you need to make the right decisions in life and to be good people,” she said.  The keynote speaker, Chairman of AKES, Bangladesh Amyn Saleh, congratulated the graduating Class of 2023 on behalf of the Board of Directors. Stamp on Royal Opera House Muscat launched at Aga Khan Award function He highlighted the rapid technological advancements and environmental changes that have taken place over the lifetimes of the graduates, emphasising the need for them to be adaptable, lifelong learners equipped with 21st-century skills. He also commended the students' engagement in academics, service projects and sports. “I was thrilled to learn that all of you have been engaged in many community service projects and, at the same time, you have earned excellent results not only in your exams and national Olympiads, but also on the sports field,” Chairman Amyn said. “I am equally amazed by the number of university acceptances and scholarships awarded to your graduating class.” The graduating class chose two of their teachers to speak at the ceremony, ABM Shamsuddoha and Rokhsana Afroz, who commended the graduates for their achievements and growth throughout their academic journey 15 receive Aga Khan Music Awards 2022  They praised the graduating class’s dedication, hard work and ability to navigate challenges while participating in various co-curricular and extracurricular activities. They also emphasised the importance of integrity, kindness and a thirst for knowledge, encouraging the graduates to make a positive impact in the world and the local community and to be ambassadors for Bangladesh.  Aga Khan School holds first in-person graduation ceremony after 2019    

The authorities of Chittagong University (CU) on Thursday suspended two leaders of the university unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) for six months on account of beating a campus reporter of an online news portal two days ago. The Board of Residence Health and Disciplinary Committee led by the university Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Shireen Akhter took the decision two days after the incident. Read: SCC polls: 5 mayor aspirants lose security deposits CU Proctor Dr Mohammad Nurul Azim Sikdar confirmed the development, saying that the probe committee submitted their report on Wednesday night and the suspension order was taken on Thursday afternoon after a virtual meeting. He said that the suspension order will come into effect immediately and the two students will not be able to take part in any academic activities including examination during the stipulated period. The suspended students are Khaled Masud, law affairs secretary of the university unit of BCL and a 2017-18 session student of the Law faculty. The second man is Arafat Raihan, deputy office secretary and a 2018-19 session student of Sociology department. Imam Imu, general secretary of CU Journalists’ Association (CUJA), rejected the decision. “We didn’t want such justice. It was done just to show people that the university administration is hostage to the criminals while the probe committee proved that the criminals are stronger than the university administration,” he said, warning that they will continue the movement unless their demands are met. Read: Rescuers make last desperate push as final hours of oxygen on missing Titanic submersible tick down Since the incident of beating, the campus journalists have been demanding permanent expulsion of the accused BCL men. On June 19, Doust Mohammad, a campus correspondent of online news portal Dhaka State and member of CUJA, went to a stall to have a cup of tea at the rail station on the campus. He wanted to pick up a vacant chair from the stall to sit while the suspended BCL men barred him from doing this. An altercation broke out between them over the matter. At one stage some BCL men led by the duo beat Doust Mohammad, a Communication and Journalism department student of the CU. He is now being treated at Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

The Dhaka University (DU) authorities on Wednesday placed a Tk913 crore budget for 2023-24 fiscal year. About Tk15 crore or 1.64% of the total budget have been proposed to be allocated for research while only Tk70 lakh for primary health. Tk724.12 crore, or 68.29%, has been allocated for salary, allowances and pension, and  Tk208 crore 4 lakh 39 thousands have been kept for goods and services. Also Read: UGC proposes Tk12262 crore for higher education sector for FY2023-24 DU treasurer Professor Momtaz Uddin Ahmed announced the budget at the annual session of Dhaka University Senate at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury senate building around 3 pm on Wednesday. DU Vice Chancellor prof. Dr. Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman chaired the meeting. Prof. Akhtaruzzaman inaugurated the session by presenting the budget speech. Alongside, DU pro-VC (education)  Prof. Maksud Kamal, Pro-VC(Admin) Prof. Mohammad Samad, proctor Prof. AKM Golam Rabbani, senate members, teachers’ representatives, student representatives, Diponkor Talukdar MP, principals of 7 colleges affiliated with the Dhaka University were present in the session. Of the total proposed budget, the University Grants Commission (UGC) will provide Tk 768 crore  80 lakh while Tk 85 crore will come from the university's internal sources. Also read: Budget 2023-24: Govt allocates Tk88,162 crore in education sector, up 8.2% According to the proposed budget, there will be a deficit of Tk 60 crore 9 lakh, or 6.58%, in FY23-24. BNP-backed teachers walked out of the discussion session as the DU VC expunged Prof. Lutfor Rahman's speech about reported torture in guestrooms in the student dormitories. Prof. Lutfor Rahman is the convener of white panel, a BNP-Jamat backed teachers association of Dhaka University. Also read: Focus on quality research: President asks universities After the walk out, Prof. Lutfor Rahman said, "The DU VC is the main guardian, but he is not performing his responsibility properly. He is trying to establish a dictatorship. He does not treat all his students equally."  

Education Minister Dipu Moni on Tuesday informed parliament that the number of students enrolled in 6th grade to 12th grade in schools has increased appreciably by 52.5 percent since 2009 - that is over the tenure of three Awami League-led governments since that year.  Traditionally, Bangladesh and other developing countries have struggled to retain students in schools in these grades. Once students pass the fifth grade, poor parents often take them out of school and put them to work, or to look for work.   Also read: This is high time to allow PhD degrees in private universities: Dipu Moni The education minister had no hesitation in attributing this success to the government's "pro-poor" initiatives.  She divulged the information in reply to a tabled question from treasury bench MP Mamunur Rashid Kiran.  Also read: We’ve incorporated interactive learning at primary, secondary levels to ensure quality education: Dipu Moni Dipu Moni said that some 5,500 private educational institutions have been enlisted under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) over the three terms of the present government. While replying to a query from AL MP Nurunnabi Chowdhury, the education minister said that there are 701 government colleges across the country, with a total of 25.58 lakh students.  Of the total number, the number of male students is 12.97 lakh and the number of female students is 12.61 lakh. Also read: SSC exam will be held under new curriculum in 2026: Dipu Moni  

The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB)’s Department of Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ) has recently organized its ‘Fresher’s Orientation and Apprenticeship Day’ program for Summer 2023 semester at its permanent campus in the capital’s Mohammadpur. The newcomers to the department were welcomed through the event and given an overview of the academics of the university, along with the skill-based apprenticeship programs for their four-year undergraduate journey. Also read: Dhaka Flow to organize ‘Youth Wellness Festival’ at ULAB Professor Jude William Genilo, Pro Vice Chancellor of ULAB and the Head of the Department of Media Studies and Journalism (MSJ), delivered his welcome speech for the freshers by stating, “It's an occasion to celebrate because you entered the program that is highly recognized abroad. It's the only internationally accredited media program in Bangladesh, and because of this international reputation, we are sought by other universities seeking advice on how their programs are being run. We are the ones influencing the others in the region, not only in Bangladesh.” Consecutively, the MSJ faculty members and the admin panel introduced themselves at the event. Senior Lecturer Nandita Tabassum Khan discussed the history and mission of the department, while Senior Lecturer Muhammad Aminuzzaman showcased an overall preview of portfolio creation. Also read: ULAB Ranks 75th in WURI’s Global Top 100 Innovative Universities 2023 A video compilation of apprenticeship and outreach programs offered by the department was presented to educate on the practical value of these initiatives. Some of the current apprentices from each program were awarded for their diligence and commitment. Known as the flagship department of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), the MSJ department is devoted to cultural and communication studies with a special emphasis on film, media, creative art, public relations and journalism. Also read: ULAB DEH organizes workshop on Critical Medical Humanities in 21st Century Bangladesh  

Students of seven Dhaka University-affiliated colleges on Tuesday (June 20, 2023) blocked Nilkhet intersection to press home their 7-point demand. They put up barricade and staged demonstrations at Nilkhet intersection around 12 pm, triggering huge traffic jam on the adjacent roads, said witnesses. Read: IU Students protest attack on teacher, block Kushtia-Jhenaidah highway Stopping harassment of students of seven colleges at DU register building, revising CGPA conditions for promotion to next stage and publishing  results within the 90 days of examination, formation of a clear policy and authority and taking proper steps to solve teachers shortage and classroom space scarcity are among the demands of the students .

Jahangirnagar University first year admission test for the academic year 2022-2023 is going to be held tomorrow (Sunday). This year's admission test will begin with the admission test of the University's Institute of Business Administration (IBA-JU) at 9 am.Tomorrow at 10:25 am, the examination of the drama and theater department and fine arts department will be held under 'C-1' unit. On the same day, at 11:50 am, the examination of 'C' unit under Faculty of Arts and Humanities and Bangabandhu Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture will begin. Read: British Council IELTS Prize 2023 application now open for Bangladeshi IELTS test-takers This year, 2 lakh 49 thousand 857 applications have been submitted against 1 thousand 844 seats for admission. As such, 135 aspirants will compete against each seat in the admission test.According to the sources of the admission examination committee, this year there will be admission examinations for 34 departments and 3 institutes under 7 units. Read: Focus on quality research: President asks universitiesAll candidates for JU admission test are given nine directions to follow in the examination hall and regarding the examination rules which are mentioned in their admit cards.

Applications for the British Council IELTS Prize 2023 are now open for IELTS test-takers from East and South Asian countries, including Bangladesh. The annual competition supports IELTS test-takers with up to £5,000 towards university tuition fees in English-speaking universities. Read: Focus on quality research: President asks universities This year, the IELTS Prize is open to test takers living in China, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It will be open to students who have applied for undergraduate or postgraduate studies locally or overseas through IELTS and will begin their course from January 2023 to March 2024. The deadline for submitting completed applications is 15 September 2023. Read: Recruitment Scam: IU VC’s conversation goes viral again A total of seven winners will be selected through a competitive application process in Bangladesh to receive a cash prize to support their studies. Applicants who wish to find out more information about the prize, the application process, and review frequently asked questions should visit https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/study-work-abroad/ielts-prize.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Thursday asked the university authorities to stop focusing on increasing number of research. "University authorities should ensure the quality of research apart from increasing the numbers," the President said. He said this while a four-member delegation of the Dhaka University led by its Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr. Md Akhtaruzzaman paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. President's press secretary Joynal Abedin briefed the reporters after the meeting. Steps must also be taken in this regard, he also said. The Chancellor advised the universities to focus more on research activities to explore time-befitting knowledge and keep pace with the competitive world. Thanking the university authorities for making Dhaka University free of session-jam, President Shahabuddin said, "The incumbent government's continuity and political stability have contributed positively to this regard." The President said the country is now moving fast on the path of development and progress where new innovations in knowledge and science are mandatory. During the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor apprised the President of the academic development and activities of the university. Dr. Akhtaruzzaman said, "The session congestion caused by the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic has already been cleared by rescheduling examinations and class schedules under the Loss and Recovery Plan." Secretaries concerned to the President were also present during the meeting.  

A war crimes accused died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Thursday. The deceased was Nizamul Haque Miah ,76, of Sadhuhati village in Kashiani upazila of Gopalganj district. War criminal Abdus Subhan dies at DMCH Subash Chandra Bala, deputy district magistrate of Dhaka Central Jail (Keraniganj), said Nizamul Haque, an accused in a case over crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971, was taken to DMCH after he fell sick in the prison. Also read: Incarcerated war criminal dies at DMCH Prison guards including jail guard Md Solaiman Pradhan took him to the emergency department of DMCH at 6:08 am where the duty doctor declared him dead, said DMCH Police Outpost Inspector Bachchu Mia. Also read: War crimes convict dies at DMCH The body has been kept at the hospital morgue for an autopsy, he said.