United News of Bangladesh

Bangladeshi students who want to create bank profiles, in order to go abroad for higher studies, cannot do this due to a foreign exchange crisis, students and bank officials have said. Several students and bank officials have confirmed to UNB that the situation arose following restrictions on opening LC and limitations on services related to foreign exchange. Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Md. Abul Kalam Azad told UNB that the central bank has not imposed any ban on creating student profiles, but banks may not open the profiles due to foreign exchange crisis. “This is a temporary problem, which will be resolved soon,” he hoped. READ: Study in Japan: Scholarships, Tuitions, Application Process for Bangladeshi Students Muaz Ahmed, from Dhaka’s Eskaton area, wants to go to the Netherlands for a master’s programme. He went to a private bank to open a student profile, which is a must for going to EU countries for higher studies. But the bank authorities told Muaz that they cannot open such a profile at the moment. He went to two other banks to open a student profile, but those banks too responded in the negative. Private and foreign banks in Bangladesh open profiles for students going abroad. However, due to the ongoing dollar crisis, most banks have stopped opening these files recently. Sources in the financial sector said that some banks are still opening student profiles but only based on lobbying by influential individuals. Last year, City Bank opened 5,390 files for students going abroad. The bank has opened 7,840 new files till October this year. However, they have stopped opening new student files since the end of last month. Masrur Arefin, Managing Director of City Bank, told UNB that there is an acute crisis of dollars in the country. Because of this, banks have stopped opening new student files for now. Existing or previously opened files are still active. READ: SoP for Higher Studies: How to write an unfailing Statement of Purpose? Many students complain that admission process at universities overseas is being cancelled due to not being able to send dollars after completing all preparations. According to the “Global Flow of Tertiary Level Students” report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 49,151 students from Bangladesh went abroad for higher education in 2021. Bangladesh Bank data says that the volume of dollars sent abroad for higher education in the first quarter of the 2021-22 financial year (July-September) was $98.8 million. In the first quarter of the current fiscal year (2022-23), it exceeded $153.1 million. In the last fiscal year 2021-22, about $321 million was sent abroad for higher studies.

Bangladesh Chhatra Union staged a human chain protesting the price hike of education materials in the last few months. The protest rally was organised at the foot of anti-terrorist Raju Bhaskarzya intersection of Dhaka University at 4 pm on Monday. Bangladesh Students Union general member Saif Rudad presided over the programme while the organisation's assistant general secretary Mahir Shahriar conducted it.

The High Court on Monday issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the authorities concerned should not be directed to take steps to elevate the grade of assistant teachers of Government Primary Schools across the country to 10th grade from the existing 13th grade. The HC bench of Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and Justice Md Shohrowardi issued the rule following a writ petition. Read: Bill to provide free education to minor child of dead primary school teachers placed in JS The HC also asked the petition, submitted to the Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education in November last pointing rational views to upgrade the position of the assistant teachers to 10th grade, to dispose of within one month. Education Secretary, Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education and others have been made respondents to the rule which is returnable in four weeks. On November 10, 15 teachers including the assistant teacher of Barguna Primary Assistant Teacher filed the writ petition seeking to upgrade the scale to 10th grade from the existing 13th grade. Read: Primary schools to have one shift from Jan 2023: Secretary Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman and Advocate Zahirul Islam stood for the petitioner. Barrister Sumon said according to the petition several lakh assistant teachers of primary schools were getting salary under 13th grade of the pay scale but at the same eligibility many senior staff nurses, computer operators have been drawing their salary under 10th grade, which is a discrimination against teachers.

The Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education on Monday issued a showcause notice to Habibullah Bahar University College for alleged irregularities in its examination center. In the showcause notice sent by the board on Monday, it is mentioned that Additional Secretary of Secondary and Higher Education Department under the Education Ministry Abu Yusuf inspected the examination hall of the college on Sunday (November 13).  During the inspection, he found irregularities in the examination hall. He found that in some rooms two examinees were seated on a 4 feet bench and in some rooms three examinees were seated on a 6 feet bench. The additional secretary also found an environment where the examinees were talking among themselves and looking at each other's answer sheets in some rooms, the notice said. Read: ‘5 Jashore Board teachers involved in making controversial HSC question to be show-caused’ Hall observers were not properly performing their duties, which is  a clear violation of the HSC Examination Conduct Policy-2022, the showcause notice says. The showcause notice also asked Habibullah Bahar College to inform the board about its new seating plan of examination halls. Besides, officer in-charge of the college was also asked to give written reply within the next 3 working days. The written reply has to send to Controller of Examination Prof. Md. Abul Bashar of the Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education-Dhaka.

Eminent citizens of the country have urged the government to turn the Dhaka School of Economics (DSE) into a specialised public university. The request was made at the reception for new undergraduate students and farewell for the departing students of the institution held at the office of the Economic Reporter’s Forum (ERF) on Saturday. If DSE becomes a full-fledged university, it’ll safeguard monetary, fiscal and external economy and develop more human resources through capacity building with modern inductive learning techniques, said speakers. Pranab Saha, editor of DBC News was present as the chief guest. Economist and IT expert Professor Muhammad Mahbub Ali was the session chair of the event, while Shaheda Parveen Trisha, Vice Chairperson of Prime Bank Investment Limited, was the special guest. Read more: First Biotechnology Olympiad in Bangladesh held at JU First Biotechnology Olympiad in Bangladesh held at JU Speaking as chief guest, Pranab said that there is no alternative to create entrepreneurs for the development of the country. “If Masters and PGD courses are introduced for professionals through online in the current scenario like other Global universities, it will be more helpful in creating entrepreneurs,” Pranab said. Talking as a special guest, Trisha said that to be an entrepreneur, concentration and dedication are required along with hard work. Later, she encouraged the students with a motivational speech. The event was followed by a cultural programme.

A fourth year student of the Pharmacy department of Jahangirnagar University was allegedly beaten up by a student in Bangabandhub Sheikh Mujibur hall on Saturday morning. Victim Md Abrarul Haque Abrar said that he was assaulted on 3rd floor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall which is his residence by a fellow student Mubtasin Fuad of   Law and Justice Department as he called him by mistaken name"Rifat".Abrar added he was beaten three times. Abrar lodged a verbal complaint to hall authority. According to the verbal complaint, hall provost, warden and other teachers called an immediate  meeting and heard both complainant and accused on that day around 2:45 pm. Read: Complaint lodged against JU VC for graft Hall authority urged deescalation between them and dismissed the case. Accused student Fuad didn’t deny the accusation. Provost Dr.Israfil Ahmed said: "We didn’t receive any written complaint from the victim. If he submits any then we will proceed according to the Student Act of Jahangirnagar University." However, victim Abrarul Haque said,"l agreed to highlight mutual positives due to the hall provost and other teachers' insistence and pressure. I was pressurised to do it and don’t want to talk anymore about it."

A day long Biotechnology Olympiad was organised at Jahangirnagar University  with the theme "Jibon Dharay Notun Beg, Somriddhir Biotech" (New Velocity in Lifestyle, Biotech for Prosperity). Biotech Club of the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering in collaboration with the National Institute of Biotechnology and Farming Future-Bangladesh Organized the day-long Olympiad. For the first time in Bangladesh Jahangirnagar University organised the National Biotechnology Olympiad.The Olympiad inaugurated on Friday (November 11) at 9 am. There were a total of six categories of tests from 8th grade to university level, question and answer session, career chat, popular talk and prize giving ceremony. At the beginning of the day at 10 am, an hour-long examination is conducted in six categories at the Jahangirnagar University School and College. About one and a half thousand students from various schools, colleges and universities of the country participated in the examination. After that, a question and answer session was organized at Zahir Raihan Auditorium of the University at 12:00 PM. Teachers and researchers from different universities of the country answered the written questions of the participating students about biotechnology. At the beginning of the question and answer session, the Chairman of the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Professor Umme Salma Zohra said, For the first time the Department of Biotechnology organized the Olympiad. We are overwhelmed with such response from students from all over the country. This event will continue in the future. Swadhinata Padak-winning scientist Professor Hasina Khan was felicitated at the popular talk session at 2:30 pm. This scientist, who discovered the genome sequence of the national fish Hilsa, said, "A microorganism has been found in jute that can be used as an antibiotic. How many doors of possibilities are opening for us. When someone asks me what I have found in my long research life, I want to say, I learned from researching about cells that cells work in such a controlled manner, it's amazing. Another thing I learned is the chain of command. Everything in a cell is organized. These have influenced my personal life too." Professor Nazneen Nahar, Professor of Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology Department of Chittagong University, said, "When I came as a teacher in my department, very few students were admitted. Gradually the students increased, our research activities also increased. I think to bring more expansion at the job level. We feel its prevalence in our daily lives as well. We wouldn't have got the Covid vaccine if it wasn't for the genome sequence." Read more: Bangladesh team shines at 15th International Earth Science Olympiad 2022 Finally at 4 pm the result announcement and prize distribution ceremony was held. Total 30 students were awarded in six Category, five students each. Abhinandan Pal, Shadman Zaman, Fahim Monayem, Prayas Ahmed and Fuad Bin Asadullah were awarded in class eight category. Saifa Sultana, Sanjida Arfan, Albak Atiq, Marzia Khanum Molly and Swarna Biswas in Class nine; Samiul Islam Fagun, Mahjabin Afrin, Mariam Manwara, Abdullah Al Nahian Russo and Nishat Tasneem in class ten, Bisarga Saha, Irfan Hasan, Mrinmoy Sarkar Dhruba, Maliha Lahin and Rashid Shahriar in class twelve, Afrina Jahan Suchinta, Mohammad Osman, Ekramul Islam, Ashfaq, and Nibir Ahmed were awarded in the category of class 12. At the university level, out of students from 30 universities, Fazlul Karim Chowdhury, Samaita Sarkar Tuli, Jawata Afnan Sahara, Farhan Ishrat Rafi, and Anika Humaira were awarded. Pro- Vice-Chancellor of  Jahangirnagar University Professor Sheikh Md. Manjurul Haque was present at the time. Also, Dean of the Faculty of Biology of Jahangirnagar University Prof. Dr. Md. Nuhu Alam and President of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Department Prof. Dr. Umme Salma Zohra, Vice Chancellor of Sylhet Agricultural University Mehedi Hasan Khan, Chairman of Biotechnology Department of Chittagong University Nazneen Nahar, Sabina Yasmin of Dhaka University, Prof. Matiur Rahman of Rajshahi University, CIVASU Dean Ashutosh Das, Shaheen Mahmood, teacher of MBSTU, Shahab Uddin, teacher of BSMRSTU and other renowned faculties and students of biotechnology and genetic engineering departments of various universities in Bangladesh were present. Read more: Bangladesh women's team clinch silver medal in Group C category of Chess Olympiad

Students of Barishal University blocked the Dhaka-Kuakata highway for five hours after one of their fellow students died succumbing to injuries suffered in a road crash that they blamed on a reckless bus driver.  The aggrieved students started demonstrating on the highway in front of the university from 6pm on Tuesday, creating tailbacks in both directions.  On Sunday, Ismail Imon, a fifth year student of the university's Marketing Department, was severely injured as a Sakura Paribahan bus he was on collided with a roadside tree near Madhabpur on the Dhaka-Barishal highway. He was declared dead on Tuesday noon while receiving treatment at a private hospital, the students said. Read more: BCL blockade halts classes, exams at CU Abu Masum, one of the protesting students, said passengers on Kuakata-Barishal-Dhaka route often face accidents while travelling on Sakura Paribahan buses, describing the company as "notorious for their reckless driving". Another BU student, Rubel Hossain, said they are protesting with a five point-demand, including punishment of the driver, paying Tk 1 crore in compensation to Imon’s family, and cancellation of Sakura Paribahan's route permit.  Even as they called off their protest around 11pm, the students warned they would resume the blockade tomorrow following a Gayebana Jananza for Imon in front of the university at 10am, unless their demands are met. Khorshed Alam, proctor of Barishal University, said they tried to convince the agitated students to leave the roads. Read more: Protesting BCL faction suspends blockade at CU Fazlul Karim, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Barishal Metropolitan Police (south), said police were trying to bring traffic movement on the road back to normal, for which they engaged in discussions with the protesting students.

Five teachers of Jashore board who were involved in making the question paper for Bangla 1st paper of Dhaka board’s HSC exam (academic session 2021-22) that contained communal element will be show-caused first, said Professor Tapan Kumar Sarkar, Chairman of  Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board. The five teachers are Prashanta Kumar Paul, assistant professor of Dr Saiful Islam Degree College in Jhenaidah, Syed Tajuddin Shawon, associate professor of Government Victoria College in Narail, Md Shafiqur Rahman, associate professor of Satkhira Government Women College, Shyamol Kumar Ghosh, assistant professor of Mirzapur United College in Narail, and Md Rezaul Karim, assistant professor of Bheramara Ideal College in Kushtia. Of them, Professor Prashanat Kumar prepared the question and the others were involved in scrutinizing it, he said. Read more: Dipu Moni promises stern action against those responsible for bizarrely communal question According to the rules, those teachers from different educational institutions under Jashore board will be ordered to show cause, Professor Tapan Kumar UNB on Tuesday (November 08, 2022). After that punitive actions will be recommended against those teachers to Inter Education Board Coordination Committee and the Ministry of Education, he said. The ministry will then take further measures in this regard, said Tapan Kumar Sarkar. Read more: SSC exams: Bangla II's MCQ component postponed under Jashore board HSC and equivalent exams for the academic session 2021-22 began across the country with Bangla 1st Paper on Sunday (November 06, 2022). One question in Dhaka Board’s question paper raised a controversy and drew criticism. The bizarre and unnecessary passage said that two brothers, Nepal and Gopal (names generally used by Hindu community), had a land dispute. To punish his elder brother, Nepal sold the disputed land to a Muslim man named Abdul. But when the new owner sacrificed a cow on that land during Eid-ul-Azha, it hurt Nepal and he migrated to India. Read more: HSC exams begin across the country The controversial question in Dhaka Board's Bangla 1st paper 2022 HSC exam received huge criticism from people and educationists in Bangladesh for its blatant use of communal elements.

Education Minister Dipu Moni said the incident of communal incitement found in the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) exam question paper is very regretful and will not be tolerated. The minister made the remark while replying to a journalist's question on religious sentiment hurt by Bangla 1st paper HSC exam question at the International Mother Language Institute in the city on Monday. She said there was a specific direction about avoiding communalism in question papers, but sadly the questioner and the moderator both failed to identify the issue or took it normally. Also read: HSC exams begin across the country “The moderator will be identified and actions will be taken in this regard,” said Dipu Moni She said those who want to sow the seeds of communalism in student's minds will not be allowed to get involved in the procedure of setting or moderating questions in future. HSC and equivalent exams for the academic session 2021-22 began across the country with Bangla 1st Paper on Sunday. There, in the Dhaka Board’s question paper, one CQ (written) question raised a controversy and drew criticism. Also read: HSC examinees decline under Jashore Board The bizarre and unnecessary passage said that two brothers, Nepal and Gopal (names generally used by Hindu community), had a land dispute. To punish his elder brother, Nepal sold the disputed land to a Muslim man named Abdul. But when the new owner sacrificed a cow on that land during Eid-ul-Adha, it hurt Nepal and he migrated to India. This question received huge criticism from concerned people and educationists for its blatant use of communal elements, from established tropes to provocative dog whistles.