United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury has urged Dhaka University alumni in the UK to take a more active role in Bangladesh’s investment and development initiatives. He made the call at an event hosted by Dhaka University Alumni Association UK marking its 10th anniversary with a grand reunion in London, bringing together over 300 former students for a day filled with nostalgia, inspiration, and cultural festivity. The event held at Sir James Hawkey Hall in Woodford on Saturday was attended by distinguished guests, said a press release. In his keynote address, Ashik Chowdhury lauded the alumni for their achievements and global contributions, noting that Dhaka University graduates abroad play a vital role in promoting Bangladesh’s development, investment potential, and international image. “The role of Dhaka University alumni abroad is truly unique,” he said High Commissioner Abida Islam praised the alumni’s professional success and commitment to community service, describing them as “ambassadors of Bangladesh’s brilliance, leadership, and cultural heritage.” She expressed hope that their unity would open new opportunities for collaboration in education, research, and investment between Bangladesh and the UK. The celebration was presided over by Dr Md Mosaddeque Hossain Biswash Dambel, President of the association, and also addressed by General Secretary Khaled Millat, Trustee Board Chair Adhir Ranjan Das, and 10th Anniversary Convener Syeda Saima Ahmed. Founding members, executive committee representatives, and alumni from across the UK joined the occasion.  The day-long programme featured interactive sessions, nostalgic recollections of campus life, and a lively cultural evening. US-based singer Arzeen Kamal performed alongside traditional and contemporary dance and folk music, adding vibrancy to the festivities. The event, moderated by founding member Bulbul Hasan, concluded with renewed pledges to promote unity, collaboration, and pride in the Dhaka University legacy.  

Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam was an enlightened teacher who viewed education and teaching not merely as a profession, but as a moral pursuit and a human responsibility, said speakers at a memorial in BRAC University recently. Professor Manzoorul believed that the true goal of education was not simply to acquire information or degrees, but to awaken knowledge, beauty, and human values within the learner—nurturing minds that are not only informed but also humane and socially conscious, they said. Known to his students and colleagues as SMI, Professor Manzoorul, revered for his teaching, literary brilliance, and principled engagement with Bangladesh’s cultural and civic spheres, breathed his last on 10 October 2025 while undergoing treatment at Labaid Hospital in Dhaka. The memorial was organized by the Department of English and Humanities, where he used to teach literature courses. Professor Manzoorul was the founding adviser of the department and a key member of the team that designed its curriculum. Students read out short stories, and Associate Professor Asifa Sultana and Assistant Professor Syeda Farzana Sultana, former students of Professor Manzoorul at the University of Dhaka who went on to become his colleagues, rendered Rabindra Sangeet. The program ended with a video compiled by Lecturer Shakika Rubaiat urging the youth to follow in Professor Manzoorul’s footsteps in leaving a meaningful mark in the world. The memorial featured heartfelt tributes from friends and colleagues, including Rasheda K Chowdhury, member, board of trustees, BRAC University; Pro-Vice-Chancellor Arshad Mahmud Chowdhury, Professor Emeritus Manzoor Ahmed, and Md Golam Samdani Fakir, director, Learning and Teaching Innovation Centre. Professor Firdous Azim, chairperson of the Department of English and Humanities; Professor Sabiha Huq, Zainab Farooqui Ali, chairperson of the Department of Architecture; Tazin Aziz Choudhury, chairperson, Department of English, University of Dhaka; Professor Tahmina Ahmed, academic and writer Professor Fakrul Alam, and researcher and journalist Afsan Chowdhury were also present.

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has formed a 13-member Election Commission for the upcoming Shahjalal University Central Students’ Union (SUCSU) elections, with Professor Dr. Abul Mukit Mokaddes of the Department of Industrial and Production Engineering appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. AM Sarwar Uddin Chowdhury announced the formation of the commission in front of the university’s administrative building at 6:30 pm on Monday. The other members of the commission are Professors Dr. Md. Kamrul Islam, Dr. Md. Misbah Uddin, Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Dr. Md. Ashraf Siddiqui, Dr. Md. Rizaul Islam, Dr. G. M. Rabiul Islam, Dr. Rezwan Ahmed, Dr. Md. Mahbubul Alam, Md. Abdul Jalil, Dr. Mohammad Manzur-ul-Haider, Architect Iftekhar Rahman, and Associate Professor Mohammad Razik Mia. During the announcement, students demanded that the election roadmap be declared by next Wednesday. In response, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Sarwar Uddin Chowdhury assured that the Chief Election Commissioner will announce the election roadmap soon in coordination with the students.

If anyone is seen smoking publicly on the premises of Dhaka University’s Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haq Hall, a fine ranging from a minimum of Tk 50 to a maximum of Tk 300 will be imposed. A notice regarding this was issued by the hall office on Monday. The notice mentions, “For the information of all residential students of Zahurul Haq Hall, it is hereby informed that, in order to maintain a healthy, safe, and education-friendly environment within the hall premises, the following decisions have been taken.” ‘If anyone is seen smoking publicly on the hall premises, a fine ranging from a minimum of Tk 50 to a maximum of Tk 300 will be imposed according to the prevailing government law.’ ‘Drug consumption prohibited: If evidence is found of consuming or possessing yaba, marijuana, heroin, or any other kind of narcotic substance, the concerned student will be expelled from the hall in the presence of their guardian.’ The notice stated that the purpose of these decisions is to ensure a healthy, clean, and peaceful environment for all students of the hall. Therefore, all students are requested to strictly abide by these rules. Times Higher Edu Ranking: Dhaka University climbs 200 places The provost said, “There had been complaints for many days from non-smokers regarding smoking. They said that some restrictions should be imposed on smoking in common spaces so that non-smokers are not affected by it. They had also suggested creating a smoking zone, but that, in a way, promotes smoking.” “This is mainly to create awareness. Anyone may smoke in their own room or in a place where it does not affect others.”    

More than a hundred people were injured in a series of clashes between students of private Daffodil International University and City University in Savar, following a trivial incident that escalated from Sunday night to early Monday. Several structures of the institutions were vandalised, and eight to ten vehicles were set on fire.  A tense situation was prevailing in the area as of filing this report at 10:30am. Witnesses said the incident began around 7pm on Sunday in the Khagan area of Savar when a Daffodil student walking past Bachelor Paradise was accidentally hit by saliva spat on the road by a City University student. A heated argument ensued between them, leading to a scuffle. Although the situation was temporarily calmed, tensions soon spread across both campuses. Later, City University students allegedly attacked the Bachelor Paradise residence, which houses Daffodil University students, causing damage to valuables. Barishal University suspends four students over football match clash Despite several emergency meetings held throughout the night by university administrations and student representatives in an effort to resolve the matter, tensions continued to rise. Around midnight, a group of Daffodil students, equipped with homemade weapons, retaliated by attacking City University. They broke through the main gate and vandalised several offices, including those of the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, and Registrar, as well as the conference room, computer lab, accounts office, and other facilities. Besides, eight to 10 vehicles were set ablaze, and valuables were looted during the attack. The violence, which continued until around 4am, left over a hundred students injured.  Of them, 30–35 were admitted to hospitals in Savar and Dhaka for treatment. Following the clashes, several nearby universities, schools and colleges remained closed on Monday. Officer-in-Charge Jewel Mia of Savar Police Station told UNB that additional police and other law enforcement personnel have been deployed, and the situation is currently under control.  However, he said,  tensions remain high among students on the campuses.

A female student of Rajshahi University (RU) drowned while swimming in the university’s swimming pool on Sunday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Saima Hossain, a 2020-21 session student of the Department of Sociology. She was a resident of Kushtia. Confirming the incident to UNB, RU Proctor Professor Dr. Md. Mahbubur Rahman said Saima went to the swimming pool in the afternoon to swim but suddenly drowned. Her classmates rescued her and rushed her to the emergency department of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

A partial convening committee of the University Teachers Link (UTL) at Jagannath University (JnU) has been formed. The 15-member committee has appointed Professor Dr. Abu Laek from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering as the Convener, and Dr. Asadur Rahman Sadi, Associate Professor from the Department of Law, as the Member Secretary. On Sunday (October 26) at 2 p.m. Professor Md. Ataur Rahman Biswas, the Central Convener of UTL, will officially announce the committee at the university’s teachers’ lounge. In a written statement, Mohammad Belal Hossain said,In the context of the independence of 1947, the liberation of 1971, and the July Revolution of 2024, UTL has emerged with a clear vision. The vision of the organization is to build a dignified, independent, and committed academia that adheres to the standards of education, research, and moral responsibility. Alongside, we aim to work on five fundamental principles academic excellence, self-respect, national commitment, religious tolerance, and collective responsibility.” Regarding membership, he said, “Any teacher from public or private universities in Bangladesh who agrees with the principles, vision, mission, goals, and activities of UTL is eligible to become a member.” In response to a journalist’s question, Dr. Mohammad Belal Hossain explained, “Ideologically, UTL is an organization of teachers who believe in Bangladeshi nationalism and Muslim nationalism. It is a platform for centrist, right-wing, and faith-based academics a community of believers. We have made it clear that people of any faith may join UTL, but those who identify as secular or non-religious cannot become members.” When asked about UTL’s role in the DUCSU elections, Professor Md. Ataur Rahman Biswas, the Central Convener, said, “UTL has always advocated for fair and democratic DUCSU elections. We provided various suggestions to the administration and monitored each polling center on the election day. Likewise, we will provide full support to the administration to ensure a free and fair student council election at Jagannath University, Inshallah.” Other members of the committee include: Joint Conveners Professor Dr. Muhammad Nurullah (Department of Islamic Studies) and Professor Dr. Tarek Muhammad Shamsul Arefin (Department of Economics), Joint Member Secretary Assistant Professor Ashraf Uddin (Department of Geography and Environment), Treasurer Associate Professor Muhammad Abdus Salam (Department of Philosophy). In addition, nine more faculty members will serve as general members of the committee. The event was attended by Professor Dr. Mosharraf Hossain, Treasurer of UTL Central Committee and Chairman of the Department of Finance at the University of Dhaka and several teachers from various departments of Jagannath University.  

Barishal University (BU) has taken disciplinary action against 25 students over a clash between two departments that erupted during a football match about one and a half months ago. Four students have been suspended for six months for their involvement in the incident while 21 others have been asked to submit undertakings in the presence of their guardians, said BU Proctor Dr Rahat Hossain Faisal. He said the university syndicate approved the actions during its meeting on October 11, and the decision was published on Thursday after formal approval of the agenda resolution. The suspended students are Shawon Sheikh and Sazzad Hossain of the Accounting and Information Systems (AIS) Department, Shahariar Shawon of the Marketing Department and Accounting Department student Tarikul Islam Nayon. Barishal University students begin academic shutdown Shawon Sheikh and Sazzad Hossain have been expelled for one semester. Tarikul Islam Nayon has been handed either a six-month expulsion or a Tk 40,000 fine as an alternative punishment while Shahariar Shawon faces a similar six-month expulsion or a Tk 20,000 fine. Besides, 10 students from Marketing and 11 from AIS have been instructed to appear with their guardians before the proctor’s office within seven working days and submit written bonds. The clash took place on September 12 at a playground adjacent to the campus and was later reviewed by the syndicate.

The admission tests for undergraduate and honours first-year programmes at Khulna University (KU) for the 2025-26 academic session will be held on December 18 and 19. According to a notice issued by the university registrar’s office, the ‘A’ and ‘B’ unit exams are scheduled for December 18. The ‘A’ unit covers disciplines under the School of Science, Engineering and Technology, while the ‘B’ unit includes those under the School of Biological Sciences. On December 19, the ‘C’ and ‘D’ unit exams will be held. The ‘C’ unit comprises disciplines from the School of Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Education and Fine Arts, while the ‘D’ unit represents the School of Management and Business Administration. Jahangirnagar University admission test starts Sunday Detailed information regarding the admission tests and application procedures will be available on KU’s official website from October 29. The university has advised students to regularly visit the website for updates and instructions.

Participants at a roundtable discussion on Wednesday called for collective action to bridge the education-to-employment divide to ensure more productive workforce, higher economic growth, and improved individual well-being. They suggested forging strategic partnerships and offering innovation funding and in-kind support from both public and private sectors for bridging the gap. They were speaking at the high-level roundtable discussion titled “From Classrooms to Careers: Strengthening Bangladesh’s Future” organised by SAJIDA Foundation at a hotel in the capital. While presiding over the discussion, SAJIDA Foundation Chairperson Farooq Sobhan, also a former diplomat, said Bangladesh has lagged behind many countries, whose economy was once weaker than Bangladesh’s, only because of low quality of education. He said, “Bangladesh was once ahead of four Asian countries – China, South Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam – but they all have surpassed us. The main reason [behind their progress] is education. It was quality education and education for all.” “We can do it in Bangladesh. But there are many challenges that we need to overcome. We need to take a holistic approach for enhancing the quality of education,” he added calling all stakeholders to work together for quality education. The roundtable brought together government policymakers, business leaders, academics, and development partners to discuss how Bangladesh can better align education with the needs of a rapidly changing economy. In her opening remarks, Zahida Fizza Kabir, CEO of SAJIDA Foundation, highlighted that Bangladesh stands at a critical crossroads with one of the world’s youngest populations. “Our youth are our greatest asset, only if we equip them with the skills and mindsets needed for the future. If education does not keep pace with today’s realities, our demographic dividend could easily turn into a demographic burden,” she said. Sal Khan, Founder of Khan Academy, spoke at the event virtually. He emphasised the transformative power of technology in democratising education. “When students are given access to high-quality learning tools and teachers are empowered to personalise instruction, transformation happens at scale. Bangladesh has the potential to lead this change by combining innovation, inclusivity, and the dedication of its educators,” he said. He commended the early success of Khan Academy Bangladesh, calling it “an inspiring example of how local partnerships and global collaboration can reimagine education systems for the future.” The progress of a pilot project run by Khan Academy Bangladesh was presented at the roundtable, which shows that across 31 pilot schools and 5,342 students, learners on average demonstrated a ninefold increase in learning mastery and a sixfold rise in engagement. While presenting the progress Azwa Nayeem, CEO of Khan Academy Bangladesh and Strategy Lead for Education at SAJIDA Foundation, said teachers at the schools are now using data and digital tools to tailor instruction to each student’s needs. “The results show that transformation is not only possible, it is happening when teachers are empowered and supported with the right tools,” she added. Participants shared insights on how the private and public sector could collaborate to make education more relevant to the 21st-century workforce.