United News of Bangladesh

In the month of victory, students at Dhaka University (DU) staged a symbolic protest against 1971 razakars (collaborators) by trampling Pakistan’s flag. A group of students displayed the symbolic flags at the entrances of the university’s TSC and three residential halls, bearing the message: “No compromise with razakars.” On Monday afternoon, symbolic protests were held at Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall and Bijoy Ekattor Hall, while a similar demonstration took place Sunday night at Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall. Earlier, a Pakistan flag was placed on the ground in front of the DU Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) building and seen being stepped on; the image later circulated widely on social media. Jamaat to form national govt even if it wins 200 seats: Ameer Speaking at the protest, Ziaur Rahman Hall student Karib Chowdhury said, “Our initiative this month of Victory Day expresses deep gratitude to the martyred freedom fighters whose sacrifices won us a sovereign Bangladesh. At the same time, we express our hatred and protest against the Pakistani occupation forces and their collaborators, the razakars and Al-Badr.” Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall student Munim Ahmed added, “In 1971, the Pakistani army killed numerous students in our halls. We harbor hatred for them and will make no compromise for these heinous crimes.”

A total of 74 aspirants have collected nomination papers for 13 posts in the Begum Rokeya University Central Students' Union (BRUCSU) and Hall Parliament elections, officials said on Monday. Election Commissioner Dr. Pradeep Kumar Sarkar confirmed the completion of the nomination paper distribution process around 5:30pm. He said that 7 candidates collected nomination papers for the post of Vice-President (VP), 9 for General Secretary (GS), and 11 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS). For the secretary positions, 6 candidates collected nomination papers for Liberation War and Democracy Secretary, 5 for Science, Technology, Health and Environment Secretary, 5 for Career and International Secretary, 8 for Literature and Cultural Secretary, 5 for Sports and Social Services Secretary, 4 for Transport Secretary, and 3 for Publication and Research Secretary. In addition, 11 candidates collected nomination papers for the post of Executive Member. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Shawkat Ali said the strong student participation surrounding the elections was very positive. BRUCSU election postponed over voter list errors He said the BRUCSU elections will play an important role in promoting democratic practices on campus and expressed hope that candidates capable of providing effective leadership for Begum Rokeya University will emerge through the process. “We are ready to make this election free and fair. The administration has been instructed to remain vigilant so that no dispute arises,” he added. Election Commissioner Dr. Pradeep Kumar Sarkar said the distribution of nomination papers has officially ended and noted that the student response has been satisfactory. Nomination papers will be submitted until the scheduled deadline on Tuesday. He expressed optimism about a festive election atmosphere.  

Jabian Club Limited, an organisation dedicated to graduates of Jahangirnagar University, has been formally launched following its inaugural Executive Committee meeting held on Friday . The Club was incorporated with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies (RJSC) on November 6 after completing all required regulatory procedures, said  a press release. The inaugural Executive Committee meeting took place at the Club’s Dhaka office, chaired by Mohammad Tahiat Hossain, a retired Additional Secretary and alumnus of the 9th batch. Dr Fahmida Khatun of the 10th batch (Economics) has been elected President of the Club, while Group Captain (Retd) Abu Hena Md Ameerul Ahsan of the 10th batch (English) has been named Secretary General. Members discussed key agenda items relating to the Club’s future activities and operational plans in a festive atmosphere, the release said, adding that full compliance with statutory requirements has been ensured. Jabian Club Limited aims to promote lasting connections among Jahangirnagar University alumni and support professional, social, cultural, sports, recreational and intellectual initiatives for its members.

A total of 192 candidates will contest the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Central Students’ Union (SUCSU) and hall union elections scheduled on January 20, 2026. The Chief Election Commissioner, Professor Dr. Abul Mukit Mohammad Mokaddes, published the list on the SUCSU website on Sunday. According to the list, 106 candidates will contest the central parliament elections, while 86 candidates will run for the hall parliaments of the university’s six residential halls. Chhatra Shibir announces full panel for SUCSU election For the central, four candidates have submitted nomination papers for the post of Vice President (VP) and seven for General Secretary (GS). There are five candidates for Assistant General Secretary (AGS), two for Sports Secretary, and four for Assistant Sports Secretary. Other nominations include two candidates for Literary and Annual Secretary, four for Cultural Secretary, two for Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary, four for Religion and Harmony Secretary, three for Social Services Secretary, three for Student Affairs Secretary, four for Health and Environment Secretary, five each for Education, Research and Career Development Secretary, Information and Technology Secretary, and International Affairs Secretary, four for Transport Affairs Secretary, two for Cafeteria and Canteen Affairs, and six for Law and Human Rights Affairs Secretary. Additionally, 26 candidates are contesting for general Member posts. The list also includes 86 candidates for the six hall parliaments. After nearly 28 years, elections will be held for 23 central union posts and nine hall union posts, with voting scheduled for January 20, 2026.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s SUST unit has announced a 23-member full panel for the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Central Students’ Union (SUCSU) and hall union elections. Azizur Rahman Azad, central publicity secretary of Chhatra Shibir, announced the panel named‘ Durbar Sustian Oikya’ in front of the university's central library on Sunday at 3:15 pm. Delwar Hasan Shishir, a student of the English Department and former student rights affairs secretary of the branch Chhatra Shibir, has been announced as the vice-president (VP), while Mujahidul Islam, a student of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and office secretary of the unit Chhatra Shibir, has been named the general secretary (GS). Mohammad Shakil, a student of the Department of Sociology and HRD secretary of Chhatra Shibir, have been announced for Assistant General Secretary (AGS). Mahbub Hasan Anu, a student of the Department of Anthropology, has been named the Sports Secretary, and Ahmad Bin Kefayet, a student of the Department of Food Engineering and Technology, has been named the Assistant Sports Secretary. The panel also includes Tamim Rizwan of the Department of Food Engineering and Technology as the Literature and Annual Secretary; Jaber Bin Abdul Khalek of the Department of Anthropology as the Cultural Secretary; Ibrahim Bin Islam of the Department of Petroleum and Mining Engineering as the Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary; and Asif Bhuiyan of the Department of Statistics as the Religion and Harmony Secretary. It also includes Azad Sikder, a student affairs secretary; Amina Begum of the Physics Department, also a student affairs secretary; and Ali Abbas Shaheen of the Department of Social Work. In addition, Shamsul Shayan of the Department of Oceanography has been named Education, Research and Career Development Secretary; Abdus Samad Shanto of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering as the Information and Technology Secretary; Sajjadur Rahman Shiblu of the Department of Chemistry as the International Affairs Secretary; Muhammad Ibrahim Sourav of the Department of Social Work as the Transportation Affairs Secretary; Asifur Rahman of the Department of Social Work as the Cafeteria and Canteen Affairs Secretary; and Burhan Uddin of the Department of Political Studies as the Law and Human Rights Affairs Secretary. The executive members are Sumaiya Nava of the Department of Public Administration, Adiba Saleha of the Department of Social Work, Shoaib Chowdhury of the Department of English, Mustafizur Rahman of the Department of Petroleum and Mining Engineering, and Jamilur Reza Saikat of the Department of Statistics. A total of 145 nomination papers were distributed for the central union and 106 for the hall unions. Of these, 72 were male and 34 were female candidates. Female participation was also notable in the central union election, with 15 women collecting nomination papers. Earlier, Prof Dr Md Nazrul Islam, spokesperson for the election commission, said the nomination process was completed peacefully and in an orderly manner. “The number of candidates this year is encouraging, and female participation is also noteworthy,” he added. After nearly 28 years, elections will be held for 23 central union posts and nine hall union posts. Voting is scheduled for January 20.

Jahangirnagar University (JU) has decided to rename four residential halls that were previously named after members of the Sheikh family, according to university officials. The decision was taken at a syndicate meeting held on Thursday evening with the vice-chancellor in the chair, acting registrar ABM Azizur Rahman said on Friday. He said the syndicate unanimously approved new names for the halls following long-standing demands from teachers and students in the post-uprising context. The halls renamed were Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, Sheikh Russel Hall, Sheikh Hasina Hall and Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall. According to the registrar, Sheikh Mujibur Hall has been renamed Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq Hall, Sheikh Russel Hall is now Nawab Salimullah Hall, Sheikh Hasina Hall has been renamed July 24 Jagoroni Hall, and Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall is now Shaheed Felani Khatun Hall.  

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has launched a bus tracking system on Thursday to make student transportation easier. The ‘SUST Bus Tracking System’ app was officially inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A M Sarwaruddin Chowdhury at 11 am on a trial basis. The app was developed by Saifur Rahman and his team from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (2020-21 session) of the university. Nomination collection for SUSTCSU polls begins Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md Sajedul Karim, Treasurer Prof. Dr. Md Ismail Hossain, Transport Administrator Prof. A F M Zakaria, Additional Director of ICT Cell Prof. Dr. Pabel Shahriar, Registrar Syed Shalim Mohammad Abdul Qadir, College Inspector (Acting) Md Yunus Ali, Additional Accounts Director Md Murshed Ahmed, Superintending Engineer of the Transport Department Emran Ahmed Chowdhury, VC Secretary and Additional Registrar Dr. A F M Salauddin, Additional Accounts Director Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem Talukdar also graced the ceremony. Through the app, students can track the live location of buses and also check bus stops and route information.    

A total of 251 candidates collected nomination papers in three days for the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Central Students’ Union (SUCSU) and hall union elections, the election commission said on Thursday. Professor Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, spokesperson for the election commission, said the distribution of nomination papers concluded today. On the first day, December 2, 26 papers were collected for the central union and 20 for the hall unions. On December 3, 58 papers were taken for the central union and 45 for hall unions. On the final day, December 4, 61 candidates collected papers for the central union and 41 for hall unions. In total, 145 papers were distributed for the central union and 106 for the hall unions. Of these, 72 were male and 34 were female candidates. Participation of female candidates was also seen in the central union election, with 15 women collecting nomination papers. Professor Dr. Nazrul Islam said, “The nomination process was completed peacefully and orderly. The number of candidates this year is encouraging, and female participation is also noteworthy.” After nearly 28 years, elections will be held for 23 central union posts and nine hall union posts. The voting is scheduled for January 20.

Several UK universities have suspended or restricted applications from Bangladesh and Pakistan, citing concerns over visa abuses and new Home Office rules. At least nine institutions have altered their recruitment policies, following a rise in international student asylum claims that prompted warnings from Border Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle about misuse of the student visa system as a backdoor to UK residency, reports Financial Times. The University of Chester, for example, has halted recruitment from Pakistan until autumn 2026 due to “a recent and unexpected rise in visa refusals.” The University of Wolverhampton is not accepting undergraduate applications from Bangladesh and Pakistan, while the University of East London has suspended recruitment from Pakistan. Sunderland and Coventry universities have also paused applications from both countries. Sunderland defended its approach, stating it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the student visa system. The recruitment restrictions come after the Home Office tightened Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) thresholds in September 2025. Universities must now keep visa refusal rates below 5 percent, down from 10 percent previously. Bangladesh and Pakistan had average refusal rates of 18 and 22 percent, respectively, in the year to September 2025. Combined, these two countries accounted for nearly half of the 23,036 student visa rejections. Other universities affected include Hertfordshire, Glasgow Caledonian, Oxford Brookes, BPP University, and London Metropolitan University, all citing visa processing delays, compliance pressures, or risk mitigation as reasons for suspending recruitment. Many lower-fee universities, heavily reliant on international students, face a dilemma as even a few non-compliant cases could jeopardize their sponsor licences. Education agents and advocates have criticized the move for harming genuine students. Maryem Abbas, founder of Edvance Advisors, said the suspensions leave legitimate applicants stranded and highlight the profit-driven nature of some overseas recruitment agencies. Universities UK International has urged institutions to diversify intakes, improve application scrutiny, and adjust deposit policies to comply with the stricter rules. The Home Office emphasized that the reforms aim to ensure only genuine students enter the UK while holding education providers accountable. The crackdown is part of a broader effort to curb net migration, which is at a four-year low, while preserving the credibility of the UK’s student visa system.

Rajshahi University (RU) has taken disciplinary action against three teachers and five students following allegations of sexual harassment and other forms of misconduct. The decisions were approved at the university’s 544th syndicate meeting and took immediate effect, according to a notice issued by the Public Relations Office late Wednesday. Associate Professor Anik Krishna Karmakar of the Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering has been suspended for three years and barred from taking part in any examination-related activities for the next ten years. He was initially suspended on February 17 this year after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced, prompting the formation of an inquiry committee. The syndicate finalised its decision based on the committee’s report. Meanwhile, Prof Prabhash Kumar Karmakar of the Statistics Department and Associate Prof Mohammad Hedayet Ullah of the Finance Department have been temporarily suspended. A further probe body will review their cases before final decisions are made, said Prof Akhtar Hossain Majumdar, administrator of the university’s Public Relations Office. The action against Prof Prabhash follows student protests on August 13 demanding his expulsion over sexual harassment allegations, after which the university formed an investigation committee on August 17. Of the five students found guilty, studentship of two has been cancelled, one has been expelled, and two others have been suspended for one year. The university did not publish their names as the list includes female students, Prof Majumdar added.