United News of Bangladesh

The results of the O’ and A’ Level June 2025 examination series have been published, with Ariz Anas, an A Level student of South Point School & College’s English Medium section in Malibagh, earning the prestigious ‘Top in the World’ award for securing the highest global marks in Mathematics. Ariz, who also has a strong passion for Biology, previously won the ‘Champion of the Champions’ title twice at the National Biology Olympiad. He represented the institution at the International Biology Olympiad in the United Arab Emirates in 2023, where he received a Merit Award, and went on to win a Bronze Medal at the 2025 International Biology Olympiad in the Philippines, says a press release on Wednesday evening. Following these achievements, he paid a courtesy call on the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh. Colonel Md. Shamsul Alam (Retd.), Principal of the Malibagh campus, said Ariz’s pleasant manner and positive attitude make him a source of inspiration for junior students. He extended his best wishes for Ariz’s future success. The institution has also demonstrated strong overall performance. The Cambridge Learner Awards, also known as the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards, honor exceptional academic achievements across Cambridge qualification examinations, including the highest marks globally in various subjects. The ‘Top in the World’ category is awarded to students who achieve the highest score worldwide in a specific subject. South Point School & College, which began its journey in 2002 in Gulshan with 200 students, now accommodates 18,000 students across its campuses. The institution operates under the patronage of Engineer M. A. Rashid, Chairman of Karnaphuli Shipbuilders Ltd., and the supervision of Mrs. Hamida Ali, former Principal of Viqarunnisa Noon College.

The appointed Election Commission has postponed all activities related to the Begum Rokeya University Central Students’ Union (BRUCSU) and Hall Parliament elections due to major errors and inconsistencies in the voter list. The decision was announced at a press briefing in front of the university’s administrative building around 5pm on Monday. According to the schedule, distribution of nomination papers began on Sunday (November 30) and ended at 4pm on Monday. The postponement was declared shortly after the distribution closed. Chief Election Commissioner Dr Md Shahzaman, along with Election Commissioners Md Amir Sharif, Md Masud Rana, Dr Mohsina Ahsan, Md Hasan Ali and Dr Pradeep Kumar Sarkar, were present. At the briefing, Election Commissioner Dr Mohsina Ahsan said all activities, including the distribution of nomination papers, have been suspended until the hall-based voter list is corrected. She said the commission found serious discrepancies, incorrect information, and incomplete documents in the voter list and hall attachment records provided by the university registrar. “Continuing the nomination process based on an incorrect and inconsistent voter list would compromise the fairness, transparency, and acceptability of the election,” she said. She added that such errors could cause legal complications for candidates. The commission also questioned whether the inaccurate information was sent intentionally to undermine the Election Commission and called on the university authorities to investigate if any officials acted with ill intent. The commission further stated it would “not bow to pressure” and would not proceed until accurate documents are provided. University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Shawkat Ali described the errors in the voter list as “undesirable” and said those responsible would be held accountable. However, he noted that it might have been better if the Election Commission had continued the election process without suspending it.

Dhaka University has decided to launch online classes from tomorrow in order to keep academic activities running smoothly at all levels. The information was shared in a press release issued by the university’s Public Relations Office on Saturday. According to the press release, department chairpersons and institute directors, in coordination with the respective deans, will begin online classes in their respective departments and institutes. Online classes will continue until further notice. In addition, regarding the renovation of buildings damaged by the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, a decision on the winter vacation will be announced later based on the recommendations of the inspection team formed with engineers. The university authorities have requested everyone concerned to cooperate in ensuring the uninterrupted continuation of academic activities. It is to be noted that, considering the mental well-being of students following the post-earthquake situation and for inspecting and repairing vulnerable buildings, all academic activities of the university were suspended from November 22 to December 6.

Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) authorities have suspended a student for stabbing a fellow student over a dispute regarding street painting and stall locations for the first-year admission test. The accused, Kazi Sadiq Mahmud, is a student in the Civil Engineering Department of the 24th batch. A three-member committee has been formed to probe the incident. According to the university administration, the incident occurred around 3:00 pm on Thursday when a scuffle broke out between Kazi Sadiq Mahmud and Md. Zahirul Islam of the Leather Engineering Department, over the selection of street painting and stall locations near KUET’s main gate. During the altercation, Mahmud stabbed Zahirul Islam on the left side of his stomach with a cutter. Zahirul Islam was immediately taken to the university medical center by his classmates. After initial treatment, he was admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital and is currently receiving treatment there. Following the incident, KUET Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Maqsud Helali convened an emergency meeting at 6:00 pm with the university’s dean, institute director, hall provost, student welfare director, department heads, and security committee members. The meeting decided to suspend Kazi Sadiq Mahmud and ensure full coverage of the injured student’s medical expenses, provide proper treatment, and strengthen 24-hour campus security. Final action will be taken according to university regulations after the investigation report is received. In a separate notification, all street painting and stall-related activities have been suspended until further notice to ensure student safety.

The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) on Wednesday (November 26) published the circular for the 50th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination, announcing 2,150 vacancies in total. Of these, 1,755 posts are allocated for different cadres while 395 are reserved for non-cadre positions. According to the notification, applications for the 50th BCS will open on December 4 and remain available until December 31. The preliminary examination is scheduled for January 30 with results expected on February 10. Read more: Youth held in Dinajpur over BCS question paper leak Candidates who qualify will sit for the written examination starting April 9 and the written results are set to be published on July 30. The viva-voce will begin on August 10 and the final results are slated for release on November 25, reads the notification.

At least five candidates for the 47th BCS written exam were injured in a clash with police when they tried to march towards the Jamuna in Dhaka on Tuesday evening. The injured are Md. Shahin, 28, Ashikur Rahman, 29, Shakil Ahmed, 28, Riaz, 27, and Abrar Shahriar Ullas, 28. All the injured are undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Injured Shakil told reporters that the BCS preliminary exam results were published in September. However, the authorities announced the written exam date without giving sufficient preparation time. “For the past month, we have been protesting in Shahbagh demanding a rescheduling of the written exam. We had requested Dr. Asif Nazrul, our Law Adviser, to ensure the exam is held on December 28. Instead, the authorities set the date for November 27. When we tried to move toward Jamuna today, police used baton charge, sound grenades, and water cannons,” he said. Shakil also said that several candidates sustained head injuries, with Shahin requiring ten stitches. Another candidate was seriously injured and admitted to the ICU of DMCH. Usually candidates get at least 240 days to prepare for the written exam after the preliminary results. Some previous exams even allowed a 14-month preparation period. But they are now denied sufficient time and faced police violence instead, he said. Inspector Md. Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, said that the injured candidates were brought to the hospital emergency department and are currently receiving treatment.

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has announced a re-schedule for the Shahjalal University Central Students’ Union (SUCSU) and Hall Parliament elections, with voting now set for January 20. Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. Abul Mukit Mohammad Mokaddes announced the new schedule on Monday night. As per the revised timeline, the draft voter list will be published on November 26, followed by the completion of all procedural steps before the final list of candidates is released on December 11. Voting will take place from 9am to 4pm on January 20. The Election Commissioner said the polls were deferred in response to students’ demands. Earlier, on November 14, SUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. M. Sarwaruddin Chowdhury announced December 17 as the election date. The initial schedule was then declared on November 16 by the Chief Election Commissioner. However, on Sunday afternoon (Nov 23), Professor Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, spokesperson for the SUCSU Election Commission, unexpectedly announced the postponement of the election.  

The Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka, in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, organized the "Pakistan Education Expo" in Dhaka on Monday, bringing together representatives from over 15 top-ranked Pakistani universities. The Expo is part of the Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor, an initiative undertaken during the visit of Pakistani Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh in August, wherein he announced 500 scholarships for Bangladeshi students to pursue higher studies in Pakistan, said a press release. The series of Education Expos in Dhaka and other cities are aimed at familiarizing the Bangladeshi students with the scholarship opportunities in Pakistan. The initiative is fully aligned with the shared vision of the leadership of both countries and has come to fruition due to Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif’s strong commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation in education, research, and innovation. Mr. Md. Mahbub-ul-Alam, Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bangladesh attended the event as the Chief Guest. Also present were Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam, Secretary of the University Grants Commission, Vice Chancellors and Principals of several Bangladeshi universities and colleges, members of civil society, representatives of Pakistan’s HEC, local journalists and a large number of students, reflecting strong interest in the initiative. Aftab Ahmed, Rector of the National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences, representing the Pakistani universities’ delegation as a key note speaker, provided an overview of the Knowledge Corridor and the scholarship opportunities available across disciplines in Pakistan’s top-ranked institutions.

The authorities of Islamic University in Kushtia dismissed Professor Bikash Chandra Singh of the Information and Communication Technology department, citing unauthorized absence and breaches of institutional discipline. The decision was issued on Monday in an office order signed by acting registrar Professor Manjurul Haque. According to the office order, Bikash completed a post-doctoral research programme at Old Dominion University in the United States but did not return to duty within the approved timeframe. He later sought a one-year extension of his study leave, from June 2023 to June 2024. The request was placed before the Standing Committee on Study Leave at its 188th meeting on October 2, 2023, but the committee declined to consider it. On October 17, 2023, the university asked him to rejoin within a month. He did not comply and instead applied for a second extension, from June 2024 to October 2025. The Standing Committee, at its 196th meeting, also rejected this request, the office order said. A subsequent directive issued on November 3, 2024 again instructed him to return to his post within a month. Bikash, however, remained absent without permission. The syndicate formed an inquiry committee at its 267th meeting on February 26, 2025 to examine the allegations. The committee later submitted its findings to the 271st syndicate meeting held on October 30 this year. The body concluded that Bikash had committed a serious breach of the IU Employees’ Efficiency and Discipline Rules. With the charges proven under Rule 3(h), the Syndicate ordered his dismissal under Rule 4(1)(f), retroactively effective from 10 June 2023, it added.

The authorities of Islamic University in Kushtia officially launched the Bachelor of Madrasa Education programme under its Institute of Islamic Education and Research, marking a significant step toward professionalising madrasa teaching in the country. An admission test circular, signed by IIER director Professor M Mostafizur Rahman, confirmed the matter on Monday. According to the IIER office, the one-year, two-semester programme is designed to enhance teaching quality, curriculum development, and pedagogical skills within the madrasa system. Admissions for the 2025–26 academic year are open from November 4 to November 30, with 50 seats available. Applicants must collect forms by depositing Tk 1,500 at the Agrani Bank branch on the IU campus. The total programme fee is Tk 30,000. Selection will be determined through a competitive test. More information regarding the programme is available on the university website at www.iu.ac.bd.