United News of Bangladesh

The English Club of Notre Dame University Bangladesh (NDUB) organised an inter-university cultural and literary competition titled “Light Within the Masquerade” on Tuesday at the university campus. Students from various universities across the country participated in this vibrant and colourful event, according to a press release. Renowned National Film Award-winning actor and President of Actors’ Equity Bangladesh, Shahiduzzaman Selim, was present as the chief guest. Special guests included Dr Fr Charles B. Gordon, CSC, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of NDUB, and Prof Golam Sarwar Chowdhury, Head of the Department of English. Shahiduzzaman Selim said this is a significant student-led event that reflects the growing cultural and literary enthusiasm among the youth. “Such programmes encourage creativity, imagination, and artistic sensibility. I believe this competition will remain a memorable and inspiring experience for both participants and audiences alike,” he added. The competition featured diverse segments including poetry, short stories, debate, drama, acting, and musical performances, providing students with a platform to showcase their talents and creativity. The organisers said that the primary aim of the event was to promote literary appreciation, cultural awareness, and creative expression among young people. The day-long programme concluded with a prize distribution ceremony, where winners were awarded for their outstanding performances. The organisers also announced plans to expand the scale of the competition in the coming years.

The ongoing deadlock in the country’s educational institutions will be resolved soon, Education Adviser CR Abrar has said. Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Tuesday, he described the situation as ‘unfortunate’ and confirmed that the education ministry is taking the matter seriously. He said that the ministry is concerned and is closely monitoring the developments. “We believe the problems can be solved through discussion," he said. "All necessary support will be provided by the education ministry to bring things back to normal." The adviser also said that unwanted incidents in several universities are disrupting education. "No one wants this kind of situation. But we are confident it will be resolved soon through dialogue," he added.

After a day of drama in court, the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) election remains on course to be held on September 9. The court had given a verdict to postpone the election. In response, students and leaders-activists of various organizations of Dhaka University held protests over the matter. Eventually, based on a petition by lawyer Shishir Manir, the Chamber Judge of the Supreme Court suspended the High Court’s order. As a result, there is no longer any obstacle to holding the DUCSU election on September 9. As soon as the news of the election postponement had come to light, students from various dormitories brought out protest processions. They chanted slogans like “DUCSU is my right, who has the power to stop it”; “1-2-3-4, DUCSU is my right”, etc. Reacting to the situation, the ‘Oikyoboddho Shikkarti Jhot’, the panel backed by Islami Chhatra Shibir, held an immediate press conference. After that, they held a protest march around the campus and a rally at the VC Chattar. DUCSU GS candidate SM Farhad from Shibir's panel said "Students' right, DUCSU, will happen on the 9th September. All conspiracies will be foiled." He added, “This verdict should not have been to postpone DUCSU. When you don't give a specific ruling — whether SM Farhad can run or not — and instead move toward cancelling DUCSU, then it must be understood that the one who filed the writ had prepared in advance; the lawyer, the patroniser of the matter — all are part of this conspiracy.” Farhad further said, “I urge students that those involved with this writ, those not giving a to-the-point verdict but heading directly to sabotage DUCSU — we will mark them, and on the 9th September, students will show them the red card.” VP candidate Shadik Kayem said, “A group has tried to create instability on different campuses. They are plotting to shut down all student unions including DUCSU. We must be alert. Those who are conspiring must be resisted. DUCSU elections — the dream of students — will take place on time.” The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal also held a protest march around the campus and a rally in front of Aparajeyo Bangla. At the rally, VP candidate from the Chhatra Dal panel Abidul Islam Khan said, “We want to make it clear — DUCSU election will be held on the 9th September.” Addressing the DU administration and DUCSU Election Commission, he said, “You’ve arranged an election that left various loopholes to stop it.” About the writ filed in the High Court by the Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary candidate from Aparajeyo 71, Odommo 24 panel, Fahmida Alam, challenging SM Farhad’s candidacy, he said, “Farhad never resigned from his post in Chhatra League before or after August 5. Even though all Chhatra League post-holders have been disqualified, he’s being kept. You (DU administration) are playing a joke?” “For the DUCSU writ, this university administration appointed Shishir Manir as lawyer. This administration stands on our blood. You were not placed here to represent any political party.” He added, “We’ve submitted repeated complaints about DUCSU’s code of conduct, but the Election Commission took no steps. Everyone be warned. Maintain neutrality.” Meanwhile, Abdul Kader, VP candidate from the ‘Boishommo Birodhi Shikkarti Sangsad’ panel backed by Bangladesh Ganatantrick Chhatra Sangsad, said, “The decision to hold DUCSU should come from Dhaka University, not the High Court.” He said this at an emergency press conference in front of the DUCSU building. He said, “The DUCSU election was supposed to happen right after August 5, but even after nearly a year, it didn’t. Finally, the administration announced September 9. But still, the conspiracy to derail DUCSU hasn’t ended. Today’s conspiracy — students have responded by showing the red card.” He further said, “Just to cancel one person’s candidacy, the entire DUCSU was tried to be sabotaged through the writ. What we feared is happening. Various mechanisms were introduced to demotivate students regarding DUCSU.” DMP commissioner warns against any trouble to disrupt DUCSU polls In addition, a press conference was held by the ‘Sotontra Shikkarti Oikkyo’ panel. VP candidate Umama Fatema from the panel said, “Over the past few days, campuses have been turning unstable. After incidents at Chittagong University and Agricultural University, today there was a declaration to stop DUCSU elections. We believe this is part of the same series of conspiracies.” She said, “In recent days, students from various universities were collecting nomination papers, announcing panels, and the DUCSU election was nearing. A hopeful democratic environment was prevailing among students across the country.” “Yesterday, Chittagong University and Agricultural University were heated up. And today, with the declaration of election suspension, an attempt was made to heat up DU. From this, we understand — a certain force is trying in various ways to destabilize campuses. Those behind the CU incident are the same ones trying to sabotage DUCSU,” said Umama.

Amid rising tension on campus, the authorities of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) have announced the university’s closure for an indefinite period. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the university's syndicate on Sunday night.Students have been instructed to vacate all residential halls by 9 am on Monday, according to a notice issued by the university administration. The move comes in the wake of recent unrest and student protests surrounding academic demands and a reported attack on students by outsiders. At least four students of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) were injured in an alleged attack by a group of outsiders on Sunday evening, during a protest in which students had confined Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan and nearly 250 teachers for over five hours, demanding the introduction of a single combined degree. The incident took place near the Zainul Abedin Auditorium, a central location within the university premises. The identities of the injured students could not be confirmed immediately. Eyewitnesses said the attackers were not students of BAU and entered the campus unlawfully. Following the attack, the students dispersed, allowing Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan and the confined teachers to be released.

At least four students of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) were injured in an alleged attack by a group of outsiders on Sunday evening, during a protest in which students had confined Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan and nearly 250 teachers for over five hours, demanding the introduction of a single combined degree. The incident took place near the Zainul Abedin Auditorium, a central location within the university premises. The identities of the injured students could not be confirmed immediately. Eyewitnesses said the attackers were not students of BAU and entered the campus unlawfully. Following the attack, the students dispersed, allowing Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan and the confined teachers to be released. The attackers, believed to be outsiders, left the campus shortly after the incident. In response, hundreds of students began gathering on campus to protest the attack. They are currently preparing to hold a press conference, where they are expected to announce their demands. Earlier, students from the Faculty of Veterinary Science and the Faculty of Animal Husbandry confined Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan and nearly 250 teachers for over five hours, demanding the introduction of a single combined degree. The students were protesting a decision by the Academic Council to continue offering three separate degrees — BSc in Animal Husbandry, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), and a combined degree — a resolution they said did not meet their expectations. Rejecting the council’s decision, students locked the doors of the auditorium where the meeting had taken place, effectively detaining the VC and faculty members.

Students of the Faculty of Veterinary Science and the Faculty of Animal Husbandry at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) on Sunday confined Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan and nearly 250 teachers, demanding the introduction of a single combined degree. The incident occurred around 1 pm at the Zainul Abedin Auditorium, where an emergency meeting of the Academic Council had been held earlier in the day in response to the students’ long-standing demand. Students began gathering outside the auditorium from around 11 am. Following the Academic Council's decision to continue with three separate degrees — BSc in Animal Husbandry, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), and a combined degree — the students expressed dissatisfaction, saying the resolution did not meet their expectations. Rejecting the decision, a large group of students locked the auditorium doors, effectively confining the VC and faculty members inside. As of 6:22 pm, they had been held for over five hours. The protesting students declared they would not accept the continuation of multiple degrees. They insisted on the full implementation of a single combined degree for both faculties and vowed to continue their protest until the demand is met.

A 20-year-old Bangladeshi student was killed in a road accident in southern Australia early Sunday. The accident took place around 6 am local time on Sunday (August 31) in Newcastle city, family said. Md. Adib Farhan, son of Mosharraf Hossain from Jagatpur village in Darbarpur union of Fulgazi upazila, Feni, had been living in Dhaka’s Nakhalpara with his family for several years. He had travelled to Australia six months ago to pursue higher education. According to family sources, Adib had gone out for breakfast with 3 friends when their private car lost control and overturned. All four were critically injured in the crash. Locals rushed them to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared Adib and another student dead. The remaining two are currently receiving treatment. Adib's uncle, Abul Hasnat, said Adib was the eldest child in the family. He had completed his O-level and A-level studies before moving abroad. “He had come home just two months ago on holiday,” Hasnat added. Following the news of the accident, Adib’s mother has been fainting repeatedly, and his father remains in shock and unable to speak. The family has appealed to the government for urgent assistance in bringing Adib’s body back to Bangladesh for burial.

All classes and exams at Dhaka University will remain suspended from September 7 to 10 due to the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election. The university's Public Relations Office confirmed the development on Saturday. Candidates are currently busy with their campaigns for the DUCSU polls, scheduled to be held on September 9. In this year’s DUCSU election, a total of 471 candidates will contest for 28 positions. Ducsu polls: JCD unveils 10-point manifesto promising changes Among them, 45 candidates are vying for the post of Vice President (VP), 19 for General Secretary (GS), and 25 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS). For the post of Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary, there are 17 candidates. For Common Room, Reading Room, and Cafeteria Secretary, 11 candidates are contesting, while 14 are running for International Affairs Secretary. Besides, 19 candidates are contesting for Literature and Cultural Secretary, 12 for Science and Technology Secretary, 9 for Research and Publication Secretary, 13 for Sports Secretary, and 12 for Student Transport Secretary. DUCSU and hall union election campaign rules and regulations For the post of Social Service Secretary, there are 17 candidates; Health and Environment Secretary, 15; Human Rights and Law Secretary, 11; and Career Development Secretary, 15. This time, for the member posts, a total of 217 candidates will compete.

Vehicular movement on Agargaon road in the capital resumed after students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) ended their hour-long road blockade on Thursday afternoon. The students under the banner of ‘Krishibid Oikya Parishad’ took to the street around 11:30 am to press home their three-point demand, halting vehicular movement. Emaul Haque, officer-in-charge of Sher-e-Banglanagar Police Station, said the students cleared the road around 12:45 pm after police intervention. Buet students announce 'March to Dhaka' for Wednesday Their demands include introducing 10th-grade posts at the Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) and other research institutions exclusively to candidates with degrees in agriculture, no opportunity for promotion to the ninth grade (cancellation of BADC's quota) without passing the recruitment exam and issuing a government notification prohibiting the use of the title "Krishibid" (Agriculturist) by people who do not hold a bachelor's degree in agriculture or an agriculture-related field.

Academic activities came to a halt at all engineering universities and colleges across the country on Thursday as students under the banner of ‘Engineering Rights Movement’ enforced a ‘complete shutdown’. The protest follows Wednesday’s clashes in Dhaka where the law enforcers allegedly attacked them during the demonstrations. Leaders of the movement announced the shutdown around 10:30pm on Wednesday, calling off road blockades to ease public suffering while declaring suspension of academic activities until their demands are met. On Thursday morning, classrooms and exam halls at Rajshahi, Khulna, and Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Ruet, Kuet and Cuet) remained empty. Similar scenes were reported nationwide, with students boycotting all academic activities. “Our movement will continue until justice is ensured and all our demands are met. No classes or exams will take place,” said a student. Engineering students continue blockade at Shahbagh despite police action Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali visited students at Shahbagh late Wednesday and expressed regret for the baton charge earlier in the day. He assured that an inquiry panel would investigate and action would follow. On Wednesday, the protestors had gathered at Shahbagh as part of their scheduled ‘Long March to Dhaka.’ Roads in the area came to a standstill as police blocked their procession near Hotel Intercontinental. Several students and journalists were injured when the students and police clashed.