United News of Bangladesh

Schedule for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations 2025 was officially announced on Wednesday. As per the published timetable, theoretical exams will start on June 26 and conclude on August 10. The practical exams are scheduled to begin on August 11 and will run until August 21. Demonstrate at Secretariat: 26 HSC students sent to jail The schedule was signed by Professor SM Kamal Uddin Haider, president of the Inter-Education Board Examination Control Committee and the Controller of Examinations of the Dhaka Education Board. Special Instructions for HSC 2025 Candidates * Candidates must arrive in the exam hall 30 minutes before the scheduled start time. * The exam will begin with a multiple-choice (MCQ) section, followed by the creative/written (theoretical) exam. * The 30-mark MCQ exam will last 30 minutes, while the 70-mark creative exam will have a duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes. * For exams that include practical components, the 25-mark MCQ exam will be allotted 25 minutes, and the 50-mark creative exam will last 2 hours and 35 minutes. * Exams will be held without any breaks, as indicated in the question paper. There will be no break between the MCQ and creative sections. Exam Timings For morning exams starting at 10:00 am: *  Unwritten answer sheets and MCQ OMR sheets will be distributed at 9:30 am. * The MCQ question papers will be given at 10:00 am. * The MCQ answer sheets will be collected at 10:30 am, and creative question papers will be distributed (for 25-mark MCQ exams, this will happen at 10:25 am). For afternoon exams starting at 2:00 pm: * Unwritten answer sheets and MCQ OMR sheets will be distributed at 1:30 pm. * The MCQ question papers will be distributed at 2:00 pm. * The MCQ answer sheets will be collected at 2:30 pm, and creative question papers will be distributed (for 25-mark MCQ exams, this will happen at 2:25 pm). The exam will proceed as per the schedule mentioned in the question paper. Candidates are instructed to collect their admit cards from the heads of their institutions. Each candidate must correctly fill in their exam roll number, registration number, subject code, and other details on the OMR form and circle the correct options. Candidates are strictly prohibited from writing in the margins or folding the answer sheet for any reason. 26 sued over HSC students’ demonstration at Secretariat It is essential for candidates to pass separately in theoretical, MCQ, and practical sections (where applicable). Candidates can only sit for the exams of the subjects mentioned on their registration card and admit card. Under no circumstances are they allowed to appear for exams in other subjects. General scientific calculators are permitted during the exam, but programming calculators are not allowed.

Students of Barishal Medical College continued protest for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, demanding immediate end of teachers’ shortage to ensure smooth operation of academic activities. The protesting students staged demonstrations on Bandh Road and formed a human chain at noon. The students put two main entry gates under lock and key and hung banners reading ‘Complete Shutdown’ at the gates. The administrative and academic activities of the college came to a halt as officials from couldn’t enter due to the lock. The protesters threatened that they will continue the movement until their demand is met. Barishal’s Sher-e-Bangla Medical College students protest teacher shortage College Principal Faizul Bashar said they have already informed the ministry and the departments concerned regarding the matter. The recruitment of teachers won’t be possible if they (government) don’t take initiatives, he said, adding they, on their own side, are trying to address the crisis. Currently, 188 out of 334 posts of teachers remain vacant, hampering the academic activities.

Clashes broke out between two groups of students over the demand of banning student politics on Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) campus on Tuesday. Public Relations Officer of Border Guard of Bangladesh Md Shariful Islam said two platoons of BGB members were deployed amid tension on the campus. Witnesses said some general students marched on the campus with slogans in favour of banning student politics on the campus on Tuesday afternoon. Later, another group of students, said to be members of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), also brought out a counter-procession from the Central Mosque area, sparking tension on the campus. A group of outsiders allegedly joined the JCD members and locked into a clash with the general students, leaving several injured.    Torture on student: Kuet professor among 15 sued over attempted murder Witness said that four ambulances entered the campus and took the injured to several hospitals. The outsiders again beat up a student at the pocket gate of the university at 2 pm and left him on the campus. Enraged by it, the general students vandalised a few houses in front of the pocket gate of the campus.   Members from police, Army and Navy rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, said Khanjahan police station’s Officer-in-Charge Md Kabir Hossain. Additional police personnel were deployed on the campus to ward off any unwanted incident, said the OC. Though UNB could not verify the number of the injured people, police and witnesses said the number would be over 50.

The result for the recruitment of assistant teachers in government primary schools was announced after following all required legal procedures, said Primary and Mass Education Adviser, Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar on Tuesday. Although the High Court recently annulled the appointments of 6,531 candidates for assistant teacher positions in the Dhaka and Chattogram divisions, the adviser said that the ministry had adhered to all necessary legal protocols in declaring the result and expressed sympathy for the candidates, whose appointments had been cancelled. HC cancels appointment process of 6, 531 primary teachers He was speaking to the media at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium following the third day of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) conference, The ruling by the High Court had upset the candidates, but an appeal had already been made. As the matter was under judicial review, there was no room for administrative intervention at this stage, the adviser said. “We have not declared the result independently. We did so after consulting both the Ministry of Public Administration and the Ministry of Law. Therefore, we believe that we have carried out our work according to the legal framework,” he added. Primary school teachers protest at Shaheed Minar, demand implementation of 10th grade salary scale The High Court, on February 6, had ordered the cancellation of the appointments of 6,531 assistant teachers and instructed that new appointments be made based on merit. Since then, those whose results were annulled have been protesting against the decision. Bidhan said that the DCs were briefed on ongoing efforts, including administrative matters related to construction works and the registration of kindergartens. He stressed the importance of following guidelines for kindergarten registrations, as many institutions were yet to comply with these regulations. Primary school teachers protest at Shaheed Minar, demand implementation of 10th grade salary scale He also said that 85% of the primary school textbooks had already been distributed, with the remaining books expected to reach all schools by the end of this month.

Two teachers of Rajshahi University (RU) have been temporarily suspended based on the investigation committee’s reports on various incidents. This information was disclosed in three separate press releases sent by Professor Md. Akhtar Hossain Majumder, the university’s public relations administrator, on Sunday (February 17) night. According to the press releases, a committee has been formed to determine the final punishment for the two temporarily suspended teachers as per the investigation report’s recommendations. Additionally, decisions were made to reinstate the studentship of a former student, withdraw allegations against a teacher, and bar three teachers from all examination-related activities for five years. The press release further mentioned that Associate Professor Anik Krishna Karmakar of the Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering was temporarily suspended due to allegations brought by students. Moreover, the temporary suspension of Associate Professor Sadikul Islam of the Law Department has been upheld based on the investigation committee’s report regarding allegations of sexual harassment and rape against him. A committee has also been formed under Section 55(3) of the Rajshahi University Act 1973 to impose final penalties on these two teachers. Another press release stated that the review committee, formed regarding the cancellation of the studentship of Rafiqul Islam, a postgraduate student from the 2007-08 academic session of the Department of Applied Mathematics, recommended reinstating his studentship and publishing his unpublished examination results. This decision was made at the university’s 536th syndicate meeting held on February 6. Previously, his studentship was cancelled at the 461st syndicate meeting. In another press release, the university’s public relations office stated that the 461st syndicate meeting’s decision regarding Professor Md. Shamsul Alam Sarkar, a retired teacher of the Applied Mathematics Department, was annulled based on the review committee’s report. All allegations against him have also been withdrawn. It was proven that Professor Md. Shamsul Alam Sarkar had suffered punishment without any offense due to manipulation by three teachers — Abdul Haque, Ali Akbar, and Ashrafuzzaman Khan of the same department. Consequently, they have been barred from all examination-related activities for the next five years. The syndicate expressed deep sympathy to Professor Md. Shamsul Alam Sarkar for the social humiliation, mental distress, and financial loss he suffered due to the previous decision.

Students of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College in Barishal on Monday staged demonstrations, protesting the disruption of academic activities caused by shortage of teachers. The students locked the main gate of the administrative building of the college in the morning and announced that they would continue the shutdown until their demands were met. The students put forward two demands: immediate recruitment of teachers for all vacant positions across departments and reinstatement of transferred teachers in the Community Medicine, Microbiology, Pathology, and other departments within 24 hours through an official notice. Sources at the hospital said 173 out of approved 334 posts for teachers are still vacant. The lack of sufficient teachers has disrupted academic activities, particularly in departments such as Medicine, Microbiology, Pathology, Physiology, CCU, Gastroenterology, and the Dental unit. Universities must have their code of conduct for student politics: Education Adviser Meanwhile, the college’s teachers' association submitted a memorandum to the principal, focusing on the teacher shortage, urging the Ministry of Health, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Directorate of Medical Education, and other relevant authorities to take immediate actions to resolve it. Echoing students, the college Principal Dr. Faizul Bashar said they have already discussed the issue with the health ministry, and efforts are underway to resolve the crisis as soon as possible.

The Bangladesh Agricultural University Research System (BAURES) has honored and recognized 30 scientists, 5 farmers and one journalist for their outstanding contributions to agriculture in the country. The recognition ceremony took place on Saturday at the inauguration of the three-day "Annual Research Progress Workshop" under the supervision of BAURES. The event was held at the Syed Nazrul Islam Conference Hall of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). The program was chaired by BAURES Director Prof. Dr. M. Hammadur Rahman, and was supported by BAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan. Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, former advisor to the Ministry of Education and Commerce and Chairman of BRAC, attended as the chief guest. Special guests included Dr. Mohammad Khalequzzaman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), and Dr. Nathu Ram Sarker, Executive Chairman of the Krishi Gobeshona Foundation. This year, 17 researchers received the Global Research Impact Recognition Award 2024 based on their H-index scores. Additionally, five BAU faculty members were awarded the Global Scientist Recognition Award 2025 for their exceptional achievements, including receiving the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences Gold Medal. BAURES also honored eight BAU faculty members listed among the top 2% of scientists in the Stanford-Elsevier World Ranking 2024 with the BAURES Recognition Award 2025. Furthermore, five farmers were recognized with the Professor Dr. Ashraf Ali Khan Memorial Agriculture Award 2025 for their significant contributions to agricultural production. Additionally, BAU Press Club's General Secretary Md. Rayhan Abid received the Agriculture Journalism Award 2025 for his contributions to agricultural journalism. BAU teacher suspended for assaulting foreign student Speaking at the event, Chief Guest Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman highlighted that BAU is unique for having one-third of its faculty members as women, emphasizing the importance of women’s progress in all sectors, including agriculture. He further stressed the necessity of fostering a research culture alongside research activities in universities, stating that such a culture in higher education would enhance Bangladesh’s global recognition. BAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan remarked that BAU’s initiatives would strengthen Bangladesh’s agricultural sector and contribute to food security. "Through innovative research and capacity building, both farmers and researchers will be able to tackle the challenges of climate change together," he added. He also noted that Bangladesh’s geographical position and climate change effects pose challenges for agriculture, but BAU’s dedication to agricultural research and education would make the country’s farming system more sustainable and resilient. The three-day event will feature 23 technical sessions, where future research plans will be formulated. Additionally, the best 21 presenters from these sessions will be awarded crests and certificates, while six participants will be recognized for the best poster presentations.

Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) has suspended one of its professors for sexually assaulting a Malaysian female student. The accused, Dr. M. Harun-or-Rashid, is a professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics. The decision was made during an emergency syndicate meeting held on December 30 last year, as his response to a chargesheet submitted on his behalf was deemed unsatisfactory, according to an office order issued by the university's Additional Registrar (Establishment) on Thursday. Dr. Md. Helal Uddin, acting registrar of BAU, said that on September 25, a Malaysian female student from the university’s Veterinary Faculty submitted a written complaint accusing Professor Dr. M. Harun-or-Rashid of sexual harassment. In response, the university formed a five-member investigation committee. “The administration removed him from his position after his response to the allegations was found to be unsatisfactory,” he added.

Bangladesh will host its first international conference on agricultural mechanization. Around 240 participants, including scientists, agricultural engineers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and farmers from seven countries—Bangladesh, the United States, Canada, China, Japan, India, and South Korea—will take part in the conference. With the theme of advancing the Fourth Agricultural Revolution through modern mechanisation and efficient use of bioresources, the conference aims to accelerate the transformation of agriculture into smart and sustainable farming, organisers said. The details were shared by conference convener Prof. Dr. Md. Abdul Awal at a press conference held at the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), on Monday afternoon. “This conference will generate key recommendations, which will be forwarded to policymakers for implementation through the Bangladesh Society of Agricultural Machinery and Bioresource Engineering (BSAMBE),” said Awal. He added that the main objective of the event is to address agricultural challenges and support the Fourth Agricultural Revolution through modern technology, mechanisation, and effective use of bioresources. Prof Dr Muhammad Ashik-E-Rabbani, member secretary of the conference; Prof Dr Md Zainul Abedin, Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology; Associate Prof Dr Tumpa Rani Sarker, Head of the Department of Farm Power and Machinery were present at the time, among others. The International Conference on Agricultural Machinery and Bioresource Engineering will take place on February 12-13 at BAU’s Syed Nazrul Islam Conference Hall. The event will feature six technical sessions, one business session, and two poster sessions, during which 160 research papers will be presented. Additionally, plenary sessions will focus on smart agriculture, smart technology, agricultural mechanisation, and bioresource energy. A machinery exhibition will also be held alongside the conference, showcasing modern agricultural technologies and equipment from eight government and private organisations. Technologies developed by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) will also be on display.

The intake tests for 2024-25 academic session (54th batch) of Jahangirnagar University (JU) have begun with the participation of admission seekers. On the first day (Sunday), the admission test for 'D' unit (Biological Sciences) was underway, with 280 students vying for each seat. The test started with the first shift at 9am and would conclude with the 5th shift at 3:15pm. A total of 86, 788 admission aspirants were competing for only 310 seats under the D unit this year, with the highest number of candidates against each seat. Moreover, 73,169 admission seekers are expected to fight for 426 seats under the 'A' unit (Mathematical and Physical Sciences faculty). The 'C' unit, (Arts and Humanities and the Law faculties), will see the competition of 53,401 students for 438 seats. More than 23, 000 students will sit for the admission test for 326 seats under the 'B' unit (Social Sciences faculty). The 'C1' unit, (Drama and Fine Arts), has received 5,507 applicants from aspirants for 64 seats. Over 15, 000 admission aspirants will fight for 200 seats under the 'E' unit (Business Studies faculty) while the 'IBA-JU' unit will take only 50 students out of 4,688 applications through the admission test. Prof Mohammad Mafruhi Sattar, dean of the faculty of Biological Sciences, said that no untoward incident has been reported so far (till 12apm). Although candidates were not allowed to enter the exam rooms if they arrived more than 15 minutes late, the university provided a 30-minute grace period for the first shift, considering the heavy traffic, added he.