United News of Bangladesh

Female students of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) staged demonstrations on Tuesday night demanding the cancellation of the imposed new evening curfew law that restricts their entry into the dormitories. The students held a march from several university halls, parading through various streets before gathering in front of the Vice Chancellor's residence. There, they staged a sit-in protest. The students chanted slogans, calling for an extension of the curfew hours for female students to enter the halls. The protest was triggered by a recently announced policy, signed by the provosts of the university's five women's halls, which set strict entry deadlines. Under the new guidelines, female students are required to return to the halls by 8 pm during summer and 7 pm during winter. The protestors refuted the policy, especially in light of the university’s central library, which remains open until 8 pm. "The new rule says we must return by 7 pm., but the central library remains open until 8 pm. How can we adhere to this policy?" said Janatul Fiza, a student at BAU. She alleged that women are already facing harassment on campus, and the proctorial body does nothing to stop it. Instead, they are forcing them to enter the halls earlier under the guise of safety. Moreover, the policy stipulates that students who return more than three times will lose their dormitory seat, which the students found unreasonable. "We were admitted here based on our academic merit and given seats in the dorms. How can the administration undermine our hard work with such a policy?" Fiza questioned. Another student, Adiya Sultana, expressed similar concerns, addressing the sense of insecurity among female students on campus. "Women students are experiencing discrimination when it comes to entering the halls. We are protesting for an extension of the curfew, better security measures, and to ensure a non-discriminatory environment at BAU.” BAU Proctor Prof Dr. Mohammad Abdul Alim, defended the matter saying that the policy was introduced with the safety of female students in mind. The proctorial body is working continuously to ensure the safety of students. This policy was not designed to curtail anyone's rights or freedom, he said. The administration will consider the library timing issue and discuss it in an upcoming meeting with the Vice Chancellor, the proctor said. "The policy's primary purpose is to ensure the safety of female students, and we ask the proctorial body to assist in enforcing this," he claimed. The Vice Chancellor is expected to meet with representatives from each hall early next week to discuss the issues raised by the students, the proctor continued.

The online application process for the undergraduate admission programme at Dhaka University for the academic year 2024-25 has begun. Applications will be accepted until November 25. Interested students can apply by visiting the university’s admission website at https://admission.eis.du.ac.bd. This year, the application fee is 1,050 Taka. The admission test of Fine Arts unit will be held on January 4. Besides, the exams for the Arts, Law, and Social Sciences unit will take place on January 25, the Science unit exam on February 1, and the Business Studies unit exam on February 8.

Professor Dr. Md. Nurul Islam from the Geography and Environment Department at Jahangirnagar University has been appointed as the new pro-vice-chancellor of the National University (NU). The Secondary and Higher Education Division under the Ministry of Education issued a notification to this end on Sunday. President Mohammed Shahabuddin, the chancellor of the universities, has appointed Dr. Md. Nurul Islam as the pro-vice chancellor for a term of four years. According to the notification, he will receive a salary and allowances equivalent to those of his current position. Professor Md. Nurul Islam graduated with his PhD from the University of Nottingham, UK in 2011. Earlier, he completed his BSc (honours) and MSc (thesis) in Geography from Jahangirnagar University in 1992 and 1993, respectively. Professor Islam has been in the university teaching and research profession for more than two decades.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) and Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) will jointly work on a project aimed at enhancing research and development in agriculture and food technology, climate management and strengthening higher education in agricultural fields. The project, titled Strengthening Agricultural Tertiary Education Project (SATEP), is financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM). As part of this initiative, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the BAU and several agricultural and industrial organizations. Mohammad Toufiqul Islam, acting director of BAU’s Public Relations and Publications office, confirmed it on Sunday. BAU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. AK Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan attended the signing ceremony, as the chief guest. Separate agreements were inked among the Bangladesh Agro-Processors' Association (BAPA), the Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF) and Ispahani Agro Limited (IAL) at the event. VC Fazlul Haque highlighted that over the past 63 years, the dedicated faculty and researchers at BAU have consistently shared knowledge with students, leading to significant advancements in the country’s agriculture. He said that this project will play a crucial role in developing human resources and conducting modern agricultural research, thus contributing to Bangladesh’s food security. The project will establish modern laboratories that will benefit nine public universities and relevant private institutions involved in agricultural research, the VC said. He emphasized the need to align with global agricultural advancements, particularly in mechanization and technology, as the government strives to integrate these aspects into the agricultural sector in line with the fourth industrial revolution. The meeting also featured key participants such as Ryotaro Hayashi, Senior Social Sector Economist at ADB and various representatives from BAU, agricultural associations and industries. Notably, the project aims to create the "Bangladesh Instrumentation Center for Climate Change and Agricultural Research," which will focus on developing relevant curricula and providing necessary training for enhancing professional skills, while fostering connections among educators, students, farmers, and related industries.

A group of students from Dhaka University organized a protest rally on Friday at 4pm in front of the Vice-Chancellor's residence, demanding the cancellation of the affiliation of seven colleges and the construction of a new hall for female students. The protesters emphasized that both the university and the students from the affiliated colleges do not support the affiliation. They issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the university administration, warning of escalated actions—including class and exam boycotts and locking administrative buildings—if their demands are not met. Agri Sciences entry test held at SAU after overnight clashes Raihan Ferdous, co-coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said that students from both Dhaka University and the seven colleges want the removal of the affiliation. He also noted that 53% of Dhaka University's students are female, yet they only have five residential halls. He questioned how new administrative buildings could be constructed for the 7 colleges when there is insufficient accommodation for Dhaka University students. He added that Dhaka University is an autonomous institution, and any decision regarding it should be made by the university administration and students. He insisted that they do not accept the affiliation of the 7 colleges. Nusrat Imroz, a resident student of Bangladesh Kuwait Maitree Hall of Dhaka University, shared her experience of living in a Ghonoroom for two years before finally obtaining a valid seat. She said that some master's students are still living in Gonorooms. She said that the university authorities are unable to build a new hall for students due to budget constraints, but how they could manage to construct a new administrative building for the 7 colleges. DU-affiliated college students block Nilkhet, Newmarket intersections She stated that they urgently demand the cancellation of the 7 colleges' affiliation and that any new construction built at Dhaka University should be for female students. In response to the protest, Dhaka University authorities have initiated urgent discussions with relevant advisers and high-ranking government officials, prioritizing the issue. Recognizing its public significance, the government has responded positively and agreed to hold an urgent meeting at the ministry level with the concerned students and key stakeholders, likely on the upcoming Sunday.

Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof Anwar Hossain said on Tuesday that the government will initiate the PhD programme in nursing education after consulting with stakeholders including Banganbandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). He came up with the announcement in a views exchange meeting with a seven member delegation of Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) with the UGC. Addressing the importance of improving nursing education to build a better Bangladesh, he said Bangladesh lags behind in the quality nursing education. The UGC chairman said huge employment will be created at home and abroad if skilled nurses can be created. KOICA representative Prof Taehwa Lee put forward a report on the country’s nursing education and research sector and demanded to launch the PhD programme through the National Institute of Advanced Nursing Education & Research (NIANER). The education and research in the nursing sector will thrive if the nursing teachers are conferred the PhD degree, he opined, stressing the need for drafting a principle on the commencement of the PhD degree. There are diploma, Bsc and Msc programmes in nursing in the country.

The Council of Advisers on Thursday decided that a candidate can appear at Bangladesh Civil Services (BCS) examinations maximum four times. The decision came from a meeting of the council, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.   The Council of Advisers directed the Public Administration Ministry to incorporate a provision in the BCS Recruitment (age, qualification, examination for direct recruitment) Rules 2014 so that a candidate can sit for the BCS examination maximum four times. Chief Adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at Foreign Service Academy over the outcome of the meeting. Deputy Press Secretaries Aburba Jahangir and Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder also spoke at the briefing.

The impasse at Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU) finally ended Tuesday with a promise from the authorities to meet the students' demands. The students suspended their movement following discussions with the university’s Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Alimul Islam on Tuesday afternoon. They have been asked to attend classes from Thursday. The students said that seven out of eight demands pertained to various academic issues, while the remaining one called for the resignations of the university’s registrar, proctor, and public relations officer. The proctor, Dr. Mozammel Haque, was temporarily suspended. He will not resume his duties until the ongoing investigation is ended. Moreover, the VC assured the students that the remaining seven demands will be implemented soon, asking the students to join academic activities from Thursday. This deadlock started following a clash between general students and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activists after banners welcoming admission seekers were torn down. Allegations surfaced that some outsiders joined in the clashes, resulting in injuries to ten people, including the proctor. Since then, students have been protesting, holding the administration responsible for the incident. To press home their demands, general students locked the administrative building last Sunday. Though the SAU authorities sat with the protesters on Monday to address the matter both sides failed to reach consent. Students again staged protests and locked the administrative building on Tuesday.

English medium school Playpen recently hosted a “Science Fair” at its Bashundhara Residential Area campus in Dhaka. The event took place on Thursday. The school’s principal, Sorabon Tohura inaugurated the fair at 8:30. Vice principals, heads of departments, teachers, and other staff members were present at the time.

A six-member delegation led by Khondokar Nazmul Hasan, additional commissioner (Traffic) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), met with Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan, at his office on Monday. During the meeting, various topics were discussed, including the establishment of a shuttle bus service for DU students on campus, route determination, control of public transport on campus, and the installation of barriers at six entry points. Md. Rafiqul Islam, director of DU’s Public Relations Office, confirmed the matter. DU VC stated that the process for launching the shuttle bus service is underway and expressed hope for its swift implementation for the benefit of students. He also sought the support of the DMP in improving traffic management and other affairs on campus. Prof Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, DU treasurer and Proctor Associate Prof Saifuddin Ahmed, were present at the time, among others.