United News of Bangladesh

Md Touhidul Islam, an accomplished academic originally from Rajshahi, Bangladesh, has been appointed as an Assistant Professor at Stanford University, marking a historic achievement, US Embassy in Dhaka posted on its verified Facebook page on Tuesday. Touhidul, an alumnus of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), becomes the first Bangladeshi to secure a tenure-track position at this world-renowned institution With a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University, Touhidul's research focuses on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical diagnostics. His work is at the forefront of leveraging AI to enhance healthcare outcomes, making significant strides in the field, the post also said.

The students from Jagannath University (JnU) Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall have declared nine female activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) as 'unwanted', unofficially persona non grata. This was declared in a banner with their name, batch and photo in front of the only girls hall of Jagannath University (JnU) on Saturday. In the banner, they wrote, “Chhatra League activists who are against the July Revolution and support the genocide have been declared permanently unwanted on behalf of the general students of Bangmata Sheikh Fazilatunnessa Mujib Hall.” They are Eva Rahman, a student of 11th batch of psychology department, Swarna Patwari, a student of  13th batch of zoology department, Maitri Barai of 13th batch from film and television department, Afia Ananjum Supti of 14th batch from Bengali department, Nipun Islam of 13th batch from Mathematics department, Munia Akhter Juthi of 14th batch from Islamic studies department, Rishat Ara of 14th batch from Philosophy department, Srija of batch 16 frm political science department, Farhana Oishi of batch 17 from Institute of Education and Research. Among them, Afia Ananjum Supti said: “I have not been coming to the hall for 4-5 months. My graduation is completed. I will not do a Masters from Jagannath University. I will do it from outside. Declaring my hall seat unwanted is acceptable, because my graduation is over. But two more girls' seats of the 17th batch are declared unwanted. The Provost and VC Sir have the sole authority to declare this. This unsolicited declaration will never be valid.” “This is the biggest disparity,” she added. Swarna Riya, a third-year student of the Public Administration Department who was one of the leaders of the Anti- discrimination Student Movement, said: "We could not make any official application due to the absence of a provost of the hall. These nine Chhatra League activists have been declared unwanted from the hall by the general students. Later, when the new provost will join, we will apply to cancel their seats from the student hall.”

New vice-chancellors (VCs) were appointed at Rajshahi University (RU), Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET), Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) and Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University on Thursday. The appointments were made by President Mohammed Shahabuddin, also the chancellor of the universities. The Ministry of Education issued a separate notification in this regard on Thursday. In Rajshahi University (RU), Prof. Saleh Hasan Nakib has been appointed as new vice-chancellor of the university. Saleh Hasan is a professor at the Department of Physics of the university. His appointment will come into effect from the day of his joining, according to the circular. Prof. Muhammad Masud of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) has been appointed as the vice-chancellor of the university for four years. Prof. Masud will enjoy other benefits attached to the post as per rules. Meanwhile, Prof. Muhammad Ismail, a faculty member from Dhaka University's Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, has been appointed as the vice-chancellor ofNoakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) for four years. Prof. Md Abdul Latif from the Department of Entomology was named vice-chancellor of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU). The orders were issued in public interest, read the notifications.

Kamrul Ahsan, professor of the Department of Philosophy at Jahangirnagar University, has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the university. The appointment was made by President Mohammed Shahabuddin, also the chancellor of the university. Education Adviser urges people to stop forced resignation, harassment of teachers The Ministry of Education issued a notification in this regard on Thursday. According to the notification, during this time he would be entitled to emoluments equal to the existing post. Prof Sayema Haque Bidisha appointed pro-VC of Dhaka University Prof Ahsan will enjoy other benefits attached to the post as per rules.

Education and Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud on Tuesday urged all concerned to refrain from forcing teachers to quit and harassing them. He said it has been observed that incidents of forcing teachers to resign and various forms of harassment are still continuing in educational institutions across the country, which is absolutely unacceptable. “Such activities must be refrained from.” He made the call during a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Education at the Secretariat. The Education Adviser said the authorities concerned will investigate the allegations of corruption and misconduct against any teachers and officials and take action. “The administration of educational institutions has been instructed to take action against those who violate discipline,” he said. Instructions have already been given to the local administration to address any illegal and criminal activities, said the adviser adding, “Students must protect the peaceful environment of their respective educational institutions in their own interest.”

Professor Sayema Haque Bidisha, professor in the Department of Economics of Dhaka University, has been appointed as the pro-vice chancellor (administration) of the university for four years. The appointment was made by President Muhammed Shahabuddin, also the chancellor of the university. The ministry of education issued a notification to this end on Monday. According to the notification, during this time she would be entitled to emoluments equal to the existing post. She will enjoy other benefits attached to the post as per rules and would be permanently stayed in the university campus. The order was issued in public interest, read the notification. Prof Sayema Haque completed her bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from DU, followed by an MSc from the University of Bath, UK, and a PhD in Labour Economics from the University of Nottingham, UK. She also contributed in preparing various policy documents and government flagship objects. Prof Sayema has worked with various international and UN agencies. She has published a good number of scholarly publications including journal articles, book chapters and scientific reports.

All five teachers of the Cox’s Bazar Nursing Institute were compelled to resign on Sunday night amid students’ demonstration seeking their resignation for alleged corruption. Students at Cox's Bazar Nursing Institute confined the teachers to a washroom and demanded their resignation citing various allegations, including irregularities, corruption, and misappropriation of funds. Earlier, on Sunday afternoon students of the nursing institute began their protest. They confined five teachers and eleven students to a washroom. Later, two resident medical officers from Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital, Dr. GRM Jihadul Islam and Dr. Ashiqur Rahman, an Additional District Magistrate, the army, and RAB arrived. After nearly three hours of discussion with teachers and students, all the teachers resigned. Dr. Jihadul Islam said that after hours of discussion, the teachers agreed to step down. As a result, the institution now faces a complete lack of teaching staff, he said. Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery (DGNM) will determine how to resolve this crisis and the superintendent of Sadar Hospital and the Additional District Magistrate will write letters to address the issue, he added.

Newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of the National University Professor ASM Amanullah has ordered the teachers, officers and employees of the university and all its affiliated colleges and institutions to be present at their respective workplaces by September 1, 2024. Departmental action will be taken against those who will be found absent, he warned. Earlier on Wednesday, the education ministry issued a circular appointing him as the vice-chancellor of National University.

The Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) got its first female director with the appointment of Prof. Dr. Masuma Habib. The appointment was made during a meeting held at the IQAC conference room on Wednesday at 12pm. Additionally, Prof. Dr. Md. Shaheed Reza from the Department of Fisheries Technology and Prof. Dr. Murad Ahmed Farukh from the Department of Environmental Science have been appointed as additional directors.

The students of Jahangirnagar University on Wednesday staged demonstration protesting the sexual harassment of female students on the campus. They brought out a procession from the foot of Shaheed Minar of the university and paraded a few roads and ended at the Battala of the campus. Later, the students held a short rally there. Talking to the students, it is known that a female student was sexually assaulted on the road adjacent to Khaleda Zia Hall on his way back to the hall last Sunday around 10:30 pm. 'Reform Bangladesh cricket': Rally in front of Mirpur Stadium demands The people involved in the crime could not be identified even after two days, they said. In today's rally, the students demanded installation of sufficient lamp posts on campus roads, iCCTV cameras at important gates and points and ensuring the safety of women students. In the gathering, student of Economics Department Prapti Taposhi said, “On August 25, one of our young sisters was harassed on her way to the hall. How weak our security system is that such a thing can happen on the streets of the hall! No CCTV cameras were found at the boundary gate to identify the oppressors. There were no security guards at the gates in the 20 miles area. After the victim student posted on Facebook, she came to know that one person was subjected to such sexual harassment last week as well. A similar incident happened in April. The students are now in extreme insecurity.”