United News of Bangladesh

Students have raised allegations of academic misconduct against Professor Naadir Junaid of the Mass Communication and Journalism Department of Dhaka University. Postgraduate students at the department alleged that Professor Naadir intentionally gave them unusually low grades in a course, acting out of personal vendetta. In a complaint letter submitted to university’s Vice Chancellor Dr ASM Maksud Kamal on Wednesday, the students said Prof. Naadir ‘threatened’ them earlier several times as they didn’t show any interest to take his optional course in the last semester of their masters. Students accuse DU prof of academic misdemeanour In the result of the batch’s comprehensive course, which includes 50 marks written and 50 marks viva, 35 out of 54 students received below CGPA 3.00.  In the three other courses of the semesters, most of these 35 students secured CGPA ranging from 3.50 to 3.75, which is far more than what they received on the comprehensive course. UGC forms committee over rape on JU campus Students raised a three-point demand including taking the viva voce again by forming a non-partial and independent viva board and revising the published result, ensuring exemplary punishment to the professor for his acts as well as making university’s teacher evaluation program functional immediately. Dr. Naadir Junaid was the coordinator and examiner of the second semester course of their postgraduate program. He was also the chairman of the examination committee of the Masters. The students, in the complaint letter, accused the professor of leaking result information to create a fearful situation among the students before officially publishing the result, whereas it is against the rules of the university to comment on the results before the results are published. He leaked academic results of the said batch to a junior batch at least four days before, the students alleged. The students of the 12th batch also alleged Professor Naadir Junaid of threatening and harassing them during their viva examinations, the complaint letter said. U.S. Embassy hosts first ever TechCamp in Bangladesh to empower young journalists   They claim that he asked them irrelevant and inappropriate questions which affected their performance and caused them distress.  Mashfiq Mizan, a student of 12th batch, alleged that Prof. Naadir Juanid hushed him for not addressing him as ‘sir’ during the viva, which made his impression bad in front of other members of the viva board.  “Later he burdened me with so many questions that other members of the committee requested to stop asking questions but he did not stop,” Mashfiq said. Shafat Rahman, a student of MCJ 12th batch, posted on his Facebook handle, also alleged the professor asked him inappropriate questions during the viva.  Monitoring students' personal social media activities  “The professor is very judgmental of students in the classroom following their Facebook activities and evaluating exam papers on the same basis of FB activities,” the allegation letter says.  Sifat Tasnim, a student of 12th batch shared her experience, saying, “During the Viva Board session, he questioned me about my Facebook activities. I often post light-hearted content, but he made me feel embarrassed about it. I ended up in tears at the viva.” Contacted, Professor Nadir said multiple teachers are involved with the evaluation process: “How can it be only my fault?” Don’t want to cause them stress: Education Minister says won’t visit SSC exam centers Regarding the viva, he said, “There were four members in the board including me. In reality, I gave more marks than others. The final count came down after counting the average mark.”  He also denied allegations of leaking academic results beforehand to junior batches. Contacted, DU pro vice chancellor(education) Prof. Sitesh Chandra Bachar, said, “We will call the concerned people who were associated with this, the teacher against whom the complaint is made and the exam committee. We will review the matter and report to the Vice Chancellor and further action will be taken as per rules. We will also see how reasonable the numbers they got are.” Following the incidents, several former students of the department have brought a host of other allegations against the said professor on social media. They demanded justice and accountability from the university administration. 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has formed a three-member committee to review the steps taken by Jahangirnagar University (JU) over the recent rape incident. UGC Chairman (Additional Charge) Professor Dr Muhammad Alamgir said this while speaking at a workshop on Grievance Redressal System and GRS Software at UGC on Wednesday.  Commission Secretary Dr Ferdous Zaman presided over the workshop. First 'Safe Food Carnival' in the country starts from Feb 8 The committee members will visit the university on Thursday.   Prof Alamgir said the UGC will soon form a high-powered cell to thoroughly review the allegations of sexual harassment and irregularities at the universities and take steps. “Skilled officers will be posted here. If there are incidents of irregularities and harassment in any university, this cell will monitor and recommend action after investigation,” he said.   About the rape incident at Jahangirnagar University, he said the university authorities have failed to take visible and effective measures against various misdeeds including sexual harassment. Besides, due to the delay in the trial of these crimes it was not possible to prevent sexual harassment incidents in this university, he added. “The rape incident at Jahangirnagar University has shocked us. A heinous incident like rape in a university is not acceptable in any way. Why such an incident is happening in this university needs to be investigated and action should be taken quickly,” said the UGC chairman. Four people including a Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader were arrested on February 4 for allegedly gang raping a woman after holding her husband captive on the Jahangirnagar University (JU) campus on February 3. Why the lone ambulance for 7 lakh people of Chapainawabganj’s Shibganj has been grounded The arrestees were prime accused Mustafizur Rahman Khan, a student of the 45th batch of International Relations Department and international affairs secretary of BCL, JU unit. The other arrestees are Mostafa Monwar alias Sagar Siddique, Hasanuzzaman, students of International Relations department and Sabbir Hossain, a student of Botany department, for helping the prime accused to escape.

 The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka on Monday inaugurated a three-day TechCamp workshop (February 6-8, 2024) that aims to empower 50 aspiring journalists to combat misinformation, fact check, and learn best practices on Artificial Intelligence (AI).   The Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau (ECA) at the U.S. Department of State organised the event in partnership with the Global Youth Leadership Center (GYLC) Inc. TechCamp fosters technological innovation and empowers future leaders to address real-world challenges through pragmatic solutions.        U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy Counselor Stephen Ibelli said after joining  the inauguration ceremony “Every day, we are exposed to so much information that we can barely keep track of. Oftentimes, we mix rumors with facts and truths. It is really easy to become confused. To deal with this challenge, we need to equip ourselves with critical thinking and the correct tools to identify.”   The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka remains committed to supporting Bangladeshi civil society, protecting vulnerable populations, and promoting technological innovation. This commitment extends to programs like Youth Vote Matters, English language learning, STEAM education, internet safety literacy, and addressing misinformation through partnerships with alumni groups and civil society organizations.    

In a decisive move aimed at minimizing the anxiety levels among students, Bangladesh's Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel announced his decision to refrain from visiting Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination centers this year. The announcement, made through a press release by the Education Ministry on Monday (February 05, 2024), underscores the minister’s concern over the psychological impact such official visits have on students, including heightened stress and public inconvenience. Nowfel urges to refrain from unhealthy politics over opposing curriculum Minister Nowfel pointed out the inadvertent “harassment situation and mental agony” that his presence might cause, exacerbating the challenges students already face during this critical examination period. He also expressed his commitment to prioritizing the wellbeing of examinees over traditional inspection practices. Nowfel wants new unis to refrain from running undergraduate courses at start of journey The disruption caused by such visits, including delayed entry of students into examination centers, was also a key concern cited by the minister. He took the opportunity to remind the public and officials of the legal framework governing access to examination halls, emphasizing that “only the designated center inspector is allowed entry into the exam hall,” as per existing regulations. Nowfel to prioritise innovation, performance over ceremonial aspects

A coordination committee on evaluation system and curriculum will be formed headed by an additional secretary of the Ministry of Education.   It was decided to form this committee in the review meeting related to curriculum and textbook distribution and improvement in a meeting at the ministry on Sunday.   According to the decision of the meeting, representatives of NCTB, representatives of various departments under the ministry, and representatives of boards will be members of this committee.

New deans have been appointed in the Business Studies faculty and Life and Earth Sciences faculty of Jagannath University (JnU). Finance Department Prof. Dr. Manjur Morshed Bhuiyan has been appointed as the new dean of the Business Studies faculty, and Geography and Environment Department prof. Dr. Mallik Akram Hossain has been appointed as the dean of the Life and Earth Sciences faculty. This information was informed in two separate office orders signed by the registrar of the university, Engr. Md. Ohiduzzaman. According to an office order, the term of the current dean of the Business Studies faculty of the University will end on February 6, and as per Section 22(5) of the Jagannath University Act, 2005, subject to the approval of the Syndicate, Finance Department Professor Dr. Manjur Morshed Bhuiyan has been appointed as the dean for the next two years. This order will come into effect from February 7. In another office order, it is said that the term of the current dean of the Life and Earth Sciences faculty of the university will end on February 3, and as per Section 22(5) of the University Act, Dr. Mallik Akram Hossain, professor of Geography and Environment Department, has been appointed as the dean subject to the approval of the Syndicate. The order will come into effect from February 4.

Dhaka hosted the Australian Education Expo, offering Bangladeshi students insights into higher education prospects in Australia. Australian institutions unveiled exclusive scholarships, some covering up to a hundred percent of tuition fees, specifically designed for Bangladeshi students. The expo, held at the Westin Hotel in the capital on Wednesday, showcased Australia's growing appeal as a preferred destination for higher education among Bangladeshi learners. The event, organized by Executive Study Abroad, featured representatives from prestigious institutions such as the University of Adelaide, Monash University, and Macquarie University. Farhana Nazrin, General Manager of Executive Study Abroad, along with Mohammed Rabbani Hossain, Chief Executive Officer, and Sajjadur Rahman, Director, highlighted the comprehensive services provided by the institution. These services include admission assistance and visa processing for various universities, all offered free of charge. The expo proved valuable for participants, providing instant evaluations for potential admissions and direct engagement with university representatives. Australia's reputation for offering quality education and pathways to esteemed global universities was reinforced through this event. The organizers reiterated their commitment to supporting students by continuing to provide free visa assistance and admission services from the institution’s Banani and Dhanmondi offices, extending this assistance beyond the conclusion of the education fair.

The 13th Inter-School Bangla Olympiad will be held with the participation of English-medium and English-version curriculum schools on February 24. The hosting authority, International Hope School Bangladesh (IHSB), informed the matter at a press conference at the Sagor-Runi auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) on Tuesday. The programme is being organised every year to commemorate International Mother Language Day on February 21, while the International Mother Language Institute has joined this competition since last year. More than 1,500 students from 100 different schools are expected to participate, while students will take part in the mega event through seven different categories: poem recitation, extempore speech, essay writing, drawing, group dance, singing and Bangla quiz said the organisers. IHSB Principal Roksana Zarin said the school has been playing an important role in Bengali language and culture by organising such a big competition for more than a decade. "In the meantime, Bangla Olympiad has become a national competition for English medium schools. Not only nationally, I would say, but Bengali Olympiad is spreading in the international arena as well. "Through this competition, English medium and English version schools in the country pay tribute to language martyrs during the month of language. This is the country's biggest event in English medium school programmes in Bengali during Language month. English medium students are also very advanced in learning Bengali language and culture; Bangla Olympiad proves this," she added. Kamrul Ahsan, co-ordinator of the Bangla Olympiad, said the Olympiad is the most significant event in the country during the month of February. The fear and aversion they had towards the Bengali language and culture have been overcome by the Bangla Olympiad. "Now the prominent schools of the country wait for our Bengali Olympiad all year round. Being awarded in the Bengali Olympiad is considered an achievement of great honour in English medium schools," he said. Kamrul said students awarded in Bengali Olympiad are increasing their connection with Bengali language and culture in their personal lives as well. "We believe that many of the participants in our competition will grow up to be great writers and artists and brighten the image of the country at home and abroad," he hoped. The online registration for the Olympiad, which will begin on February 1, will end on February 14, while the schools can register their participation at the Banglaolympiad.org website. International Hope School Bangladesh was established in 1996. Apart from education since its inception, this school has been working relentlessly in cultural and intellectual activities. Mizanur Rahman, a Bengali teacher at IHSB, moderated the conference, deputy head Alsher Rahimberdiev was also present in the programme.

Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel said on Monday that if there is anything confusing in the new textbooks, it will be corrected. He urged everyone to refrain from unhealthy politics in the name of opposing the curriculum. He said participation of madrasa teachers in the National Curriculum and Textbook Board will be ensured. As a result, they will be able to give their opinions and contribute to the textbooks prepared for madrasas. What BRAC University says about Asif Mahtab The minister was speaking at a view exchange meeting with the Swadhinata Madrasa Teachers' Council at the International Mother Language Institute in the capital on Monday. The minister highlighted the centuries-long tradition of discussing Islamic philosophy in the country's Aliya madrasas in this subcontinent. He emphasized that the new curriculum, aligned with Islamic education, has been warmly received by students and parents. He further mentioned that the new curriculum is skill-oriented and will assist madrasa students in entering the job market without any conflict with religious values. DPS STS Dhaka organises STEAM Carnival to promote innovation Nowfel emphasized that after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has played the most significant role in the development of religious education. The government has not only constructed 18 madrasa buildings but also enrolled a significant number of madrasas under the MPO (Monthly Pay Order) system, he informed. JnU student Khadija discharged from one DSA case During the meeting, the Secretary of the Ministry of Religious and Madrasa Education, Dr. Farid Uddin Ahmed, stated that madrasa students study religious subjects alongside the national curriculum. Therefore, they are actively contributing to various fields while maintaining harmony with the mainstream. Habibur Rahman, Director-General of the Department of Madrasa Education, and Dr Abdul Rashid, Vice-Chancellor of the Islamic Arabic University, were present at the time, among others.

BRAC University, a renowned private university of the country, today issued a statement clearing its stance over the recent incidents involving part-time teacher Asif Mahtab Utsha and demonstration by some students on the campus. BRAC University said it believes, like all great institutions of higher education, its role should be to create space for all views to be discussed and debated constructively, predicated on tolerance and respect. The university said that it considers any act of vandalism towards national property as unacceptable behavior and does not tolerate or support such activities. Read more: Youth with disabilities deprived of learning, employment scopes: Study “The recent act of tearing pages of a textbook published by the Government of Bangladesh, included in the national curriculum for students enrolled in 7th grade in schools, and asking others to do the same in a public forum, is an act of vandalism, a behavior not supported by BRAC University,” the statement reads. The university said, it therefore, cannot offer a part-time teaching contract to Asif Mahtab Utsha for the Spring 2024 semester. However, the university will compensate him for his time and efforts towards his preparatory work for Spring 2024. BRAC University said it respects and fully complies with the country's constitution and laws on all matters. Accordingly, it does not promote homosexuality as has been alleged by some quarters in various social media content. However, BRAC University said it believes in equal rights and opportunities for every single human being to realize their potential. Read more: Jamaat congratulates dismissed BRACU teacher Asif Mahtab, criticizes govt’s education policy