United News of Bangladesh

The orientation programme for the newly admitted students for the Spring Semester 2024 of the East West University (EWU) was held in the EWU campus, Aftabnagar in the capital on Thursday. According to a press release, approximately 1600 students were admitted to undergraduate and graduate programmes in the 13 different departments this semester. Don't put pressure on children for study: JnU VC Sadeka Halim The objective of the orientation programme was to welcome the new students and introduce them to university facilities, faculty members, the academic systems and the rules and regulations of the institution. Each Department of the EWU arranged individual programmes for their newly admitted students. Education Minister calls for further review of exam and evaluation system Professor Dr Mohammed Farashuddin, Chief Adviser of the EWU and former Governor of Bangladesh Bank joined the orientation programme, along with EWU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Shams Rahman, Pro-VC Professor Dr M Ashike Mosaddik, Deans and several successful alumni members of the University. Speakers welcomed the freshers to the EWU campus and encouraged them to try to work harder and be future leaders of the country. JnU to organise 3-day theatre festival from January 28 Along with academic education, they also urged the newly admitted students to make the best use of university resources such as clubs, libraries, research laboratories, and take the opportunity to develop human qualities and innovative abilities.

Jagannath University (JnU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr Sadeka Halim advised parents not to put pressure on their children for study. She made the call while addressing as the chief guest at the 21st founding anniversary of HEED International School near the university on Thursday. Addressing the teaching method, the VC said, “Don't put too much pressure on kids to study. Don't make them robots. Don’t ask them that he or she will have to get an A+, they must get a chance in medical colleges, universities. Don't put that pressure on students. In this way, the tendency to commit suicide among students is noticed.” She also said that nowadays parents start competition to have a GPA 5 from schools and they even wonder why the children achieved four out of five. “Many guardians are worried about it but we should be careful about the development of the children' mental health,” she observed. Calling the children as a future asset, she said, “I see the future of Bangladesh in the children. One thing must be remembered that currently the condition of children in Bangladesh is not good. Only 27 percent of children in the country live in cities. A large proportion of the rest are deprived of proper educational opportunities.”

Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel on Thursday urged the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) to make recommendations to the policymakers for further review of the examination and evaluation system. Chinese Communist Party leader Sun Haiyan meets Speaker Shirin Sharmin The minister made the request after a views exchange meeting with the experts of the examination and evaluation system at the Curriculum and Textbook Board in the capital's Motijheel on Thursday. He also urged them to discuss with experts and gather information from the experience generated up to January and February, the first month of the academic year over the issue. Process of inking cooperation deal on judiciary with Saudi Arabia begins: Law Minister Among others, Chairman of National Curriculum and Textbook Board Md Farhadul Islam, and Dhaka University IER Professor Dr Tariq Ahsan were present.

The Theatre and Performance Studies Department of Jagannath University (JnU) is going to organise a three-day theatre festival. Catharine Purification, chairman of the Theatre Department, announced the festival in a press conference on Thursday held in the central auditorium of the university. The festival will be held for the second time in the central auditorium of the university on January 28, 29 and 30. Catharine Purification said that next Sunday (January 28) at 11 am  the programme will be inaugurated in the presence of the vice-chancellor of Jagannath University (JnU), prof. Dr.  Sadeka Halim and prominent actor Asaduzzaman Noor, also an MP. Education Minister addresses controversy over ‘Sharifa’s story’ in textbook In this festival, six dramas will be staged.  They are “Radhaman Dhanpudi” by Mohammad Khorshed Alam, “Letter to a Child Never Born” by Oriana Fallaci, “Raktakadam” and “Jomaloye Ekbela” by Manmath Roy, “Tapaswi O Tarangini” by Buddhadev Bose and “Miss Julie” by August Strindberg. These dramas will be staged under the guidance of students as part of the 'Student Drama Instruction' course of the 2017-18 academic year of the Theatre department. On the first day, “Radhaman Dhanpudi” will be staged at noon and “Letter to a Child Never Born” at 6 p.m. On January 29,  “Raktakadam” will be staged at noon and “Tapaswi O Tarangini” at 6 p.m. And the last day, January 30, “Miss Julie” will be staged at noon and “Jomaloye Ekabela” at 6 p.m. Anyone can enjoy each play with only Tk50 for students of Jagannath University and Tk100 for outsiders. WFWP-ULAB organises events to inspire youth to plant trees The students of the academic year 2017-18, who will perform in the dramas, are: Parma Raha, Milton Chakma, Priya Banik, Alimul Islam, Jobaida Faisal Eva, Ibrahim Zaman Elin, Shamima Akhter Swarna, Ibrahim Hossain Sanim, Shafiqul Islam, Arifur Islam, Lamia, Shakeel Ahmed, Ucchash Talukdar, Sabiha Haque, Nafis Ismam Tashiq, Anika Ibnat Anamika, Md. Manyur Islam Nibir, Jannatul Ferdous Runa and Shahinul Islam Sagar.

The authorities of Islamic University in Kushtia on Wednesday expelled a student, also an ex-activist of the ruling Awami League-backed student organisation Bangladesh Chhatra League, for vandalising the university medical centre. Five other students were also suspended from the university temporarily for torturing a fresher in the human resource management department. The decision was made at a meeting of the university’s disciplinary committee with vice-chancellor Professor Shaikh Abdus Salam in the chair in the afternoon. The expelled, Rezwan Siddiqi Kabbo, was a student of the law department under 2018-19 academic session and also an IU BCL activist. Four other suspended students were Hisham Nazir Shuvo, Mizanur Rahman Emon, Shahriar Hasan Pulok, Sheikh Sala Uddin Shakib and Sadman Sakib Aqib. All are students of the human resource management department under the 2021-22 academic session of the university. The vice-chancellor issued the expulsion order against Kabbo and the suspension order against Shuvo, Emon, Pulok and Shakib for violating rules and regulations of the university, IU proctor professor M Shahadat Hossain Azad said. Kabbo was expelled as the probe bodies found his involvement in vandalising the university medical centre while the rest of the four other students were expelled for their involvement in torturing a fresher, the proctor said. Earlier, Kabbo and two of his accomplices vandalised equipment at the university medical centre on the campus in Kushtia on July 11, 2023. The university administration suspended them on July 15. On September 3, a group of students, including Hisham Nazir Shuvo, Mizanur Rahman Emon, Shahriar Hasan Pulok, Sheikh Salauddin Shakib and Sadman Shakib Akib of the human resource management department brought a fresher of the same department to Birshreshtha Hamidur Rahman Auditorium area after his orientation class on September 2 and tortured him mentally. They tortured him again on September 3. On September 10, the victim filed a complaint with proctor M Shahadat Hossain Azad, student adviser Professor Shelina Nasrin and acting registrar HM Ali Hasan in this connection seeking punishment for the accused involved in torturing him. The university authorities formed a five-member probe body, headed by IU business administration faculty dean Professor M Shaiful Islam to look into the matter. On October 3, the university authorities expelled IU BCL unit former activist Rezwan Siddiqi Kabbo for vandalism and Hisham Nazir Shuvo and Mizanur Rahman Emon for torturing the fresher of the human resource management department. The university administration also suspended Pulok, Shakib and Akib for their alleged involvement in torturing the fresher. Later, the university authorities on October 4 withdrew their decision about expelling three students following a demonstration staged by a group of fellow students of the 2021-22 academic session.

Women’s Federation for World Peace Bangladesh (WFWP-BD) with the support of the University of Liberal Arts (ULAB) arranged an event “Youthful Roots: Planting Harmony for Tomorrow” with an aim to inspire the youth community to plant trees for a sustainable Bangladesh relating to the SDG-13 Climate Action. Women’s Federation for World Peace Bangladesh (WFWP-BD) introduced GREEN FEST on July 30, 2023 which is a yearly basis agenda with a primary objective to build awareness of Green Environment, Safe Living Standards and the Impact of Green on Human Qualities for youth with a sustainable objective to create Green Economy and Green Ecosystem in Bangladesh. “Youthful Roots: Planting Harmony for Tomorrow” is one of the core action plans of GREEN FEST 2023. The objective of the event is to raise awareness of a Green and Safe Environment with a prolonged sustainable impact through planting and mothering trees by engaging dynamic youth power, learning the importance of green skills for ensuring a green economy, green ecosystem and green mind in Bangladesh for a better future, said a press release on Wednesday. Core Action Plans for the event are planting trees on the premises of each selected university, formulating a group of students and a team leader to plant and mother trees. It was also planned to accelerate the youth leadership to plant and nurse trees, and to monitor and evaluate the growth of trees in significant times by advisory boards, provide awards in recognition to the successful group of students as Youth Green Leader and promote social awareness of the green environment by the engagement of the youth community. Ghanshyam Bhandari, Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh, Espen Rikter-Svendsen, Ambassador of Norway and Sheela Pillai, Chargé d’Affaires, High Commission of the Republic of Singapore attended the event as the guest of honour and Professor Imran Rahman, Vice-Chancellor, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh attended the event as the special guest with WFWP Bangladesh President Mehreen in the chair. The dignitaries planted trees during the event and the students will be nursing and mothering those trees. The same approach will be followed by different Universities in the days to come. The dignitaries were recognised as Green Leaders by WFWP Bangladesh. They shared relevant experiences and motivational information with the students for their learning and acknowledgement of the Green Environment.

The Education Ministry on Wednesday formed a five-member high-level expert committee to review a story titled  "Sharifa" in the history and social science textbook of grade seven. A press release signed by Mohammad Abul Khair, information and public relations officer of the ministry was issued in this regard. According to the press release, the committee will help the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) by reviewing the story thoroughly. Other members of the committee are Mufti Maulana Kafil Uddin Sarker, governor of the Islamic Foundation; Prof Moshiuzzaman, member of the NCTB; Abdul Halim, director of the Institute of Education and Research (IER) at Dhaka University; and Prof Mohammad Abdur Rashid, principal of Dhaka Alia Madrasa. The development came after a teacher at a private university recently talked over the inclusion of transgender issues in the textbook and tore the pages of the textbook that went viral on social media.  

Bangladesh's Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel today (January 23, 2024) addressed the media regarding the ongoing controversy over a story featured in a textbook. “We plan to consult with experts about the story of Sharifa discussed in the textbook. If there's any confusion or misrepresentation, changes will be made,” Chowdhury told reporters at the Secretariat. The story of Sharifa previously sparked debate, and currently, some are protesting over its content. The Education Minister emphasized the need for a thorough discussion with National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) to understand why the story is eliciting such reactions. Read more: UGC team investigates IU VC’s corruptions in teacher recruitment He expressed concern about certain groups’ tendency to exploit religious sentiments and instigate instability and anarchy in the country, and said, “A few days ago, some recommendations were given to me from an organization. Some Qawmi madrasa teachers claimed that the word ‘transgender’ has been used in the textbook. However, upon examination, it was clarified that the term used was ‘third gender’.” “In our society, third gender individuals, commonly known as ‘Hijra,’ are legally recognized citizens with rights," Minister Chowdhury clarified. He further added, “If the presentation of the story leads to misunderstandings and controversies, we will discuss with experts whether we can modify its presentation while respecting the dignity of the third gender individuals. This is a specialized issue, and we don’t want to comment at a policy level.” Responding to a question about the BRAC University controversy, the Education Minister said, “We will discuss this matter with BRAC University and understand the issue through the University Grants Commission, following which a detailed discussion will be held.” Read more: Govt changes class schedule for primary schools due to cold wave

Classes at government primary schools will start from 10 am with immediate effect until January 31, in a bid to protect students from the effects of a cold wave sweeping over the country. UGC team investigates IU VC’s corruptions in teacher recruitment An office order signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Kabir Uddin was issued in this regard on Sunday. Earlier on January 16, the Ministry issued a circular over the closure of educational institutions under secondary level will also remain effective, it added. Monash University Foundation Year orientation program held at UCB According to the circular, “A cold wave is sweeping different parts of the country and as a result, the educational activities are being seriously hampered. The regional deputy directors in consultation with the district education officers can keep the educational institutions under secondary level shut if the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius in any district.” Primary, secondary-level edu institutions shut for Monday for severe cold in Bogura

A three-member probe committee formed by the University Grants Commission started investigating the allegations including corruption in teacher recruitment brought against the Islamic University vice-chancellor Professor Shaikh Abdus Salam on Monday. The probe body led by the commission’s member Professor M Abu Taher included its public management division additional director M Fazlur Rahman and public management division’s deputy director Muhammad Yousuf Ali Khan. Campus sources said that the probe body met IU vice-chancellor Professor Shaikh Abdus Salam, pro-vice-chancellor Professor M Mahbubur Rahman, treasurer Professor M Alamgir Hossain Bhuiya and teachers of different teacher associations. The team, as part of its investigation, investigated the important files and documents as well as the audio clips that went viral on the social media Facebook from February 16 to June 13 last year. UGC on January 11 formed the probe body against the Islamic University vice-chancellor Shaikh Abdus Salam to investigate the allegations of various corruptions brought against him, including teacher recruitment anomaly. On February 17, IU acting registrar HM Ali Hasan filed a general diary with Islamic University police station after an audio clip, containing conversation between the VC and a jobseeker from IU mass communication and journalism department, had gone viral on February 16. In an audio conversation, shared from a Facebook account named Farah Jebin on March 8, VC Abdus Salam was heard saying to a person over phone that he would make his relative first or second in the university’s economics department recruitment board. The Islamic University Teachers’ Association and Awami League-backed teachers’ alliance Shapla Forum submitted a written petition seeking an explanation from the vice-chancellor regarding the leaked audio conversations on February 18. Later, the forum also sought the prime minister’s intervention regarding the issue. UGC member M Abu Taher said that they were investigating the allegations of corruption against IU VC Shaikh Salam. The ministry concerned would take action against the VC if any corruptions brought against him were proved.