United News of Bangladesh

International School Dhaka (ISD), which offers International Baccalaureate curricula to its local and foreign students, organised a Bangla poetry writing competition marking the country’s 53rd Victory Day on Saturday. Nazifah Tasnim Tabassum came out as the winner in the Middle School section for her poem ‘Jonmobhumi’ (Motherland) while Wafa Jahan Shakira won at the High School level for her poem ’Bhalobasar Bangladesh’ (Of Love for Bangladesh). They were awarded at the Victory Day Assembly organised by the school’s Bangla Department. Reciting poem ‘Shadhinotar Shukh’ (Happiness of Freedom) grade 2 students joined the celebration that included music. Grade 7 students performed a musical drama titled ‘Hridoy Amar Bangladesh’ (Bangladesh is in my heart) illustrating the history of Bangladesh inclusive of the 1971 liberation war. “Through this assembly we try to instill in our students a deep sense of pride and responsibility towards the legacy of our nation,” said Bangla Department Head Ishrat Jahan. ISD Director Steve Calland-Scoble said, “It’s a great opportunity for our kids to share their culture and values with everyone in the school.” The school’s Primary Principal David Longworth and Secondary Principal Chris Boyle also spoke.

The newly-appointed Vice-Chancellor of Jagannath University (JnU), Prof. Sadeka Halim, has stated her commitment to seeing Bangladesh move forward with the spirit of the Liberation War, after paying homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar, marking the 52nd Victory Day. “Bangladesh has progressed a lot in social, political and economic sectors. However, there are many obstacles and limitations,” she said. Dr Sadeka, who in her last post served as chair of the Sociology department of Dhaka University, also urged the young generation to know the history of their Liberation War from the brave freedom fighters. She praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for developing the country 'enormously' and said, “At present, we have achieved a lot. We are applying that achievement internationally. At present, the main achievement of our victory is that the country is moving forward with emphasis on all the issues of victory under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Apart from this, the Prime Minister's dream of making Smart Bangladesh requires economic development, civil sector mentality and acceptance of diversity.” The first woman to be appointed as Vice-Chancellor of Jagannath University (JnU) also added, "It is not possible to repay the sacrifices of freedom fighters. But we should think about why they fought. And we must uphold their sacrifices. We have to protect our independence and move forward with the spirit of the Liberation War." Among others, Humayun Kabir Chowdhury, treasurer of the university, deans of various faculties, Hall Provost, and the President and General Secretary of the Teachers Association, were also present. Dr Sadeka Halim is the daughter of the late, great scientist Fazlul Halim Chowdhury, who himself was one of the longest-serving vice chancellors of Dhaka University.  Apart from her academic positions, she also served as one of the commissioners in the country's inaugural Information Commission. 

Expressing solidarity with Palestinians, a cultural event 'Intifada Palestine', was held on Jagannath University (JnU) campus in protest against the barbaric Israeli aggressions supported by the US on innocent people on Wednesday. The students of different departments participated in the cultural function organised by 'Chintak' on the university's "Vaskharya Chattar" premises. Sammilita Sangskritik Jote protests against Israel's attacks on Palestinians in Gaza The programme was organised under the initiative of 'Chintak', a quarterly periodical published by the students of the university. In the event, the tragic pictures of torture of the Palestinians were put up before the participants through revolutionary speeches, protest songs and poems. Protest marches from US to Berlin call for immediate halt to Israeli bombing of Gaza In addition, pictures of brutal killings on Palestinians were also displayed at the event. The revolutionary spirit of the Palestinians was depicted through the recitation of Kazi Nazrul Islam's 'Bidrohi'. Ivan Tahsib, editor of "Chintak" magazine and one of the organisers of the protest programme, said, "We want to say from this solidarity programme that American imperialism is responsible for the terrible situation of the Palestinian people today, just as Israeli Zionism is responsible. This is not just a war of religion, it is a war for the survival of America's capitalist interests. Not all Jews support the genocide of Palestinians. Many Jews in the UK, France and Germany are against the genocide." Islamic parties stage protest condemning Israeli attacks on Palestine Joydeep Bhattacharya, organiser of the Bangladesh Chapter of "Health Care Workers for Palestine", Rafiquzzaman Farid, adviser of the quarterly periodical 'Sairen', published by the students of Dhaka University, and cultural activists joined the event and expressed their solidarity with the freedom-seeking Palestinians. Along with them, Sushmita Roy Supti, organiser of 'Charan Cultural Centre’' and many leaders joined their voices.

Dhaka University administration on Wednesday blocked a panel discussion on "National Curriculum 2021" after allowing organisers to arrange the programme. The panel discussion titled "National Curriculum 2021: Why Are We Concerned?" was scheduled to be held at the RC Majumdar Arts Auditorium of the Lecture Theatre building of DU on Wednesday. Maksud Kamal takes charge as 29th VC of Dhaka University The University Teachers' Network arranged the programme to discuss several matters about the curriculum. After the speakers and the audience gathered in front of the auditorium, Professor Dr Abdul Bashir, dean of the Faculty of Arts, called the organisers over the phone and informed them not to hold the discussion. Vested groups spreading falsehood about new curriculum: Dipu Moni  When asked about not allowing the programme, Bashir said, "We gave permission in view of their written application. But I got to know at 2:00 pm that this programme may hurt the state, the government, and our nation. That's why I called the organisers and requested that they arrange it somewhere else." Meanwhile, the University Teachers' Network held a rally in front of the Aparajeyo Bangla Sculpture, protesting the decision. Students will be assessed based on their skills in the new curriculum: Dipu Moni Prof Kamrul Hasan Mamun of the Physics department of the university said, "We wanted to hold a discussion about the pros and cons of the new curriculum. Those who obstruct such a harmless programme do not want the welfare of the state. The new curriculum that has been imposed on our students is nothing but an empty shell." Prof Nasir Uddin of Jagannath University said, "In the new curriculum, 30 percent of science activities have been kept and the rest have been removed. Art and culture, life, and livelihood subjects have been given priority, excluding science and mathematics. These may be part of technical education, not mainstream. If this continues, administrators and executives will have to be imported from abroad soon." The protest rally was attended by the teachers of Dhaka University, guardians, and some students.

Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC) has concluded its first ever job readiness program, BYLC Connected, for graduating students and young professionals in Bangladesh. The program was aim at graduating students and young professionals who are looking to start or grow their careers, according to a press release.   As part of the program, BYLC's Office of Professional Development trained roughly 80 enrolled participants on resume writing, acing interviews, psychometric exams, and important soft and technical skills relevant to the present job sector throughout their 10-day training session, reads the press release. Participants had the opportunity to network with recruiters, as well as receive placement and career counseling services. BYLC Office of Professional Development (OPD) was launched in 2016 with a vision to respond to the systemic challenges in talent development in Bangladesh through innovative interventions. Through their programs, OPD connects youth to jobs and employment opportunities via partnerships with renowned employers of the country, provides them with necessary skills, and gives them the opportunity to gain insights from industry leaders. Till date, OPD has trained around 3124 and placed around 895 in employment opportunities, according to the official press release.

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at Northern University Bangladesh (NUB) organized its CSE Day 203 on December 9, Saturday, with a focus on the role of technology in building a Smart Bangladesh. The event, held at the university auditorium on its permanent campus in the capital, brought together distinguished guests, faculty, students, and industry leaders to celebrate innovation and discuss the future of technology in Bangladesh, according to a press release.  Member of Parliament of Dhaka-18 Constituency Mohammad Habib Hasan joined the event as the chief guest. He lauded the students for their innovative projects and expressed his confidence that they will play a vital role in fulfilling the vision of a Smart Bangladesh. Professor Dr Abu Yousuf Md Abdullah, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NUB said, "The times have changed, the current world is seeing new technologies almost every day. There is an endless competition of innovation around the world. To lead the country in this competition, you will be the torchbearers of the future in the knowledge industry on behalf of the country.” 

Dr S R Lasker Library of East West University (EWU) hosted the 17th International Conference on Webometrics, Informetrics, and Scientometrics (WIS) from December 8-10 at East West University, Aftabnagar in the capital. The three-day conference was organized by COLLNET in association with the Society for Library Professionals and Special Libraries Association, Asia Community. The Inaugural Ceremony of the conference was held on Friday, December 8, at the Manzur Elahi Auditorium of EWU. Syed Manzur Elahi, Chairperson, Board of Trustees, EWU and Former Adviser of the Caretaker Government joined the inauguration as the chief guest. “Webometrics, Informetrics, and Scientometrics are always important fields in understanding and assessing the impact and dynamics of knowledge, research, and information dissemination in the digital age. This conference will provide a valuable platform for academics, librarians, information technology professionals, and policymakers advancing research and activities in these areas,” he said at the event. Professor Dr Shams Rahman, Vice Chancellor of EWU delivered the welcome speech at the inauguration ceremony. Dr Bernd Markscheffel, Academic Council (Senior Researcher), Department of Information and Knowledge Management, Technische Universität Ilmenau, Germany was the special guest on the occasion. Prof Jean-Charles Lamirel, Professor at  the Dalian University of Technology, China, and the University of Strasbourg, France, delivered the Keynote Speech during the session which was ended with a vote of thanks by the Conference Chair Dr Dilara Begum, Associate Professor and Chairperson, Department of Information Studies, and Librarian (In-Charge), EWU. Around 250 researchers, librarians, academicians and other professionals from different countries are participating in the conference, where a total of 85 research papers are being presented.

Law enforcement agencies detained 67 individuals, including 5 women, from the northern districts of Gaibandha, Rangpur and Lalmonirhat from Thursday night to Friday morning, on charges of fraudulence in the assistant teacher recruitment test for primary schools. In Gaibandha, members of the Rapid Action Battalion detained 35 of them people from different areas of the district including examination centres, during the examination itself on Friday morning. Several mobiles, electronic devices and various equipment to facilitate an elaborate cheating scheme were seized, said ASP Mostafizur Rahman, commander of RAB-13, during a press conference held at the Gaibandha RAB Camp's auditorium on Friday afternoon. Meanwhile in Rangpur, police detained 19 individuals, again from different areas of the district including exam centres and Rangpur city. During this time, 80 mobile phones and devices were seized from their possession, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Moniruzzaman said in a press briefing this afternoon. Divulging the scheme put in use by the syndicate, the Commissioner said one group would be inside the exam centre - they would take pictures of the question papers distributed in the exam centre and electronically transfer them to their fellow conspirators outside. A few of the group outside are some of our everyday math geniuses, using modern devices to solve the problems to a T. Real candidates inside the exam centres then received these answers and in some cases removed them. Based on a tip-off, the police started the operation from Thursday night as they already had an active investigation in this regard. Apart from Rangpur, more members of this syndicate team have been arrested from different districts of the division. The detainees will be interrogated in this regard, said the officer, adding that a case will be filed against them. In Lalmonirhat, 13 examinees were detained on charges amounting to cheating in the primary assistant teacher recruitment examination on Friday. The detainees are Ashiq Siddiqui (25), Paranjan Roy (30), Nazmun Nahar (30), Rabiul Islam (31), Sahera Khatun (31), Lovely Khatun (31), Afrin Akhtar (27), Rafia Sultana (27). Khadija Khatun (30), Tripti Rani (26), Sohagi Begum (31), Mahabooba Raihana (29) and Tuli Rani Roy (29). Omar Faruq, officer-in-charge (OC) of Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station, confirmed the detention on Friday afternoon. He said that the written examination for the recruitment of assistant teachers under the Department of Primary Education was held at 10am in various centers of the district. During the examination, 13 persons were caught red handed by the invigilators while using electronic devices in the exam halls. Later, they were handed over to the police. Legal action will be taken upon receiving a complaint, added the officer. The first phase of the government primary school assistant teacher recruitment test held at 535 centres under 18 districts in Rangpur, Barishal and Sylhet division. A total of 3,60,697 candidates were expected to take part in the exam.  

At least 74 percent of the country's students who are seeking university admission are suffering from depression, according to a study by Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST). Among them, 26 percent of the students are suffering from mild depression, 26 percent of moderate depression, and 22 percent of the students are suffering from severe depression. A team of researchers led by Dr. Jamal Uddin, Professor of Statistics Department of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Sylhet, conducted a survey titled 'Prevalence of depression and its associated factors among undergraduate admission candidates in Bangladesh: Anation-wide cross-sectional study' on about 5,000 university admission candidates of 2021-22 HSC session in the divisional cities of Bangladesh. Also read: DU undergraduate admission process to begin from December 18 Through this survey, the researchers divided the severity of depression among the university admission seekers into three categories. The study was published on Nov. 30 in the international multidisciplinary Q1 journal PLOS One (Impact Factor: 3.7, 2022). Regarding the study, Dr. Jamal Uddin said, "Factors have been identified behind both the increase and decrease of depression. Gender, blackmail, family problems, serious illness, Covid-19 diganosis, academic results, and psychological problems have been identified as factors behind the increase in depression." Also read: Single entry test for public universities not from next year: UGC Chairman "On the other hand, confidence in preparing for admission tests, exercise, study time, religious practice, play a role in reducing depression. Although family income and social media use have been identified as the catalyst for depression, their impact is not very strong [in these cases]. In addition, the study also revealed that there was no relation between the habit of smoking, marital status, love affairs and religious beliefs with the depression among the admission candidates." Another author of the study, Md. Abu Bakar Siddique, said that female students are almost twice as likely to suffer from moderate depression as boys. The correlation between recent experiences of blackmail and familial issues in students often leads to a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing severe depression, often two to three times more than their peers. He emphasized that genuine companionship and a supportive family environment are irreplaceable when it comes to alleviating depression among students. "Simultaneously, fostering awareness about physical fitness and religious discipline proves influential. It's crucial to prioritize not just the students' physical health but also their mental well-being. Beyond academic success, a collaborative effort from families, educational institutions, society, and the government is imperative to nurture a resilient generation, both physically and mentally," saod Abu Bakar. Md. Nafiul Hasan and Al Mahmud of Department of Statistics at SUST, Munmun Sarker, a student of the Department of Microbiology of Dhaka University, Mahmudul Hasan Milad, a student of the Department of Public Health of the University of Birmingham, UK, Akher Ali, a student of the Department of Statistics, Jahangirnagar University, and Jubayer Ahmed, assistant professor of the Department of Economics and Banking, Islamic University, Chattogram also contributed to the research.

The online application process for admission to Dhaka University's undergraduate programme for the 2023–24 academic session will start on December 18. The online application procedure will start at 12 pm on December 18 and continue until 12 am on January 5. Applicants will be able to download their admit cards from February 8 until the exam date. Also read: Prof  Maksud Kamal made 29th VC of Dhaka University The decision was made in the DU admission committee's meeting held at Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building of Dhaka University on Tuesday which was presided over by DU Vice Chancellor prof. Maksud Kamal. This year, four admission tests will be held under four individual units. The units are Fine Arts unit, Science unit, Business education unit and 'Arts, Law and Social Science unit'. The admission test for Arts, Law and Social Science unit has been scheduled to be held on February 23; the date for the Business Education unit has been scheduled for February 24; and the test for the Science unit will be held on March 1. These three tests will be held in eight divisional districts of the country. Also read: DU introduces 'The Dhaka University Trust Fund’ The test(Drawing and MCQ) for the Fine Arts unit has been scheduled to be held on March 9 at Dhaka. The duration of all the tests will be one and a half hours and will start at 11 am and end at 12.30 pm on the scheduled dates. Applicants to the Science, Business Studies, Arts, Law, and Social Science units will be given 45 minutes for MCQs and 45 minutes for written tests. While 30 minutes for the MCQ exam and 60 minutes for the written(drawing)  exam have been allotted for the fine arts unit's test. Students will be evaluated on the basis of a total 120 marks in the admission test. Out of this total 120 marks, 100 will be counted from the test and 20 marks from SSC and HSC GPA. Applicants seeking admission must have to pass the Secondary/Equivalent examination in-between 2018 to 2021 and Higher Secondary/equivalent examination in 2023 . for 'Science Unit' GPA-sum of two board exam(SSC and HSC including 4th subject) have to be minimum 8 and GPA 3.5 separately in each exam ', for 'Arts, Law and Social Science Unit' GPA-sum of two board exam have to be minimum 7.5 and separately GPA 3.0 in each board exam  , Business Education Unit' must have minimum GPA-sum of 7.5 and separately GPA 3.0. And any student who has a total GPA of 6.5 and separately 3.00 in SSC and HSC can apply for the Fine Arts admission test. Also read: Single entry test for public universities not from next year: UGC Chairman