United News of Bangladesh

A prayer and Milad Mahfil was held at Masjidul Jami'a, the Central Mosque of the University of Dhaka, after Asr prayers today to mark the 45th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.  Before the prayers, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam delivered a brief speech highlighting the life and contributions of Ziaur Rahman. Among those who also spoke briefly were Professor Dr. Abdus Salam, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Treasurer, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the National University Professor Md. Lutfor Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at DU Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Sarkar and Nahiduzzaman Shipon, General Secretary of the Dhaka University unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal. The event was attended by deans of various faculties, provosts of different residential halls, and a large number of teachers, students, officers, and employees of the university. Paying deep tribute to the memory of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, VC Obaidul Islam said that Ziaur Rahman was responsible for many of Bangladesh’s major achievements. He stated that Ziaur Rahman declared the country's independence and actively participated in the Liberation War as a sector commander. His contributions to safeguarding Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty, he said, would be remembered with respect by the nation for generations to come. The Vice-Chancellor further said that Ziaur Rahman consistently played the role of a saviour during times of national need. He introduced multiparty democracy in the country after a period of one-party rule and worked to build a self-reliant Bangladesh by addressing hunger and poverty. His honesty, patriotism, and foreign policy, he added, continue to serve as examples for all. Professor Obaidul Islam also called upon everyone to work together to establish good governance and social justice in the country by upholding the ideals of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.

Sada Dal of Dhaka University, a BNP-leaning teachers' alliance, has strongly condemned and protested remarks made by State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, who compared Dhaka University to a “coaching centre.” In a statement issued today, Sada Dal said the recent comments made by the state minister were “extremely derogatory and irresponsible” and unacceptable under any circumstances. The organization said Dhaka University currently ranks among the country’s leading research institutions and holds the top position among public universities in Bangladesh in terms of research and publications. According to the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia rankings, the university remains one of the country’s premier institutions for higher education and research, it added. The statement noted that nearly 56 active and specialized research bureaus and centres operate under the university’s science, arts, and social science faculties. Among them are the Centre for Advanced Research in Sciences (CARS) and the Centre for Social Science Research (CSSR). It also mentioned that teachers and students of Dhaka University publish numerous research papers every year in internationally recognized Scopus and Web of Science indexed journals. The Sada Dal alleged that while commenting on the university’s research activities, the state minister compared Dhaka University with two private universities based on “false information,” which it described as highly condemnable. The statement further said Dhaka University is not merely a higher education institution but is deeply intertwined with the history, birth, and development of independent Bangladesh. According to the statement, Dhaka University also provided historic leadership in various anti-autocracy movements in independent Bangladesh, including the anti-Ershad movement of the 1990s, resistance against the post-1/11 undemocratic government, and the 2024 anti-fascist mass uprising led by students and the public. Sada Dal also said Dhaka University has remained at the forefront of preserving Bengali culture, secular values, and the tradition of celebrating Pahela Baishakh. Despite limited budgets and what it described as state negligence, the university’s contributions to education and research continue to receive global recognition. The statement said, “Bangladesh means Dhaka University.” It termed it extremely unfortunate that a responsible state minister would make remarks such as “Dhaka University is a coaching centre” about such a historic institution closely tied to the nation’s emotions and identity. The organisation claimed that the minister’s remarks could not have come from any “sane or historically conscious individual” and instead appeared to be “ignorant ramblings.” It said such comments from a member of the government were deeply shameful and had hurt the entire university community as well as the people of the country. The statement added that the remarks had insulted current students, teachers, former teachers and alumni of the university, along with its glorious history and contributions. Demanding an immediate withdrawal of the comments, Sada Dal warned that teachers and students would be compelled to announce tougher programmes to protect the dignity of the university if the remarks were not retracted. The statement was signed by Sada Dal convener prof. Dr. Md Morshed Hasan Khan and joint conveners prof. Dr Abdus Salam and prof. Dr Md Abul Kalam Sarker.

Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister, and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said the newly established Thakurgaon University will be developed as a world-class institution free from political influence, nepotism and partisan considerations. Speaking at the inauguration of the university’s temporary office in the Tatipara area of Thakurgaon town, he stressed that all appointments – from faculty members to administrative staff – will be made solely on the basis of merit and qualifications. “We want to build Thakurgaon University into a truly world-class institution. There will be no room for political influence, favouritism or nepotism in recruitment. Only the most qualified and competent candidates will be appointed,” Fakhrul said. The temporary office has been set up on the western side of the Govt Boys’ High School ground in Thakurgaon town. Describing the university as a long-cherished aspiration of the people of the district, Fakhrul said the institution represents more than just an educational establishment. “Thakurgaon University is a reflection of the hopes and dreams of the people of this region. If we want to establish a modern and internationally competitive university, we cannot compromise on the quality of education,” he said. The BNP leader also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the government for taking steps to establish the university. He noted that the people of Thakurgaon had long demanded both a medical college and a university, adding that the government moved quickly to fulfil the demand by establishing the university, appointing a vice-chancellor and launching its temporary office. “The inauguration of the temporary office marks an important step towards making the university fully operational,” Fakhrul said. Among others, State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad, Thakurgaon-3 MP Zahidul Islam, Vice-Chancellor of the university Dr Md Israfil, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rafiqul Huq district BNP President Mirza Faisal Amin, among others, addressed the programme. Senior government officials, political leaders, academics, journalists and local dignitaries were also present.

Students of Khulna University (KU) staged a protest rally on Friday, condemning recent incidents of rape, brutal killings and the prevailing culture of impunity in the country. The protest was held in front of the university’s ‘Odommo Bangla’ sculpture around 5:30pm, where students demanded speedy trial and exemplary punishment for those involved in rape and murder. During the demonstration, participants chanted various protest slogans and expressed deep concern over the rising incidents of sexual violence and killings across the country. They alleged that the recurring failure to ensure justice is encouraging perpetrators and contributing to the growing trend of such crimes. Khulna University teacher suspended over ‘sexual harassment’ The students also criticized what they described as the inadequate role of the state and administration in ensuring the safety and security of women. Speaking at the rally, Zahid, a fourth-year student of the university, said, “When those elected by the people to govern the state respond to such brutal incidents with remarks that appear insensitive or mocking, it becomes a matter of shame for the entire nation.” He added that ensuring public safety is the primary responsibility of the home minister, not making controversial statements. Joining the protest in solidarity, a female student said, “We now feel unsafe even moving alone during the daytime. We are afraid of riding autorickshaws alone and even feel uncomfortable walking alone inside university campuses.” She called for ensuring safe movement and security for all citizens regardless of gender. Another fourth-year student, Tanvir, said, “We are living in a reality where governments change over time, but the condition of ordinary people remains unchanged. The existing state structure has repeatedly failed to ensure citizens’ safety.” He stressed the need for immediate and exemplary punishment for offenders to curb rape and violence against women. Another student, Rad, said people no longer want to witness delays in the name of justice. He demanded quick disposal of rape cases and maximum punishment for the perpetrators. He also proposed formation of a separate commission under the law and home ministries to expedite investigations and trials related to rape cases. The protesters urged the authorities concerned to take effective measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents and ensure women’s safety across the country.

Professor Mohammad Iqbal, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) in Gazipur, finally joined office on Thursday amid a ‘complete shutdown’ enforced by a section of students. He entered the DUET campus in the afternoon under tight security amid ongoing student protests. As weekly and Eid holidays begin from Friday (May 22), the campus was almost empty, with most students having already left the university halls for home. Later in the afternoon, the Vice-Chancellor formally assumed office and began carrying out his duties. He also exchanged views with teachers and university staff. Professor Dr Mohammad Iqbal said he has been performing his responsibilities since joining on Sunday. He said he has already signed more than 100 official files, including salary and leaveapprovals for university officials and employees. He also said efforts would be made to discuss and resolve the issues raised by the protesting students. Earlier, anti-VC protesters enforced ‘red card’ and ‘blockade’ programmes, bringing academic and administrative activities on the campus to a halt. The protesting students vowed to continue their movement until their three-point demand is met. Their demands include cancellation of the appointment of Professor Dr Mohammad Iqbal and the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor from among DUET teachers currently serving at the university. The unrest began after the government appointed Dr Mohammad Iqbal, a teacher of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, as the new VC of DUET. Soon after the announcement, a section of DUET students rejected the appointment and demanded that the Vice-Chancellor be appointed from within the university.

A section of students of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) enforced a ‘complete shutdown’ programme on Wednesday, protesting the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor which brought academic and administrative activities on the campus to a standstill. The protesting students locked the university’s main gate, forcing staff and students to climb over the boundary wall to enter and leave the campus. The protesters announced the ‘complete shutdown’ programme on Tuesday afternoon on the sixth day of their movement. Earlier, anti-VC protesters enforced ‘red card’ and ‘blockade’ programmes, effectively halting all activities on the campus. The students vowed to continue their movement until their three-point demand is met. Scrapping the appointment of Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Iqbal and the selection of a VC from among DUET teachers currently serving at the university are among the demands. The unrest began after the government appointed Dr Mohammad Iqbal of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology as the new VC of DUET. Soon after the announcement, a section of the university's students rejected the appointment and demanded a VC appointed from within DUET. 

Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) Secretary and founding convener of the Islamic University Journalists’ Association (IUJA), Dr Sanwar Jahan Bhuiyan, exchanged views with members of the association at Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia on Monday. The programme was held at the university’s Press Corner. Kushtia District Executive Magistrate Zilkad Hossain, IUJA General Secretary Juel Rana and other members of the organisation were present. Islamic University students demand justice for murdered fellow student At the beginning of the programme, the guest was welcomed with flowers. A university diary, calendar and the association’s magazine “Lubdhok” were also presented to him as souvenirs.

Students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) under the banner of Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway for about 20 minutes on Monday, protesting the failure to arrest the suspect involved in an attempted rape of a female student even after more than 100 hours. They brought out a protest procession from the Shaheed Minar area of the university at around 4:00pm. JU students protest ‘harassment’ of proctor Later, they staged a brief rally near the main gate (Dairy Gate) and blocked the adjacent Dhaka-Aricha highway from 4:37pm to 4:57pm.

Leaders of the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) on Saturday warned of blocking the Dhaka-Aricha highway if authorities fail to arrest the suspect accused of attempting to rape a female student on the campus. The student body also placed a five-point demand, calling for a neutral investigation into the incident and measures to ensure campus safety. JUCSU leaders announced the demands at a press conference held in front of the main gate of the Vice Chancellor’s residence in the afternoon. At the briefing, they urged the government’s highest authorities to take immediate and effective steps to arrest the accused.  They also warned that students would launch a blockade programme on the Dhaka-Aricha highway if the arrest is delayed further. The organisation further demanded a neutral investigation into alleged negligence by the university registrar’s office, security division and proctorial body. JUCSU leaders also called on the administration to prevent any vested group from exploiting the situation and warned of fresh protests against the university authorities if their demands remain unmet.  

The Khulna regional phase of the National High School Programming Competition (NHSPC) and Bangladesh Cyber Security Olympiad (BCSO)-2026 was held at Khulna University on Saturday. The day-long competition was organised by the Bangladesh Computer Council and the National Cyber Security Agency in collaboration with the government’s ICT Division. Khulna University student gunned down Following the competition, prizes were distributed among the winning students in different categories of five events, including the High School Programming Competition, Cyber Security Olympiad and Quiz Competition, at the university’s Journalist Liaquat Ali Auditorium in the afternoon. Khulna University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Rezaul Karim distributed prizes among the winners as the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor said today’s students would make significant contributions to computer science in the future. He said the competition had demonstrated that talented students are emerging not only from renowned educational institutions but also from institutions in remote areas of the country. He said such events create opportunities for students to showcase their skills and capabilities and urged them to dream of doing something new through innovative thinking based on technology. The programme was presided over by Professor Dr. S.M. Rafizul Haque, Head of the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) Discipline of Khulna University. Sheikh Mofizur Rahman, Director of Bangladesh Computer Council, attended the event as a special guest, while MD Farhan Sadique, Lecturer of the CSE Discipline, delivered the welcome speech. Teachers of the CSE Discipline and students from various educational institutions across the Khulna region who participated in the competition were present at the award distribution ceremony.