education
DU reopens library amid huge rush of students and brief agitation
The Dhaka University on Sunday reopened its library after about an 18-month Covid-induced closure amid a heavy rush of students, some of them trying to force their entry defying health guidelines and causing short-lived agitation.
Tension erupted after assistant proctor Liton Kumar Saha allegedly attempted to slap a student who tried to enter the science library building forcefully, witnesses said.
Angered by Liton’s behaviour students mobbed him demanding an explanation from him.
Also read: DU dormitories to reopen on Oct 5
The students also harassed two campus reporters and forced them to delete the photos and videos they shot.
IU ‘D’ unit intake test on Nov 2
The 'D' unit intake test for the first year honours’ courses under 2020-21 academic session of Theology and Islamic Studies faculty of Islamic University will be held on the campus in Kushtia on November 2.
The admission tests of the university’s other faculties, will be held under unified entry test system.
Read: Islamic University waives transport, hall fees from period of Covid-19 closure
The decision was made at an emergency meeting of IU central admission test committee with its vice-chancellor Professor Shaikh Abdus Salam in the chair.
A press release, signed by IU acting registrar M Ataur Rahman, was issued in this regard Sunday noon.
The admission test will be held separately as there is no such subjects in other public universities, IU acting registrar said.
The regular classes and examinations of all departments will remain closed during the admission test, he added.
The uniform admission tests of 20 public universities will be held from October 17 to 24 across the country.
Read: Islamic University to start final exams from Sept 12
On January 23, 2020, the University Grants Commission decided to introduce a uniform entry test for all public universities across the country from the academic year 2020-21, aiming at reducing the sufferings of the admission-seekers and their guardians.
The universities that are taking centralised admission tests are Islamic University, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Khulna University, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Jagannath University, Comilla University, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Jessore University of Science and Technology, Begum Rokeya University Rangpur, Pabna University of Science and Technology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Barisal University and Patuakhali Science and Technology University.
BCBS, Canada offers scholarships for Bangladeshi students
Bangabandhu Centre for Bangladesh Studies in Canada (BCBS) has announced five scholarships to be awarded to Bangladeshi students studying in Canadian universities at the graduate and post-graduate levels in any session during the scholastic year 2021-2022.
High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Canada and the Chief Patron of the Bangabandhu Centre Dr Khalilur Rahman made the announcement seeking applications for the scholarships.
Read: EU’s Erasmus + scholarship 2021-2022 for 139 Bangladeshis
Applicants must be Bangladeshi citizens accepted as international students in any university within Canada for the winter term 2021-2022 in graduate or post-graduate studies in Canada.
The scholarships were announced in honour of the memories of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangamata Fazilatun Nessa Mujib and Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal and on the twin historic occasions of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh.
Read: Bangladesh, Hungary sign MoU over scholarships
The thematic areas of the scholarships are Bangabandhu’s “Peace Philosophy” and its Role and Significance in building World Peace, Bangladesh as a Role Model for Development: Marching forward for realizing Bangabandhu’s Unfinished Dream of Sonar Bangla (The Golden Bengal), Bangabandhu’s “Health Philosophy” and its role in achieving today’s progress in health sector in Bangladesh, Bangamata Fazilatun Nessa Mujib’s contribution to politics and its significance in women’s increasing participation in contemporary politics in Bangladesh and Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal: The Architect of Modern Sports in Bangladesh.
Schools, colleges that’ll see infection surge to be shut: Dipu Moni
If there is any report or possibility of rise in Covid cases in any educational institution then those will be closed, said Education Minister Dipu Moni on Saturday.
“But no such situation has so far arisen anywhere. If any report comes, we’ll take steps,” she said while talking to reporters after the inauguration of Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition at the Shilpakala Academy.
“We don’t want to bring the pre-primary level students to educational institutions now. After three weeks, we’ll take a decision on it,” said Dipu Moni.
Also read: Five girl students contract Covid in Thakurgaon school
Schoolgirl dies with Covid symtomps in Manikganj
An eighth-grader, who had been suffering from suspected Covid symptoms of fever, sore throat and shortness of breath, died in Manikganj Sadar, her family and school said on Thursday.
Identified as Rodela she died on Wednesday evening on way to Dhaka’s Kurmitola General Hospital.
She was a student of Surendra Kumar (SK) Govt Girls’ High School where she had a brilliant academic record of standing first in the class. She also excelled in dance, music and debates and won several prizes in school competitions.
Read: School reopening in Bangladesh: Children at greater risk in delta hit areas
Rodela’s relatives said she had been suffering from fever and sore throat since her first day of school on September 15. She was undergoing treatment under a local doctor who prescribed medicine for sore throat.
She was rushed to Munnu Medical College and Hospital in Manikganj on Wednesday afternoon after she complained of shortness of breath. She was being brought to Kurmitola General Hospital in Dhaka as her condition deteriorated, but unfortunately could not make it.
Meanwhile, another student of class X of the same school has tested positive for covid-19.
The two incidents have sparked concern among the guardians.
The teachers, however, said they are taking classes following all health protocols.
On September 15, when the student was confirmed positive, all the 56 students of class X were tested for Covid and their reports came out negative.
Still, as a precaution the class was closed for a week.
Read: Students in Bangladesh burst into joy as schools, colleges reopen
Deputy Commissioner of Manikganj Md Abdul Latif said that the administration is closely monitoring every educational institution of the area.
“If one more student gets infected, action will be taken as per the situation,” he added.
Munia rape and murder case: Bashundhara MD seeks anticipatory bail
Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir submitted a petition to the High Court on Thursday seeking anticipatory bail in a case over the rape and murder of college student Mosarat Jahan Munia in April this year.
HC bench of Justice Msotafa Zaman Islam and KM Zahid Sarwar will hear the bail petition on September 29.
On April 26, police recovered the hanging body of Munia from her flat in Gulshan. Munia's elder sister Nusrat Jahan Tania filed a case against Anvir that night accusing him of incitement to suicide.
According to Tania, her sister Munia was in a relationship with Anvir who regularly visited her at the Gulshan apartment.
Also read: Munia's death: Bashundhara MD among 8 sued over ‘rape, murder’
On July 19, the investigating officer of the case, Gulshan Police Station officer-in-charge Abul Hasan, submitted a final report to the court giving a clean chit to Anvir.
On September 6, Munia's sister Nusrat Jahan Tania filed a rape and murder case against Bashundhara Group MD and seven others with Dhaka's 8th Tribunal for Prevention of Women and Children's Repression.
The court after recording the complaint, directed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to submit a report on it.
Also read: Munia's death: Court accepts IO's final report clearing Bashundhara Group MD
The seven other accused in the case are: Bashundhara Group's Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan Shah Alam, Shah Alam's wife Afroza Begum; Anvir's wife Sabrina Sayem; Faria Mahbub Piyasha; Saifa Rahman Mim; landlord of the flat where the victim was staying, Ibrahim Ahmed Ripon and his wife Sharmim Akhter.
BU waives students' hall, transportation fees incurred during Covid closure
Barishal University has waived the hall and transportation fees of its students for the period of the Covid-19 closure.
The decision on the fee waiver was taken at a meeting of the university’s finance committee chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Sadequl Arefin .
University Proctor Dr Khorshed Alam said on Tuesday the decision was taken following written requests made by the students.
Read: Barishal University: 82, inc. 40 teachers, earn promotions
According to the decision, the authorities will coordinate with or repay the students who have already paid the fees soon, said the Proctor
Obaidur Rahman, a student of BU, said on August 31 they sent a written application to the VC through Proctor Khorshed Alam to waive the fees.
2 dead, dozens shot in Cox’s Bazar gun violence centring election
Two people were shot dead while at least 31 suffered bullet wounds in election-related gunfights in Cox's Bazar Monday morning.
The deceased were identified as Abul Kalam (40) and Abdul Hakim.
An initial incident took place at Noapara Madrasa Center in Qutubjom Union of Maheshkhali Island.
Read:Woman killed in Bagerhat UP polls violence
According to witnesses, supporters of Awami League candidate Sheikh Kamal and rebel candidate of the same party Mosharraf Hossain Khokon locked horns as they tried to seize control of the center around 9 am.
Things turned fatal when what started as a brawl turned into a straight up gunfight between rival goons.
Abul Kalam died and six others were wounded during this time.
Confirming the matter, Maheshkhali Police Station OC Abdul Hai said, "I have received news of one death in the clash between the two sides. The injured have been rushed to hospital.”
The second incident took place at Baragop union of Kutubdia upazila.
Confirming the matter, the Officer-in charge of Kutubdia Police Station Omar Haider said that a man named Abdul Halim was shot dead and as many as 25 were wounded in a clash between supporters of two candidates.
Details on the incident would be informed soon, he said.
Balloting at 160 union parishads spread across six districts began at 8am Monday and will continue till 4pm without any break.
In Cox’s Bazar, voting started in the 1st phase of elections in Chakaria and Maheshkhali municipalities of Cox's Bazar and 14 union parishads of four upazilas.
Earlier, our Cox's Bazar correspondent reported that balloting was moving at a snail’s pace, after visiting the Saborong High School polling center in Teknaf.
Read: UP elections: Voting underway in 160 union parishads, 9 municipalities
Till 11am, 3 hours into voting, just 150 out of nearly 3,000 voters registered to vote at the centre had cast their vote. Both men and women were seen standing in long queues waiting impatiently to exercise their right to franchise, and there was tension.
If the status quo continued, the voting scenario at the district might turn chaotic real soon, pur correspondent had warned
According to the Cox's Bazar District Election Office, the number of voters in Maheshkhali municipality of the district is 19,484 and in Chakaria municipality 48,724. There are 59 booths in 10 polling stations in Maheshkhali and 139 booths in 16 polling stations in Chakaria municipality.
The total number of voters in 14 unions of Pekua, Kutubdia, Maheshkhali and Teknaf upazilas of the district is 311,234 people.
The large number of injured means the death toll may rise, even without any further outbreaks of violence.
DU dormitories to reopen on Oct 5
Dhaka University authorities have decided to reopen its residential halls on October 5 next for the master’s and honours final-year students who have taken at least one dose of anti-Covid vaccine.
The decision was taken at a Syndicate meeting held with VC Prof Aktheruzzaman in the chair on Saturday.
The university central library, science library and the seminar rooms of all departments will be reopened for students from September 26 and those will remain open from 10 am to 5pm, said DU Pro-VC (Education) ASM Maksud Kamal.
He added that student IDs and the proof of having at least one vaccine dose will be strictly monitored by the university authorities.
Aiming to raise health awareness, banners and festoons will be hung at the visible places of every residential hall and academic building with guidelines for following the hygiene rules.
Upon getting vaccinated, the dormitories will be reopened for the honors 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students in phases, the Pro-VC said.
READ: Students protest cutting down of old Krishnachura tree at DU, plant new one
According to the syndicate decision, residential halls cannot be crowded as before and no so-called 'Gono rooms' will be allowed there to continue. “Only regular resident students will be accommodated in the dormitories in accordance with the health protocols,” Maksud Kamal said.
READ: DU likely to reopen halls on limited scale from October 5
The date for resuming in-person classes will be fixed after all the students of the university come under the vaccination programme.
Schools cannot charge fees for assignments: Dipu Moni
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Friday said that the education institutions under no circumstances can charge money for the assignments in the assessment of learning results of students.
"Educational institutions should not take any kind of fee in the name of the assignment to evaluate the results of the students," she said firmly while responding to reporters' questions at the Chandpur Circuit House at 3pm on Friday.
READ: University students must complete vaccine registration by Sept 27: Dipu Moni
Schools have been closed for a long time. If students have dues, it can be realized in installments or some other arrangements. The dues should not be mixed up with assignments," she said.
The minister further said that everyone should continue to try to abide by the hygiene rules.
READ: New curricula in schools, colleges from 2023: Dipu Moni
“We are coordinating with everyone so that health guidelines are followed properly in school. These rules are not only for Covid and dengue safety, If students get used to maintaining hygiene practices, it will help them have a healthier future,” she said.