United News of Bangladesh

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said differences of opinion, constructive criticism and peaceful protests are the beauty of democracy. “Politics of revenge hinders the development of democracy,” he said when a delegation led by Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr M Enamullah met him at Bangabhaban. During the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor briefed the President on the overall academic activities of the university. He informed the President about a government allocation of Tk 600 crore for infrastructure development of the university. The VC also sought the President’s cooperation in filling vacant teaching posts and resolving the accommodation crisis for female students among other issues. The President assured the delegation of his cooperation in addressing the problems and urged the university authorities to maintain the quality of education while expanding higher education opportunities in the comparatively less-developed northern region of the country. When the HSTU vice-chancellor invited the President to attend the university’s upcoming convocation he accepted the invitation . The President’s Military Secretary, Secretary and Press Secretary, along with the university’s pro-vice-chancellor, treasurer and registrar, were present at the meeting.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday called for collective efforts to ensure the development, rights and dignity of people belonging to all ethnic minority communities in the country. He made the call when a 52-member delegation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Ethnic Minority Party, led by its central committee president Mrigen Hagidak, paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam briefed  reporters after the meeting. During the meeting, the delegation apprised the President of various problems faced by ethnic minority communities. The President said the government is sincerely working to resolve the problems of ethnic minority people living in both the hills and plains. Members of these communities themselves also need to take greater initiatives to protect their rights and promote their development, said the President. He stressed the need for greater unity and mutual cooperation among them. “You take one step forward, and I will take two steps forward,” the President said, underscoring the need to identify the problems and potentials of ethnic minority communities and undertake realistic projects accordingly. On land-related problems, the President said members of the communities need to be aware and united to protect their rights. He urged them to maintain communication with the local administration and take initiatives to resolve their problems. Referring to the cutting of betel nut trees at a Khasia punji in Kulaura of Moulvibazar, the President said the incident is deeply deplorable. He assured the delegation that the incident would be investigated impartially and necessary action would be taken against those responsible. The President also laid special emphasis on ensuring educational opportunities for children and adolescents from ethnic minority communities and improving the quality of their education. He stressed the need to further promote the cultural and social activities of ethnic minority communities. The President also expressed a positive view about a proposed cultural programme at Bangabhaban next Pahela Baishakh, with participation from representatives of ethnic minority communities. Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Saching Prue Jerry ; Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Bijon Kanti Sarker; Bangladesh Nationalist Ethnic Minority Party central committee general secretary Shishir Dio; and leaders of the central and different district committees were present. The President’s Military Secretary, Secretary and Press Secretary were also present.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday expressed deep shock and grief at the death of prominent journalist Toufique Imrose  Khalidi saying  his contributions to journalism and mass media will be remembered for a long time. In a condolence message released from Bangabhaban, the President prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family members. President Mirza Fakhrul described Khalidi as a pioneer in the development of online and digital journalism in Bangladesh. “With his passing, the nation has lost an experienced, courteous, and distinguished media personality," the President said. Recalling his personal memories with Khalidi with deep respect, the President said the demise of the veteran journalist is profoundly painful and heartbreaking for him personally. The condolence message was communicated by Md. Sarwar Alam, Press Secretary to the President. Toufique Imrose Khalidi, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of bdnews24.com, died in London on Friday . He was 59. He was admitted to St Bartholomew's Hospital in London on Thursday night after suffering a brain haemorrhage, according to the news portal. Doctors pronounced him dead at 2:23pm local time on Friday, it said.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday stressed the need to improve the quality of education and increase research activities at both public and private universities to keep pace with the rapidly changing world. “It is necessary to formulate policies for a modern, up-to-date and employment-oriented education system by moving away from outdated approaches,” the President said when a delegation from BRAC University led by its Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Syed Farhat Anwar paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. He said outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the education sector need to be recognised and honoured at the state level. President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam briefed reporters after the meeting. During the meeting, the BRAC University VC briefed the President on the university’s overall academic activities. He said the university is placing emphasis on teaching students in employment-oriented subjects in line with current demands, including artificial intelligence (AI), life sciences, agro technology and nursing. During the meeting, the VC invited the President, in his capacity as Chancellor, to attend the university’s upcoming convocation. The President accepted the invitation and assured the delegation that he would attend the convocation. The President’s Military Secretary, Secretary and Press Secretary, as well as BRAC University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Treasurer and Registrar were present at the meeting.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged doctors’ leaders to come forward with clear and specific plans and proposals to address long-standing mismanagement in the health sector and ensure healthcare for all. He made the call when a 20-member delegation of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), led by its Chief Adviser Prof Dr Farhad Halim Donar and President Prof Dr Harun Al Rashid, paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. The President said the country has failed to achieve desired progress in the health sector due to long-standing mismanagement. “There was no proper and comprehensive planning on how many doctors, nurses and technologists we need, how much medical equipment is required, or what kind of infrastructure should be developed,” he said.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday called upon all stakeholders, including BGMEA, BKMEA and BTMA, to work together to address the existing challenges and problems facing the country’s apparel sector. The President made the call when a delegation of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), led by its President Mohammad Hatem, met him at Bangabhaban. President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam briefed reporters after the meeting. During the meeting, Mirza Fakhrul said coordinated initiatives are necessary to keep the country’s growing economy moving while ensuring that all stakeholders receive equitable benefits.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged Vietnam to simplify its visa procedures for Bangladeshi businesspeople, workers, students and tourists. The President made the call when Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Nguyen Manh Cuong paid a farewell courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. President Fakhrul said Bangladesh attaches great importance to its longstanding friendship with Vietnam which has existed for more than five decades. He said simplifying visa procedures would help increase people-to-people contacts and expand opportunities for cooperation and partnership among businesses and investors of the two countries, contributing to further strengthening bilateral relations and tapping their development potential. The Vietnamese Ambassador stressed the importance of establishing direct air connectivity between the two capitals, implementing a preferential trade agreement and exchanging high-level visits. He also conveyed an invitation from the President of Vietnam to the President to visit Vietnam. The President thanked him for the invitation. Recalling his visit to Vietnam in 2003 as part of the entourage of then prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, President Fakhrul recalled the warm hospitality extended to him and expressed hope that the historical friendship between the peoples of the two countries would continue to strengthen bilateral relations. The President said opportunities should be created to increase Bangladesh’s exports to Vietnam to make bilateral trade more balanced and mutually beneficial. He urged Vietnam to increase imports of Bangladeshi pharmaceutical products, leather and leather goods, ceramics, bicycles, jute and jute products, among other exportable items. During the meeting, Ambassador Nguyen Manh Cuong congratulated President Mirza Fakhrul on assuming office. Thanking the outgoing Ambassador for his successful tenure and contributions to strengthening Bangladesh-Vietnam relations, the President expressed hope that he would continue to play a role in promoting friendship and cooperation between the two countries after returning home. The President wished the Ambassador good health and wellbeing and conveyed his wishes for continued peace, progress and prosperity for the people of Vietnam. Secretaries to the President’s Office and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese Embassy were present at the meeting.  

President and Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday stressed the need to further improve the quality and excellence of education and research at the university. He also said merit and qualifications must be given the highest priority in all areas including the recruitment of teachers. The President made the remarks when Jahangirnagar University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam briefed reporters after the meeting. During the meeting, the VC briefed the President on the university’s overall academic, research and educational activities. Prof Kamrul Ahsan also formally invited the President, in his capacity as the university’s Chancellor, to attend the proposed convocation of Jahangirnagar University scheduled for April next year. President Falhrul accepted the invitation and assured the VC that he would attend the convocation. Relevant secretaries to the President’s Office were present at the meeting.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday called upon Bangladeshi businesspeople living abroad to invest in the country and bring in foreign investment. He made the call when a delegation of Bangladeshi expatriates living in the United Kingdom paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. Prominent UK-based Bangladeshi businessman Kamal Uddin led the delegation. They congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam on his election as president. The president recalled the significant contributions made by expatriate Bangladeshis including those living in the UK, through their money, labour and intellect to the movement for establishing justice, opposing fascism and restoring democracy in the country. “The country and its people will always remember the contributions and role of expatriates,” he said. During the meeting, the delegation sought the president’s cooperation in increasing various business and civic facilities including addressing harassment at airports and ensuring their right to vote. In response, the president said the government has already started working to address harassment at airports and expand voting opportunities and other civic facilities for expatriates. He said a ‘Probashi Card’ has been introduced to ensure comprehensive services and facilities for expatriate Bangladeshis. The president urged expatriates to become more actively involved in investment, employment generation, education, healthcare, technology, skills development and social welfare activities in the country. He particularly urged them to take advantage of the investment opportunities that have emerged in Bangladesh. Responding to the president’s call, the delegation expressed interest in investing in the country. The president also said, “You are representing Bangladesh in different countries around the world. You should project the country’s positive image abroad.” Noting that expatriates’ remittances are one of the main driving forces of the country’s economy, the president expressed his gratitude to them. President’s Military Secretary and Press Secretary were present at the meeting.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday called upon police officials to discharge their duties with honesty, dedication and professionalism to maintain law and order and curb crimes in the country. The President made the call when Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. President’s press secretary Md Sarwar Alam briefed reporters after the meeting. During the meeting, the President said police must be extremely tough in suppressing criminals while ensuring fair and humane treatment of law-abiding citizens. He instructed police personnel to take immediate and appropriate measures to establish the rule of law. The President also directed the police chief to take effective measures to combat the spread of disinformation, misinformation, rumours, cybercrime, mugging, extortion and drugs, as well as to ensure the safety and security of women and children. He stressed the importance of keeping people regularly informed and conducting extensive public awareness campaigns on these issues. Noting that the current government is working to uphold people's fundamental and democratic rights, the President directed police member to continue taking effective measures to prevent extrajudicial killings, harassment of citizens and filing of false cases. During the meeting, the IGP briefed the President on various measures taken to strengthen the morale of the police force and to modernise and digitalise the force. He sought the President's overall cooperation in discharging the responsibilities of the police. The President assured him of his full cooperation. President's Military Secretary and Press Secretary were present during the meeting.