Dhaka University
12 DU students get Sitara Parvin Award
Twelve students of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of Dhaka University (DU) were on Sunday given ‘Professor Sitara Parvin Award’ for their outstanding results in BSS (Hons.)
MCJ department arranged a prize giving ceremony at Professor Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium of Social Science Building on the DU campus.
Chairman of the MCJ department Prof. Dr. Abul Mansur Ahmed presided over the function while Director of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Research Institute for Peace and Liberty Prof. Dr. Fakrul Alam addressed it.
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MCJ department teacher Prof. Dr. Ahaduzzaman Mohammad Ali gave a vote of thanks at the function conducted by its teacher Prof. Robaet Ferdous.
Vice-Chancellor of the university Prof. Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman paid tribute to the memory of Prof. Dr. Sitara Parvin, and said she was an honest, sincere and devoted teacher of the university.
The Awardees are: Mili Akter, Ritu Karmokar,Jannatul Islam Ria, Tahura Tabassum Tari, Sumia Zahid, Md. Tariqul Islam, Tipu Sultan, Saidul Islam, Tanha Tasnim Ity, Farhana Akter, Mst. Nusrat Zabin Biva and Sumya Arefin Arni. The students attended their BSS final examination in 2019.
Prof. Dr. Fakrul Alam said, “Sitara Parvin covered different fields of knowledge during her lifetime. I feel proud to be her teacher and colleague.”
Later, he requested students and teachers to make a case study on her works to explore her talent.
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Dr. Sitara Parvin, daughter of former President Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed and wife of Dr. Ahaduzzaman Mohammad Ali, died in a road accident on June 23, 2005 in the USA.
Other students, teachers and staff of the department were present at the programme.
10 injured in BCL infighting in city
At least 10 people were injured in a clash between two factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League during a rally on Dhaka University campus on Tuesday, witnesses said. Acording to witnesses the clash occurred between groups from Jasimuddin Hall and Dhaka College near Aparajeyo Chattar of Bat Tala.
The rally was held to mark the 74th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Chhatra League.
Read: DU student 'assaulted' for missing BCL event ahead of hall conference
They first engaged in fist fights and then used bamboo sticks during the cladh that erupted over competition to take places in front of the rally. Dhaka University unit BCL President Al Nahian Khan Joy and General Secretary Lekhak Bhattacharjee were injured as they tried to stop the fighting, said wtinesses at the scene. Several of the injured were taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, said Inspector Bachchu Mia, in-charge of police camp there.
DU’s Shahidullah Hall alumni to get together on Jan 22
Former Dhaka University students, attached to its Shahidullah Hall, are going to reunite on January 22 to share campus memories, marking the birth centenary of the traditional dormitory.
Shahidullah Hall Alumni Association will arrange the reunion, said a press release on Thursday.
The daylong programme will be held simultaneously on the hall premises and at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
The alumni members can get registered directly at its hall office or online (https://www.dushaa.org/fbclid=IwAR0l_3RKpZjVd5mNYyDJF221QadPHeOxemBwxCwid2aAOUWrDodhjhd6-Iw)
Also read: DU IML form Alumni Association
Meanwhile, Hall Provost Prof Mohammad Zabed Hossain issued a message on the birth centenary of the hall.
In the message, he said, “Being one of the first three halls of students’ residence that started journey with the University of Dhaka, Dr. Muhammad Shahidulla Hall is happy to celebrate its birth centenary in 2021.”
Over the past 100 years, it has hosted thousands of renowned graduates who have been contributing to the advancement of society, nation and the globe as well, Prof Zabed said.
Also read: DU MCJ alumni reunion held
“I congratulate all the proud graduates and current students for being part of this historical hall,” he said.
Legal notice served on Dhaka University for barring married students from halls
A legal notice has been served on Dhaka University authorities asking them to withdraw the restriction on pregnant and married female students over staying at residential halls.
The notice demanded that necessary steps be taken to repeal the discriminatory provision against female students within three working days of receiving the notice, otherwise the intervention of the High Court would be sought in the matter.
Mohammad Shishir Monir, a lawyer of the Supreme Court and a former student of the law department of Dhaka University, sent the legal notice to DU vice-chancellor, registrar, proctor and provosts of three women’s dormitories, including Shamsun Nahar Hall on Wednesday.
Read: Academic libraries: Dhaka University paints a ‘very frustrating’ picture
In the notice, the Supreme Court Lawyer said the right to stay in a university dorm does not depend on whether the student is pregnant and married or not.
Dhaka University still has such discriminatory provisions against female students. This decision is a clear violation of Articles 27 and 28 of the Constitution.
Meanwhile, a meeting of the Provost Standing Committee of Dhaka University was held this evening to discuss the rules of the female students’ hall, said VC Md Akhtaruzzaman.
In the recent media reports, the lawyer came to know that the residential seats of some students of Dhaka University have been cancelled due to their marriage.
Read: DU hall expels third-year student for torturing junior in dorm
According to the Rules of Distribution of Seats and Other Disciplinary Rules for Residential Students of Shamsun Nahar Hall, if any student gets married, she should inform the authorities immediately, otherwise her seat will be cancelled due to violation of rules. Only in special cases, the married student will be given the opportunity to stay in the hall for the current session.
The rules of Shamsun Nahar Hall also stated that pregnant students cannot stay in the hall.
The notice further said that due to that provision, practically married students will be deprived of the opportunity of higher education by availing the residential facilities of the hall. There is a lot of dissatisfaction and excitement among the students about this issue.
DU hall expels third-year student for torturing junior in dorm
Authorities have expelled a third-year student of Dhaka University from Masterda Surja Sen Hall for allegedly torturing a second-year student for not attending a political programme of the Bangladesh Chaatra League (BCL).
As the actions of Sifat Ullah, a student of Women and Gender Studies, go against the university regulations, prestige and laws, the hall authorities have decided to expel him, according to a notification.
"If Sifat Ullah is seen in the hall in future, he will be strictly punished according to the university’s rules," it said.
Also read: “Sifat” at it again; another student tortured at DU’s Surya Sen Hall
On December 13, Kazi Porosh Miah, a second-year student of French Language and Culture Department and a resident of Surya Sen Hall, was called by Sifat Ullah to room bo 351 in the evening and was toured mentally and physically allegedly by him.
On a complaint from the victim, the Surja Sen Hall authorities quickly formed a probe committee to investigate the matter. The panel indicted Sifat Ullah for the torture.
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Earlier, on November 8, Sifat reportedly tortured two more students -- Ariful Islam and Tariqul Islam -- to drive them out of the dormitory and threatened to kill them if they did not leave. He was made to sign an undertaking for the "mistake".
Academic libraries: Dhaka University paints a ‘very frustrating’ picture
Libraries are an integral part of universities as those offer access to all the academic resources to their teachers and students. But Dhaka University (DU) libraries are "definitely" not what they should be.
The DU that boasts of being the best among the country’s public universities has failed to bring its libraries in the flow of teaching and scholarly efforts although academic libraries are evolving with the advancement of technology.
The university stepped into its 100th year in 2021 and is celebrating its centenary with a yearlong programme, keeping its many issues unresolved -- its libraries are one of those.
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Now it is a daily fight for students to get quiet spaces at its libraries to study. No initiative has been taken in the last 11 years for the expansion of the libraries to meet the growing requirements of its students, many students told UNB recently.
It is quite surprising that the university authorities have no separate plan to expand its library facilities other than having a 15-year "Master Plan", said a university official. “The Master Plan obviously has a component to expand library facilities. But to see that happen, the students will have to wait for nearly 15 years,” the official said, wishing anonymity.
The number of students at the university is increasing each year but the libraries have not been expanded accordingly, making the regular students reluctant about entering the libraries, said some students while talking to UNB.
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They alleged that outsiders and irregular students usually keep library tables occupied to take preparations for Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examinations and other govt recruitment tests, depriving the regular students of reading facilities.
Besides, insufficient books, lack of access to resources and washrooms have made the libraries unpleasant for many.
DU Professor of Sanskrit Department dies of Covid
Retired Professor of Dhaka University Dr Foyjunnesa Begum died of Coronavirus. She was 81.
She breathed her last on Saturday afternoon while undergoing treatment at United Hospital in Dhaka.
Dr Foyjunnesa had been undergoing treatment at the hospital since December 10 after she tested positive for covid-19.
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In a condolence message on Sunday Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman University expressed deep grief over the death of Begum Fayjunnesa.
The VC said Faizunnesa was a very humble, gentle and humane teacher and researcher. She held various important posts including chairman of Sanskrit department with honesty, devotion and efficiency.
Dazzling fireworks bring curtains down on DU's centenary celebrations
Victory rallies, a slew of cultural programmes and dazzling fireworks officially rang down the curtains to the celebrations of 100 years of Dhaka University (DU) and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh's Independence on Thursday.
University authorities chose December 16 to end the over fortnight-long celebrations to mark the 51st Victory Day of Bangladesh.
Also read: Centenary celebration of Dhaka University begins Wednesday
“Sifat” at it again; another student tortured at DU’s Surya Sen Hall
A resident student of Dhaka University's Surya Sen Hall has been tortured allegedly by Sifat Ullah, said to be a BCL activist, for not attending a political programme.
Kazi Porosh Miah, a second-year student of French Language and Culture Department and a resident of Surya Sen Hall, was called by Sifat Ullah to room No 351 around 7.00pm on Monday and was tortured mentally and physically reportedly by Sifat.
"Sifat asked me to attend a BCL (Bangladesh Chhatra League) programme two days back but I couldn’t attend it as I had an exam on that day," said Porosh.
Read: DU seminar: Revolutionise cinema for evolution of reflective films
"On Monday, when I had been to his room, he tortured me mentally and physically,” a traumatized Porosh told UNB.
Porosh said he submitted a written complaint to the hall provost and the proctor online.
Asked, DU Proctor Prof AKM Golam Rabbani said, "I heard about the incident but have not received any written complaint yet."
"A three-member committee, led by Prof Ahmad Ullah, senior house tutor of Surya Sen Hall, has been formed to investigate the complaint as soon as possible,” said Prof Mokbul Hossain Bhuiyan, the Provost of Surya Sen hall.
"If the allegations are proved, action will be taken," said Md Abdul Motaleb, the principal administrative officer of the hall.
Several attempts were made to contact Sifat over phone for his comment on the allegations but he could not be reached.
November 8, Sifat, a student of Women and Gender Studies, reportedly tortured two more students -- Ariful Islam and Tariqul Islam -- to drive them out from the dormitory and threatened to kill them if they do not do so.
Read:Nagad becomes DU's partner in centenary celebrations
However, the victims withdrew the allegations saying that it was just a “misunderstanding”.
That is not the end of Sifat's stories of bullying, anyway!
Sifat was suspended for six months for torturing two third-year students of Economics department -- Rokeya Gazi Lina and Asaduzzaman Parnto- on July 7 of 2018.
DU seminar: Revolutionise cinema for evolution of reflective films
Reflective cinema creates political awareness, and for the evolution of such cinemas Bangladesh needs a revolution in films, said Dr Naadir Junaid, professor of Mass Communication and Journalism Department of Dhaka University in a talk on Thursday.
“Along with that, the government's interest is also needed”, he said at a seminar titled,” Thoughtfulness and political awareness in Bangladeshi cinema,” arranged by the Higher Social Science Research Center on the campus.
Prof Junaid said it is necessary to evaluate Bangladesh’s success in making reflective or thoughtful films after the liberation war.
It’s necessary to take up risk for realistic filmmaking, he said. He mentioned how Zahir Raihan had taken risk by making metaphorically political film “Jibon Theke Neya’ in then-East Pakistan and Tareque Masud by making “Matir Moyna” in independent Bangladesh.
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“Even Satyajit Ray had to hear many times who would go to watch an 80-year-old woman in a song-less, dance-less film. Many times, the production of his masterpiece ‘Pother Panchali’ got hindered due to financial crisis but he didn’t compromise a bit with his film’s high artistic value.”
He said a film becomes reflective and political when a filmmaker, aesthetically through new and attractive filmmaking or film language, presents a story that reflects the depth of thoughts.
As one can’t make such films following typical formats and methods, reflective cinemas doesn’t prioritize commercial success, said Junaid
He questioned the audience whether any contemporary film in Bangladesh has challenged the ongoing issues of corruption, persecution of minorities, religious bigotry and intolerance, disinterest to learn history in youth, tailgating behind powerful people.
He mentioned films like ‘Dhire Bohe Meghna’ ( 1973), Surjo Konna (1975), ‘Rupali Soikot’ (1979) that have addressed issues of dilemma, depression of society of that time, the weak position of women in a patriarchal society, military regime, and political protests and thus created political awareness in the audience.
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The seminar was presided over by Dr Zia Rahman, director of the research center and professor of the Criminology department while Dr AJM Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan, professor of the department of Television, Film and Photography was another key speaker.
Dr Shafiul Alam said film is a powerful mass medium to create political awareness and comedy can be used for that too if done in an unconventional way.
“It has become a challenge for the filmmakers nowadays to come out of the trend of following shallow scripts aiming at only earning money and making political cinema,” he said.