As dusk falls over the lush green campus of Jahangirnagar University (JU), the air buzzes with an unwelcome presence. Swarms of mosquitoes descend upon student dormitories, classrooms and common spaces, forcing students into a nightly battle against relentless bites and buzzing. The mosquito infestation, now worse than ever, has disrupted daily life, making studying a challenge and sleep a luxury. With the growing threat of dengue fever looming, anxiety grips the student body, who feel increasingly helpless in the face of the crisis. Campus Under Attack No corner of JU is spared. From dormitories to popular student gathering spots such as Mukto Mancha, Murad Chattar, Munni Sarani, Monpura, Transport Chattar, TSC, the Central Field, and Sundarban, mosquitoes have turned once-vibrant spaces into battlegrounds. Experts say the infestation stems from unchecked environmental conditions. Dr Kabirul Bashar, a professor at the Department of Zoology, points to human activity as a major factor. Decline in guest birds at Jahangirnagar University: A growing concern for biodiversity "Urbanisation and ongoing construction on campus have created ideal conditions for Aedes mosquitoes to breed. Overgrown bushes and stagnant drains provide perfect habitats for Culex mosquitoes. Without proper cleaning and drainage improvements, the situation will not improve," he warned. For students, the relentless mosquito invasion is more than just a nuisance—it is a daily ordeal that impacts their academic and personal lives. "The mosquito problem wasn’t this severe before. Now, it’s impossible to stay in my room. Even with mosquito coils, the insects don’t go away. Studying has become a challenge," said Redwan Mia, a third-year student from Kamaluddin Hall. The situation is just as dire for first-year student Naima Rose from Pritilata Hall. "JU is beautiful, but the mosquitoes are unbearable. They swarm in the evenings, making it impossible to study. I’m preparing for my tutorial exams, but I have to read from inside a mosquito net, fearing I might fall ill." Even the library, a sanctuary for many, offers little relief. Himel Hasan, a fourth-year student, described his frustration, "I brought a mosquito coil with me because even the library isn’t mosquito-free. My exams are approaching, but I can’t focus due to the constant buzzing and biting." Hall Authorities Struggle to Contain the Problem Despite growing frustration, hall authorities insist they are doing what they can with limited resources. Bribery allegation surfaces in Jahangirnagar University horticulturist recruitment "We spray insecticide twice a week and clean the surrounding bushes, but the mosquito numbers aren’t decreasing. Our resources are limited, so large-scale action isn’t possible," said Prof Lutful Elahi, Provost of Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Hall. Prof Faruk Ahmed, Provost of Rokeya Hall, admitted that despite regular insecticide spraying, the problem persists. "Overgrown bushes and clogged drains remain major issues. We need a more coordinated effort to address this." Former Provost of Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall, Prof Abdullah Hel Kafi, issued a stark warning, "The mosquito infestation is severely disrupting students’ lives. Without regular insecticide spraying and proper cleaning of drains and bushes, the problem will only escalate, leading to more illnesses and academic setbacks." Health Concerns on the Rise With the rise in mosquito populations, the university’s medical center has seen a surge in students seeking treatment for fever and suspected dengue cases. Sumon Mia, a second-year student, was among those who visited the medical center after developing a fever. "I’ve had a fever for two days and came for a dengue test. Many others are here for the same reason. The mosquitoes are making it impossible to study or sleep." Dr Shyamal Kumar Shil, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, confirmed the growing health concerns. "We’ve conducted dengue tests for several students, but the number of confirmed cases remains low. However, unless the overgrown bushes and stagnant water are cleared, controlling the mosquito population will be difficult." Who Is Responsible? The university administration acknowledges the issue but insists the responsibility lies with individual halls. Prof ABM Azizur Rahman, Acting Registrar of JU, stated, "If mosquito infestations are reported, the estate office is responsible for taking action. We are ready to provide manpower and supplies, but no formal requests have been made by the residential halls." Tree felling goes unabated at Jahangirnagar University amid environmental concerns Similarly, Md Abul Kashem, Deputy Registrar of the Estate Department, emphasized that hall authorities must take the lead. "The halls are managing their own mosquito control measures. We supply insecticides and equipment when requested, but the primary responsibility lies with the hall authorities." With students bearing the brunt of the crisis, many are calling for a more coordinated response. What’s Next? Promises and Challenges Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Sohel Ahmed assured that steps are being taken. "We’ve instructed all halls to spray insecticides regularly, and the costs will be covered by their own funds. We will also provide necessary supplies. Each hall has sufficient manpower to clean bushes and drains, and they are well-compensated for their work. If additional assistance is needed, we will respond." Despite these assurances, the problem persists. Without immediate and large-scale intervention, the mosquito menace at JU threatens to escalate into a full-blown health crisis. For now, students remain trapped in an exhausting cycle of makeshift solutions, fighting a battle against an enemy that shows no signs of retreating.

Students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) put up barricade on Dhaka-Aricha highway on Monday demanding resignation of the Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury for his ‘failure’ to bring the law and order situation under control across the country. The students of the university brought out a procession from Shaheed Minar Premises on the campus at noon and took to the street, disrupting vehicular movement. They also chanted slogans ‘one point demand, resignations of Home Adviser’, why mugging occurred across the country, one, two, three, four, want Jahangir's resignation; administration give answers, want safe country, ensure safety of women’. Gazipur Digital University students stage protests disrupting train services Arifuzzaman Ujjal, student of 47th batch of the university, said “We can see that the law and order situation has completely collapsed across the country. Those actively participated in the July revolution came under attack. False cases are being filed in the name of revolutionaries in the name of Devil Hunt. There is no security in our lives. Incidents of murder, mugging and rape are happening horribly across the country.” Rakib Hossain, another student of 49th batch of the Department of Chemistry, said the law and order situation in the country collapsed due to the negligence of the administration.

Jahangirnagar University admission test for 2024-25 academic session will begin on Sunday. The admission test for the undergraduate (honours) first-year programme will continue until February 17. A total of 262,450 applications will appear in the test for 1,814 available seats. The first exam will be for the ‘D’ (Faculty of Biological Sciences) unit, where female candidates will take part in five shifts. Kuet expels 10 students accused of torturing a fellow student  The following day, February 10, will see male candidates take the same exam, also in four shifts. Besides, on the same day, the 5th shift will host the IBA-JU admission test, open to both male and female applicants. The exam schedule continues with the ‘E’ unit’s Business Studies Faculty test on Tuesday, February 11, and the ‘A’ unit (Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Institute of Information Technology) test for female candidates on the same day. Male candidates will take the ‘A’ unit exam on Wednesday, February 12. On February 13, test for admission to the ‘C’ unit, including the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, Law, and the Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture will start. This exams will be conducted over six shifts with separate shifts for female and male students. The admission tests will conclude on Monday, February 17, with the ‘C1’ unit exam for the Drama and Theatre Studies and Fine Arts departments, followed by the ‘B’ unit exam for the Faculty of Sociology. In addition to the written exams, successful candidates for the practical tests in Drama and Theatre Studies, as well as Fine Arts, will be required to attend practical exams later this month, with the dates announced in the official notice. The results will be published within seven days after the completion of the tests, and candidates can access them through the official admission website.

A group of students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) have vandalised a mural of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and defaced graffiti of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The student first gathered in front of the Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture around 11:15pm on Wednesday with slogans ‘Mujibad, Muradbad, Awami League er Astana Benge dao Gurie dao "Down with Mujibism, Destroy the Awami League's stronghold." Later, they removed the nameplate of Sheikh Hasina Hall calling her a murderer. Subsequently, the students also went to the institute and vandalised Sheikh Mujib's murals and erased graffiti of Sheik Hasina from the wall of Al-Beruni Hall. During the protest, Yahya Jisan, a JU student and convenor of Jahangirnagar Reform Movement, said fascist Sheikh Hasina has been living in India and sending messages to the people that she will return. “She has conspired against the country while residing in India. But we will not accept this conspiracy. We demand that Sheikh Hasina be brought back to the country immediately and tried for genocide. We also call for the issuance of a notification banning the Awami League within the next week,” he said. Sheikh Mujib’s mural, AL office vandalised in Chuadanga Nazmul Hasan, a student from the Department of Anthropology, said they do not want to preserve the memory of Mujib, who has been used by Sheikh Hasina to establish her fascist rule. “Through this act, we want to send a message that anyone who becomes a fascist like Hasina will face the same fate," he said. Mizanur Rahman, joint convenor of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal's university unit, said Hasina has used these symbols to strip the people of Bangladesh of their rights for long. “We are permanently erasing these symbols. Even after fleeing the country, she is conspiring to destabilise it (country). We demand that the government bring her back to the country and ensure her public trial as soon as possible,” he added.

As a foggy morning dawns into the tree-shaded campus the silence is broken by the birds. The chirping of guest birds on beds of water lilies floating on the lake, birds flying away in groups only to return and settle on the water, and those darting across the surface with charming calls—this is how the lake and reservoir at Jahangirnagar University looked during the winter months. Not this year. the number of guest birds at JU has started to decrease. In 1986, the first guest bird visited the university lakes. Then, in 2014, the government declared Jahangirnagar University a sanctuary for guest birds. The lake adjacent to the old administrative building, the Wildlife Rescue Centre (WRC), Jahanara Imam Hall, Pritilata Hall, and the lakes behind the transport square serve as the main sanctuaries for these visiting birds. Currently, the campus is filled with the sound of birds around the lakes. Yet, compared to just two or three years ago, their numbers have decreased at an alarming rate. To ensure a healthy and beautiful habitat for the visiting birds, the university administration is responsible for cleaning the lakes. In addition, to provide a safe haven, the administration, along with various student organisations, displays awareness banners and festoons across the campus. This year, these initiatives have also been observed. The beauty of the guest birds is further enhanced by the red flowers blooming in the reservoirs; the sight of birds flying over these red carpets captivates visitors. Every year, thousands of guest birds from cold regions such as Mongolia, Nepal, Siberia, and India visit this temperate region. Birds begin arriving in late October and early November, with a large portion of those visiting Bangladesh taking shelter on the Jahangirnagar University campus. Approximately two hundred species can be seen here during the winter season. Among them are species such as Sarali, Pochard, Flycatcher, Gargeni, Chhota Jira, Murgadhi, Kombdak, and Patari. Other species include Khanjana, Pantamukhi, Northagiria, Kamanchil, Cottonchil, Patibatan, and Buti Duck Baikal. Additionally, the movement of leafhoppers in the water bodies is also noticeable. The best times for bird watching are early in the morning and just before sunset. During these periods, flocks of birds can be seen flying over the reservoirs. The interplay of sunlight, cool weather, and the chirping of hundreds of birds creates a pleasant atmosphere. 1,200 trapped birds rescued, freed in Bagerhat  Many visitors from outside the university come to enjoy the free roaming and beauty of these guest birds, with people especially flocking to the campus on holidays. Hriday Hasan, a visitor from Dhaka, said, “I come to your campus almost every year to see the guest birds. This opportunity is not available in Dhaka city. I’ve brought the small children of my house this time, and they are also enjoying this experience very much.” However, it is concerning that the number of visiting birds at the university has decreased significantly in recent years. A professor from JU’s Department of Zoology attributed this decline to the university’s reservoirs becoming unsuitable for the birds. Md. Kamrul Hassan said, “The ponds where birds used to live in our university are no longer suitable for them. The reason is the overcrowding and noise pollution around the water bodies. The lake behind the Paribahan Square is crowded with people throughout the day. Because of this, the birds do not feel comfortable in that lake. Furthermore, the number of birds in other lakes is very low this time.” Migratory birds under threat in Kushtia’s Padma Char The largest lake on campus is the one adjacent to the Wildlife Rescue Centre. Being a protected area, this lake traditionally has the highest number of birds. However, it is now filled with leaves. Birds cannot roost throughout the lake because it is not clean—they are forced to settle in only a few areas. This year, the administration did not clean the lake, despite my repeated notifications. University officials warn that the number of birds will continue to decrease if a safe habitat is not maintained for them. The administration should take immediate action to preserve a healthy natural environment for both the guest birds and all wildlife at Jahangirnagar. Aurittro Sattar, a student of the Department of Environmental Science at JU, said, “The number of birds this year is lower compared to last year. Only two out of the eight lakes have been observed to have nesting birds, most of which are leafy. Apart from the lake adjacent to the WRC, only around 2,000 birds have been observed in the other lakes where they roost. Most of the lakes are full of debris, and the birds do not want to settle there.” Large influx of migratory birds enhances scenic charm of Ramrai Dighi in Thakurgaon Even the lakes that have been cleared still lack native aquatic vegetation. While wild ducks no longer roost there, piscivorous birds such as cormorants, snakes, and bald eagles have been observed. The arrival of guest birds is a unique aspect of the biodiversity present in Bangladesh. Jahangirnagar University has long maintained this tradition, but due to various mismanagement practices, this unique spectacle may soon be lost. It is hoped that all concerned will take effective action to preserve this tradition.

Hundreds of Jahangirnagar University (JU) students staged a protest on campus on Tuesday night, condemning the killing of lawyer Saiful Islam in an attack allegedly by unruly sections of the Hindu community on Chattogram court premises. Saiful was killed during a clash between police and followers of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in the Chattogram Court Building area. Around 500 students from various dormitories gathered at the Bot Tola area on campus and took out a procession around 8:20pm, marching through different campus roads. During the procession, students chanted slogans such as: “Hindu Muslim Bhai Bhai, Ugrobader Thai Nai; Bichar Bichar Bichar Chai, Saiful Hottar Bichar Chai” (Hindus and Muslims are brothers, there is no room for extremism; We demand justice for Saiful). The procession concluded in front of the Shaheed Minar on campus, where a brief rally was held. Speakers at the rally condemned the killing of Saiful and urged everyone to maintain communal harmony, resisting any attempts to provoke violence. They also called for ensuring the highest form of justice for the murder.

Prof M Harunur Rashid, former Director General of Bangla Academy and ex-teacher of Jahangirnagar University, passed away at a hospital in the capital on Tuesday. He was 85. Prof Harunur Rashid, who had been suffering from cancer, breathed his last at Ibn Sina Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, his son Humayun Rashid told UNB. He was buried around 8:45pm after Isha prayers at Baba Hujur Mosque premises near Kazipara in the capital's Mirpur. Prof Rashid was born on 28 December 1939 into a Bengali Muslim family in the Tinsukia district of Assam Province. He completed his BA Honours (1960) and MA (1961) in English from Dhaka University. Later, he pursued further education at the University of Cambridge (Fitzwilliam College), UK, where he earned a BA Honours (1966) and an MA (1970). On February 7, 1991, he was appointed Director General of Bangla Academy, marking a significant milestone in his career as an educational administrator. Ex-Chief Justice Ruhul Amin dies at 83 During his tenure, he published the Bangla Academy English–Bengali Dictionary. After serving as Director General for four years, he returned to Jahangirnagar University, where he later opted for voluntary retirement in 1998. Following his retirement in 1999, Prof Rashid briefly transitioned into journalism, serving as the chief editor of Dhaka Courier, a national English-language newsweekly. However, this phase of his career was short-lived, and he subsequently joined North South University as an adjunct professor of English, where he taught for eight years until December 2008. In January 2009, he joined Darul Ihsan University as an adviser and professor of English. He also taught at the Dhaka branch of International Islamic University Chittagong, continuing his academic contributions until 28 February 2015. Prof Rashid held several prestigious positions in national organizations. He was elected president of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh in 1998 for a two-year term. In February 2007, he became the president of Bangla Academy for another two-year term. On 5 August 2015, he was unanimously elected Chairman of Wild Team (Wild Life Trust of Bangladesh). Prof Rashid’s extensive career as an academic, administrator, and advocate for wildlife conservation showcases his diverse contributions to education and society.

A section of students of Jahangirnagar University on Wednesday locked the university's main gate and staged a sit-in there to protest the death of Afsana Karim Rachi, a first-year student, in a campus accident. Afsana, a marketing department student, died on Tuesday after being hit by a battery-run rickshaw near the arts building of the campus.  Residents protest govt decision on Saint Martin’s tourism The protest is being held by students of 53 batch and the protesters vowed to continue it until the authorities accept their 8-point demands, including punishment to the culprit and ensuring safety of the students on the campus. No vehicle is being allowed to move in and out of the campus during the protest.

Leaders of the Jahangirnagar University (JU) unit of the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement today took down the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the council room in the university’s new administrative building today. Several coordinators from the movement gathered outside the building around 1 pm before proceeding to the council room. The students chanted slogans like “Mujibbaad er godite agun jalo ek sathe, Mujibbaad er astana bhenge dao guriye dao”. After removing the portrait, the group held a brief rally outside the building. Touhid Siam, a coordinator of the movement, said, “We previously issued an ultimatum to the university administration to remove Sheikh Mujib’s portrait, but they failed to act. Therefore, we took matters into our own hands. Mujibbaad will no longer exist in Bangladesh.” Rizvi apologises for remarks on removal of Mujib's portrait In a separate development around 3 pm, students under the banner of ‘Gono Obbhutthan Rokkha Andolon’ held a protest rally demanding reforms to the university’s quota system and the removal of portraits of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from university offices. Shoaib Hasan, a student of Urban and Regional Planning and an activist of the group, said, "Our demands include the abolition of the Vice-Chancellor’s quota in JU admissions, reforms to the reserved quota for the offspring of employees, and the removal of Sheikh Mujib's portraits, which represent autocracy, from all government, semi-government, and autonomous institutions."

A recruitment scandal has surfaced at Jahangirnagar University involving a staff member accused of accepting Tk 20 lakh in exchange for securing a position for an applicant. The accused, Md. Abul Kalam Hawlader, a former general secretary of the university's employ association and a staff member in the Botany department, allegedly took the money to influence the hiring process for an assistant horticulturist position. The recruitment board, however, never convened, leaving Hawlader in a tight spot. Despite returning the money after mediation by the university’s top officials, no formal legal action has been taken against him. In 2022, Jahangirnagar University published a job notice for the position of Assistant Horticulturist under the Faculty of Biological Sciences. Due to a lack of suitable candidates, the position remained vacant. A year later, in July 2023, the university reissued the job notice, this time inviting candidates with degrees in agriculture, horticulture, or arboriculture to apply. Hawlader allegedly sought to take advantage of this opportunity. According to reports, Hawlader demanded Tk 30 lakh initially from Ramesa Rifat Roza, a former student of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University’s Agriculture Faculty, to secure the horticulturist position. After negotiations, the sum was settled at Tk 20 lakh, which was transferred via bank to Hawlader. Read: Jahangirnagar University gets new VC The recruitment board failed to meet even after a year, amid the upheaval caused by the nationwide quota reform movement and subsequent changes in the university’s administration. Realizing the job might not materialize, Ramesa’s family pressed Hawlader to return the money. Hawlader initially returned Tk 900,000 but delayed returning the remaining amount. On August 29, Ramesa’s husband sought help from the former Dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences, Dr. Md. Nuhu Alam, to resolve the matter. Dr. Alam immediately called in key university officials, including Acting Registrar Dr. A.B.M. Azizur Rahman and Deputy Registrar (Legal) Mahtab-uz-Zahid. In a meeting at the Dean’s office, Hawlader admitted to the transaction, apologized, and promised to return the remaining funds. On September 1, he repaid the rest of the money via bank transfer. Dr. Alam confirmed the incident, saying, "I had no involvement in recruitment-related financial dealings throughout my career. When Habibur (Ramesa’s husband) approached me, I promptly informed the Registrar and Legal Officer, instructing them to take action against Hawlader." He added that he wanted to file a formal complaint, but the legal officer advised that only the person who paid the bribe, in this case, Ramesa’s family, could file such a complaint. Since they had recovered their money, they chose not to pursue the matter further. Multiple university staff members have alleged that Hawlader has long been involved in bribery and job placement schemes, often leveraging his close connections with influential teachers. The university's pro vice-chancellor (administration), Dr. Sohel Ahmed, acknowledged the allegations, saying they are aware of the situation. A committee will be formed to investigate and ensure appropriate action is taken against all those involved, he said. Read more: Jahangirnagar University's exam irregularities raise concerns among students As of now, Abul Kalam Hawlader has not been available for comment. Repeated attempts to contact him were unsuccessful, with Hawlader citing illness and avoiding further communication.