United News of Bangladesh

Leaders of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), along with students, seized the Vice-Chancellor’s Office on Sunday, demanding the renaming of two residential halls of Dhaka University (DU) and immediate administrative action against teachers, officials and employees accused of supporting the massacre by government agencies during the The protesters demanded that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall be renamed “Shaheed Osman Hadi Hall” and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall be renamed “Bir Protik Sitara Begum Hall.” In this regard, they submitted a memorandum to the university’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Admin), Professor Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha. DUCSU Vice-President Shadik Kayem and other leaders along with students and hall union leaders, participated in the demonstration. Speaking at the programme, Shadik Kayem said, “The first demand we have brought today is that all name on the university campus that stand as icons of fascism must be changed immediately. We have already received students’ opinions.” He added that students have proposed renaming Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall after July fighter Sharif Osman Hadi, and that signatures are being collected from students to submit this demand formally to the administration. Similarly, students have expressed their support for renaming Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall as ‘Bir Protik Sitara Begum Hall.’ He alleged that collaborators of fascism are still conspiring while sitting in the registrar’s building, adding, “We will not make any more compromises.” Earlier, students of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall reportedly removed the hall’s nameplate last night and wrote ‘Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi Hall’ in its place.

Dhaka University has announced that the postponed admission test of the Science Unit (Ka unit) for the 2025–26 academic year will be held on December 27. The information was disclosed in a press release issued by the university’s Public Relations Office on Sunday. The release said Science Unit applicants from outside Dhaka who have admission tests at other universities in the capital on December 26 and 27 and therefore require a change of exam centre may apply online for a centre change within Dhaka. Applications can be submitted through the website admission.eis.du.ac.bd from 5:00pm on December 21 until 12:00 midnight on December 23. Applicants must upload copies of their HSC registration card and the admit card of the concerned university’s admission test while submitting the online application. The admission test was originally scheduled for December 20 but was postponed as state mourning was observed that day over the death of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi after an assassination attempt.

The deadline for applying for admission to Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) for the 2025-26 academic year has been extended till December 25. The matter was confirmed in a notification signed by the Admission Committee President, Professor Md Ahmed Kabir Chowdhury, on Saturday. The notification said that in view of the current situation in the country and the requests of students and guardians, the application period for the 2025-26 academic year has been extended until 11:59 pm on December 25. The admission test for the 2025-26 academic year will be held on January 13 and 14 next year.

The undergraduate (Honours) first-year admission test of Jahangirnagar University (JU) for the 2025–26 academic session will begin on Sunday with the examination of ‘C’ unit. The university authorities have issued nine important instructions for candidates appearing in the admission test, Syed Mohammad Ali Reza, member secretary of the university’s Admission Management Committee and deputy registrar (education), said on Saturday evening. 1.      Candidates must fill in the OMR answer sheet properly using a black ballpoint pen. Any incorrectly filled OMR sheet will be considered invalid. The form must not be folded, torn, stained, stapled or pinned. 2.      Candidates are required to write their roll number, shift and question set code in English. Both the OMR sheet and question paper must be submitted to the invigilator at the end of the examination. 3.      Information regarding exam centre and seat can be found on the downloaded admit card. 4.      Candidates must reach the centre at least 10 minutes before the examination begins. 5.      No bags, books, mobile phones, watches, calculators or any electronic devices will be allowed inside the examination hall. A wall clock will be available in the hall for time management. 6.      Only candidates and concerned officials will be permitted to enter the examination centre. 7.      The results of the admission test will be published within seven days after the completion of the examination on the website: ju-admission.org. Jahangirnagar University suspends 16 students over ragging of freshmen 8.      Candidates must bring the original Secondary School Certificate (SSC) registration card along with the admission test admit card. 9.      As the JU campus is located about 30 kilometres away from Dhaka city, candidates have been advised to arrive at the centre well in advance, considering possible traffic congestion. According to university sources, a total of 219,399 applications have been submitted this year against 1,844 seats in seven units, meaning an average of 119 applicants are competing for each seat.    

Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) has expressed deep concern, strong anger, and outrage over the attacks, vandalism, and arson at the offices of the national dailies Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in the capital, as well as the assault on New Age Editor Nurul Kabir. At the same time, the organization has demanded the swift identification, arrest, and exemplary punishment of those involved in these incidents. In a statement sent to the media on Friday, DUJA expressed its condemnation and anger. The statement said that the attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, and the assault on Editor Nurul Kabir, are blatant attacks on independent journalism. Those who fear the power of the pen resort to such acts of terror. The truth cannot be silenced by intimidating journalists. The statement further said that attacks on media offices and the physical harassment of a senior editor are not isolated incidents; rather, they constitute a direct and explicit assault on independent journalism, freedom of expression, and the public’s right to know. Such attacks aimed at silencing the media prove that the perpetrators are staunch enemies of democracy, transparency, and accountability. DUJA also said that newspaper offices can never be legitimate targets of attack. Ensuring the safety of journalists and editors is a fundamental responsibility of the state. Attacks on media houses and journalists with the intent to suppress dissent, stifle critical journalism, and create fear are an alarming sign that pushes society and the democratic system toward uncertainty.

Students of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University on Friday demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in the killing of Inqilab Moncho convenor Sharif Osman Hadi, attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, and the assault on New Age editor Nurul Kabir. In a statement, the students expressed deep concern and outrage over the incidents. They offered condolences to Hadi’s bereaved family, praying for his soul, and urged immediate arrest and legal action against the perpetrators. The statement highlighted that a vested extremist group exploited Hadi’s killing to carry out vandalism, arson, and looting at leading media outlets and the cultural institution Chhayanaut. The assault on Nurul Kabir was also strongly condemned. The students said such attacks directly threaten press freedom, freedom of expression, and are contrary to the spirit of the July uprising. They criticized the interim government, noting that nearly a week after Hadi was shot, the perpetrators have yet to be arrested, with reports suggesting they fled to India. The students called on citizens to maintain peaceful protests and avoid violence while urging the government to take strict and effective measures to ensure the safety of people, media, cultural institutions, and public and private property.

Jagannath University (JnU) authorities have arranged transportation for students, teachers, and all concerned to attend the funeral of martyred Sharif Osman Hadi. In a message sent by the university’s Public Relations, Information and Publication Office, it was stated that buses will depart from the Jagannath University campus to Manik Mia Avenue at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 20. Those wishing to attend the funeral have been requested to be present on campus on time. Earlier, on December 12 in the afternoon, Sharif Osman bin Hadi,an independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency and spokesperson of the ‘Inqilab Mancha’ was seriously injured after being shot by assailants while returning from election campaigning. He was initially admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Evercare Hospital for advanced treatment. As his condition deteriorated, he was flown by air ambulance to Singapore General Hospital on December 15. He passed away while undergoing treatment there yesterday, Thursday. His funeral will be held tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. at Manik Mia Avenue.

The final preparations for the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) election have begun. The Election Commission has published the ballot numbers of 157 candidates contesting for 21 posts. According to commission sources, the publication of the ballot numbers was slightly delayed due to some official formalities. The information was obtained from a notice published on the Election Commission’s website today, Thursday (18 December).Earlier, on Wednesday night, the revised final list of 157 candidates was published. According to the Election Commission, among the key posts, 12 candidates are contesting for the Vice-President (VP) position, 9 candidates for the General Secretary (GS) position, and 8 candidates for the Assistant General Secretary (AGS) position. Among other editorial posts, 10 candidates are contesting for the Social Service and Student Welfare Secretary position, 8 for the International Affairs Secretary position, and 8 for the Sports Secretary position. The highest number of candidates is contesting for the Executive Member posts, with a total of 57 candidates in the race. JnUCSU Election: Student bodies move to form ‘inclusive panels’ In this election, the total number of voters is 16,725. According to the revised schedule, election campaigning began on 15 December and will continue until 27 December. The date for voting and vote counting has been set for 30 December. The university administration and the Election Commission have completed all preparations to ensure a festive and fair election.    

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, the student wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP), staged a protest at Dhaka University (DU) today demanding the resignation of Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, citing the failure to arrest those responsible for the attack on Inqilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi and the overall deterioration of law and order. Following a protest march, demonstrators burned an effigy of the Home Affairs Adviser.

Students at Islamic University staged a symbolic protest on the campus in Kushtia on Wednesday, calling for justice in the murder of Sajid Abdullah, a student of the Al-Quran and Islamic Studies department. Protesters carried a red shroud representing his body to dramatise their demand for accountability. The protest began around 1:00 pm in front of the university’s administrative building, where students laid a blood-stained shroud at the main gate, partially blocking the pathway with ropes. They also displayed banners reading, 'Running the administrative building while bearing responsibility for Sajid’s murder.' Red markings spelling 'corpse' and simulated blood stains were scattered around the shroud to dramatize their demand for justice. Students said the protest was meant to hold university authorities accountable. 'There is no excuse to evade responsibility. We will continue demanding justice for Sajid Abdullah until it is delivered,' they said. They added that if the administration fails to act, students will take it upon themselves to identify the perpetrators, vowing to maintain their movement until justice is ensured. Leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, and the Islamic Student Movement were present on the occasion.