The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Monday urged the authorities concerned of private universities to refrain from taking examinations and conducting admission activities online.

It was found that some universities are conducting their activities like taking examinations and making evaluation online, while some have decided to start their admission process for summer semester without evaluation which is unethical, said a UGC media release.

On March 24, the UGC in a press release urged teachers to take online classes to recoup the losses caused by the suspension of academic activities.

It also requested all to follow the directives of the government as well as the World Health Organisation (WHO) for preventing the spread of coronavirus.

Authorities of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has decided to hold online classes  amid coronavirus fear.

Confirming the matter, Vice Chancellor Professor Farid Uddin Ahmmed,  said that they will start academic activities through online within two days as per directive of University Grants Commission (UGC).

The VC said that if the academic activities remain suspended for long that might create session jam.

Professor Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun and associate professor Dr, Md Farhad Rabbi, of Computer Science and Engineering Department of the university will coordinate the online academic activities.

Earlier on March 16, the SUST authorities suspended the academic activities from March 18 to March 31 for coronavirus outbreak.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to  keep shut all educational institutions until April 9 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

State-run Bangladesh Television and Sangsad TV will start airing lessons for students of class VI to class X from Sunday as the educational institutions were shut until April 9 to prevent transmission of coronavirus.

Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) on Saturday published a lesson routine for the students.

The classes will begin at 9am and will go on until 12pm while it will be broadcast again from 2pm to 5pm every day, according to the routine.

Planning and Development wing of DSHE named the television lesson programme ‘my school at my home.’

Earlier on March 24, Bangladesh shut all educational institutions including coaching centres until April 9.

Education Minister Dipu Moni had said academic programmes for students of class VI to class X would be aired by Sangsad TV from March 28 from 9 am to 9pm.

Education Minister Dipu Moni on Tuesday announced that all the educational institutions of the country will remain shut until April 9, 2020, aiming to prevent spread of deadly coronavirus.

“The closure of educational institutions had been extended  until April 9 considering the situation,” she said while taking to reporters after a meeting at the secretariat.

The decision was taken at a meeting with the representatives of Primary and Mass Education Ministry and other concerned, she said.

The coaching centers will also remain closed during, she added.

Dipu Moni also urged the students to stay at their respective homes and follow the health directives of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).

Besides, academic programmes for students of class VI to class X will be aired through Sangshad TV channel from March 28 from 9 am to 9 pm, she said.

Deputy Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, secretary to the secondary and higher education division Mahbub Hossain,and high officials concerned were preset there.

On March 16, she announced that all the educational institutions of the country will remain shut until March 31.

The global death toll from coronavirus or Covid-19 reached 16,510 on Tuesday -- a mortality rate of 14 percent.

The virus has so far infected 378,842 people around the world, according to worldometer.

Of them, 260,268 are currently being treated with 12,062 in serious or critical condition.

So far, 118,574 cases had outcomes and of them, 102,064 (86 percent) recovered.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh so far confirmed three coronavirus death and 27 cases.

Bangladesh government on Monday declared general holidays from March 26 to April 4, aiming to prevent its transmission.

Besides, armed forces members will remain in the field in the divisional and district towns including coastal areas across the country from Tuesday to aid the civil administration maintain social distancing and strengthen the coronavirus preventive measures.

COVID-19 is affecting 195 countries and territories around the world and one international conveyance (the Diamond Princess cruise ship harboured in Yokohama, Japan).

The World Health Organization on March 11 declared the coronavirus crisis a pandemic.

President Abdul Hamid on Thursday stressed the need for conducting quality research in all universities.

He came up with the observation when new Vice Chancellor (VC) of Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) Major General Ataul Hakim Sarwar Hasan paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban  in the afternoon.

President press secretary Joynal Abedin briefed  reporters after the meeting.  

“Research is very important to ensure quality education,” the President said.
 
The VC apprised the President of the overall academic and different development activities of the university.  

He sought cooperation from the President in running the academic and administrative affairs of the university.

President Hamid gave him a patient hearing and expressed his satisfaction at the overall activities of BUP.

Secretaries concerned to the President were also present.