United News of Bangladesh

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.

Dhaka University has observed the great Victory Day today through a range of programs. On the occasion, activities were organized across the campus all day long.  The programs included the hoisting of the national flag at dawn at the Vice-Chancellor’s Building and other important university buildings, a gathering at the Smriti Chirantan premises, and the laying of wreaths at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar by teachers, students, officers, and staff of the university under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan. Among those present were Pro Vice Chancellor (Admin) Professor Dr. Sayma Haque Bidisha, Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed, Treasurer Professor Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Proctor Professor Saifuddin Ahmed, along with teachers, students, officers, and employees. Exhibitions and screenings of Liberation War-based paintings, films, and documentaries were organized at various residential halls. Different student organizations also arranged diverse programs marking the day. On the occasion, important campus locations including the Faculty of Arts Building, Curzon Hall, the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), and Smriti Chirantan were illuminated with decorative lighting. Residential halls were also adorned with lights. After the Asor prayers, special prayers were offered at the university’s central mosque, Masjidul Jamia, as well as at mosques in various halls and residential areas, seeking forgiveness for the souls of the martyrs and praying for the country’s prosperity and development. Special prayers for the eternal peace of the martyrs were also held at other places of worship on campus. In the evening, a cultural program was held at the TSC Auditorium, jointly organized by the Department of Music, the Department of Dance, and the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies of the university.  

A three-day programme, “Rokte Ranga Bijoy Amar–2025”, was held at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University, marking the Victory Month of December through a series of commemorative and cultural events. Organised jointly by all TSC-based social and cultural organisations, the programme took place from December 14 to 16 at the TSC premises. The event began on December 14 with a mourning rally in memory of the martyred intellectuals. Leaders and members of TSC-based organisations participated in the rally, which started from the TSC premises and ended at Smriti Chirotan at the VC Chattar. Floral tributes were paid to the martyrs, followed by a one-minute silence. In the evening, candles were lit in front of the TSC to honour the martyrs of the Liberation War. On the second day, a national flag sewing programme was held, where members of different organisations stitched the map of independent Bangladesh onto the red circle of the national flag. The flag was later hoisted at the entrance of the TSC. The main cultural segment of “Rokte Ranga Bijoy Amar–2025” began at 3pm on December 15 at the TSC Payera Chattar. In her opening remarks, TSC Director Farzana Basar praised the joint initiative, saying the Liberation War remains a source of strength and emotion for the nation. “It is encouraging to see young people commemorating the sacrifices of the martyrs through such programmes during the Victory Month,” she said. The cultural segment featured diverse performances, including an open quiz by Dhaka University Quiz Society, a street play titled ‘Khyapa Paglar Pyachal’ by Dhaka University Natya Sangsad, a mixed production ‘Rokte Diye Naam Likhechi Bangladesh-er Naam’ by Dhaka University Cultural Society, a puppet show by Dhaka University Environment Society, a planchette debate by Dhaka University Debating Society, and a special mime titled ‘Rong, Rokto O Chitkar’ by Dhaka University Mime Action. Poetry recitations, dance performances, and solo and group songs were also staged. The cultural programme concluded with a Victory Concert featuring performances by bands including Ila Lalala, Durga, Torture Goregrinder, Introit, Apon Ghor, DUBS Team, Red Wine, Unnamed, Krishnapakkha, Anesthesia, and Ants on the Run. The concert was coordinated by the Dhaka University Band Society. On Victory Day today, the program concluded with a collective rendition of the national anthem at the TSC Payera Chattar. Shahriar Nazim Simanto, General Secretary of Dhaka University Research Society and one of the organisers, said the aim of the programme was to spread the spirit of the Liberation War, the sacrifices of the martyrs, and the essence of victory among the younger generation. The “Rokte Ranga Bijoy Amar” programme is a joint annual initiative of TSC-based social and cultural organisations, traditionally held from December 14 to 16 every year.