United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka University (DU) celebrated its 106th founding anniversary – DU Day 2026 – on Wednesday with a day-long programme highlighting the institution's contributions to higher education, democratic movements and nation-building. The celebrations began in the morning with a colourful procession, led by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam. Teachers, students, officers and employees from different halls and administrative buildings joined the rally. The programme also included the hoisting of the national and university flags, cake cutting and cultural performances featuring patriotic songs and the university's theme song. The theme of this year's Dhaka University Day was "Restoration of Democracy and Dhaka University in Higher Education."  A discussion was held at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), where a commemorative publication marking the occasion was unveiled and a documentary on the university was screened. Speaking at the event, the vice chancellor said Dhaka University has remained closely linked to Bangladesh's history, democratic movements, the Liberation War and the nation's development since its establishment. He said the university has consistently played a leading role in meeting the nation's expectations during critical moments while making significant contributions to higher education, research and human resource development.

Jahangirnagar University (JU) authorities have handed an outsider over to police for secretly recording female students inside a women's washroom at the university's Teacher-Student Centre (TSC). Inspector (Investigation) of Ashulia Police Station Md Azgar Ali on Tuesday noon said a case was filed against the accused – Riaz Ahmed Raj, a resident of Keraniganj – and he was sent to court. According to witnesses, female students detained the accused around 2:15am on Tuesday inside the women's washroom at the TSC. The university later handed him over to police. According to the complaint, Riaz entered the women's washroom, where a female student questioned his identity and asked why he was there. When students became suspicious of his behaviour, they wanted to check his mobile phone. He initially refused but later handed over the device after being confronted by the students. The students claimed that they found videos secretly recorded through the gap beneath the washroom door on the phone. They also claimed that the phone contained similar videos recorded in the same washroom since January this year. The students assaulted the accused before university security officials and the proctorial team intervened. The university later submitted a written complaint to police, handed over the accused and seized his mobile phone as evidence. JU Proctor Prof Dr AKM Rashidul Alam said, "We found videos on his mobile phone. Following due procedure, we handed him over to police. The university has filed a case in this regard," he said.

Dhaka University Day 2026, marking the 105th founding anniversary of the university, will be celebrated on Wednesday with a day-long programme. This year's theme is "Restoring Democracy and Dhaka University in Higher Education." All preparations have already been completed to celebrate the day. A preparatory meeting was held on Tuesday with DU Vice Chancellor Prof Obaidul Islam in the chair. Obaidul Islam appointed Dhaka University VC, Mamun Ahmed named UGC chairman Marking the occasion, the vice chancellor extended his heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the university's current and former teachers, students, researchers, guardians, officers, and staff. He also sought everyone's cooperation in advancing the university's academic excellence and modernising education and research. Dhaka University formally began its academic journey on July 1, 1921. As part of the celebrations, teachers, students, officers, and employees from all residential halls and hostels will gather at Smriti Chirantan at 9:30am. A colourful procession, led by the vice chancellor, will begin at 9:45am and march through the campus with the participation of teachers, students, alumni, officers, and staff. The formal inauguration will take place at 10:00am in front of the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), where the national flag, the university flag, and the flags of the residential halls will be hoisted, followed by a cake-cutting ceremony. Students and teachers from the Department of Music will perform the national anthem, the university's theme song, as well as songs of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam. International students will also present a separate musical performance. In addition, a concert will be arranged in front of Raju Memorial Sculpture. A discussion titled "Restoring Democracy and Dhaka University in Higher Education" will begin at 10:30am at the TSC auditorium. The keynote paper will be presented by Emeritus Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury of the Department of English. To facilitate the celebrations, all classes will remain suspended from 9:00am to 12:00pm, although scheduled examinations will be held as usual. The university has also announced traffic restrictions to ensure overall security during the event. From 2:30pm to 10:00pm, the entry of vehicles to the campus will be restricted. Only vehicles bearing DU stickers and that of essential service vehicles, including ambulances, doctors, patients, journalists, ride-sharing, food delivery, online shopping delivery, and other government vehicles, will be allowed to enter through the Shahbagh, Doel Chattar, Shibbari Crossing, Fuller Road, and Nilkhet entry points.

Md Sajid Hasan has been elected president and Miftahul Jannat Rifat general secretary of the Dhaka University Debating Society (DUDS). The election for the 2026-27 executive committee of the  the central debating organisation of the university was held on Monday. The election results were announced around 8:00pm by the Chief Election Commissioner, Prof Dr SM Shameem Reza. Assistant Election Commissioners Zubayer Hossain and Ragib Anjum, Election Secretary Md Sabbir Hossain, and Election Observer Mohiuddin Mujahid Mahi were present during the announcement. The new committee will serve a one-year term after formally assuming office. Sajid Hasan is a student of the 2020–21 session in the Department of Islamic History and Culture. He previously served as General Secretary of Surja Sen Bitarkadhara and Vice President of the Department of Islamic Studies Debating Club. Miftahul Jannat Rifat is a student of the 2020–21 session in the Department of Marketing. She currently serves as General Secretary of the Athenium Debate Forum at Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall. She is also the General Secretary (GS) of the Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall Students' Union.

Jubilant Argentina supporters erupted in celebration at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University after the reigning world champions secured a commanding 3-1 victory over Jordan to storm the FIFA World Cup knockout stage unbeaten. The win saw Argentina finish the group stage with a perfect nine points from three matches, sealing qualification for the Round of 32 as group champions.

Students from Lakshmipur district studying at the University of Dhaka formed a human chain demanding justice for the brutal killing of a mother and her two daughters in Raipur, Lakshmipur, and exemplary punishment for those responsible for the incident as well as other recent murders across the country. The human chain was organized under the banner of Dhaka University Lakshmipur District Students’ Welfare Association at the Raju Memorial Sculpture on Thursday night. Earlier in the day, at around noon, a young man allegedly entered a house in Raipur armed with a machete and attacked a mother and her daughters. The attack left Shahinur Begum, 40, and her two daughters, Sayma Akter, 21, and Shipa Begum, 10, dead. Shahinur Begum and Shipa Begum died on the spot, while Sayma Akter succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital. Another daughter of Shahinur Begum, Ikra Begum, 17, sustained serious injuries. She was initially taken to Raipur Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment. Reports also indicate that a suspect in the incident was beaten to death by an angry mob. Speaking at the human chain, Syed Abdur Rahim, president of the Dhaka University Lakshmipur District Students’ Welfare Association, said, “Today, none of us feels safe anywhere. People are now being hacked to death in broad daylight. In Lakshmipur, four members of a single family were brutally attacked. The accused person was also killed in mob violence, raising concerns about how far the normal judicial process can proceed in this case.” He further said, “Crime is increasing across the country, yet we are not seeing effective measures from the Home Minister or law enforcement agencies. Time and again, they are demonstrating their failure to ensure public safety.” Addressing the Home Minister, Rahim added, “If the government cannot ensure the safety of people’s lives and property, then the Home Minister should resign and allow someone else to take responsibility.” Meanwhile, several media outlets initially reported that deceased victim Sayma Akter was a student of the University of Dhaka. However, it was later learned that she was not affiliated with the university. Commenting on the matter, the university’s Proctor said, “I spent the entire day verifying the information. I could not find any student of that name at the University of Dhaka. I also checked whether she was a student of any of the affiliated seven colleges, but that could not be confirmed either. I do not know why some media outlets identified her as a Dhaka University student. There may even have been a motive behind such claims, perhaps to somehow link the university to this incident.”

A flash mob and cake-cutting ceremony were held at Dhaka University (DU) on Wednesday marking the 39th birthday of Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi.

Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon on Friday said there is no alternative to developing students into skilled human resources and urged them to equip themselves with practical knowledge and professional skills to contribute to the country's development. "Education should not be confined to obtaining a degree. It must be linked to skills, productivity and employability so that students can make meaningful contributions to national development," he said while addressing the orientation programme for first-year undergraduate students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) for the 2025-26 academic session (55th batch). Teacher recruitment, promotions stalled due to pending cases: Milon The programme was held at the university's Zahir Raihan Auditorium with Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan in the chair. The minister said every citizen has responsibilities towards family, society and the country, adding that Bangladesh's future largely depends on its educated youth. "You must prepare yourselves to contribute effectively to the nation's progress," he told the freshers. Referring to global demographic trends, Milon said many developed countries are experiencing population decline, while Bangladesh's population continues to grow. "If we can transform this large population into skilled human resources, it will become one of the country's greatest strengths," he said. He also said Bangladeshi youths could play a significant role in the global workforce through quality education, practical knowledge and professional skills. Earlier, the university administration welcomed the freshers with flowers. Around 2,000 students from different faculties attended the programme. Acting Registrar Md ABM Azizur Rahman formally presented the newly admitted students to the respective deans for academic enrolment, after which the deans welcomed them. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan later administered the oath to the freshers. Director of the Student Welfare and Counselling Centre Prof Dr Jamal Uddin delivered the welcome address, while Additional Director Associate Prof Ameena Islam conducted the programme. University Proctor Prof Dr M Rashidul Alam urged students to maintain discipline on campus. Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Dr Md Shamsul Alam, Pro Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Dr Muhammad Nazrul Islam and Treasurer Prof Dr Md Abdur Rob also addressed the programme as special guests. Representatives of the JU Central Students' Union (JUCSU), student organisations, teachers, officials and students also attended the event and the programme concluded at 9:00 pm.

Jahangirnagar University (JU) has expelled two female students for two years after finding them guilty of possessing and consuming narcotics in a room at Nawab Faizunnesa Hall. The university also permanently expelled them from the residential hall and recommended filing a criminal case against one of them. Registrar ABM Azizur Rahman announced the decisions while briefing reporters after a Syndicate meeting early Tuesday at the university's administrative building. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan chaired the meeting. The expelled students are Tanuja Tithi,  51st-batch student of the Management Studies Department, and Sanzida Amir Inisi, 48th-batch student of the Department of Drama and Dramatics. University authorities formed an investigation committee after reports of narcotics possession and consumption in Room 116 of Nawab Faizunnesa Hall. The investigation found that both students had violated the Jahangirnagar University Discipline Ordinance-2018, which strictly prohibits the possession, consumption and trading of any kind of narcotics on the university campus, including academic departments, institutes and residential halls. Based on the findings, the university's Disciplinary Board expelled both students from the university for two years and permanently barred them from staying in any residential hall. The board also recommended filing a criminal case against Tanuja Tithi under the relevant laws. On April 18, hall authorities recovered narcotics during a raid on Room 116 of Nawab Faizunnesa Hall. The room had been allocated to Tanuja Tithi, while Sanzida Amir Inisi was present there during the raid.

Khulna University (KU) authorities have issued a notice to a student journalist, seeking an explanation and supporting materials over a published news report, a move that has drawn criticism from journalists and press freedom advocates. The notice was served to Md Mirajul Islam, a student of the History and Civilization Discipline who is the university correspondent of the Daily Kaler Kantho, alleging that he had distorted and misrepresented remarks made by the university's Vice-Chancellor in a news report. According to university sources, the notice, signed by Director of Student Affairs Prof Dr Md Nazmus Sadath on June 10, reached the journalist on Sunday. The office order referred to a report titled "Tree plantation at KU to implement Prime Minister's directive," published in Kaler Kantho on June 9. The report quoted the Vice-Chancellor as saying that Khulna University had been established as a recreational destination attracting many visitors because of the lack of entertainment facilities in the city. The university administration claimed that the Vice-Chancellor's remarks were not presented accurately and that the essence of his statement had been distorted. The notice asked Mirajul to submit the sources of information, relevant audio-video recordings and a written explanation within three working days. It also warned that failure to provide a satisfactory explanation and supporting evidence within the stipulated time could lead to action under university regulations. Mirajul Islam said he had published the report objectively as part of his professional duties and possessed the necessary evidence to support it. "As a journalist, being directly asked to disclose my sources or submit audio recordings through a disciplinary notice amounts to interference in independent journalism and misuse of administrative authority," he said. "If there are objections to the report, they should be communicated to my employer or the newspaper authority. Attempting to influence my academic life through a disciplinary notice is unjustified," he added. Director of Student Affairs Prof Nazmus Sadath said the university authorities had instructed him to seek an explanation from the journalist regarding the report. "We believe the report has somewhat harmed the image of the university. That is why we have also sent a letter to Kaler Kantho," he said. Bangladesh Press Council Secretary Md Abdus Sabur said that under the council's regulations, responsibility for a published report does not rest solely with a correspondent, as editors and sub-editors are also involved in the publication process. "If clarification regarding a report is required, the letter should be addressed to the newspaper concerned," he said. Referring to the Press Council's Code of Conduct for Newspapers, News Agencies and Journalists (1993), Sabur said journalists are protected when information obtained from credible sources is published in good faith and in the public interest. "If a report is objective, accurate and supported by sufficient evidence, such actions may be viewed as interference with media freedom," he added. Meanwhile, the Khulna University Journalists' Association expressed deep concern and resentment over the notice. In a statement, the organisation said journalists are not obligated to disclose their sources or submit audio recordings to administrative authorities and described the move as an attempt to create psychological pressure on campus reporters by exploiting their status as students. The association demanded immediate withdrawal of the notice.