BRAC University honours Peter Singer
BRAC University today conferred its first honorary fellowship on Australian philosopher Peter Singer.
Universities & campus governance
Leadership, admissions, campus politics and public-university governance.
82 bylined pieces
CUET deserves answers, not another power struggle over the VC’s office
The confrontation raises deeper questions about university appointments, political influence and accountability
RU keeps failing to stop campus violence
Rajshahi University authorities have repeatedly failed to protect students and journalists from violence on campus since August 2024, even with proctorial officials or teachers present.
Seven Years Later, I Return to What I Wrote the Day Abrar Fahad Was Killed
Seven years after Abrar Fahad’s killing, I revisit what I wrote that day about campus violence, political labels and the silence that allowed it to continue.
3 Public Universities: VCs’ greetings to BNP leaders raise ethical questions
The vice chancellors of at least three public universities have recently used their institutions’ official platforms to congratulate BNP leaders on appointments to party posts amid ongoing controversies over politically influenced appointments to top university positions.
Admission to class-1: Heavy loads on tender shoulders
The government’s move to reintroduce written admission tests for class-1 from the next academic year has sparked concern among parents, with many turning to coaching centres and private tutors to help their children prepare for the exams.
UGC to track 15 years of university research funding
The University Grants Commission (UGC) is preparing a research repository to track how university research funds were spent and what they produced over the past 15 years.
The cost of politicising VC appointment
Is involvement in politics a crime? Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon posed that question while defending the government’s decision to appoint vice-chancellors to seven universities and a new chairman of the University Grants Commission on Monday.
Ex-Kuet VC accused of fund misuse, illegal appointments
Former vice-chancellor Prof Mohammad Masud misused funds from a German-backed research project, made irregular appointments and withdrew salary after his removal from office at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet), according to a government-formed investigation report.
Dhaka central university: Govt backtracks from merger plan
The government has finalised the draft ordinance to establish Dhaka Central University, which will primarily function as an affiliating and regulatory body for seven affiliated colleges.
2 UAP teachers terminated amid student protests
The University of Asia Pacific (UAP), which announced an indefinite closure on Monday, remained shut yesterday amid ongoing student protests over a controversial Facebook post, the subsequent termination of two faculty members, and demands for the vice-chancellor’s removal.
Rucsu too goes to Shibir
The Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed Sommilito Shikkharthi Jote has swept the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Rucsu) election, securing 20 out of 23 central posts in the first such polls held in 35 years.
Rucsu in chains: How a university scripted its own crisis
Teachers, staff still holding up the polls, and Rucsu still in their grip
Education left behind
One year into its tenure, the interim government is struggling to bring stability to the country’s educational institutions, beset by campus unrest and disruptions to academic activities.
July uprising: A movement that united campuses and classrooms
Bangladesh’s student movements have long been rooted in the dormitories of public universities -- Dhaka University, Rajshahi University, Jahangirnagar University, and Chittagong University -- where slogans, marches, and political pressure have often driven change.
Student union election: DU, JU set for Sept polls, other univs lag behind
The much-anticipated Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election is likely to be held in the second week of September.
Is Mahmudul's arrest a message?
A journalism teacher at Begum Rokeya University, Mahmudul Haque now sits in jail
Search committee formed after posts already filled
The government has decided to form a search committee to recommend vice-chancellors, pro-VCs, and treasurers for public universities. But educationists are criticising the timing and intent of the move as most of these top positions in at least 47 universities have already been filled.
UGC considers ‘July 36 univ’ for seven govt colleges
The University Grants Commission is considering a new public university named “July 36 University” for the seven government colleges that were under Dhaka University.
Public universities: Admission woes deepen for students
Admission seekers are set to face increased hassle with at least 10 public universities no longer participating in the cluster-based admission test system. They are holding entrance exams on their own.
University admission: Cluster system’s fate hangs in balance
The fate of cluster system admission test for next academic year still hangs in balance, as the education ministry did not make a decision yesterday in this regard following its meeting with university vice chancellors.
UGC chair, five new VCs appointed
A new chairman was appointed at the University Grant Commission yesterday, while five public universities also got new vice chancellors.
Public univs ‘reopen’ today
Public universities are set to reopen today amid a vacuum in the administrations after the resignation of at least 20 vice-chancellors, 10 pro-vice-chancellors, and many other officials.
Three VCs of public universities resign
Vice-Chancellors of at least three public universities, including Jahangirnagar University, resigned from their posts
Closure of schools, universities: Academic calendars in total disarray
The month-long disruption to university education and two-week long closure of schools have led to the cancellation of public and school exams, upsetting academic calendars and hampering the education of crores of students.
Univ teachers to carry on strike today
Public university teachers will continue their work stoppage today as their meeting with the government representatives yesterday failed to yield any decision regarding the pension facilities.
A look back at 2018 quota protests and Toriqul’s tale
Students from Comilla University were attacked by police during a quota reform demonstration yesterday. At least 10 students, including two journalists, were injured
Gazette delay leaves candidates in limbo
Rashed Ahmed, a former student of Rajshahi University, was provisionally recommended to become an assistant judge following the final results of the 16th Bangladesh Judicial Service (BJS) exams.
UGC bans future recruitment at CMU
The University Grants Commission recently banned any recruitment at Chittagong Medical University (CMU) after finding out about violation of recruitment policies by the university’s administration while appointing six staffers.
Secondary MPO schools must pay admission fees to govt
The government yesterday instructed all secondary educational institutions to deposit the admission fees collected from students with the state coffer.
Sexual harassment at JnU: For 2yrs, suspect protected, victim tormented
For two years the Department of Film and Television of Jagannath University protected a teacher accused of sexual harassment and went after the complainant.
When speaking up is a ‘crime’
A teacher at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) has remained suspended for around 10 months for the “crime” of speaking out against the university authorities regarding irregularities in teachers’ appointments.
Jagannath University rife with financial irregularities: UGC report
Jagannath University (JnU) is in hot water after a University Grants Commission (UGC) report uncovered a number of financial irregularities.During a review of JnU's revised budget for the ongoing 2023-2024 fiscal year and the main budget for 2024-25, the University Grants Commission identified 25 areas of such irregularities
JU failed to make campus women-friendly
Despite repeated incidents of sexual harassment on Jahangirnagar University campus, the authorities are yet to take any effective steps to make the campus women-friendly, finds a UGC probe body.
Metro sees huge crowd as book fair kicks off
At the Dhaka University station, hundreds of passengers were seen waiting at packed platforms, hoping to board already overflowing trains
Banglabazar: All things book
Walking past the Jagannath University and Dhaka Collegiate School, amid heavy noise of construction work at Dhaka Sadar Post Office, these correspondents heard a voice that cut through the cacophony in narrow lanes of Old Dhaka.
DU BCL president poses with ballot paper with vote for boat
The Bangladesh Chhatra League president of Dhaka University unit today posted a photo of himself holding a ballot paper displaying his vote on his social media account
‘BCL men’ enter polling booths in DU centre with food for agents
A vehicle carrying supporters of ruling Awami League candidate Bahuddin Nasim stopped in front of the polling centre at the Dhaka University Annex Building around 8:40am
UGC member urges teachers to ensure 80pc turnout in polls
University Grants Commission Member Professor Sazzad Hossain yesterday urged university teachers to work towards bringing “at least 80 percent voters” to polling stations for the 12th national election.
Academic activities in peril
Academic activities at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University in Gopalganj are being severely hampered due to a shortage of basic infrastructure and teachers.
Cluster Admission Tests: 22 univs lag behind, have vacant seats
Twenty-two public universities, who held cluster admission tests for the 2021-22 academic year, could not start classes on time due to lengthy migration of freshers.
Four teachers appointed against two vacant posts
The authorities of Mawlana Bhasani Science and Technology University (MBSTU) in Tangail appointed four teachers against two vacant positions, ignoring the recruitment circular and recommendations of academic planning committees.
Public univ admission: Single entry exam from next year
From the next academic year, all public universities have to enrol students through a single admission test and the government will set up a separate authority to hold that exam.
Study Abroad: students suffer as banks reluctant to open files
Mohammad Omar Faruque, 27, a graduate of Jahangirnagar University, was hoping to pursue his master’s in the United Kingdom.
Atiqul Islam made chairman of Manarat Int’l University Board of Trustees
Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam has been made the chairman of Manarat International University’s board of trustees.
Manarat University: Govt reconstitutes trustee board over ‘militancy links’
The government yesterday reconstituted Manarat International University’s board of trustees, abolishing the previous one, due to an allegation that some of the immediate-past members were involved in “militancy and anti-state activities”.
Roni calls off protest for now
Dhaka University student Mohiuddin Roni last night postponed his protest against mismanagement and corruption in the country’s railway system, for the time being as the authorities concerned assured him of meeting his demands.
The one who pledged to keep fighting
In April this year, Dhaka University student Mohiuddin Roni started a hunger strike for his six-point demand, including the modernisation of the university’s medical centre, after not being satisfied with its facilities.
Road-crash tragedies stalk his family
Munira Akter, mother of Rajshahi University student Mahmud Habib Himel, could not shed any tears seeing the coffin of her only son, but her blank eyes made everyone around her choke up.
Truck kills RU student on campus
A Rajshahi University student was crushed to death and another injured under the wheels of a construction truck on the campus last night.
Hasan Azizul Huq laid to rest
Eminent writer Hasan Azizul Huq was laid to rest on the premises of Rajshahi University Central Library at 3pm yesterday.
Desperation over accommodation
As feared, many admission seekers of Rajshahi University (RU) and their guardians were desperate to find a place to stay yesterday, and the situation was exacerbated by unusually high accommodation rents in the city.
Where will all the students stay?
Every year, during Rajshahi University’s (RU) admission tests, the institute’s halls welcome thousands of admission seekers from different corners of the country. According to teachers, student leaders and guardians, the dormitories usually house around 50 percent of admission seekers, particularly students from non-affluent families and those from far flung areas.
Lockdown leaves students hanging
Thousands of students of Rajshahi University (RU), who were expecting to sit for their final examinations on university campus, are in uncertainty due to the lockdown imposed in Rajshahi.
NBR seeks bank info on former RU VC
The National Board of Revenue has asked different banks to provide it with detailed financial information of former Rajshahi University vice-chancellor Prof Abdus Sobhan and four others of his family.
Reckless recruitment racks up RU budget
In the last 10 years, Rajshahi University’s annual expenditures has risen by Tk 278.67 crore.
Ex-RU VC’s Tenure: Recruitment rules violated freely
Thursday’s chaos on Rajshahi University campus can be attributable to the lack of effective steps after a government report mentioned that bribery, questionable recruitment and financial irregularities were rampant in the administration when Prof Abdus Sobhan was the vice chancellor.
All for money?
Outgoing Rajshahi University Vice Chancellor Prof M Abdus Sobhan violated a ministerial embargo by appointing 137 teachers and staffers on his last day in office yesterday, giving rise to daylong chaos and clashes on the campus.
BCL men to get top priority for univ jobs
Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Prof M Abdus Sobhan has “assured” Chhatra League men that they would get the “highest priorities” in getting jobs at the university.
Keep dorms open during exams
Students of Rajshahi University (RU) have urged authorities to reopen dormitories, ensuring health guidelines, during the honours and master’s final examinations, which are scheduled to start from January 2.
RU teachers demand registrar’s removal
Teachers of Rajshahi University demanded immediate implementation of recent government orders, including relieving Prof Abdul Bari from the post of the university registrar.
Recruitment Suspension: RU will want to know why
Rajshahi University authorities would want to know from the education ministry the reasons for postponing all kinds of appointments to the university until further notice.
Reports of Malpractices: Recruitment at RU halted
The government has asked Rajshahi University VC Prof M Abdus Sobhan to explain in seven working days why the appointments of his daughter and son-in-law to the university as teachers will not be cancelled.
Innocent RU student in jail for 2 months
A Rajshahi University student has been languishing in jail for more than two months after police wrongfully arrested him in a murder case.
RU student orgs continue to hold events 'ignoring' ban
On March 3 of 2014, Rajshahi University authorities imposed a ban on all types of processions, rallies and use of megaphones on the campus.
No dormitories for RU IBA students
It has been three years since Institute of Business Administration (IBA) of Rajshahi University (RU) was given a separate academic building, but its students are deprived of residential facilities. Students of all other departments can live in university dormitories.
Physical education limping at RU
Academic activities of Physical Education and Sports Science (PESS) department at Rajshahi University (RU) are limping along on limited resources although it has been four years since the department opened.
Hope of Rucsu polls this year getting stronger
The hope for holding election to Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (Rucsu) by this year is getting stronger as the university authorities are planning to discuss relevant issues with student organisations soon.
7 hurt as BCL men attack RU protesters
At least six students and a journalist were injured when Chhatra League activists attacked a group of students protesting the screening of commercial film “Dohon” at Rajshahi University yesterday.
To screen or not to screen
The decision of screening Jaaz Multimedia's new film “Dohon” at Rajshahi University has created mixed reactions among students.
Fuelling creativity
Four undergraduate students of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (Ruet) recently launched a crowdfunding platform, kandaribd.com.
Students, colleagues seek fair probe
Teachers and students of mass communication and journalism department of Rajshahi University yesterday sought a fair investigation into the death of Akter Jahan Joly, an associate professor of the department.
“Sampan Naiya” and “Putulnatya” staged at RU
Two plays, “Sampan Naiya” and “Putulnatya”, were staged at Rajshahi University (RU) auditorium last week. Two troupes, Chattogram-based Uttaradhikar and Bangladesh Putul Natya Gobeshona O Unnayan Kendra respectively staged the plays on the third day of the week-long 'Bangladesh-India alliance theatre Festival-2018' at Rajshahi University campus.
RU website: A window into hollow
When the expectations among the Rajshahi University students are running high in terms of an informative web presence of the educational institution, the authorities have apparently failed to deliver up to the expectations.
MCQ Blunder: RU to punish two teachers
Rajshahi University on Wednesday decided to take punitive action against two teachers of the fine arts faculty for their involvement in making and selecting controversial multiple-choice questions for its admission test.
Money matters!
Even a few years back, Rajshahi University (RU) used to conduct the first-year admission tests in a day or two.
Traffic jam shatters dreams of hundreds of RU admission seekers
Many students fail to sit for Rajshahi University admission tests as they could not reach in time being stuck in severe traffic congestion on Dhaka-Rajshahi highway.
RU administrative work at a standstill
Most academic and administrative activities at Rajshahi University have ground to a halt as it has been running without a vice-chancellor and a pro vice-chancellor for 21 days.
RU bus crisis drags on
Though the number of students at Rajshahi University has increased over the years, the buses carrying them to and from the campus
10th Convocation: RU puts graduates in uncertainty
Frustration grips the graduates waiting to attend the 10th convocation of Rajshahi University (RU), as the authorities have yet to announce the date of the programme even though two months have elapsed since the registration process ended.
Pace of investigation frustrates family
Even after three months into the murder of Rajshahi University student Lipu, no significant progress was made in the investigation into the incident.
RU convocation reg fee too high?
The registration fee for the upcoming 10th convocation of Rajshahi University has been fixed at Tk 3,750, at least Tk 1,000