Category: Education

The number of seats in India’s 23 IITs has doubled to 1.35 lakh over the past decade, according to Education Minister Sukanta Majumdar. Five newer IITs will receive infrastructure upgrades to accommodate 6,500 additional students, with Rs 1,830 crore allocated for 2024-25. The government also plans to add 10,000 new medical college seats next year and establish an AI Centre of Excellence for education with Rs 500 crore funding.READ FULL

Dhaka University announces admission test schedule for 2024-25 academic year, starting January 4 with Fine Arts unit. Arts, Law, and Social Sciences tests on January 25, Science on February 1, and Business Studies on February 8. IBA test scheduled for January 3. Applications open November 4-25, with Tk1,050 fee. Some tests were rescheduled earlier due to World Ijtema.READ FULL

Failed HSC students in Bangladesh continued protests at Chittagong Education Board for the second day, demanding passing marks. They locked the board’s main gate on Monday afternoon, claiming errors in subject mapping led to unfair results. The protests spread to multiple education boards, including Comilla and Jessore. In Chittagong, out of 105,416 examinees, 74,125 passed with a 70.72% pass rate.READ FULL

In a concerning trend, 65 institutions saw no students pass this year’s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent exams, up from 42 last year. The results, released on Tuesday, showed an overall pass rate of 77.78%. This increase in schools with zero pass rates highlights growing disparities in educational outcomes across institutions. The situation calls for urgent attention to improve teaching quality and support for struggling schools to ensure better performance in future exams.READ FULL

The Bangladeshi government has approved the publication of HSC and equivalent exam results, expected by October. The Education Ministry will evaluate subjects students took exams for, while using subject mapping for others based on SSC results. The HSC exams, which began on June 30 with over 1.4 million students participating, faced multiple postponements due to the quota reform movement. On August 24, the Ministry canceled all remaining exams following student protests at the secretariat.READ FULL

Rajshahi University will resume academic activities on September 11 after a two-month unscheduled closure due to teachers’ work-absent program protesting pension policy. The decision was made in an emergency syndicate meeting chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof Abu Saleh Naquib. Residential halls will reopen on September 10. Classes and exams will restart simultaneously. The suspended admission process for first-year honors classes in the 2023-2024 academic year will resume shortly. The university had been closed since July 1 due to the teachers’ protest.READ FULL

Professor Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan from the Department of Philosophy has been appointed as the acting vice-chancellor of Jahangirnagar University. The appointment, approved by the president and chancellor, is effective immediately. Dr Ahsan will receive his current salary and benefits, and must be present on campus at all times as the university’s chief executive officer. The president retains the right to revoke the appointment if needed. This decision follows the Jahangirnagar University Act of 1973.READ FULL

Professor S M A Faiz, former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC). The Ministry of Education announced this appointment in a notification on Thursday. The previous UGC Chairman, Professor Kazi Shahidullah, resigned last month due to health issues. Following his resignation, Professor Muhammad Alamgir, a full-time member of UGC, was given the additional responsibility of acting Chairman until this new appointment was made.READ FULL

Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan has been appointed as the new vice-chancellor of Dhaka University by President Md Shahabuddin. He replaces Professor Dr ASM Maksud Kamal, who resigned on August 10. Prof Niaz, the 30th VC of DU, holds a PhD from the University of Wales Swansea and has an extensive academic background. His appointment is temporary and subject to certain conditions, including the president’s right to cancel it anytime. Prof Niaz previously served as pro-vice chancellor at Independent University, Bangladesh. Daily Star

Education adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud warned against forcing resignations in educational institutions, stating it could destabilize the administrative system. He emphasized that legitimate complaints will be addressed, but coercion is unacceptable. Mahmud stressed that appointments and transfers follow established rules, and disruptions could delay salaries. He called for stability in the education sector during the transition period and urged maintaining proper teacher-student relationships without personal humiliation. The adviser’s comments came during a meeting with ministry officials.

Primary schools across Bangladesh reopened today after a 28-day closure due to student protests over quota reforms. The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education issued an order yesterday to resume classes in all government primary schools, schools operated by the Children’s Welfare Trust, and learning centres run by the Bureau of Non-Formal Education. The closure, which began on July 17, affected schools in eight city corporation areas. Students were seen returning to schools in Dhaka this morning. UNB

The education ministry has proposed resuming the postponed Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams from September 11. The proposal was submitted to Prof Muhammad Yunus, the interim government’s chief advisor. The exams, initially rescheduled for August 11 after being delayed due to quota reform protests, faced further uncertainty following attacks on question paper storage locations. Prof Tapan Kumar Sarkar of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee confirmed this information to The Daily Star.

Bangladesh’s new Posts, Telecommunications, and IT Advisor Nahid Islam announces reconsideration of investments in startups, including 10 Minute School, that faced government backlash for supporting student protests. The advisor condemned the previous administration’s treatment of these companies and promised to review “controversial clauses” in the Cyber Security Act. This comes after the government’s venture capital fund withdrew a Tk 5 crore investment from 10 Minute School following its CEO’s support for quota reform protests. Daily Star

Primary and Mass Education Adviser Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar announces that the decision to reopen schools in Bangladesh will be made after consulting all stakeholders. He emphasizes that students will not return to school until the current unstable situation improves. This statement was made during a views-exchange meeting at the Secretariat following his assumption of office.

Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (Ruet) in Bangladesh has banned all student politics on campus. The decision, made by the university syndicate, prohibits teachers, officers, employees, and students from involvement in any political organizations or activities. This move comes after students presented a 12-point demand list, which included banning party politics. The university warned that those who disobey will face punishment according to university regulations. Daily Star

Rumors of Bangladesh’s new secondary education curriculum being suspended are false, clarifies NCTB Chairman Professor Farhadul Islam. The curriculum, introduced in 2023 for select grades, is being expanded to more classes this year. Only a government decision can suspend it. The new system will be fully implemented across all grades by 2027, with the first SSC exam under this curriculum expected in 2025 or early 2026. Dhaka Tribune

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent exams in Bangladesh for 2024 have been postponed again. Initially scheduled to resume on August 11, the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee cited unavoidable reasons for the delay. The exams, which started on June 30, have faced multiple postponements due to floods in Sylhet and the quota reform movement. A revised schedule will be announced later. This decision affects students across various education boards in the country. Dhaka Tribune

The HSC and equivalent exams in Bangladesh face uncertainty after attacks on locations storing question papers following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. Many papers were destroyed, necessitating new sets. Exam centers were also damaged. Education officials are assessing the extent of the damage and whether exams can proceed as scheduled. The education ministry estimates it may take at least a month to begin the exams, which were previously postponed due to quota reform protests.

A decision on resuming the suspended Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, originally set to restart on August 11, will be announced on Wednesday. Prof Tapan Kumar Sarkar, chairman of Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board, stated that authorities are assessing the overall situation, including damage to examination centers. The final decision will consider these factors and necessary repairs to affected venues. bd pratidin

Jahangirnagar University authorities have indefinitely closed the university and ordered students to vacate halls by 4 PM today following ongoing quota reform protests. The decision, made during an emergency syndicate meeting, was met with resistance from demonstrating students who threw objects at the administration building. Protesters claim the closure is an attempt to halt their movement and bring back BCL members. Police have been deployed on campus, facing off with protesting students who wish to remain peacefully. Tension persists as the situation unfolds. Prothom Alo

Dhaka University has taken five decisions to address the confrontational situation over quota reform issues. These include banning outsiders from residential halls, requiring students to remain peacefully in their halls, and instructing provosts and house tutors to stay overnight in halls to prevent further incidents. The university’s Vice Chancellor, Dr. ASM Maksud Kamal, announced these measures after an emergency meeting of the Provost Standing Committee. Students were also advised to avoid misleading information and subversive activities to maintain a peaceful campus atmosphere.

Universal College Bangladesh (UCB) held an orientation for the 9th intake of the Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY) program. The event introduced students and parents to the MUFY program and UCB’s international teaching standards. Representatives from Monash University shared information about studying at Monash in Australia and Malaysia. UCB’s dean highlighted their excellent MUFY results and growing enrolments. UCB offers local pathways to international universities, including Monash, University of London, and University of Central Lancashire. Prothom Alo

Anti-quota protests intensified across Bangladesh universities after the Supreme Court upheld a High Court verdict reinstating the quota system in government jobs. Students blocked key intersections and highways, demanding the scrapping of quotas. Protesters announced fresh programs, including campus processions and class boycotts. The quota system, which reserved 56% of government jobs for various groups, was abolished in 2018 following student protests but recently reinstated by the High Court, sparking renewed demonstrations.

Rajshahi University students blocked the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway, demanding reinstatement of the 2018 government circular that abolished the quota system for government jobs. The protest, ongoing for four days, calls for a commission to reform the quota system based on the 2018 circular. Students want merit-based recruitment, with quotas only for disabled individuals. They also demand that quota usage be limited to once per lifetime for any government competitive exam, including university entrance tests.

AIUB Architecture Week 2024 kicked off on June 28 with the Design Charrette: QUEST inauguration. Over 300 students from IAB-accredited schools registered, forming 85 groups. The event aims to foster collaboration among architecture students nationwide. The week includes lectures, exhibitions, and cultural programs. Nadia Anwar, AIUB Vice Chairman, inaugurated the exhibition, joined by former IAB President Ar Jalal Ahmed and Arefeen Ibrahim, Head of AIUB’s Architecture Department.

Dhaka University ranks highest among Bangladeshi institutions in the 2024-2025 Best Global Universities Rankings by US News and World Report. It stands 560th globally and 146th in Asia. Rajshahi University, BUET, Jahangirnagar University, and Bangladesh Agricultural University follow in the rankings. The universities were evaluated based on research performance and academic ratings. Dhaka University improved from last year’s 691-700 bracket and recently ranked 554th in the QS World University Rankings. Daily Star

HSC exams in Fulgazi and Parshuram upazilas of Feni district have been postponed due to severe flooding caused by heavy rains and the breaching of the Muhuri River embankment. The Bangla second paper exam scheduled for July 2 has been affected. The Muhuri River is flowing 130 cm above danger level, flooding several villages. The deputy commissioner confirmed the postponement and has informed the relevant education boards about the Source UNB

Dhaka University teachers and employees began an indefinite work abstention on Monday, protesting the universal pension scheme ‘prottoy’. They demand its withdrawal, calling it discriminatory. The strike has halted classes, exams, and administrative activities. The Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers Samity declared the action after failing to secure government assurance on their demands, including cancellation of ‘prottoy’, inclusion in super grade, and a separate pay scale for teachers. The university’s founding day events were partially affected.

Teachers and staff at 35 public universities in Bangladesh, including Dhaka University, have begun an indefinite strike demanding the reinstatement of previous pension facilities. The strike has halted academic and administrative activities, including the closure of DU’s library on its 103rd founding anniversary. The Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers’ Association is leading the protest against the new Universal Pension Scheme. University staff members have also joined the work abstention, vowing to continue until their demands are met. Daily Star

Dhaka University has suspended all examinations due to “unavoidable circumstances.” This decision follows the announcement by public university teachers of an indefinite work-abstention starting tomorrow. The teachers are demanding the reinstatement of the previous pension policy instead of the new Universal Pension Scheme. Exams at Curzon Hall and Arts building centre are suspended from July 1 until further notice. However, exams for affiliated colleges and constituted institutions of DU will continue as scheduled. Daily Star

HSC and equivalent exams begin tomorrow, June 30, across Bangladesh. Written exams will run until August 11, followed by practical exams. The routine was published on April 2. Exams start with Bangla and will be held for three hours, with MCQ tests preceding CQ tests. Students must enter exam centers 30 minutes early and collect admit cards from their institutions. Mobile phones are prohibited except for exam in-charges. The exams will follow the revised syllabus. Prothom Alo

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams in Sylhet will proceed as rescheduled from July 9, with no further postponements, according to the Sylhet education board chairman. Initially delayed due to severe flooding in mid-June, the exams were postponed from June 30 to July 8. With flood waters receding and the situation improving, college principals expect normalcy to return by July 8, allowing exam centers currently used as flood shelters to be cleared in time. Prothom Alo

The Ministry of Education in Bangladesh has decided to shorten the summer vacation for educational institutions this year. Instead of reopening on July 2 as per the academic calendar, the institutes will now reopen on June 26 to make up for learning losses. However, the two-day weekly holiday on Friday and Saturday will remain in place. This decision aims to recover the lost academic time due to extended vacations.

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations in Sylhet division have been postponed until July 8 due to the flood situation in the region. However, the exams scheduled from July 9 onwards will be held as per the original schedule. This decision was confirmed by Prof Tapan Kumar Sarkar, chairman of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee and Dhaka Education Board. The HSC exams were initially set to commence on June 30.

The QS 2025 rankings feature over 1,500 universities worldwide, led by the US, UK, and China. Five Asian universities make the top 20, including National University of Singapore (8th), Peking University (14th), Nanyang Technological University (15th), University of Hong Kong (17th), and Tsinghua University (20th). These prestigious institutions offer extensive programs, competitive admissions, and often require standardized tests for entry.