United News of Bangladesh

Security will be tightened ahead of the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) central student union (SUCSU) election scheduled for January 20. Assistant Proctor Professor Dr. Saiful Islam said this at a views-exchange meeting at the Proctor’s  Office on Sunday. To ensure maximum security during the election over 300 members of the police and the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) will be deployed, he said. Special teams will be stationed at the main gate, pocket gates, and other key areas on the campus. SUCSU Elections: Final candidate list published He also said that no vehicles will be allowed on campus except rickshaws, autos, and cars with university stickers. A medical team will remain active throughout the election.

The Ministry of Education has finalised the draft ordinance for the establishment of the proposed Dhaka Central University and forwarded it to the Cabinet Division on Sunday completing all the procedural steps at the Secondary and Higher Education Division. In a statement, the ministry said the ordinance is expected to get approval soon. Before finalising the ordinance, the ministry conducted several key steps, including gathering opinions from relevant ministries and departments, publishing the draft online for public feedback, holding discussions with teachers, students, and civil society members, and consulting experts.  Prof Yunus calls for shift from job-focused education in South Asia The ministry said the Secondary and Higher Education Division ensured the draft reflected reasonable expectations and addressed concerns while setting a framework for quality education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The division kept the public informed of progress through regular press releases. Officials noted that establishing a sustainable, world-class university requires careful planning and phased structural reforms, as any disorder at any stage could disrupt the initiative. The ministry appealed to all stakeholders to refrain from activities that could create public inconvenience or unrest, warning that emotional or destabilizing incidents could undermine years of effort. The ministry expressed confidence that continued patience and cooperation would soon pave the way for the official launch of Dhaka Central University, marking a new milestone in Bangladesh’s higher education sector. Infrastructure, education projects worth over Tk 190cr get govt nod The ordinance comes after weeks of protests by students from seven major colleges in the city— Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Mohila College, Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul College, Govt. Bangla College, and Govt Titumir College—who demanded a separate Dhaka Central University. Earlier, the first draft had faced criticism from students, prompting revisions. The revised plan preserves the individual identity of each college while integrating them under a structure similar to the National University. The seven colleges have long been at the center of administrative and affiliation disputes. In 2017, they were shifted from National University to Dhaka University without adequate preparation. In January 2025, they were again separated from Dhaka University, creating further complications before the new university could be formally established. Following student demands, the government decided to form a new university incorporating all seven colleges while maintaining their distinct identities.  

A father allegedly strangled his daughter to death at Char Basanti Purba Para village of Nakla Upazila in Sherpur on Sunday. The deceased was Morium, 7, daughter of Babu Mia. His another daughter Mim Akter, aged three and a half years, was admitted  to Sherpur District Hospital with injuries on neck. Nakla Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ripon Chandra Gop said being informed by locals Morium’s body was recovered from the spot. Police arrested Babu Mia when he was trying to flee, he said. Initial investigations indicate that Babu locked into an altercation with his wife Hasina Begum over family feud and at one stage he strangled Morium to death, said OC (Investigation) Abul Kashem. The father also attacked younger daughter Mim, leaving her injured. Local people have expressed deep grief and demanded strict punishment for the killer.

The Dhaka University (DU) authorities have filed a case against those responsible for attacking DU students at New Market Police Station on Thursday at the Science Lab intersection. The case was lodged on the night of January 15, according to a press release issued by the university’s Public Relations Office. The press release stated that Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan immediately spoke with the Home Affairs Adviser to ensure the safety of university students. He has also been maintaining communication with the Education Adviser and other senior government officials regarding the matter. Additionally, the university authorities have formally sent a letter to the Home Secretary seeking to ensure the security of student transportation. The release further mentioned that students of the proposed Central University blocked the Science Lab area on the afternoon of January 15. When a bus carrying Dhaka University students was heading toward the campus, the protesters obstructed it. Upon receiving the information, members of the DU Proctorial Body and the Transport Manager rushed to the spot and managed to escort the bus away. During this time, the protesters attacked the DU students, leaving several of them injured. Referendum: DUCSU announces month-long programme to secure victory for ‘Yes’ In protest against the incident, Dhaka University students staged a sit-in at the Nilkhet area on the evening of January 15. The Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, the Treasurer, the Proctor, the Provost of Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haq Hall, the Director of the Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology, senior faculty members, assistant proctors, DUCSU leaders, and leaders of the Zahurul Haq Hall unit spoke with the students and expressed solidarity with them. The press release also noted that the administrator of Central University has expressed regret to the Dhaka University authorities over the incident.

The Election Commission (EC) has granted permission to hold the Shahjalal University Central Student Union (SUCSU) and hall union elections on the scheduled date of January 20, provided the code of conduct is followed. The approval came through a letter signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain of the EC’s Election Management–2 branch on Thursday (Jan. 15). The decision follows a request from the university authorities (memo no. Reg:/16/5/342, dated Jan. 14, 2026). The EC stated that if the prescribed conditions are properly observed, there is no objection to holding the ShakSU and hall elections. The EC has instructed the relevant authorities to take necessary measures in line with its decision.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) has announced a month-long programme comprising 15 events across the country to ensure the victory of the ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming national referendum. The initiatives aim to increase public awareness and participation in the referendum under the pro-reforms slogan, “Vote ‘Yes’, Choose a Safe Bangladesh.” The programmes were announced on Wednesday at a press conference held in front of the DUCSU building. DUCSU Vice President (VP) Shadik Kayem outlined the month-long plan at the briefing. According to the press conference, the 15 initiatives to build public support in favour of ‘Yes’ include nationwide door-to-door outreach, online campaigns, exhibition debates, seminars on state reforms, exchange meetings with civil society members and journalists, discussions with online activists, a discussion titled “Thoughts of the July Injured,” publication of songs, poems and documentaries, speech competitions, street plays and mime performances, dialogue with student and social organisations, and visits to educational institutions across the country to unite students. In his written statement, Shadik Kayem said the core spirit of the July mass uprising was the reform of the existing state structure and the establishment of a discrimination-free society. He described the referendum as a historic pathway to implementing those reforms, adding that participating in the referendum and casting a ‘Yes’ vote is a responsibility to uphold the sacred legacy of the blood of the July martyrs. Hadi shooting: DUCSU leaders march to Home Adviser’s office He said a ‘Yes’ vote would pave the way for reforms such as limiting any individual from serving as prime minister for more than two terms, ensuring transparency in public sector recruitment, enabling public participation in major constitutional changes, increasing women’s representation, safeguarding the legitimate rights of people of all religions and ideologies, and recognising internet access as a fundamental right. At the same time, it would help end the culture of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, secret detention centres, and other human rights violations. At the press conference, DUCSU called upon all anti-fascist political parties including BNP, Jamaat, and NCP, along with student organisations, professional bodies, civil society members, and the wider student community and general public to unite and create a nationwide groundswell in favour of the ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice-President Sadik Kayem on Tuesday said the Election Commission (EC) has shown a positive stance regarding the student council elections of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) and Begum Rokeya University. Shadik Kayem disclosed the change in the Commission’s position while talking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. The development comes a day after the Commission issued a directive suspending all organisational elections ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for February 12, 2026. Speaking to reporters, Shadik Kayem said the Election Commission assured them that it would take appropriate measures to ensure the student council elections are held in due time. "The Election Commission has assured us that they will take appropriate measures,” he said. Referring to the EC’s directive issued on Monday to suspend all organisational elections until February 12, he said they had already held talks with university authorities and the government. Shadik Kayem pointed out that the SUST student council election is scheduled for January 20, while the national parliamentary election will be held on February 12. “Stopping a student council election three weeks earlier on security grounds cannot be a logical decision. Student community will not accept such an undemocratic decision,” he said. The Begum Rokeya University student council election is scheduled to be held on January 21. Earlier on Monday, the Election Commission directed authorities not to allow elections of any organisation or association, including professional bodies, before the 13th parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for February 12 next. Protest erupts at SUST over EC's low bar, puts holds any elections ahead of national polls The directive, issued through a letter sent to returning officers, stated that the restriction would apply to elections of professional organisations, educational institutions, transport owners’ and workers’ associations, journalists’ associations, traders’ bodies, cooperative societies, trade unions and all other organisations. The Commission said the decision was taken to keep the parliamentary election and referendum process completely free from any form of influence.

A protest erupted at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) on Monday night following the Election Commission's announcement banning elections of any organisation or association, including professional bodies, across the country ahead of the 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12. Soon after the EC's declaration, students of SUST gathered in front of the university's IICT building around 11pm and staged a protest, causing unrest on the campus late at night. Aggrieved students said the decision would further delay the student council elections, which have already been postponed for a long time citing national elections, and described the move as a violation of students' democratic rights. Mujahidul Islam, a candidate for the post of general secretary of the Shibir-supported Durbar Sastian Oikya Panel, said the continued postponement of the student council polls was unacceptable. "The student council elections have been delayed for a long time. Now they are being stopped again in the name of national elections. We want our representation. This is our fundamental right, and we will not accept this conspiracy," he said. The protesters demanded immediate withdrawal of the EC's announcement and warned of stricter action if their demands were not met.

Md. Riazul Islam, Vice President (VP), and Abdul Alim Arif, General Secretary (GS) of Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU), have been elected President and Secretary of the Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, Jagannath University (JnU) unit. The committee for the 2026 session was formed at an emergency members’ meeting of the JnU unit on Monday afternoon. The election was conducted by Central International Affairs Secretary Mu‘tasim Billah Shahedi, with Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir Secretary General Sibgatullah present as the chief guest. According to sources, voting for the unit president was held using ballot papers signed by the Central President. After counting, Md. Riazul Islam, who received the highest number of votes, was declared President by Secretary General Sibgatullah, who later administered the oath. Based on members’ consultations, the newly elected President Md. Riazul Islam nominated Abdul Alim Arif as Unit Secretary and Md. Ibrahim Khalil as Organizing Secretary.  

A team of researchers from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) has developed a low-cost, environment-friendly stove named the “BAU Biochar Stove,” which can be used simultaneously for cooking and biochar (organic charcoal) production. The innovation has been developed with funding from the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust (BCCT) under the leadership of Prof. Md. Shahiduzzaman of the Department of Parasitology, BAU. The research team also includes Dr. Mohammad Mofizur Rahman Jahangir of the Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences student Md. Ashikuzzaman, also UNB's campus correspondent, Mohammad Sohan, PhD student Sumon Chandro Mohanto, and Netrokona Government College student Md. Al Nur Tarak. The project is currently being implemented at the field level in Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur district. According to the researchers, the stove allows high-temperature cooking at 300 to 600°C while simultaneously producing biochar for climate-smart crop and livestock production. It is particularly suitable for households that regularly use firewood, coal, or similar fuels for cooking. While conventional biochar production is relatively expensive, the newly developed stove enables biochar production at a very low cost and is farmer-friendly. Explaining the scientific aspect, Project Director Dr. Md. Shahiduzzaman told UNB that biochar is a special form of charcoal produced at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. He said the stove was developed following scientific principles, and quality analysis of the produced biochar showed a high inorganic carbon content, making it high-quality biochar with strong carbon sequestration potential. He added that the use of this biochar would help reduce methane emissions from agricultural land, livestock, and manure, thereby contributing to climate-friendly crop and livestock production. Dr. Jahangir said laboratory analysis revealed that the biochar produced from the stove contains high inorganic carbon along with other essential components. Farmers can use the stove for daily cooking and simultaneously produce biochar to apply to their fields along with fertilizers. He further noted that biochar is globally recognized as an effective method for improving soil quality. Although its use has only recently begun in Bangladesh, high production costs have been a major barrier. The newly developed cost-effective stove automatically produces biochar during cooking, addressing this challenge. Md. Ashikuzzaman said the stove was initially designed using software, its feasibility was tested, and it was developed using locally available materials at a very low cost. Observations showed that cooking with the stove requires less time and fuel compared to conventional methods. Feedback from farmers also confirmed these benefits, as they are producing quality biochar free of cost through their daily cooking. Abdul Hamid, a trial user from Bhabakhali in Mymensingh, said the stove is particularly suitable for char areas as well as urban and rural regions due to its fuel efficiency and reduced cooking time. He expressed confidence that the stove would gain popularity across Bangladesh. Another user, Parvin Begum from Mithapukur in Rangpur, said she cooks daily meals for a family of seven to eight members using the stove. “Now I am using this stove instead of my traditional one,” she said, adding that cooking now takes much less time and requires a significantly smaller amount of firewood than before.