National
PM urges to Work with specific plan for country’s sustainable development
In a recent address as the chief guest at the concluding ceremony of the 75th basic training course for Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) officers, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized the importance of specific plans for continued sustainable development in the country. She urged the new BCS officers, totaling 602 from 19 different cadres, to play a vital role in ensuring the nation’s progress remains uninterrupted.
During the same event, Prime Minister Hasina inaugurated five development projects, including the upgrade of the Government Employee Hospital into a 500-bed facility, the construction of a 15-story BPATC Dormitory Building, the newly built Cumilla and Tangail Circuit Houses, and the introduction of the Government Employee Management System (GEMS) software under the Public Administration Ministry.
Sheikh Hasina referred to the fresh BCS officers as the frontline agents in realizing her vision of transforming Bangladesh into a developed, prosperous, and Smart Nation by 2041. She encouraged them to work diligently to prevent any setbacks in the country’s development trajectory.
Expressing her commitment to fulfilling the dream of her father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she underscored the need for the officers to formulate development plans that prioritize environmental protection and economic empowerment for the common citizens. She stressed the importance of preserving natural resources like rivers, canals, ponds, beels, and water bodies in the development process.
The Prime Minister also called upon the new BCS cadres to serve their nation with unwavering sincerity, patriotism, and a strong sense of responsibility. She emphasized that their role extends beyond a job, as they are expected to be dedicated servants of the people, delivering essential services directly to the people’s doorsteps.
The ceremony saw the participation of State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain, Senior Secretary Mohammed Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury of the Public Administration Ministry, and Rector (Secretary) of Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (BPATC) Md. Ashraf Uddin, who shared their insights and perspectives on the occasion.
In a recent statement, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina highlighted her government’s commitment to supporting talented individuals facing hardship due to poverty. She noted the establishment of the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust, which provides assistance to impoverished students to help them continue their education. Additionally, the Prime Minister mentioned the Prime Minister’s Education Trust, which offers scholarships to talented individuals pursuing higher education abroad, with a focus on preventing meritorious students from dropping out and harnessing their talents for the nation’s benefit.
Prime Minister Hasina also stressed her administration’s unwavering dedication to providing constitutional guarantees of facilities to the country’s citizens. However, she cautioned government officials about domestic and international conspiracies against Bangladesh’s remarkable development progress. She urged them to march forward, confronting all challenges and adversities.
Addressing the global food crisis and high inflation, the Prime Minister encouraged government officers to work on increasing food production by promoting crop cultivation on unused lands. She emphasized that maintaining food security is crucial for Bangladesh’s well-being and reassured the public that the nation’s foreign exchange reserves are secure as long as food reserves are sufficient.
As the next general election draws closer, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of the ruling Awami League (AL), expressed confidence that if the people vote for the AL, the party will retain power. She cited the success of specific plans in transforming Bangladesh into a developing nation and pledged to lead the country towards prosperity while addressing emerging challenges and opportunities.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Hasina criticized the BNP-Jamaat alliance and similar governments, stating that they failed to contribute positively during their extended tenure, primarily focusing on personal gain rather than national welfare. She highlighted her government’s achievements in turning Bangladesh into a Digital Bangladesh and a developing nation, emphasizing that power should be used as an avenue to serve the people, not to amass personal fortunes.
National
Professor Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman Appointed Vice-Chancellor of Northern University Bangladesh
Professor Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, a distinguished academic from the Department of Marketing at the University of Dhaka, has been appointed the new Vice-Chancellor of Northern University Bangladesh (NUB). The Ministry of Education confirmed the appointment through an official notification issued on Sunday (23 November), signed by Sultan Ahmed, Assistant Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, on behalf of the President.
The notice states that, with the approval of the Honorable President and Chancellor, Professor Rahman will serve a four-year term as Vice-Chancellor under Section 31(1) of the Private University Act, 2010. He will receive all salary, allowances, and benefits as determined by the university, and his duties will commence immediately in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
Professor Rahman has an outstanding academic background. He secured First Class First in his Honors degree from the University of Dhaka’s Marketing Department, achieving record-breaking marks. He completed his MBA with dual majors in Finance and Marketing at Dalhousie University in Canada, graduating in the top 1% of his class. He later earned his Master’s degree (First Class Second) and PhD from the same department at the University of Dhaka.
During his illustrious 35-year career, he has served as Chairman of the Department of Marketing at the University of Dhaka for three years and was elected to both the Syndicate and Senate of the university. He also served as Dean at Daffodil International University and has taught as an adjunct professor at North South University, BRAC University, and Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).
Professor Rahman has an extensive body of research, with over 35 publications, including four international papers and three research monographs. Several MPhil and PhD scholars have completed their degrees under his supervision. He also served for many years as Vice President of the Dhaka University Marketing Alumni Association.
Outside academia, he has contributed significantly to the corporate sector and educational governance. He has worked as an independent director and strategic adviser to various reputed organizations and has served on the governing bodies of several well-known colleges in Dhaka. He currently holds the position of Chairman of the North South Society.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
