National
Quota Reform Movement in Global Media
Student protests demanding quota reforms have continued for several days in Bangladesh. Although initially peaceful, the situation escalated into violence on Monday after attacks by the Chhatra League. The campuses of Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, and Chittagong University, among others, have turned into battlegrounds.
Global Media Attention
While the protests have been covered by Bangladeshi media from the start, Monday’s events caught the attention of international media. Al Jazeera reported, “At least 100 Bangladeshi students injured in protests against government job quotas,” shortly after the Chhatra League’s attacks at Dhaka University.
According to the report, clashes between ruling party supporters and quota reform protesters left at least 100 students injured. Police and eyewitnesses described hours of confrontations involving stone-throwing, sticks, and iron rods.
Additional Reports
Reuters also reported on the clashes, noting that over 100 students were injured across Bangladesh. They emphasized that this is the first major protest Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has faced since winning her fourth consecutive term in January’s elections.
Police and eyewitnesses reported thousands of quota reform activists and Awami League student wing members clashing at various universities, with many students getting injured. Despite the violence, protesters vowed to continue their demonstrations nationwide.
Historical Context
BBC covered the protests five days earlier, highlighting that thousands of university students in Bangladesh were protesting the quota system in government jobs. They argued that the current system is discriminatory and demanded reforms based on merit.
Recent Developments
On Tuesday, Anadolu Agency reported on the Monday clashes, stating that hundreds were injured during the confrontations. The protests erupted in response to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s remarks on the quota system, with thousands gathering at Dhaka University.
Medical and Casualty Reports
Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s emergency unit reported treating 250 students, with 11 admitted for serious injuries. Clashes were also reported at Jahangirnagar, Chittagong, Rajshahi, and Sylhet universities. Students from private universities in Dhaka joined the protests as well.
Asif Mahmud, a coordinator of the quota reform movement, claimed that over 200 students were injured in attacks by the Chhatra League. In contrast, Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain claimed that over 100 of their activists were injured by protesting students.
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.
