National
PM’s Fellowship 2023-24 Granted to 48 Scholars
A total of 48 scholars representing various fields have been awarded the prestigious Prime Minister’s Fellowship for the year 2023-24, enabling them to pursue advanced studies at renowned universities worldwide. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina personally bestowed the fellowship upon the recipients during a ceremony held at the Shapla Hall in her office. Out of the 48 scholars, 38 will pursue their Master’s degrees, while 10 will embark on Ph.D. programs at esteemed institutions in countries such as the USA, UK, Australia, and Canada.
Introduced in 2018, the Prime Minister’s Fellowship aims to enhance the knowledge and capabilities of individuals within the civil service, academia, and other qualified citizens of Bangladesh. Through this program, selected fellows are given the opportunity to study at esteemed international universities. To qualify for the PhD scholarship, applicants must first secure admission to one of the top 100 universities worldwide, based on their own merits. Similarly, applicants seeking the Master’s fellowship must obtain admission to one of the top 200 universities globally.
Since the inception of the fellowship program, a total of 239 Master’s fellows and 98 Ph.D. fellows have been granted the opportunity to pursue their higher education at prestigious universities abroad. The Governance Innovation Unit (GIU) of the Prime Minister’s Office manages the application process, requiring candidates to provide proof of admission before being considered for the scholarship.
During the ceremony, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain and PM’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah expressed their thoughts on the occasion. The Director General of the GIU, Dr. Mohammad Abdul Latif, delivered the welcome speech, and two previous fellowship recipients, Shibly Islam and Afifa Anjuman, along with Deputy Secretary of the Internal Resources Division AM Alamgir Kabir, shared their experiences of pursuing PhDs through this scholarship.
The Prime Minister’s Fellowship not only recognizes the academic excellence of these scholars but also underscores the government’s commitment to fostering intellectual growth and development in Bangladesh.
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.
