Education
Chinese Ambassador Hails Bangladeshi Students as ‘Bridge of Hope’
Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen has highlighted the pivotal role of young Bangladeshi students as the “bridge of hope” in carrying forward the tradition of friendship between China and Bangladesh. Speaking at a reception, Ambassador Yao encouraged these students to value the present and invest in their studies with dedication.
He advised that their learning journey should encompass not only professional courses but also an understanding of Chinese history and culture. Beyond attending lectures, the ambassador urged them to explore the local streets, engage with Chinese friends, and embrace cultural exchange.
The Embassy of China in Dhaka hosted a farewell reception for the recipients of the 2023 Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) on a recent evening. During the event, Toufique Hasan, Director-General of the East Asia and Pacific Wing of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Munshi Faiz Ahmed, former Ambassador of Bangladesh to China and head of the Association of Bangladesh-China Alumni (ABCA), formally presented CGS admission letters to the Bangladeshi scholars. Representatives from ABCA and the students’ parents also graced the occasion.
Ambassador Yao emphasized that both China and Bangladesh share rich histories and vibrant cultures, fostering a strong neighborly relationship and friendship since ancient times.
In a notable gesture, on the eve of International Children’s Day, Chinese President Xi Jinping wrote a letter to a young Bangladeshi, Alifa Chin, encouraging her to pursue education, follow her dreams, contribute to society, and serve her country. Ambassador Yao underscored that President Xi Jinping’s sincere message is aimed at all Bangladeshi youth, representing a promising future for China-Bangladesh relations.
Education
DU Expels 8 Students Linked to Dormitory Lynching
Dhaka University authorities have suspended eight students for their alleged involvement in the brutal killing of Tofazzal Hossain, who was lynched two days ago at a university dormitory. The announcement was made public today, September 21, through a press release.
Among the suspended students are three former leaders of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL). These include Jalal Ahmed, former deputy secretary of science and technology affairs; Ahsan Ullah, former secretary of mass communication and development affairs; and Al Hossain Sajjad, BCL’s office secretary and a student of the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
The other suspended students are Mohammad Sumon from the Department of Soil, Water, and Environment; Muttakin Sakin from the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science; Md Firoz Kabir from the Department of Botany; and Md Abdus Samad and Wazibul Alam from the Department of Physics.
Authorities revealed that six of the eight accused — Jalal Mia, Mohammad Suman, Ahsan Ullah, Muttakin Sakin, Al Hossain Sajjad, and Wazibul Alam — have already been apprehended by law enforcement.
In addition, the university administration announced the removal of the provost of Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall, with a new provost appointed to take over the position.
Education
JU Appoints Two Pro Vice-Chancellors and Treasurer
Jahangirnagar University (JU) has appointed two new pro vice-chancellors and a treasurer, as announced today (September 18) by the Ministry of Education. The appointments, made on the order of the President, will last for the next four years.
The information was confirmed through three separate notifications, signed by Shahinur Islam, deputy secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Department under the Ministry of Education.
According to the announcements, Professor Sohel Ahmed from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Professor M Mahfuzur Rahman from the Department of Botany have been appointed as pro vice-chancellors. Professor Md Abdur Rab from the Department of Mathematics has been appointed as the university’s treasurer.
Despite their four-year tenure, the notifications specify that the President, in his capacity as Chancellor, retains the authority to cancel these appointments at any time. Additionally, their salaries will remain the same as their current pay structure.
The role of the pro vice-chancellors includes performing duties assigned by the vice-chancellor, and they are also required to reside on campus.
These new appointments follow aVice-Chancellor recent leadership change at the university. After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, the vice-chancellor of Jahangirnagar University resigned on August 7, followed by the resignation of the pro vice-chancellors on August 13 and 19.
Education
IUTAA Elects Md Ziaul Bhuiyan as New President
Md Ziaul Haque Bhuiyan, a prominent businessman and young professional, has been elected as the new President of the IUT Alumni Association (IUTAA). His election to this leadership position follows his term as Vice President of the organization from 2022 to 2024.
Bhuiyan’s professional journey began after earning his engineering degree in electrical engineering from the Islamic University of Technology (IUT). Throughout his academic and professional career, he has been actively involved in various social initiatives. He has held senior roles in several renowned multinational corporations and local business groups, including Grameenphone, Huawei, and Onno Rokom Group.
Currently, he serves as the Chief of Staff at ShopUp, Bangladesh’s largest startup, and is the co-founder of an AI-focused startup, Oleyn.ai. In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Bhuiyan leads multiple businesses and social organizations, with a strong emphasis on youth development.
He also previously served as President of Junior Chamber International Bangladesh (JCI), a well-known global organization. Furthermore, Bhuiyan holds the position of Director at Chandpur Model Hospital in Haziganj, Chandpur, actively contributing to the healthcare sector.