The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (Maushi) has issued a five-point health directive for all educational institutions to prevent the spread of a new COVID-19 subvariant.
Director General Prof. Dr. Muhammad Azad Khan urged strict compliance with health guidelines:

Wash hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Avoid large gatherings and wear masks when going out.

Maintain at least 3 feet distance from infected individuals.

Refrain from touching face with unclean hands.

Cover nose and mouth with tissue or elbow while coughing or sneezing.

Saudi Arabia has announced scholarships for the 2025 academic year, allowing students from 170 countries to apply online for undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs at 50 universities. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, provides a monthly stipend, free accommodation, healthcare, and airfare. This initiative aims to attract international students by offering comprehensive financial support and quality education. The application deadline is June 14, 2025, making it a valuable opportunity for global students seeking higher education in Saudi Arabia.

For the first time, the government has published newspaper advertisements to appoint Vice Chancellors (VCs) for public universities. Ads have been issued for Barishal University and KUET, seeking PhD holders with at least 20 years of teaching or a mix of 5 years of research and 15 years of teaching. Candidates must also have administrative experience and international publications. Applications are due by June 26. This follows an earlier announcement by Education Adviser C R Abrar.

President Donald Trump has barred new international students from enrolling at Harvard University for the next six months through an executive order, which the university slammed as an unlawful, retaliatory act. Harvard accused the administration of violating its constitutional rights and pledged to protect international students. The move follows a series of punitive actions by the Trump administration, including funding cuts and political accusations. Trump also imposed travel bans on citizens from 12 countries and partial restrictions on seven more.

Education Adviser Professor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar announced that under the new national curriculum, Class 6 students will receive new textbooks starting in 2027. A phased development of the curriculum for Classes 6 through 11 is underway. He noted that while many university vice-chancellor positions had been vacant after July–August, progress has been made, and a high-level panel has been formed for upcoming appointments. The adviser also stated that no question paper leaks occurred during this year’s SSC exams. Additionally, 62 educational development projects worth Tk 1,957 crore are being implemented nationwide, and 1,519 madrasas are currently undergoing the MPO enlistment process.

Teachers of Dhaka University have called on the government to grant the institution "special status" in recognition of its historic and significant contributions to Bangladesh’s politics, society, economy, and education. On Sunday afternoon, a memorandum signed by faculty members from 83 departments was submitted to Vice Chancellor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan. White Panel Convener Dr. Morshed Hasan Khan stated, “Despite its pivotal role, DU holds no special status. Globally, institutions of national importance are often given such recognition. We urge the government to do the same.”

The National University Syndicate has decided to reinstate 988 employees who were previously terminated, following a directive from the High Court. The employees will resume their duties starting Sunday, June 1. Vice-Chancellor Prof. ASM Amanullah confirmed the decision, stating that all employees will return to their respective posts. The reinstatement follows widespread protests and legal petitions filed by the dismissed employees.

Muhammad Ubaidul Haque, who had resigned from his teaching post at Oxford University to join BRAC University, has now been reappointed by Oxford after BRAC unexpectedly cancelled his offer letter. Ubaidul has secured a new role as Academic Officer at Oxford’s Merton College. “My intention to teach at BRAC was fueled by patriotism,” he said. “But BRAC University never explained why they withdrew the offer. It was disheartening.” This marks his third position at Oxford, where he now serves in an independent academic role.

The Ministry of Education has announced the renaming of 68 government colleges across 37 districts. Nearly all of these institutions were previously named after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina or her family members. According to the official notification, the decision follows directives from the Cabinet Division’s Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Committee.

The Trump administration has directed all U.S. embassies to halt scheduling interviews for student and exchange visitor visas until further notice. A letter from the State Department stated that no additional appointments should be made. On the same day, the administration also announced the termination of all federal financial agreements with Harvard University, which were worth approximately $100 million.

Students of Satkhira Government College have submitted formal memorandums to the college administration and the district commissioner, demanding that Assistant Professor Nadira Yasmin not be allowed to join the institution. Accusing her of religious defamation, they called for a full investigation and legal action. They also urged authorities not to assign or transfer anyone perceived to hold anti-Islamic views to educational institutions in Satkhira. Previously, public backlash erupted against attempts to mobilize support in favor of her transfer.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice, has ordered the reinstatement of 988 officials and employees of the National University who were dismissed in 2011 under a prior High Court order. Many of them endured years of hardship, and some have passed away since. The court’s latest directive offers a measure of justice, and the National University has now extended support for their reinstatement.

The investigation committee formed by Dhaka University has submitted its report on the murder of student Shahriar Alam Samya. The report was handed over on Monday by committee head Dr. Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, to Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan. The university will take necessary actions as per established procedures. Samya was fatally stabbed at Suhrawardy Udyan on the night of May 13.

Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud expressed concern over bureaucratic control on university researchers, stating that despite limited resources, many academics continue their research in silence. “Agriculture remains a vital research area in the country,” he added.

He noted that no previous government has appointed administrators to nearly 50 public universities in such a short span. “This time, appointments were made based on academic profiles, research, and merit — not political affiliations,” he said.

Responding to criticism about the lack of innovation in the national budget and inadequate allocations for education and research, Wahiduddin said, “We’re forced to continue with conventional budgets because we cannot abandon ongoing development projects to fund new ones in education and research.”

A U.S. court has temporarily suspended the Trump administration’s policy to block foreign student admissions at Harvard University. The decision came after Harvard challenged the administration in court, alleging that the policy was part of a broader agenda to undermine academic independence. With the court’s intervention, foreign students can now continue to apply for admission without restrictions.