Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus attended the three-day South Asian Regional Conference titled “Current Status and Future Directions of Higher Education–2026,” held at Hotel Le Méridien in Dhaka on Tuesday morning. The event began at 10 a.m. and brought together representatives from several countries and international organizations.

According to a press release from the University Grants Commission (UGC), a total of 30 international delegates from the United Kingdom, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the World Bank are participating in the conference. The UGC stated that the event is being organized under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project.

The HEAT project is being implemented by the UGC with financial support from the Government of Bangladesh and the World Bank, aiming to strengthen higher education collaboration and development across South Asia.

The Directorate of Primary Education has stated that it found no evidence of question paper leaks in the government primary school assistant teacher recruitment examination. The information was shared with the media by A.K. Mohammad Shamsul Ahsan, Director of the Policy and Operation Division of the directorate. He said that despite allegations of question leaks, irregularities, and negligence by authorities, no credible proof was discovered. The directorate is now working to publish the exam results promptly.

According to the directorate, rumors about question leaks are being spread, and the public has been urged to remain cautious. Meanwhile, a group of job seekers staged protests demanding the cancellation of the exam, citing allegations of question leaks and digital fraud. In response, the directorate decided to investigate the claims.

The protesters demanded that the exam be retaken, all recruitment tests be held in Dhaka, and that device checkers and network jammers be installed at every center. They also called for an independent committee to oversee all exams and strict punishment for anyone proven involved in leaks.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has announced that the previously postponed recruitment examination for the positions of Assistant Secretary and Assistant Director will now be held on January 16. The multiple-choice (MCQ) test is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

According to UGC Secretary Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam, the revised seating arrangement for the candidates was published on January 8 on the commission’s official website. The announcement confirms the new date and venue for the examination, which had been delayed earlier for unspecified reasons.

The UGC’s update ensures that candidates can now prepare for the rescheduled test with clear information on timing and location, as officially communicated by the commission.

Students at the University of Chittagong have renewed protests against Hasan Mohammad Roman, an assistant professor in the law department, accusing him of harassment, political bias, and abuse of authority. The allegations include labeling students as extremists, supporting the July massacre, and using his position as assistant proctor in 2022 to file a terrorism case against a student, Zubair Hossain Sohag, who was later jailed for three months. Roman has denied the accusations, and attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.

Following the complaints, the university formed a three-member investigation committee led by Professor Mohammad Taslim Uddin, which resulted in Roman’s salary being temporarily suspended after a syndicate meeting on September 26. A second committee, headed by Professor Akhtar Hossain, is currently collecting evidence and has yet to submit its report. University officials, including the acting registrar and the vice-chancellor (administration), confirmed that a final decision will be made after the second report is received.

The administration has described the matter as sensitive and stated that the final outcome will depend on the pending investigation report.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued new instructions regarding the management of Hajj flights for 2026, scheduled to begin on April 18. The ministry sent letters on January 11 to Hajj agency owners and three airlines responsible for transporting pilgrims, directing them to strictly follow Saudi government regulations and the ‘Hajj Package and Guideline 2026’.

According to the directive, all pilgrims under the same service company must travel to Saudi Arabia on the same flight. Each Hajj agency must send at least 20 percent of its total pilgrims during the mid-phase of pre-Hajj flights, while 30 to 50 percent must travel during the first and last phases. The ministry also clarified that no agency may issue less than 30 percent or more than 50 percent of tickets in either the first or last phase.

The ministry urged all concerned parties to take necessary measures for flight management and ticket issuance in line with the prescribed guidelines.

Job seekers protesting in Mirpur, Dhaka, have demanded the cancellation and retake of the assistant teacher recruitment exam following allegations of question leaks. In response, the Directorate of Primary Education has decided to investigate the claims, according to its Director General Abu Noor Md. Shamsuzzaman, who spoke to the media on Sunday.

Shamsuzzaman stated that intelligence agencies including DGFI, NSI, DB, SB, and district administrations had recovered some questions before the exam, but none matched the official set. He acknowledged attempts to leak questions but clarified that digital devices were used for cheating rather than leaking. A total of 207 candidates were expelled, and several legal actions were taken against offenders.

He added that if the investigation confirms the allegations, the exam will be canceled, as had happened twice before. The protesters’ five-point demands include holding all exams in Dhaka with device checkers and network jammers, forming an independent exam committee, and ensuring strict punishment for those involved in any proven leaks.

Jagannath University has published the admission test results for the 2025–2026 academic session of its Faculty of Social Sciences, known as the ‘D’ unit. The announcement was made on Sunday, January 11, through a notice signed by Professor Dr. Sanjida Farhana, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Applicants can view their individual results by logging into the university’s official admission website at https://admission.jnu.ac.bd.

According to the notice, the next step for successful candidates is to complete the subject choice process. Detailed information regarding this procedure will be announced later through official notices on the university’s website. The ‘D’ unit admission test was held on January 9 for first-year undergraduate (honours) students under the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The university has advised all applicants to regularly check its website for updates on subject selection and subsequent admission activities.

Dense fog has severely disrupted operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka after its Instrument Landing System (ILS) Category 2 became nonfunctional. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh said a Thai Airways aircraft accidentally damaged the high antenna approach lights on October 29, reducing the system to Category 1. As a result, 5 to 8 flights are being diverted daily to nearby airports such as Chattogram, Sylhet, and Kolkata. The authority expects it will take three months to restore Category 2 capability.

The downgrade has caused major inconvenience for passengers, especially those on early morning and late-night international flights, who often face long delays or diversions. Airlines are incurring higher operational costs due to extra fuel, rescheduling, and penalties. Officials said the damaged lights are expensive and must be imported, with tenders already issued. Aviation experts noted that regular maintenance and pre-winter inspections could have prevented the disruption.

Authorities are working to repair the lighting system quickly, though they confirmed that upgrading to Category 3 is not feasible due to high-rise buildings near the runway.

The D-Unit admission test for the 2025–2026 academic session at Jagannath University (JnU) was held on Friday, January 9, in a peaceful and orderly manner. The test, for the Faculty of Social Sciences, took place across six centers including Jagannath University, Banglabazar Government Girls High School, Dhaka Collegiate School, Mohanagar Mohila College, Lalmatia Mohila College, and Wills Little Flower School and College.

A total of 25,826 candidates applied for 610 available seats under the D-Unit, and 22,438 students attended the exam, resulting in an attendance rate of 86.88 percent, approximately 87 percent. During the examination, Vice-Chancellor Professor Md. Rezaul Karim (PhD) visited various halls at the JnU center to observe the overall situation and inquire about the candidates’ experiences.

Treasurer Professor Dr. Sabina Sharmin, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Professor Dr. Sanjida Farhana, Dean of the Faculty of Business Studies Professor Dr. Muhammad Manzur Murshed Bhuiya, and Acting Registrar Professor Dr. Sheikh Gias Uddin were also present during the inspection.

The Bangladesh government has initiated steps to dissolve the University Grants Commission (UGC) and establish a new Higher Education Commission under a draft ordinance titled the Bangladesh Higher Education Commission Ordinance, 2025. The Ministry of Education has sought stakeholder feedback within 30 working days from December 10, 2025, before finalizing the proposal. The draft outlines that the new commission will be a statutory body with expanded authority, legal personality, and the ability to operate independently from ministerial bureaucracy.

According to the draft, the commission will consist of a chairman, eight commissioners, and ten part-time members, with the chairman holding a rank equivalent to a cabinet minister. The initiative, developed by a nine-member UGC team led by Professor Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, aims to free higher education from bureaucratic constraints and enhance institutional autonomy. Educationists have expressed mixed reactions, praising the government’s intent but warning that excessive centralization could threaten university autonomy and academic freedom.

Stakeholders have urged that the final version be shaped through broad consultation and implemented transparently to strengthen higher education governance rather than deepen bureaucratic control.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has instructed all heads of educational institutions to take necessary measures according to the revised schedule for celebrating National Education Week 2026. The directive was issued through a letter signed by Assistant Director Md. Khalid Hossain on Thursday, referencing a memorandum from the Ministry of Education. The letter includes the updated national-level activity schedule and requests compliance with the outlined timeline.

Earlier, the ministry’s memorandum stated that all institutions must follow the National Education Week celebration guidelines and send daily activity reports via email between January 4 and 20. The reports should include information on the best students, class teachers, institution heads, institutions, upazilas, and education officers at various administrative levels.

The DSHE’s directive aims to ensure uniform implementation of the celebration across the country in line with ministry instructions, emphasizing timely reporting and adherence to the official schedule.

After a long pause, the government has formally initiated the process to include private schools and colleges under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme again. According to the Ministry of Education’s Secondary and Higher Education Division, online applications from non-MPO institutions will be accepted from January 14 to January 25. The announcement was made through a public notice signed by Deputy Secretary Syed A Z M Morshed Ali.

The ministry stated that eligible institutions will be selected based on the new MPO policy issued in 2025. To ensure transparency, applications will be processed exclusively through digital means. Detailed information on eligibility criteria and policy guidelines will be available on the ministry’s official website.

Sources from the ministry indicated that newly selected institutions will begin receiving MPO benefits from the 2025–26 fiscal year. The decision is expected to resolve long-standing salary and allowance uncertainties for thousands of teachers and staff in remote areas of the country.

The Directorate of Primary Education has issued an urgent directive to all primary schools across Bangladesh regarding nationwide competitions and training programs for students. According to a circular signed by Assistant Director Mahfuza Khatun, students under the directorate are invited to participate in the 2026 national art, poetry recitation, debate, and ghazal competitions. Additionally, year-long training in cricket, football, badminton, and karate will be held at district stadiums. Registration for participation is open from January 1 to January 15 through designated websites, and no fees are required.

The directive further states that the events and training programs are organized by Talent Sports Limited. School authorities and relevant officials have been instructed to provide necessary cooperation to facilitate the participation of talented students. The initiative aims to encourage creative and athletic engagement among primary-level students nationwide.

The circular emphasizes that participation is voluntary and free of cost, ensuring accessibility for all students under the Directorate of Primary Education.

The Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board has again revised the schedule for the 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination form fill-up. According to a notice issued on Tuesday, January 6, the form fill-up process will now begin on March 1. The board has also canceled its previous notice issued on January 4.

The new circular, signed by Examination Controller Professor S. M. Kamal Uddin Haydar, instructs that results of the selection tests for HSC candidates must be published by February 26. The board stated that a detailed schedule and full instructions for the form fill-up process will be published later on its official website.

This marks the third time the board has changed the form fill-up date for the current year’s HSC examination, following two earlier announcements.

The Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) has published its seventh mass recruitment circular for teachers in private educational institutions across Bangladesh. The circular, released on Monday, January 5, 2026, lists a total of 67,208 vacancies. Among them, 29,571 positions are in schools and colleges, 36,804 in madrasas, and 833 in technical institutions. The online application process will begin on January 10 and continue until midnight on January 17. Details, including vacancy lists, application forms, and conditions, are available on the NTRCA website and the Teletalk Bangladesh Limited portal.

According to the circular, applicants must be no older than 35 years as of June 4, 2025, and their teacher registration certificate must remain valid for three years from the date of result publication. Following the Ministry of Education’s directive issued on January 1, currently employed index-holding teachers are not eligible to apply for equivalent positions.

The circular aims to fill long-standing vacancies in private institutions and streamline the recruitment process through a centralized online system.