Professor Dr. Mohammad Iqbal, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), Gazipur, was honored with a floral reception on May 21, 2026. The event took place at his office, where deans, department heads, institute directors, and representatives from teachers’, officers’, and employees’ associations greeted him sequentially. During an exchange with teachers, students, and staff, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead one of the country’s premier engineering universities and pledged to advance DUET globally through education, research, innovation, and industry-academia collaboration.

According to the Education Ministry’s notification signed by the Deputy Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, Dr. Iqbal officially assumed office on May 14, 2026, with the approval of the President and Chancellor. Before joining DUET, he served as Vice-Chancellor of North East University Bangladesh, Sylhet, and held multiple administrative roles at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology and Sylhet Engineering College. He has over 34 years of professional experience, numerous international publications, and several awards recognizing his academic and research leadership.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced a revised metro rail schedule for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha holidays. According to a press release signed by Deputy Project Director (Public Relations) Md Ahsan Ullah Sharif on May 21, the first train from Uttara North to Motijheel will depart at 6:30 a.m., while the first train from Motijheel to Uttara North will leave at 7:15 a.m. The last trains will depart at 9:30 p.m. from Uttara North and 10:10 p.m. from Motijheel.

During the holidays, trains will operate every 12 to 20 minutes depending on passenger demand, with approximately 140 trips daily using seven train sets. Ticket counters and vending machines will remain open from 6:40 a.m. to 9:20 p.m., except on Fridays when sales start later in the afternoon. After 9:20 p.m., all ticket counters will close, though new Rapid Pass cards can still be purchased during scheduled hours.

As in previous years, metro rail services will remain completely closed on Eid day itself, DMTCL confirmed in the announcement.

The article traces the transformation of Bengal from the late seventeenth century through the rise of British colonial control. It begins with Job Charnock’s arrival in Kolkata in 1690 and the subsequent establishment of English trading settlements supported by local Hindu intermediaries. The narrative describes how the East India Company’s commercial expansion and alliances with local elites led to the erosion of Mughal authority, culminating in the battles of Plassey and Buxar and the Company’s acquisition of revenue rights in 1765.

Following the introduction of direct revenue collection, the Company dismantled the Mughal-era land system and imposed heavy cash taxes on peasants. This policy, combined with exploitative trade practices, triggered the catastrophic famine of 1769–1770, known as the Great Bengal Famine. Millions perished as food prices soared and relief was denied. British officials, including Warren Hastings, continued to increase revenue despite mass starvation. The famine marked a turning point, consolidating British colonial authority and transforming Kolkata into the administrative capital of British Bengal.

The account concludes that the famine and Company rule reshaped Bengal’s social and economic landscape, enriching colonial officials and their local collaborators while devastating rural society.

Rail communication between Khulna and northern Bangladesh resumed on Wednesday morning, May 20, 2026, after being suspended for about five hours due to a freight train derailment in Jhenaidah. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. near Sabdalpur Station in Kotchandpur when a wagon of a freight train traveling from Mongla to Ishwardi derailed. Train services between Khulna and Rajshahi, as well as other northern regions, were halted following the accident.

According to Kotchandpur Station Master Nayon Ali, a rescue train from Khulna reached the site at 7 a.m. and completed recovery operations. Rail traffic was restored by 8 a.m., bringing services back to normal. The report did not mention any casualties or damage beyond the derailment itself.

The quick restoration of service minimized disruption to freight and passenger movement between southern and northern Bangladesh, ensuring normal operations resumed within the same morning.

All bus operations on the Cumilla-Chandpur regional highway have been suspended indefinitely by transport owners. The suspension began Thursday morning following a clash between local residents and transport workers in the Bolakhal area of Hajiganj, Chandpur, over a demand for a new bus stop. The owners of Bogdad and Aidi Paribahan jointly decided to halt services after the incident.

The stoppage has caused temporary inconvenience for passengers traveling toward Chandpur, though many have continued their journeys using alternative transport. Other vehicles are operating normally, and the overall situation remains calm under continued police monitoring. A meeting between transport owners is scheduled to take place in Hajiganj to decide on further steps.

Local passengers expressed frustration, saying the sudden suspension has disrupted travel plans, especially ahead of the Eid holidays. Police confirmed that discussions with owners are ongoing to resolve the issue and restore normal bus operations.

Ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, Dhaka Ahsania Mission’s Health Sector Road Safety Project Coordinator Sharmin Rahman has recommended banning unfit vehicles and controlling speed on highways to ensure safe and smooth holiday travel. The recommendations were presented on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, during a discussion titled “Measures for Safe Eid Travel to Prevent Road Crashes” held at the organization’s office in Shyamoli, Dhaka.

Sharmin Rahman highlighted that road accidents and fatalities during Eid travel in 2026 have increased alarmingly compared to 2025, exposing weaknesses in the country’s road safety system. The organization emphasized the need for immediate action, including enforcing vehicle fitness checks, ensuring adequate rest for drivers, operating mobile courts at key points, limiting truck movement before and after Eid, using speed guns to monitor excessive speed, introducing digital toll booths, and preventing overcharging through mobile courts.

At the meeting, Muhammad Jahangir Alam of the Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum called for deploying more highway police and ensuring that unfit buses do not leave terminals during the Eid rush.

Education Secretary Abdul Khaleque has stated that no negligence or irregularities will be tolerated in the printing and distribution of revised textbooks for the 2027 academic year. He made the remarks on Wednesday during a meeting with senior officials at the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) office, where preparations for timely textbook delivery were reviewed.

The secretary said the new history textbooks will accurately reflect contributions from the Liberation War through the 2024 student and public uprising. The 2027 curriculum will include the historical role of late President Ziaur Rahman, details of the November 7 “Sipahi-Janata Revolution,” and the anti-Ershad movement led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. These additions aim to present an inclusive and factual national history. Khaleque emphasized that around 300 million textbooks will be printed and distributed under a clear roadmap prepared by NCTB.

He further noted that all printing contractors will be thoroughly vetted to prevent low-quality production, and full transparency will be ensured throughout the textbook printing process.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has advised Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims to avoid direct sunlight and take protective measures during their pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The guidance, issued on Wednesday, follows instructions from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Pilgrims have been urged to rest in shaded areas, use transportation when moving between locations, and ensure they remain hydrated.

The ministry emphasized that pilgrims should carry umbrellas or head coverings while walking and use shaded routes whenever possible. It also requested that they refrain from staying under the sun for long periods or walking in extreme heat without protection. These recommendations aim to ensure comfort and safety during religious activities.

According to the report, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is conducting extensive awareness programs jointly with the Saudi government this year to enhance the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi pilgrims.

Fire Service and Civil Defense Week was observed in Kishoreganj on May 20, 2026, with a series of events including discussions, awareness activities, and fire extinguishing demonstrations. The program was attended by Deputy Commissioner Sohana Nasrin as the chief guest, Additional Superintendent of Police Tofazzal Hossain as the special guest, and was presided over by Fire Service Deputy Director Mofazzal Hossain.

Speakers at the event emphasized the importance of public awareness and caution in preventing fires and managing disasters. They also praised the bravery and humanitarian role of fire service members. Journalists and people from various professions participated in the program.

The observance aimed to strengthen community engagement and preparedness for emergencies through education and demonstration activities.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj announced that the government is introducing major changes to the national curriculum to develop students into globally competent leaders. Speaking in Dhaka at the National Holde Pakhi Neel Komol Award 2026 ceremony organized by the Bangladesh Girl Guides Association, he said the reforms aim to go beyond textbook learning and focus on leadership, civic responsibility, ethics, and social awareness.

He stated that under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, the government has undertaken extensive education reforms to create skilled, confident, and responsible citizens. The ministry is also implementing a nutritious mid-day meal program across more than 65,000 government primary schools. The new curriculum will emphasize practical life skills, good citizenship, cleanliness, and social responsibility, allowing children to learn through stories, creativity, and enjoyment rather than heavy textbooks.

At the event, 57 members of the Holde Pakhi group received the Neel Komol Award. The minister congratulated the awardees, expressing hope that such achievements will continue to inspire students nationwide.

Mohammad Abdur Rashid, head teacher of Dakshin Gobaria Government Primary School in Kuliarchar, Kishoreganj, has been selected as the best head teacher at the upazila level. The announcement was made in a notice signed by the Kishoreganj District Primary Education Officer on Tuesday, confirming his selection under the National Primary Education Award 2026 program.

According to the source, the selection process evaluated the regular performance of institutions, teachers, and education officials. A committee was responsible for assessing their contributions and encouraging excellence in primary education. Based on this evaluation, Abdur Rashid was chosen for his notable achievements and contributions in the field.

The recognition highlights the district’s ongoing efforts to promote quality education and motivate educators through structured evaluation and acknowledgment of their work.

Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) in Dinajpur has temporarily expelled four students for alleged involvement in unethical and antisocial activities that violated institutional discipline. The decision was confirmed on Tuesday through an office order signed by Registrar Professor Dr. Md. Abu Hasan. The expelled students are from the Faculty of Fisheries and the Department of Finance and Banking.

According to the order, three of the students were found engaging in antisocial behavior on May 16 at the nearby Haven City student hostel, an act deemed damaging to the university’s reputation. The administration cited Section 15 of the University Ordinance of Students Discipline as the basis for the temporary expulsion.

Professor Dr. S. M. Emdadul Hasan, Director of the Student Counseling and Guidance Department, stated that the action followed demands from general students. He added that if the allegations are proven in the investigation, the students may face permanent expulsion.

Thakurgaon University will commence its academic activities from the 2026–2027 academic year, according to its first Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Israfil Shaheen. He made the announcement during a meeting with journalists at the Thakurgaon Press Club auditorium on Tuesday afternoon.

During the event, Professor Shaheen emphasized the vital role of the media in promoting education, research, cultural practice, and the development of a modern knowledge-based society. He stated that the university’s initial preparations have already been successfully completed.

The Vice-Chancellor sought cooperation from people across the district to help establish Thakurgaon University as an internationally recognized institution and to uphold the pride of the region. The meeting was organized by the Thakurgaon Press Club and attended by its acting president Lutfur Rahman Mithu, senior journalist Abdul Latif, and other local media representatives and dignitaries.

Administrative and academic activities at Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) in Gazipur have been halted for six consecutive days due to student protests over the appointment of a new vice-chancellor. The unrest began after a government notification on Thursday appointed Professor Dr. Mohammad Iqbal from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology as DUET’s new VC. Students have locked the main gate, staged demonstrations, and declared the new VC unwelcome, demanding cancellation of his appointment and fulfillment of three specific demands.

University sources said that despite a call for a blockade program, few students were seen participating by late morning. A case has been filed against 250 unidentified individuals, creating fear of arrest among students. The main gate remains locked, though a side gate is open for limited access by staff and faculty. Clashes between student groups on Sunday left at least 15 people, including police, injured.

Students argue that the vice-chancellor should be appointed from DUET’s own faculty, citing their deeper understanding of the institution’s academic and administrative challenges.

A large number of students have been absent from the ongoing 2026 SSC, Dakhil, and equivalent examinations under 11 education boards in Bangladesh. Each day, between 25,000 and 35,000 students are missing from exams, with the highest absentee rates recorded under the Madrasa Education Board, followed by the Technical Board. Despite completing ten years of schooling and filling out exam forms, many students are not attending, raising concern among education officials. No coordinated or effective measures have yet been taken by the boards to address the issue.

According to reports from the Dhaka Education Board and other authorities, four main factors are driving the high absenteeism: early marriage among girls, illness, poor exam preparation, and financial hardship leading students to join the workforce. Data from 2025 showed that 41 percent of absentees, mostly girls, missed exams due to marriage, while 25 percent cited illness. The problem is more severe in rural areas than in cities. The Dhaka Board plans to continue investigative efforts to better understand and reduce dropout rates in future examinations.