Prime Minister Tarek Rahman has identified political influence in teacher recruitment as a key reason behind the declining international ranking of Bangladesh’s universities, including Dhaka University. He made the remarks on May 12 during an exchange with teachers and students at the Muzaffar Ahmad Chowdhury Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Dhaka University. The Prime Minister said that in the past, political considerations outweighed merit in recruitment and promotion, which harmed the quality of higher education.

He emphasized that ensuring merit-based recruitment could improve the situation and also pointed out deficiencies in research and publication. Earlier the same day, at the inauguration of a national workshop titled “Transforming Higher Education in Bangladesh: Roadmap for Sustainable Excellence” at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building, he noted that Bangladeshi universities have yet to reach desired levels in global competition. He said that research, innovation, and academic impact are key indicators in international rankings where local universities lag behind.

The Prime Minister urged greater investment in research and innovation and called for alumni involvement in supporting university research and development.

Barishal University has been virtually shut down since April 21 due to an ongoing teachers’ movement over promotion complexities. On Monday, protesting teachers declared Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Toufiq Alam ‘unwelcome’ and enforced a full shutdown, locking administrative offices and halting classes and exams. Several faculty members resigned from administrative duties, raising fears of severe session delays and student suffering.

The dispute centers on promotion policies for 24 teachers. Differences have emerged among faculty members, with some seeking separate policies for professor-level promotions while others support a unified framework. Earlier, a tripartite meeting on April 30 had decided to resolve the issue through a syndicate meeting on May 8, but teachers allege that an unscheduled meeting on May 9 ignored majority opinions. The Vice-Chancellor denied the allegations, stating that decisions were made in the presence of teacher representatives and that promotion regulations would be finalized within two months.

He warned that continued disruption of administrative work and pressure on officials could lead to legal action, emphasizing that problems should be resolved through dialogue rather than harming students.

Teachers of Gazipur Agricultural University (GAKRUBI) have strongly opposed the possible appointment of an external candidate as the university’s pro-vice chancellor. The protest was expressed through a human chain held on Sunday afternoon at the university campus, organized by the Gazipur Agricultural University Teachers’ Association (GAKRUBIS). Association leaders warned that faculty members would not accept any outsider in the position, citing growing concern and dissatisfaction over rumors of such an appointment.

Speakers at the event argued that the university already has many honest, qualified, and experienced professors who are capable of providing administrative leadership. They cautioned that appointing someone from outside could disrupt the academic environment, research activities, and administrative stability, potentially causing unrest and division within the university community. The teachers emphasized that leadership should come from within the institution to preserve its academic culture and continuity.

The association urged the authorities to appoint a pro-vice chancellor from among the university’s own senior professors to ensure institutional stability and uphold its academic progress.

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) distributed education scholarship cheques totaling 9,204,600 taka among 731 students under its Education and Merit Scholarship Policy 2017. The ceremony took place on Monday afternoon at the Gulshan-2 Nagar Bhaban, where DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan handed over the cheques to the recipients.

During his speech, the DNCC administrator said the scholarship program is conducted regularly to promote education and nurture talent, especially among students from low-income families. He emphasized that students should aim to become skilled human resources in various professions and urged parents to take responsibility for their children’s proper care and intellectual development. He also called for public awareness and participation in dengue prevention during the monsoon season.

DNCC Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Asaduzzaman stated that the scholarship program, based on the 2017 policy, expanded from 69 recipients last year to 731 this year, with plans for further expansion. Chief Engineer Brigadier General Syed Rakibul Hasan highlighted the importance of parental care in students’ overall development.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has issued an urgent directive to ensure cleanliness across all government primary schools in Bangladesh. On Monday, May 11, district primary education officers were instructed to take necessary measures to maintain hygiene and order in school premises.

According to the directive, recent inspections by higher authorities revealed various irregularities and mismanagement in cleanliness at several government primary schools. These shortcomings were said to have created negative public perceptions and disrupted the proper learning environment. To address this, the ministry emphasized the need for regular cleaning and maintenance of school grounds and facilities.

The directive also called for routine cleaning of school rooftops and removal of weeds growing on building cornices to maintain the overall condition of school infrastructure.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan said Bangladesh aims to remain competitive globally through academic exchange. He emphasized that just as Bangladeshi students study abroad, the country should also attract foreign students and teachers. The minister made these remarks on Monday morning at the inauguration of the 'Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor and Education Fair' held at Hotel Radisson in Dhaka.

He noted that Pakistan has made significant progress in its education system and welcomed their achievements. After visiting the fair stalls, he remarked that it felt like touring all of Pakistan. Milan highlighted that Pakistani universities offer scholarships to Bangladeshi students, enabling them to pursue higher studies effectively. He urged Bangladeshi institutions to take similar initiatives to attract foreign students through scholarships.

Responding to a question about the low number of foreign students in Bangladesh’s higher education institutions, the minister said the government is prioritizing education and expressed optimism about future progress. The event was attended by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider, embassy officials, and representatives from educational institutions.

At Barishal University, employees locked the administrative office on Monday morning after declaring Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Toufiq Alam unwanted. The action took place around 11 a.m. as part of an ongoing protest by teachers demanding promotions that began on April 21. Teachers under the banner of 'Shikkhok Samaj' staged a sit-in from 9 a.m. and urged administrative non-cooperation with the vice-chancellor. Under pressure, the registrar left his office, and employees subsequently locked several departments.

Geology and Mining Department Chair Dr. Dhiman Kumar Roy stated that teachers have withdrawn administrative cooperation and some have resigned from their posts, citing the vice-chancellor’s delay in convening the promotion board for over six months. Vice-Chancellor Alam responded that all issues can be resolved through discussion and warned that obstructing others’ work is illegal. He added that legal action would be taken if such activities continue.

The standoff has disrupted university operations, with both teachers and administration remaining at odds over the unresolved promotion issue.

Dhaka University Assistant Proctor Sheherin Amin Bhuiya Monami has resigned from her position, confirming the decision through a Facebook post on Monday, May 11, 2026. Her resignation follows the earlier departure of the university’s Proctor, Professor Saifuddin Ahmed. In her post, Monami stated that she has formally stepped down from her administrative duties.

Sheherin Amin Bhuiya Monami explained that during her seven years in teaching, she had never considered taking on administrative responsibilities. She previously taught at Bangladesh University of Professionals, Jagannath University, and Dhaka University. She accepted the assistant proctor role after receiving a call from then-Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed on August 28, 2024, describing the opportunity as an unexpected responsibility usually given to senior teachers.

In her statement, Monami praised former Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed for his patience, composure, and empathy toward students. She described her experience working with a capable team as remarkable and said she would not judge her own success during her tenure.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh will hold a national workshop titled “Transforming Higher Education in Bangladesh: Roadmap for Sustainable Excellence” on Tuesday at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of the University of Dhaka. Prime Minister Tarek Rahman will inaugurate the daylong event, which aims to make the country’s higher education system more modern and sustainable. Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan and the Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Mahdi Amin will attend as special guests, while UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed will preside over the opening session.

According to the UGC chairman, the workshop will feature five technical sessions focusing on graduate employability, soft skills, industry-academia collaboration, digital transformation, artificial intelligence integration, teacher development, research excellence, governance, and institutional reform. Around 850 invited participants, including academics, policymakers, government officials, and industry representatives, are expected to attend.

The workshop will gather participant feedback to develop a practical policy roadmap for improving higher education quality and aligning it with global standards. The UGC expects the outcomes to support the government’s future planning and direction for the higher education sector.

A fisherman named Saiyad Ahmad, who disappeared 54 years ago in a trawler accident near Kutubdia, has unexpectedly returned to his ancestral home in Fazli Bari, Hatiya, Noakhali. His family and neighbors, long convinced of his death, were stunned when he appeared at a local market and revealed his identity. Elderly villagers later confirmed his claim, identifying him as the son of the late Dhan Mia. The incident has drawn large crowds and widespread attention in the area.

According to family accounts, Ahmad survived the storm by drifting to an unknown location in India, where he lived for decades as a wanderer, spending much of his time near Ajmer Sharif. Recently, after being robbed in Howrah, he was repatriated to Bangladesh by Indian border authorities. His son Akram, now 54, has filed a general diary with police after finally meeting his father for the first time.

The return has sparked both joy and tension within the family, with disputes over responsibility and money. Locals describe the event as miraculous, though many remain curious about Ahmad’s long disappearance and sudden reappearance.

Since assuming office on February 17, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has initiated a series of development and policy reforms aimed at creating a transparent, accountable, and efficient administration. Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan, known for his earlier efforts to curb exam malpractice, is now leading efforts to modernize Bangladesh’s education system. His plans focus on improving quality, expanding research, promoting technology-based learning, and strengthening ethical values.

The education ministry has recently held high-level meetings to address teacher shortages, teaching quality, and infrastructure limitations. National newspapers have highlighted the ministry’s renewed momentum under Milan and State Minister Bobby Hajjaj. The article emphasizes that a modern education system should foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills rather than rote learning.

Key reform areas include integrating technology and artificial intelligence into classrooms, expanding technical and vocational education to reduce unemployment, and increasing research funding in higher education. The piece concludes that Bangladesh now faces a historic opportunity to build an inclusive, skill-based, and innovation-oriented education system.

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) in Sylhet has undergone major reforms over the past 18 months, improving research, infrastructure, administration, and student services. The university restored discipline after years of unrest, introduced transparent hall seat allocations, and reduced political influence in residential facilities. A new online system now requires updated faculty profiles for research grants, and postgraduate students are receiving research funding for the first time.

SUST has signed academic and research exchange agreements with universities in China and Malaysia and is expanding cooperation with institutions in Europe, Canada, and the United States. Digital initiatives include a smart recruitment system, online academic services, and an institutional repository for publications. A large development project worth about Tk 1,000 crore is progressing, covering new halls, academic buildings, and other facilities, with 35 percent of work completed.

Vice-Chancellor Professor A.M. Sarwar Uddin Chowdhury said the university is focusing on restoring stability, reducing inequality, and strengthening research and infrastructure development.

In the char areas of Islampur upazila in Jamalpur, Bangladesh, government primary schools are reportedly facing severe neglect and irregular teaching despite having appointed teachers and infrastructure. Field visits to Sapdhari and Belgacha unions revealed classrooms being used for household work or storage, and in some cases, night guards conducting lessons instead of teachers. At Dighair Government Primary School, the head teacher allegedly allows a night guard to teach classes, while attendance of both teachers and students remains minimal.

Local residents expressed frustration, saying teachers rarely attend school and that many parents have shifted their children to nurani madrasas due to the lack of proper education. Similar conditions were observed at Char Barul Government Primary School, where the building stands empty most of the time. Parents and community members fear the future of their children is at risk due to prolonged negligence.

Upazila Primary Education Officer Jahanara Begum stated that the schools will be inspected soon and necessary actions will be taken following the findings.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh is working to transform the country’s universities into attractive destinations for international students, according to UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed. He made the remarks on Saturday at the ‘China-Bangladesh Education Cooperation Forum 2026’ held at the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka. The event was chaired by the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh and attended by Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan and other senior education officials.

Professor Ahmed emphasized the importance of internationalizing higher education and creating a system where both local and foreign students can study together. He said Bangladesh must ensure “circulation of talent” rather than “brain drain,” enabling skilled expatriates to contribute to national development. The UGC is actively fostering sustainable partnerships between Bangladeshi and Chinese universities to enhance academic quality and research collaboration.

He added that Bangladesh seeks to learn from China’s progress in higher education, focusing on modern laboratory infrastructure, joint research funds, and faculty development programs. The UGC aims to move beyond formal agreements toward joint degree programs, dual PhD supervision, and co-authored research publications in high-quality journals.

The Alumni Association of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Dhaka has formed a new executive committee for the 2026–2028 term. The election took place on Friday, May 8, at the university’s Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), where members cast their votes from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Ilias Khan, advisory editor of Times of Bangladesh, was elected president, while Shahnaz Sharmin Rinvi, editor of Swadhin Media, became general secretary. The results were announced around midnight by Chief Election Commissioner Mahfuzur Rahman, who also serves as the Prime Minister’s speechwriter.

The committee includes several vice presidents, joint secretaries, and other office bearers from diverse professional backgrounds, including journalism, academia, public administration, and corporate sectors. Among them are Tariqul Islam Khan of Petrobangla, Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Md. Nurul Karim Bhuiyan, and Prime Bank executive Sharmin Akhter. The election commission was composed of senior media professionals such as Zahid Newaz Khan of Channel i and Abu Saleh Akon of Dhaka Reporters Unity.

The newly elected committee is expected to lead alumni activities and strengthen professional and academic collaboration among graduates of the department.