Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) has recognized its top researchers based on publication output, H-index, and international research impact. The honors were presented at the opening of the three-day 'BAU Research Progress Workshop 2024–2025' held at the Syed Nazrul Islam Conference Hall. Five researchers received the 'Global Research Impact Recognition Award 2025', while twelve others were honored in senior and junior faculty categories. Professor Dr. Ahmad Khairul Hasan received the inaugural 'BAU Research Leadership Award 2025' for contributions in research leadership and international collaboration. Journalist Md. Aman Ullah was awarded the 'Agricultural Journalism Award 2026' for his work in agricultural reporting.

Six farmers were also recognized with the 'Professor Dr. Ashraf Ali Khan Memorial Agricultural Award 2026' for innovation in mechanization, seed preservation, integrated farming, and sustainable energy initiatives. The event was organized by the BAU Research System (BAURES) and attended by the university’s vice-chancellor, British Council Bangladesh’s country director, and FAO’s Bangladesh representative.

The workshop features 21 technical sessions and six poster sessions, showcasing results from 539 research projects, with awards for the best presenters in each category.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan said that modernization of the education system is essential for national development. Speaking as chief guest at the ‘China-Bangladesh Education Cooperation Forum 2026’ held at the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka on Saturday, he emphasized that the government has prioritized education and plans to allocate 5 percent of GDP to the sector. He also announced initiatives to revise syllabuses, curricula, and academic calendars to improve quality.

The minister highlighted that teacher development is key to raising educational standards and mentioned a joint initiative with China to train general and technical educators. He said education would serve as the main bridge strengthening Bangladesh-China relations. Several memorandums of understanding were signed between institutions from both countries to enhance cooperation in education.

The event, chaired by Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, was attended by senior Bangladeshi education officials, including the Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Mahdi Amin and UGC Chairman Dr. Mamun Ahmed. Guests also inaugurated an education and technology exhibition following the forum.

In Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar, 21 out of 26 tea estates have no government primary schools, causing hundreds of children from tea worker families to drop out of basic education. Despite the tea industry’s 172-year history in the region, tea workers remain educationally disadvantaged. Land disputes and the indifference of estate authorities have delayed the establishment of government schools. Existing private schools in the estates are in poor condition, often with only one or two classrooms and very low teaching standards.

According to the Kulaura Primary Education Office, the estates without government schools include Hingajia, Sirajnagar, Bormchal, Rehana, Gazipur, Jhimai, Merina, Jhunkijalai, Rangichhara Fari, Clevedon, Bijoya, Kaliti, Chatlapur, Longla, Tilakpur, Azgarabad, Dildarpur, Borhannagar, Rajanagar, Tarapasha, and Muraichhara. Former and current leaders of the Bangladesh Tea Workers’ Union said that tea worker children have been deprived of their right to education for generations due to land complications and lack of government action.

The acting Upazila Primary Education Officer stated that a proposal has been sent to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education to establish six new government primary schools in the tea garden areas, with plans for gradual expansion.

The Bangladesh Army has issued a recruitment notice for the position of MODC soldier, with applications open until May 31, 2026. Only male candidates are eligible to apply, and the selection process will take place at Rajendrapur Cantonment (MODC Center and Records). Applicants can apply for General Duty (GD) and Clerk (CLK) trades, while children of MODC members may also apply under the MS category. Applications must be submitted online and via SMS, with a total fee of 300 taka.

Candidates must be Bangladeshi citizens, unmarried, and aged between 17 and 25 years as of July 1, 2026. Minimum educational qualifications include GPA 2.00 in SSC or equivalent for GD and GPA 3.00 for CLK. Physical requirements include a height of 5 feet 6 inches, weight of 49.90 kg, and normal vision. Applicants must pass medical, physical, written, and interview tests, and be able to swim at least 35 meters.

Selected candidates will undergo six months of basic military training. During training, they will receive a monthly salary of 8,800 taka, with further pay and benefits as per Joint Services Instructions after completion.

Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon announced that work is ongoing to implement Bangladesh’s new curriculum by 2028. Speaking as chief guest at the annual general meeting of the Bangladesh Publishers and Booksellers Association and a seminar at Bangla Academy, he said a committee of experts is revising and updating textbooks. He emphasized improving paper quality and printing standards to ensure enjoyable learning and said the ministry will act to stop teachers from preparing exam questions based on note and guidebooks.

Milon highlighted the government’s focus on expanding digital technology use, including distributing tablets to teachers and eventually students, to reduce reliance on traditional guidebooks. He stated that quality supplementary books will replace note-guides, ensuring publishers and sellers are not harmed. He also encouraged the publication of internationally competitive books and noted that Bangladesh could become a major book-exporting country due to its cost-effective, high-quality printing capacity.

Other speakers, including state ministers for local government and liberation war affairs, discussed greater collaboration among ministries in organizing the national book fair and supporting the publishing sector. Industry representatives urged the government to recognize publishing and printing as a full-fledged industry and provide policy and financial support.

The Bangladesh government has declared a seven-day holiday for government officials and employees on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. According to the 2026 academic calendar, schools and colleges will remain closed for 16 consecutive days, while madrasas will have a 21-day break. The information was released through a Cabinet Division press statement.

The notice stated that Saturday, May 23, will not be a holiday, and all government employees must attend work that day. Although the government office schedule has been adjusted, the academic institutions’ holiday schedule remains unchanged. For primary, lower secondary, and secondary levels, the summer and Eid holidays will run from May 24 to June 4, with weekends extending the total to 16 days. Colleges will follow a similar pattern, while madrasas will remain closed from May 24 to June 11, totaling 21 days including weekends.

These extended holidays align with the national academic calendar and are intended to accommodate both the religious festival and the summer vacation period.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs of Bangladesh has urged Bangladeshi pilgrims to obtain Hajj permits through official and approved channels. The call follows a directive from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which emphasized that only those with valid Hajj visas and permits obtained through authorized procedures will be allowed to perform Hajj. The Saudi ministry stated that the process aims to ensure smooth services for pilgrims and compliance with all Hajj regulations.

According to the Saudi ministry, adherence to the official permit system will help maintain order, manage crowds, and enhance safety at the holy sites. It also warned against unauthorized or fraudulent means of obtaining Hajj permits or visas, noting that such actions could disrupt religious observances or lead to legal consequences. The ministry highlighted that official permits guarantee access to integrated services and a secure, well-organized pilgrimage experience.

The Bangladeshi ministry’s notice reinforces the importance of following institutional procedures to ensure a lawful and safe Hajj journey for all Bangladeshi pilgrims.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj announced that Ebtedayee madrasas will be brought under the Directorate of Primary Education in the coming days. He made the statement on Thursday in Dhaka during a citizens’ dialogue titled ‘Government Priorities and the Education Sector: Budget and Reality,’ organized by the Citizen’s Platform of CPD.

Hajjaj explained that the initiative will not start immediately, as the ministry is still addressing internal challenges and repairing weaknesses in the education system caused in recent years. He emphasized that the ministry is working step by step to strengthen the system before taking on larger responsibilities. The goal is to bring all education for children under ten years old under the same ministry with a uniform curriculum and standards.

The state minister also mentioned that around 14,000 teachers awaiting appointment will not be allowed to enter classrooms without completing required training. Despite protests from these teachers, he said the ministry remains firm on its decision, and they will return to classrooms within four to six months after training.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs of Bangladesh has warned that performing or attempting to perform Hajj without proper authorization could result in a fine of up to 20,000 Saudi riyals. For foreign nationals, including Bangladeshis, violations may also lead to deportation and a ban on re-entry to Saudi Arabia for up to ten years. The ministry issued this notice on Thursday, urging all Bangladeshi pilgrims to strictly follow Saudi Arabia’s updated Hajj regulations aimed at controlling overcrowding and ensuring pilgrim safety.

According to the Saudi authorities, anyone assisting unauthorized pilgrims—through transport, accommodation, or other means—may face fines of up to 100,000 riyals, with penalties increasing based on the number of people involved. The rules apply to travel agencies, service providers, vehicle owners, and others offering illegal support. Vehicles used in such activities may be confiscated after legal proceedings.

The restrictions will remain in effect from the first day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Qi'dah until the 14th of Dhu al-Hijjah. Saudi authorities have also launched enforcement operations and recently arrested one person in Mecca for promoting fake Hajj permits online.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard carried out a special drill on Thursday morning at the outer anchorage of the Karnaphuli River estuary to enhance security at Chittagong Port and within the country’s maritime boundaries. The exercise aimed to reinforce surveillance and operational readiness in one of the nation’s most vital trade gateways.

At a press briefing following the drill, Captain Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Zonal Commander of the Coast Guard East Zone, said that the force has been maintaining continuous monitoring and patrols to ensure the safety of commercial vessels anchored offshore. Over the past one and a half years, more than 1,320 operations have been conducted, recovering stolen cargo from five ships and returning it to the respective authorities.

According to Coast Guard data, 4,273 commercial vessels were handled at Chittagong Port in 2025, marking a 10.5% increase from the previous year. Strengthened maritime security has improved the port’s international safety index, increased foreign vessel arrivals, and reduced piracy and theft incidents from 13 in 2024 to 4 in 2025.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Central International Secretary Sadiq Kayem is set to get married on May 13. His bride-to-be, Anika Forayezi, is an MBBS physician. Multiple sources close to Kayem confirmed the news on Thursday.

According to the information available, Anika Forayezi hails from Chauddagram upazila in Cumilla. Her father serves as the vice chairman of Reliance Group and chairman of Probashi Bangla Properties Limited, while also holding key positions in several other organizations.

The marriage ceremony (akd) is scheduled to take place at Dhaka University’s Central Mosque, with DUCSU leaders and university students expected to attend. A formal wedding reception is planned for the same day at a convention center in the capital.

Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon announced that the government plans to invest 5 percent of Bangladesh’s GDP in the education sector. He made the statement on Thursday morning at a UNICEF-organized seminar in Dhaka focused on strengthening innovation in classrooms. The minister said previous governments never invested more than 1.5 percent of GDP in education, and the current administration aims to build skilled human capital through increased investment.

Milon emphasized the need to enhance both education and skills from the primary level and criticized the previous government for failing to implement digital classrooms due to lack of accountability and transparency. He said the current government is moving toward establishing interactive digital classrooms in line with the Prime Minister’s commitment.

Prime Minister’s adviser Mahdi Amin added that initiatives have been taken to ensure education and skill development from the primary level, with long-term plans for digital and active classrooms. He also highlighted the need to reduce the gap between urban and rural education systems and mentioned plans to include a third international-standard language in the curriculum.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Almojaddedee Alfechani of the Department of Botany has been appointed as the new Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Dhaka. The appointment was announced in a Ministry of Education circular issued on Thursday, approved by the President and Chancellor under Article 13(1) of the Dhaka University Order, 1973. He will serve a four-year term from the date of joining, receiving the same salary and benefits as his current position, and must reside on campus.

Dr. Alfechani has been engaged in teaching and research for over two decades and currently serves as a professor in the Department of Botany. He earned his BSc (Honours) and MSc (Thesis) degrees with first-class first positions from the same department and later obtained a PhD. He is an Associate Fellow of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences and a Capstone Fellow of the National Defence College.

He has published over a hundred research papers and six international books, supervised multiple PhD and MSc students, and discovered several new plant and algae species. His research contributions include innovations in algae-based water purification nanofilters, supercapacitors, and biosensors.

A major administrative error occurred during the SSC examination in Raipur, Lakshmipur, where 113 students were given the wrong set of question papers. The incident took place on Tuesday at the second venue of Raipur Government Merchants Academy under the Comilla Education Board. Students sat for the ‘Bangladesh and Global Studies’ objective test using set number 1 instead of the assigned set number 3. The issue came to light the following day, prompting the education board to issue a show-cause notice to the center secretary and head teacher, Mostafa Faruqi.

Students reported discovering the mistake only after comparing questions post-exam, leading to anxiety and mental stress. Comilla Board’s Deputy Controller of Examinations, Kabir Uddin Ahmed, described the incident as serious negligence and confirmed that departmental action has been initiated. He assured that students’ results would not be affected, as answer scripts will be evaluated according to the set used.

Local education officials said discussions with the board are ongoing and that necessary measures will be taken against those responsible. The incident has raised concerns about exam management and the need for stricter oversight and accountability.

The Ministry of Education in Bangladesh has issued a revised transfer policy for MPO-listed teachers working in private schools and colleges. The circular, signed by Additional Secretary Mizanur Rahman and approved by Secretary Abdul Khalek, introduces a provision for punishment if any teacher provides false information in transfer applications. The policy was released on Wednesday and will soon be available on the ministry’s website.

According to the new guidelines, teachers can apply for transfers after completing two years of service and may transfer up to three times in their careers. Applications must be made within government-specified periods, and priority will be given to female teachers and those living farther from desired postings. The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education will manage online applications, vacancy listings, and approvals. Transfers will not entitle teachers to travel allowances, and those facing disciplinary or criminal proceedings will be ineligible.

The policy also mandates that released teachers must join their new institutions within ten days, with all processes tracked online to ensure transparency and administrative accountability.