Comilla University in Bangladesh has been without electricity for 18 consecutive hours, severely disrupting academic and administrative activities. The outage began at 6 p.m. on Sunday and continued until at least 1 p.m. on Monday, leaving students unable to study or complete assignments and halting office work. Several departments have postponed scheduled classes, exams, and even semester finals due to the prolonged power failure.

Students reported difficulties charging devices and preparing presentations, while residential halls also faced water shortages. University officials said the outage was caused by trees falling on power poles and damaging equipment in the Shalban area. The Power Development Board (PDB) confirmed repair work was underway and expressed hope to restore supply by evening.

The university’s examination office stated that its digital operations were paralyzed and one department had already postponed a semester final exam. Limited generator backup was available but insufficient to support all activities until full power restoration.

A severe traffic jam stretching about eight kilometers formed on the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway in Cumilla Cantonment area on Monday morning. The congestion occurred on the Chattogram-bound lane after a covered van broke down near Kabirla Eastern Medical College and ongoing road repair work slowed vehicle movement. As the day progressed, the line of vehicles continued to grow longer.

Passengers stranded in the jam reported being stuck for over an hour, with buses unable to move forward between Nimsar and the Cantonment area. The situation caused significant delays for commuters traveling toward Chattogram.

According to Moynamoti Highway Police Station officer-in-charge Abdul Momin, efforts were underway to remove the broken-down van using a wrecker from Eliotganj to ease the traffic situation.

In Comilla, Omar Faruk Manik, a political science student at Comilla Victoria College and a candidate for the college Chhatra Dal presidency, carried a physically disabled examinee on his shoulder to help him reach the exam center on time. The incident occurred on Saturday, April 25, during the 2025–2026 academic year undergraduate admission test under the National University. The examinee had been struggling to enter the center due to traffic congestion and time constraints when Manik, with help from fellow students, intervened.

The act drew immediate admiration across the college campus. Witnesses described the scene as deeply moving, and many students praised the initiative as an example of genuine empathy. Manik stated that politics should include standing by people in need, while the assisted examinee expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support. The event quickly spread across social media, where it was widely lauded as a symbol of humanity and solidarity.

Students and observers noted that such gestures send a positive message to society, highlighting compassion and responsibility among the youth.

A three-member delegation from the United States Embassy in Dhaka met with Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, on Sunday. The meeting focused on finalizing policies to facilitate dual degree programs, joint research initiatives, and faculty and student exchange programs between universities in Bangladesh and the United States.

Discussions also covered the participation of a UGC delegation in the upcoming Association of International Educators Convention in the United States, online verification of Bangladeshi university certificates, and expanding opportunities for Bangladeshi students under the jointly funded Fulbright Program. The U.S. delegation included Public Affairs Counselor Monica Sai, American Center Public Engagement Director Scott Hartman, and Public Diplomacy Specialist Rayhana Sultana.

Both sides expressed that enhanced cooperation would benefit the higher education sectors of Bangladesh and the United States.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has called on public and private universities, the University Grants Commission (UGC), and related stakeholders to take coordinated measures to enhance research excellence and protect intellectual property. Speaking as chief guest at a workshop marking World Intellectual Property Day 2026 at the UGC in Dhaka on Sunday morning, he advised organizing competitions across universities to raise awareness about innovation and intellectual property protection.

The minister emphasized that the government will provide full support to increase the number of patents and safeguard researchers’ rights. He identified brain drain as a major obstacle to national research and development and urged efforts to address its root causes. UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed, who presided over the event, said the commission is working to build an innovation ecosystem and establish Intellectual Property Cells and Technology Transfer Offices in universities to ensure commercialization of research outcomes.

Speakers at the event noted that although thousands of research projects are conducted annually, only a small fraction result in patent applications. They stressed the need for stronger institutional support and policy frameworks to translate academic research into practical innovations benefiting society.

A final examination at the Faculty of Agriculture of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) was cancelled midway due to a power outage. The Level-4, Semester-1 final exam, held at Academic Building-2, began at 12:30 p.m. and was scheduled to end at 3:30 p.m. However, repeated power failures caused long interruptions, leaving students waiting in the dark without any backup lighting. The exam was ultimately cancelled at the scheduled end time, with authorities announcing that it would be rescheduled after Eid.

Students expressed frustration over the cancellation, saying they were willing to continue even under poor lighting conditions. Faculty Dean Professor Dr. Moniruzzaman Bahadur stated that the exam was cancelled because teachers and staff were unwilling to remain on duty for an extended period. He added that no alternative arrangements were possible since other classes and exams were ongoing in all available classrooms.

The incident highlighted the lack of contingency planning for power disruptions during examinations, raising concerns among students about academic management and preparedness.

The Government of Bangladesh has reaffirmed a zero-tolerance policy regarding the distribution of examination papers, according to Dr. Mahdi Amin, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office. In a Facebook post on April 26, 2026, he stated that authorities are actively monitoring social media to prevent misinformation and have strengthened cyber surveillance and digital tracking systems. The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit recently arrested four individuals accused of deceiving students with fake exam papers and attempting to disrupt the integrity of the SSC examinations.

Dr. Amin noted that the Dhaka Education Board warned of a fraudulent group spreading false claims of question leaks to create confusion and damage the government’s image. He clarified that a television report suggesting a leak was later withdrawn after verification showed it was a planned scam. Fact-checking platforms also confirmed the incident was not a genuine leak. The government continues efforts to ensure maximum security of exam materials and urged students and parents to remain vigilant against misinformation.

He added that the administration is committed to rebuilding the education system through merit-based reforms and skill-oriented initiatives under the Prime Minister’s directives.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has extended assistance to a family affected by a devastating fire in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur. The district and local leaders of the organization distributed corrugated iron sheets to the family and assured support for their rehabilitation. The incident occurred on April 17 near the land office area of Rajabari Union, where three houses belonging to Md. Yusuf were destroyed by fire, causing losses estimated at around 1.2 million taka.

The distribution took place on Sunday morning under the initiative of the Sreepur upazila and Rajabari Union units of Jamaat-e-Islami. Gazipur district Ameer Dr. Mohammad Jahangir Alam visited the affected family, inquiring about their condition and promising full cooperation for their recovery. Several district and union-level leaders were also present at the event.

Local residents described the initiative as a positive example of humanitarian and social responsibility in the community.

Education Minister Dr. Ehsanul Haque Milon said that students are moving toward morally void spaces and are increasingly eager to become viral. He made the remarks on Sunday morning at the University Grants Commission (UGC) during an event marking World Intellectual Property Day.

Milon noted that although universities have large budgets, there is no allocation for research, urging both universities and the ministry to address this issue. He criticized the growing trend of students and young people going live on Facebook and making random or inappropriate comments such as “Hi,” “Go ahead,” or “Do a research,” which often spread without purpose and encourage a culture of seeking viral attention.

He expressed concern that the younger generation, including those still in school uniforms, now feel no hesitation in making indecent remarks against their teachers or ministers, reflecting a worrying decline in respect and moral restraint.

Bangladesh’s Education Minister Dr. Ehsanul Haque Milon expressed concern that the country’s young generation is becoming increasingly impatient and less capable of deep analysis. Speaking on Sunday morning at a workshop organized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to mark World Intellectual Property Day 2026, he compared today’s youth to “instant coffee,” saying they react and comment instantly without reflection. The minister noted that although 27 percent of the population is young, their declining patience and analytical skills pose challenges for innovation and research.

He further criticized the growing obsession among youth with social media visibility, saying many prioritize going live or viral on Facebook over meaningful engagement. Dr. Milon warned that such behavior erodes moral values and urged young people to be more responsible online. Addressing rumors about exam question leaks, he called on journalists to verify information before spreading it and assured that legal measures are being taken. He also urged everyone to reduce dependence on Facebook and to act responsibly to prevent harm to students.

The minister emphasized that universities must take effective initiatives to protect intellectual property and foster a culture of research and innovation.

The Ministry of Education has dismissed reports circulating on social media and news portals claiming that the 2026 SSC Bangla First Paper (101) exam questions were leaked across all boards. In a statement issued on Sunday morning, the ministry described the allegations as completely false, baseless, and politically motivated. It confirmed that the Bangla First Paper exam was held on April 21 and the Second Paper on April 23 without any untoward incidents.

According to the ministry, the rumor about a question leak surfaced a day after the exams ended, causing unnecessary concern among students and parents. The statement asserted that no officials or employees of the ministry or its subordinate offices were involved in any such activity. The ministry urged the public not to be misled by false reports, to avoid any monetary transactions related to such claims, and to report any similar misinformation directly to the ministry.

The ministry emphasized that the spread of such fabricated news aims to tarnish the government’s image and called for public vigilance against misinformation.

Prime Minister’s Education, Primary and Mass Education Adviser Mahdi Amin announced that the government plans to gradually deliver improved mid-day meals to around 20 million primary school students across Bangladesh. He said the initiative aims to ensure nutritious, high-quality, and long-lasting food, supported by modern technology-based research. Amin made the remarks on Saturday at a roundtable titled ‘From Genome to Bioeconomy: Enhancing Bangladesh’s Biotechnology Capacity by 2030,’ organized by Bioted in Eskaton Garden, Dhaka.

The adviser emphasized that one of the Prime Minister’s major commitments is to guarantee mid-day meals for primary students. He noted that current tiffin items such as butter buns or bananas spoil quickly, underscoring the need for affordable and durable food solutions through research and development. Amin also highlighted the importance of curriculum reform to build transferable and technical skills, stronger industry-academia collaboration, and self-reliance in vaccine and food production through biotechnology.

He added that engaging expatriate researchers through joint research and short courses could transform brain drain into brain circulation, helping strengthen national research capacity and empower citizens through biotechnology.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj visited Basail Government Primary School in Narsingdi on Saturday to inspect the quality of mid-day meals and observe classroom activities. During the visit, he expressed dissatisfaction with the contractor over the meal quality and warned that the work order could be canceled if improvements were not made. Two samples of bread distributed to students were sent to a Dhaka laboratory for testing after an odor was detected.

Hajjaj told reporters that the government has begun nationwide monitoring of mid-day meals to ensure children receive safe and appealing food that encourages regular school attendance. He said the ministry is closely reviewing all complaints about meal quality and may restructure the program if necessary. Efforts are underway to redesign the meal system in consultation with experts to prevent food spoilage.

He also stated that the government is working on a parallel curriculum aligned with English and Ivy mediums to modernize primary education, with implementation expected within two to three years.

Gazipur Agricultural University (GAKRUBI) has once again secured a prestigious position in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2026. The university ranked within the 401–500 band across Asia, reaffirming its status as the top agricultural university in Bangladesh. The ranking, released last Thursday, listed a total of 28 Bangladeshi universities, including 19 directly ranked and 9 reporter institutions.

Among all public universities in Bangladesh, GAKRUBI achieved a joint third position nationally, highlighting its strong academic and research standing. Recognized as a “Center of Excellence” in research, the university scored 67 in research quality, reflecting the depth and impact of its scholarly work. In total, it earned 174.9 points across five evaluation indicators: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook.

The 2026 ranking assessed 929 leading universities from 36 Asian countries and regions. GAKRUBI stated its commitment to advancing agricultural innovation and supporting national goals for agricultural excellence and food security through continued research and development.

A total of 32,532 Bangladeshi pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform the holy Hajj, according to the daily bulletin of the Hajj IT Helpdesk under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Of them, 3,284 traveled under the government management system and 29,248 under private management. By 3 a.m. on Friday, 81 flights had carried the pilgrims, including 33 flights by Biman Bangladesh Airlines with 13,684 passengers, 30 flights by Saudia with 11,299 passengers, and 18 flights by Flynas with 7,549 passengers.

The report also confirmed the deaths of two Bangladeshi pilgrims in Makkah—Abul Kashem from Tangail, who died of cardiac arrest, and Naim Uddin Mondal from Joypurhat, who passed away naturally. The official Hajj flights from Bangladesh began on April 18 with the first dedicated flight carrying 419 pilgrims. The outbound flight operations will continue until May 21, while return flights are scheduled between May 30 and June 30.

This year, a total of 5,565 pilgrims will perform Hajj under government management and 73,935 under private management, as per the ministry’s data.