Manarat International University held a workshop titled “Preparation for Accreditation to Higher Education of Bangladesh” at its permanent campus auditorium in Ashulia on August 19, 2026. The Institutional Quality Assurance Cell organized the event, which focused on preparations for accreditation in higher education.

Bangladesh Accreditation Council full-time member Professor Dr Md Shah Amran attended as chief guest and main speaker. MIU Vice-Chancellor and environmental scientist Professor Dr Mohammad Abdur Rob was the guest of honour, while BAC Director for Accreditation Professor Nasir Uddin Ahmed attended as a special guest and speaker.

Speakers discussed improving the quality of higher education, meeting required standards for accreditation, and making the university’s academic and administrative activities more effective. They emphasized strengthening internal quality-improvement work to ensure educational standards. Deans, department heads, teachers and officials from MIU joined the workshop. Certificates jointly signed by MIU’s IQAC and the Bangladesh Accreditation Council were distributed among participating teachers and officials.

Students at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) have demanded the eviction of a public toilet and other alleged illegal structures built on university-owned land after the campus boundary wall was broken. The report, published on August 19, 2026, says the structures were erected around 15 years ago. Students allege they were built during the tenure of former Rajshahi City Corporation mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, while the then RUET administration remained inactive.

The issue has gained fresh attention because construction of a 10-storey academic building for the Faculty of Civil Engineering is under way beside the toilet. Students say the structure raises concerns about the learning environment, hygiene, security and campus aesthetics. They also expressed anger that the structure has not been removed even two years after the departure of the now-banned Awami League.

RUET Planning and Development Office Director Professor Dr HM Russell called the construction on university land regrettable and undesirable. He said its location beside the faculty building is embarrassing for teachers and students, and urged prompt action to remove the structures and recover the land. Students proposed building a public toilet at a suitable alternative location and also sought removal of mobile shops near the main gate and other structures along the boundary wall.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj said all kindergarten schools operating without registration in Bangladesh will be closed by 2028 if they do not obtain registration within the stipulated period. He made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon in Chattogram after a daylong workshop on transformation and action planning for primary education at the PTI conference hall.

Hajjaj said the initiative is intended to improve the quality of primary education and bring the institutions under government rules and regulations. The government is also working to address staffing shortages at educational institutions, he said, as part of broader efforts to improve primary education.

He said a new integrated policy for primary teachers is being prepared. The policy will include provisions on teachers’ promotions, salary structure and scope of responsibilities, aiming to better align their professional facilities and duties. The workshop, organized by the Directorate of Primary Education’s Chattogram division, was attended by 300 primary education officials from the division, with Hajjaj as chief guest.

Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology’s Architecture Department has received unconditional accreditation from the Institute of Architects Bangladesh for the first time since its establishment. The five-year accreditation took effect on 1 July, according to a letter sent by IAB to the RUET registrar on 15 July. IAB’s 26th Executive Council approved the recognition after a unanimous recommendation from its Architecture Education Board.

The department, established in 2013, met the requirements set by the IAB Architecture Education Board for its architecture education programme. The recognition places RUET among public universities whose architecture programmes have received IAB accreditation, alongside BUET, Khulna University, শাহজালাল Science and Technology University, and Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology.

IAB is Bangladesh’s professional organisation for architects, and its membership is important for professional architectural practice and signing building designs or architectural plans. Students earning degrees under RUET’s accredited programme will be able to seek IAB membership later. The accreditation is expected to support participation in professional activities, competitions, seminars and workshops, while broadening links with domestic, international and regional architecture platforms including ARCASIA.

Jannatul Ferdous Jemi, a college student from Shayestaganj upazila in Habiganj, has received a scholarship worth about Tk73 lakh, or $60,000, to study at the Asian University for Women in Chattogram. The four-year scholarship will provide her with $15,000 annually. The university’s admissions committee director, Mouri Rahman, confirmed the award in a letter on Tuesday.

Jemi passed her Higher Secondary Certificate examination in 2025 from Johur Chan Bibi Mohila College in Shayestaganj. From July 20, she joined a one-month summer school programme supported by Chevron Bangladesh. After successfully completing the programme, she secured the opportunity for higher education at the university with Chevron’s support.

Jemi said she initially found the scholarship news difficult to believe and reread the letter repeatedly. She said she has begun preparing herself and hopes more students will earn such scholarships. Her college principal, Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, said her achievement showed that determination, effort and talent can overcome obstacles. The news has also been widely shared on social media in the area.

Rajshahi University has permanently dismissed four teachers and a deputy chief physician over allegations including sexual harassment, academic irregularities, workplace absence and forgery during the past five years. The latest decision was taken at the university’s 548th syndicate meeting last Thursday, when Statistics Professor Probhas Kumar was dismissed over sexual harassment and academic corruption allegations.

University authorities said multiple committees investigated allegations that Kumar sexually harassed a student in his chamber last August. Following the reports and a higher-level investigation committee’s recommendation, the syndicate approved his dismissal. Law Associate Professor Sadikul Islam Sagar was dismissed in January after an investigation found a sexual harassment allegation against him proven; authorities said he would not receive pension or other government benefits.

In 2022, Psychology Assistant Professor Umme Habiba Jesmin was dismissed over unauthorized absence, leave without permission and staying abroad without clearance. Islamic History and Culture Professor Salma Khatun was dismissed after forgery allegations involving supervisor and doctor signatures were proven. Deputy chief physician Dr Raju Ahmed was dismissed in 2024 after a sexual harassment complaint involving a teenage girl was substantiated. Vice-Chancellor Faridul Islam said action follows investigation and applicable rules.

Japan-based expatriate Junaid Mia, who went viral after leaving a wedding in Akhaura over the absence of a whole goat on a large platter, has married Jannat Akhtar. The ceremony was completed at about 11pm on Tuesday at the bride’s maternal uncle’s home in Niamatpur village of Kasba upazila, Brahmanbaria.

Junaid confirmed the marriage in a Facebook post at around 1am on Tuesday night, saying that the marriage had been completed and asking for prayers for a peaceful and happy married life. Images showing a whole goat served as a special dish for the groom have circulated on social media.

Jannat is the daughter of Zaher Mia of Nurpur village in Akhaura and is reported to be a second-year HSC student at a local women’s college. Junaid’s younger brother Parvez said the marriage was held joyfully with both families’ consent, with the dower set at Tk600,000. On Monday, Junaid had returned without marrying from a ceremony in Tolatala village after becoming upset that a whole goat was not served on a large platter.

Road conditions in several parts of Bangladesh have deteriorated because of prolonged lack of repairs, causing travel hardship and raising accident risks, according to local reports published on August 19, 2026. In Saghatta, Gaibandha, the Westbati road has reportedly not been repaired in 18 years because it lacks a road identification number. Sections have collapsed, asphalt has peeled away, and parts of the roadbed have disappeared.

Residents said repeated requests to correct the road ID and repair the route have not produced results. LGED sources said the road had no ID when it was paved, while Upazila Engineer Nayan Ray said a proposal had been sent. The Bhanga Bridge-Durgapur road in Bonarpara Union was also found badly damaged, affecting commuters and transport of farm products.

Similar problems were reported on the Giaspur Barishab road in Kapasia, Gazipur, where potholes worsen after rain. In Titas, Cumilla, about two kilometres of the Alinagar-Daskandi earthen road become muddy and impassable during rain. Residents sought paving and widening, while Titas Upazila Engineer Saiful Islam said a paving proposal would be sent in a future allocation.

Charfassion Government T. Barrett Secondary School in Charfassion upazila of Bhola is operating with nine teachers for about 1,200 students, according to a report published on August 19, 2026. Of its 17 approved teaching posts, eight are vacant, while the head teacher position is also unfilled. Assistant head teacher Taslima Begum is serving as acting head teacher.

The school reportedly has no office assistants despite having two such approved posts. Its nine teachers must manage regular classes, examinations, script marking, result preparation, attendance monitoring and student discipline. Workloads rise further around half-yearly and annual examinations, the Class Eight scholarship examination, Class Nine test examination and SSC-related academic activities.

Parents at a recent school gathering complained that the staffing shortage makes adequate supervision in classrooms and on campus difficult. Guardian and educator Ilias Hossain called for part-time appointments. Taslima Begum said she would inform the school president, the upazila executive officer and relevant authorities. School president and Charfassion Upazila Executive Officer Romana Afroz said authorities would be notified and the issue of appointing part-time teachers would be resolved with the institution head.

The Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board has launched an inquiry into allegations that Narsingdi Sadar’s Nasima Kadir Molla High School and Homes used irregular methods behind its 100% GPA-5 result in the 2026 SSC examinations. In an order signed by school inspector Professor Dr Md Masud Rana Khan, the board asked the institution to explain the allegations within seven working days.

The inquiry followed media reports and complaints from guardians that the school selectively allowed students to sit for the final SSC examination to preserve its record. Several mothers of students said their children had studied there since first grade, but were told before the SSC examination that they could not take part. The school’s head teacher, Md Iman Hossain, said 483 students took the selection test and 101 failed, leaving 382 approved for the SSC examination.

According to sources cited in the report, 601 students were registered in class nine in 2024, while 382 were allowed to participate in the 2026 SSC examination, a difference of 219 students. The board has sought data on admissions, class-nine registrations, selection-test participants and SSC form-fillers, along with relevant approvals for teaching, departments and additional class sections.

Barishal City Corporation (BCC) has ordered construction to stop at a high-rise building under development in the Jordan Road area of Barishal city. The directive was issued on Tuesday afternoon in an order signed by BCC Chief Executive Officer Rezaul Bari, according to the report published on August 19, 2026.

The action followed a report published by Amar Desh on Monday alleging that the developer, Green City, was constructing the multi-storey building in a protected area without approval. BCC instructed the company to submit its corporation-approved plan within the next three working days.

The BCC administrator said the matter was treated seriously after the newspaper report. He said construction was halted immediately after officials learned that Green City was building in the protected Jordan Road area without any plan. The administrator also said he has been working to keep the corporation free of corruption and that necessary action will be taken if any BCC officer or employee is found involved in irregularities.

A Seeratunnabi (PBUH) gathering was held on Tuesday afternoon at the Shaheed Shafiur Rahman Hall of the Supreme Court Bar Association, organised by the Seeratunnabi Mahfil Celebration Committee, Supreme Court branch. Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abul Hasnat Md Abdul Halim attended as chief guest, while Islamic thinker Mufti Ali Hasan Usama was the chief discussant.

Speaking at the event, Abdul Halim said human rights and justice are important matters for lawyers and urged the legal community to help ensure both by following the ideals of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He said lawyers could play an important role in establishing human rights and justice based on those ideals.

Mufti Ali Hasan Usama cited Quranic verses and called on lawyers not to fight cases for traitors or strengthen falsehood. He said livelihood should not be used as a reason to compromise with injustice, urging lawyers to stand for justice and assist oppressed people. The programme was chaired by Supreme Court advocate Md Mosiul Alam and conducted by advocate Saifur Rahman, with several lawyers and senior advocates attending.

Bangladesh Navy and Fire Service and Civil Defence conducted a joint situational training exercise at BNS Isa Khan in Chattogram on Tuesday to strengthen the operational capability and preparedness of the Chemical Disaster Response Team. The Navy managed the exercise, with 41 members of Agrabad Fire Service and Civil Defence and 455 Navy personnel taking part.

The drill practised responses to chemical accident emergencies, including securing incident sites, controlling hazardous areas, preventing the spread of chemicals, rescuing affected and at-risk people, providing first aid and moving them to safe locations. Participants also rehearsed fire control and firefighting, while emphasising damage assessment, responder safety and continuity of emergency services.

Members of participating agencies practised communication, task allocation and coordinated decision-making in a realistic chemical emergency scenario. The Bangladesh National Authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention regularly organises the Basic Assistance and Protection Course for Responders to develop stakeholder skills. The exercise was described as important for swift rescue and control during potential chemical accidents or fires at ports, ships, industrial facilities and other key installations.

Online transfer applications for teachers at private MPO-listed schools and colleges will open on Friday, August 21, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education said in a notice issued Tuesday. Teachers can apply through the designated website until August 27. Each applicant may select up to three institutions in order of preference.

Applications will be checked through automated software before authorities issue transfer orders under the revised 2026 policy. Teachers may apply for vacancies in their home district, or in any district within their division if no post is vacant there. They may also seek transfers to their spouse’s home district or the district where a spouse works at a government, semi-government, autonomous or MPO-listed educational institution.

Teachers become eligible after completing two years of service and must remain at a new workplace for at least two years before applying again. Those with suspended MPO status, temporary suspension, or criminal cases are ineligible. Institutions and applicants will be personally liable for incorrect data, while incomplete or inaccurate applications will not be considered. Released teachers must join their new institution within 10 days.

Inqilab Mancha’s Dhaka College unit has welcomed an online opinion poll on migrating students from seven colleges affiliated with the University of Dhaka to relevant academic programmes at Dhaka Central University. In a statement published on August 18, the group declared support for a “yes” vote and urged eligible students from the 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years to participate.

The group said the migration process is closely linked to students’ future academic identity and education. It argued that since the seven colleges were affiliated with the University of Dhaka in 2017, students have faced an identity crisis, session delays and uncertainty. The statement cited coordination problems in question-setting, answer-script evaluation and result publication as causes of prolonged harm to students.

Inqilab Mancha said its stance is not against the University of Dhaka or any teacher or student at the existing seven colleges, while warning against efforts to pit different sides against one another. It called for a research-based academic calendar, a roadmap against session delays, a semester system, dialogue-based conditions and solutions to building, housing and transport shortages. The authority’s notice said voting runs from 10am on August 17 until 10pm on August 19.