University Grant Commission (UGC) has decided to provide interest free loans to 41,501 insolvent students of public universities for buying smartphone to ensure their participation in online education programmes amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Each student from 39 public universities will get highest Tk 8,000 as soft loan. The decision was taken at a virtual meeting presided over by UGC Chairman Dr Kazi Shahidullah on Wednesday. The students recommended by Soft Loan Approval Committee will get the money in their bank accounts within January 31, next year, it said. They have to repay the loans in four phrases after the university classes resume or during their studentship. UGC on August 9 sought a list of insolvent students who are unable to buy smartphones from the university Vice-Chancellors who later submitted a list of 41,501 students. In the list, the highest number students- 8,556 are from Dhaka University and the lowest number -5,860 students from Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET). National University, Bangladesh Open University, Islami Arabic  University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Chittagong Medical University (CMU), Rajshahi Medical University and Sylhet Medical University have been kept out of the loan facility. Source: UNB AH

Students of public and private universities will be provided with internet bandwidth of state-owned mobile operator Teletalk at a nominal price to help continue their online education activities. University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) made the disclosure through a press release on Wednesday, saying students of the universities under UGC run platform BdREN will get the opportunity.  BdREN is a high performance data Communications network providing connectivity among higher education and research institutions in both public and private sectors.  UGC, on behalf of the Ministry of Education (MoE), introduced the online platform under HEQEP through joint financing of Bangladesh Government and World Bank. A total of 42 public universities and 68 private universities, now, use the platform.  To avail the facility, the students have to recharge Tk 100 to their teletalk SIM each month. The recharged amount will be credited to the original balance and can be used for voice call and internet service. The unspent amount will be added to the main balance during the next recharge.  Professor Dr Kazi Shahidullah, chairman of UGC, said it is a very time-befitting initiative to help students continue their online education during the coronavirus pandemic.  He thanked the Education Ministry, Posts and Telecommunications Division and Teletalk Bangladesh Ltd to facilitate the initiative.  Source: UNB AH

The decision of holding integrated admission test for the public universities has been cancelled. From now admission tests will be held under cluster method in four stages. 34 universities of the country will take part in the process. The information was delivered by University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Kazi Shahidullah after holding meeting with the Vice Chancellors of those universities on Wednesday. After the meeting the UGC Chairman said, admission tests will be held under four clusters for those universities from the next session. The clusters are- agriculture, science and technology, engineering and general. In the general cluster three tests will be held for science, arts and business studies subjects. Professor Kazi Shahidullah said, students will take part in the admission tests after applying through online. The seats will be arranged near their locality. The UGC organized the meeting on Wednesday with the Vice Chancellors as the previous decision of holding integrated admission test could not be implemented due to objection of some universities. Earlier on February 12 UGC decided to organize integrated admission test after discussing the matter with 12 public university Vice Chancellors. At that time the VCs expressed their opinions that decision would be taken after discussing the matter in the academic council and syndicate. AH  

Noting that running of evening courses tarnishes the features and reputation of public universities, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has ordered the closure of such courses at all the public universities. It came up with the order in a letter sent to all the public universities containing a 13-point directive on Wednesday about properly following the rules and regulations in the higher educational institutions. The directives came just two days after President Abdul Hamid had said commercial courses are turning public universities into business institutions disrupting the campus atmosphere. The other directives include taking UGC’s approval before opening any new department, faculty, program or institute; taking approval before opening new position or repealing any old one; following rules and university law during appointment, promotion and upgradation of teachers, officials and staff; ensuring security in halls, offices and campus for them; taking and implementing awareness programs against sexual harassment, ragging, terrorism, drugs and militancy, and starting academic activities, taking exams and publishing results as per the schedule. While speaking at the 52nd convocation of Dhaka University on Monday, the President said commercial courses are turning public universities into business institutions disrupting the campus atmosphere. “Thousands of graduates are being produced every year with these commercial courses. A particular class of teachers is making profits [from these courses] … and turning the universities into business institutions.” President Hamid, also the Chancellor of the university, noted that there was a question about how much students are benefiting from these degrees even though a section of teachers is benefiting. “This is disturbing the education atmosphere at the universities. Many public universities assume the character of private universities at night … This is unacceptable,” he said. Source: UNB AH

The probe committee of University Grants Commission (UGC) has submitted letter to the ministry recommending withdrawal of Gopalganj Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU)  Vice Chancellor professor Dr. Khondoker Nasir Uddin. The students of the university have been continuing their movement for the eleventh consecutive day demanding resignation of the VC over allegation of irregularities and corruption. A deadlock situation has been created there following the movement. Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni urged to solve the problem of the universities through discussion. On Sunday noon the students held a press conference at the campus. They expressed anger as no action was taken against the culprits who attacked students. Meanwhile, the probe body formed by UGC to investigate the allegations against the VC has submitted the report to the education ministry. After finding evidences about the allegations the committee recommended for withdrawal of the VC and taking legal action against him. Member of UGC Jahanara Begum confirmed the matter to Rtv. AH    

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh on Monday approved a Tk 8088.49-crore budget for the country’s 45 public universities for the 2019-20 fiscal year. Of the amount, Tk 5,089.46 crore will be spent on non-development activities while the remaining Tk 2,999.03 crore on development activities. Dhaka University was given the highest non-development allocation of Tk 764.65 crore, while Sylhet Medical University, which was included in the budget for the first time, was provided with the lowest non-development allocation of Tk 3.60 crore. The approval came at its 155th commission meeting held with UGC chairman Prof Abdul Mannan in the chair at the UGC office, said a press release. Reports UNB. Besides, the meeting approved a Tk 50.97-crore budget for the UGC itself for the 2019-’20 fiscal year. The meeting also approved the revised budget of Tk 4834.63 crore for the universities and the revised budget of Tk 49.03 crore for the UGC for the outgoing fiscal year of 2018-2019. Of the budget allocated for the public universities, Tk 64.40 crore has been allocated for research activities in the 2019-’20 fiscal year. AH