Author: bdadmin

The Khulna University (KU) witnessed a massive development activities accelerating need-based infrastructural development projects worth about Taka 335 Crore during last three years. During the time, after taking charge as the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Mahmud Hossain made a remarkable change by completing all the development projects, according to Md Moinul Hossain, Director (acting), Mass Communication and Public Relations of Khulna University. The main projects are to ensure international quality modern-based higher education and to create research opportunities to make the KU an international standard university. Keeping pace with the curriculum of other universities both home and abroad, Khulna University updated the curriculum of all disciplines. Khulna University (KU) has strengthened its joint research activities with other international universities and research institutes globally. Besides, KU has expanded the field of research at international, national and local levels by strengthening i ts research related multi-faceted problems like climate change adaptation in Khulna. In line with the initiatives and programmes of the government to make Bangladesh smart and Digital, the first step is to introduce an e-filing (D-document) system in all fields at Khulna University. As a result, Khulna University was listed at the top level in the international ranking, QS ranking and Times Higher Education ranking. Besides, with the overall cooperation of the teachers-students and officers-employees, Khulna University got fourth place by getting 95.47 out of 100 marks in UGC's APA evaluation last year. During the global pandemic of Corona, the Vice-Chancellor took various initiatives including making smart digital online education programmes. In the last three years, 39 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with various universities, institutions, and organizations in the country and abroad. The research allocation cost has been increased from Taka one Crore 35 lakh to Taka 5.5 Crore from the financial year 2018-19 to the current financial year 2023-24. A total of 1,266 research articles have been published in the last year. The Research Cell has been converted into a Research and Innovation Center to accelerate research work. A total of 85 training and workshops have been conducted by Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) during last three years to improve the skills of teachers, students and officers-staff of the university. Giving thanks to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mahmud Hossain said, after taking charge, I presented the future plans of the 4-year tenure in a view exchange meeting. Thanking the present government, the Education Minister, UGC, all the teachers, students, and official staff of Khulna University for their cooperation in the development, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mahmud Hossain said, all the plans were executed successfully for their extra efforts during the last three years. Registrar (Acting) Professor Khan Golam Quddus said, the massive development of Khulna University (KU) is now visible. More than 200 up-to-date training have been arranged through the Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) to enhance the skills of the support staff of the university, he said, adding that Khulna University is now in a unique position among the universities of the country. An initiative to preserve the evidence for future generations KU made the 'torture cell' of the Pakistani invaders and genocide during the Liberation War-the 'Gallamari Genocide Memorial Museum.' Besides, a total of 2500 trees were planted last year with a view to contribute to the climate of the southern part of Bangladesh. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: The Department of Archeology has said that the reconstruction of 770 heritage sites damaged by the 2015 earthquake has been completed. A total of 920 heritage sites were damaged in the 14 highly affected and 18 affected districts. Another 70 sites are currently being reconstructed while the work on 80 sites is yet to begin, said spokesperson of the department, Ram Bahadur Kunwar. The reconstruction of 80 sites could not be started due to lack of sufficient budget, lack of technical human resource and construction materials. Yakseshwar of Bhaktapur, Pujari Math of Bhaktapur, Sattal of Changunarayan Temple, Vishnu Temple of Hanumandhoka, Degu Taleju Temple of Patan Durbar square are currently being reconstructed. The work on the Jagatnarayan Temple in Shankhamul has been stopped due to a court case. Spokesman Kunwar said that about 20 of the heritage sites that are yet to be reconstructed are in the process of budget management, with the target of beginning the work in the new financial year. The department targets to complete the reconstruction of 920 heritage sites in 32 districts by the year 2082-83. So far, the government has spent six billion rupees for the reconstruction of heritage sites, and another three billion rupees will be required to complete the remaining reconstruction work. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: The Government of Nepal has expressed sorrow over the passing of President of Iran, Dr Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on Sunday. "We are deeply saddened to know about the passing away of His Excellency Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, President, and His Excellency Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Minister of Foreign Affairs, of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the helicopter crash yesterday," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on the social platform, X, today. The Ministry also extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members, and the government and people of Iran. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: As high as 14 percent of the total health equipment are left unused in the country, a study has revealed. The survey of biomedical equipment in Nepal's public health institutions conducted by the Department of Health Services in collaboration with Lifeline Enterprises showed that 2,645 health equipments in the country are still not installed in the health institutions. Chairperson of the Enterprises Anjali Tiwariwal said that data were collected from 11 hospitals of Bagmati, Koshi, Madhesh, Gandaki and Sudurpaschim provinces adding that 1,823 health equipments are dysfunctional. The study carried out from October 2023 to April 2024 surveyed the status of 19,174 hospitals. Bhaskar Rijal, a biomedical engineer involved in the study team, said that 1,174 sets of equipment are unused despite being in proper condition. "Those equipment imported in the time of COVID-19 are left unused for lack of Covid-19 patients," Rijal added. Rijal further stated that the CT scan machines of Bir Hospital, APF Hosp ital and Koshi Hospital have turned worse with severe complaints about the charger board and battery. Meanwhile, Director of Bir Hospital Dr Santosh Poudel shared his hospital lacks biomedical engineers to repair and run such equipment. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: The main opposition party, Nepali Congress, has expressed dissatisfaction over the role of Speaker Devraj Ghimire, accusing him of being biased. Determining that the role of Speaker Ghimire in today's meeting of the House of Representatives was not compatible with his position, a meeting of the NC Parliamentary Party held today raised questions over it. The party questioned the role of the Speaker, saying the Speaker forwarded the agenda of the parliament meeting amidst the protest and slogan of the opposition party. "A situation where a person in the position of the Speaker of the Parliament is used as a party member undermines the parliamentary norms and values. So this meeting draw the serious attention of the Speaker to carryout activities in order to protect the parliamentary norms and values", reads the decision. The NC Parliamentary Party meeting blamed the Speaker of forwarding the proposal related to vote of confidence of the Prime Minister amidst protests and sloganeering of the opposi tion party and not allowing NC lawmakers to put forth their views. At a news conference organised to inform about the meeting of the NC Parliamentary Party, Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak said the Speaker should not behave like a party cadre. The meeting drew the conclusion that parliament meeting should not be run by ignoring the democratic and parliamentary norms and values. Chief Whip Lekhak mentioned that instead of forming a parliamentary probe committee as per the demand of the opposition parties, it was not appropriate to complete the process of taking vote of confidence even after having enough time for the same. All opposition parties in the parliament including NC have been demanding formation of a parliamentary probe committee to ensure free and impartial investigation on embezzlement in the financial cooperatives' money. Source: National News Agency RSS

Weekly tea sale end of season quality in Chattogram met with a fairly demand. Blenders were more active with selective interest from the Loose Tea buyers. Despite a further decline in quality, market witnessed a little more demand particularly for the cleaner varieties. BROKENS: Good Brokens met with a fairly good demand but eased slightly in line with quality. Medium varieties were also a fairly good market whilst the plainer types eased further but withdrawals were a little less. FANNINGS: Good Fannings sold well and were about steady. Mediums were also a fairly good market and sold at around last levels easing slightly. DUST: 6,142 packages of teas on offer met with an improved demand. Good liquoring Dusts sold well at around last levels. Medium Dusts sold at firm to dearer rates closely following quality. Plain/BLF Dusts met with a better demand compared to last with a few withdrawals. Blenders lent good support with fair interest from the loose tea buyers. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A 65-day ban on fishing in the country's maritime zone of the Bay of Bengal has been enforced last midnight aiming to preserve fish and ensure their smooth breeding and production. The fisheries and livestock ministry has already beefed up monitoring at all entry points of sea to stop operation of fishing trawlers-boats. During the ban, the government will give 86kg of rice to each of 3,11,062 fishermen in two phases under the vulnerable group feeding (VGF) programme. The Coast Guards and Bangladesh Navy have been asked to remain vigil at coastal areas to enforce the ban. The Department of Fisheries has also opened control-room and formed monitoring team in Barishal, Chattogram and Khulna divisions. Since 2015, the government has been imposing the 65-day ban from May 20 to July 23 under the Marine Fisheries Act, 2020. Fishing in all coastal countries across the world remain prohibited for two to three months during the breeding season. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today said as part of tree plantation campaign, the government will strengthen research activities on conservation of trees endangered in the country. Co-management of forests and collaborative forest management are going on by involving local people, resulting in making the forests more sustainable, he said. "Forest coverage is being increased by carrying out extensive afforestation prograrmes in existing forests. Encroached forest lands are being recovered by identifying those and afforestation is underway there to prevent deforestation," the environment minister told a meeting at Bangladesh Secretariat here. The meeting was arranged to finalise the list of awardees for the 'Prime Minister's National Award for Plantation-2022 and 2023'. Speaking at the meeting, Saber Hossain said patrol activities have been strengthened to protect forests and forest lands, while initiatives have been taken for digital boundary mapping of forest and forest land as it will help identify encroachment of forest land. Greenery campaigns should be strengthened across the country to cope with the adverse impacts of climate change, he said, stressing the need for planting trees on rooftop of houses in cities. During the meeting, the names of individuals and institutions were finalised for the 'Prime Minister's National Award for Plantation-2022 and 2023' in different categories including educational institutions, local government institutions, individual, private nurseries, gardening of the forest department, rooftop gardening, and tree research and conservation, and innovation. Earlier, a draft list of nominees for the award was prepared after examining it by the upazila, district and department level committees. Each award winner will be conferred with a certificate in each category of the award introduced in 1993. Also, Taka one lakh will be given for the first prize, while Taka 75,000 for the second prize and Taka 50,000 for the third prize. Former Dep uty Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Habibun Nahar, National Committee member Aroma Dutta, MP, Environment Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University Professor Dr Emdadul Haque Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University Professor Dr Abu Taher, Dhaka University Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Dr Sitesh C Bachar, Dhaka University Emeritus Professor and former Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman, Additional Secretary (Development) of the ministry Md Mosharraf Hossain and Additional Secretary (Environment) Dr Fahmida Khanom were present at the meeting. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Integrity management has become crucial to ensure good governance in the water and sanitation sector for ensuring sound public health everywhere in the city. Besides, utmost emphasis should be given on ensuring transparency, accountability and participation of all stakeholders in the service delivery activities for betterment of the consumers in general. Experts and development activists came up with the observation while addressing an advocacy meeting at the conference hall of Rajshahi Water and Sewerage Authority (RWASA) here today. On behalf of its 'Support for Enhancing Accountability in Water and Sanitation Sector to address risks of WASH' Project, Wave Foundation: Together for Better Life, and Water Integrity Network (WIN): Fighting corruption in water worldwide, organized the meeting. Managing Director of RWASA Zakir Hossain addressed the meeting as focal person, while Deputy Director of Wave Foundation Kanij Fatema illustrated her organizational activities and Project Coordinator Lipi Amena gave an overview of the project along with its aims and objectives and implementation strategy. Lipi Amena also presented findings of a research conducted on the city's water supply along with the extent of consumers' satisfaction. Ward Councilors of Rajshahi City Corporation Sultana Ahmed Sagorika and Rabiul Islam and Deputy Chief Conservation Officer Selim Raza, Editor of Daily Sonar Desh Akbarul Hassan Millat, Director of Barendra Unnayan Prochesta Foyzullah Chowdhury and Regional Manager of NGO Forum for Public Health Rabiul Alam also spoke on the occasion. Zakir Hossain told the meeting that the Government of Bangladesh has been implementing the National Integrity Strategy (NIS) to establish integrity in all sectors to achieve the sustainable development goals and targets. So there is an opportunity to move forward by establishing integrity through increasing the capacity of utilities through the introduction of integrity management training. Arranging such types of advocacy meetings with all stakeholder s will make sure that the utilities are more accountable together with strengthening institutional governance. Sharing and disseminating their respective expertise the open discussants unanimously mentioned that appropriate integrity consideration can be the crucial means of proper valuation of water. Value of water is much more than its economic value because water has enormous value in terms of households, food, culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of the natural environment. So, proper valuation of water along with its enhanced protection depends on the practice of integrity at all levels. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A foreign ministerial level bilateral meeting between Dhaka and Canberra will be held here tomorrow afternoon as Australian foreign minister Penny Wong is due tomorrow for a two-day official visit. "Issues related to Australian investment in Bangladesh, migration, seasonal employment in Australia, welfare of expatriates, energy and environment conservation will get priority at the meeting," foreign minister Dr Hasan Mahmud told reporters at the foreign ministry here this afternoon. Penny Wong will also pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday afternoon. The Australian minister is likely to visit the Rohingya camp during her visit to see the situation there. Bangladesh and Australia have already signed a framework agreement to open newer trade and investment opportunities between the two countries. The two countries are scheduled to hold the 5th Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) in Australia next month, said an official. Replying to another query, foreign minister Hasan said Bangla deshi students are safe now in Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek following a mob incident there. He said there is no significant report of Bangladeshi students being injured or harmed there yet. Bangladesh ambassador stationed in Tashkent, Uzbekistan is scheduled to visit the campus in Bishkek in this evening and gather information about Bangladeshi students. The Bangladesh envoy will also discuss with the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry and relevant authorities to take appropriate measures, said the minister. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Country's economy is projected to grow at 5.82% in the current fiscal year (FY24) ending on June 30, according to a provisional estimation by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). This growth in gross domestic product is a slight increase from last fiscal year's 5.78% and aligns closely with the International Monetary Fund's forecast of 5.7% and the World Bank's 5.6%. Meanwhile, per capita income has risen slightly to $2,784 in the current fiscal year from $2,749 in the previous year, as per the estimate based on data from the first seven months of the current fiscal year (FY24). In the current budget, the growth rate was initially projected at 7.5%, which was later revised downward to 7%. Bangladesh's GDP at current prices stands at $459 billion, up from $452 billion in the previous fiscal. Sector-wise growth shows a decrease in agriculture and industry, but a slight rise in the services sector. The investment-to-GDP ratio remains steady at 30.98%, according to BBS data. In the agriculture sector , there is an estimated growth of 3.21% this fiscal year, down from 3.37% previous fiscal, marking a 0.16% decrease. The industry sector is estimated to grow by 6.66% this fiscal year, down from 8.37%, with a 1.71% decrease. The services sector is expected to grow by 5.80% this fiscal year, up from 5.37% previously, reflecting a 0.43% increase. In the current fiscal year, the investment-to-GDP ratio, domestic savings, and national savings stand at 30.98%, 27.61%, and 31.86%, respectively. Compared to the previous fiscal year, investment increased by 0.03%, domestic savings by 1.85%, and national savings by 1.91%. Private investment growth in the private sector was estimated at 23.5% this, compared to 24.18% previous year. Furthermore, the BBS estimated the consumption rate at 74.24% in FY24. It was 72.39% in the previous fiscal. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha