Folklore Students at Rajshahi University Go on Hunger Strike
Demand name change, formal recognition, and academic reform

A group of students from Rajshahi University’s Folklore Department have started a hunger strike, pressing for immediate action on three key demands. On Thursday morning, they gathered in front of the Syed Ismail Hossain Siraji Building, where the department is housed, to begin their protest.

Their primary demand is to change or update the department’s name. They believe the current name limits how others perceive the subject, both in academic settings and job markets. Alongside this, they want the University Grants Commission and the Public Service Commission to officially recognize the subject and assign it a code. Their third demand is simple but urgent: publish exam results and class schedules on time.

Holding signs and chanting slogans like “This moment calls for reform” and “We demand change now,” students expressed frustration at repeated delays. They said promises had been made in the past, but meaningful action never followed.

“Folklore isn’t just about old songs or stories,” said Al Shahriar Shubho, a student involved in the protest. “We study a wide range of topics—health, development, culture, and even information technology. But many people still think we’re learning about things with no practical use. That misunderstanding hurts us.”

Niloy De Sarkar, another student, added that although some teachers have shown support, the lack of a timeline is concerning. “They tell us to wait, but we need formal decisions, not just words,” he said.

The department chair, Professor Jahangir Hossain, confirmed that a sub-committee had been formed on May 20 to review the demands. “We’ve already met with the students and agreed in principle. But instant implementation isn’t always possible,” he said, expressing surprise that the protest continued.

Still, the students are standing firm. They say they won’t back down until they see real steps taken—and soon.

Four RU Students Awarded Erasmus Mundus Scholarships

Dreams turn into reality for four Material Science students

In a remarkable achievement, four students from Rajshahi University’s (RU) Department of Materials Science and Engineering have been awarded the prestigious Erasmus Mundus scholarship. They belong to the 2018-19 academic batch and are set to pursue fully funded master’s programs across Europe.

The recipients—Saiful Islam, Sujit Karmakar, Md. Rain Hasan Chowdhury, and Md. Mushfiqur Islam—each secured a place in separate Erasmus Mundus programs. Even if their paths diverged, they all had the same objective: to study and carry out research at prestigious universities. The “Manufacturing 4.0 by Intelligent and Sustainable Technologies (META 4.0)” initiative was chosen for Sujit Karmakar. Overcoming various social and financial hurdles, Sujit said he remained calm after receiving the news, taking time to absorb it all.

Saiful Islam will pursue “Membrane Engineering for Sustainable Development (Master MESD).” He believes the strong curriculum and hands-on training from his department and research experience in the Bio and Nanotechnology Lab played a vital role in his success. He also expressed gratitude to his teachers for their support, especially with recommendation letters.

Md. Mushfiqur Islam was accepted into the “Interdisciplinarity in Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion (I-MESC)” program. For his application, he had to submit a motivation video, which he believes gave him an edge over other candidates. Md. Rain Hasan Chowdhury was selected for “Nano Materials for Green and Digital Transition.”

Students participating in the Erasmus Mundus program are required to study in several European nations, giving them the opportunity to encounter various academic settings and cultures. They give their cgpa and credit of Department for equipping them with both theoretical and practical knowledge and capabilities.

They emphasized the importance of motivation letters in the application process, saying it required the most effort.

Though they studied the same subject, their future goals vary—from pursuing a PhD to becoming educators or contributing to global development. Rain Hasan sums it up best: “Materials scientists build the future. I want to be a small part of shaping that future.”

Their story is an example of how to be determined , keep patience, and focused effort can lead to extraordinary success.

46th BCS Exam Suspended; PSC Reform Commission Formed

Protest at Shahbagh Forces Government to Act

The 46th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) written exam has been suspended after strong protests by job seekers at Shahbagh, Dhaka. In response, the government has also formed a Public Service Commission (PSC) Reform Commission.

On Sunday evening, thousands of candidates gathered at Shahbagh Square to demand PSC reforms. Their protest blocked traffic in all directions and created huge public pressure.

Around 8:30 PM, adviser Asif Mahmud brokered a meeting between PSC member Zahurul Haque Bhuiyan and protest leaders. The discussion took place at the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association office. After hours of talks, officials agreed to suspend the 46th BCS exam, originally scheduled for May 8. They also agreed to form a reform commission led by energy adviser Fauzul Kabir Khan.

Later, Asif Mahmud visited the students who were on a hunger strike at the Raju Memorial Sculpture. He persuaded them to break their fast after confirming the exam suspension and the creation of the reform commission.

Earlier that day, protesters shouted slogans such as “PSC Reforms Now” and “Fulfill the July Promise.” They occupied key intersections to highlight their demands.

The job seekers listed eight demands. They want the 46th BCS written questions redone and the 44th BCS viva exams finished first. They also demand on-site answer script checking, an increase in the number of PSC members from 25 to 30, and early announcement of exam schedules. Additional demands include allowing candidates to change cadre preferences before and after viva exams, publishing all exam marks, and ensuring transparency in the recommendation and gazette process. They further urged reforms to the 2023 non-cadre rules and an increase in 44th BCS cadre posts.

Last week, several students from Dhaka University, BUET, Jagannath University, and Rajshahi University had started a hunger strike. Their protest was the driving force behind this major development.