The New Nation - Internet Edition

Northern Varsity introduces communication engineering

DU Correspondent

Northern University of Bangladesh has launched a new department named Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) under the Faculty of Science with approval of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The authorities said students would obtain knowledge about 'Electronics, Information Technology and the Telecommunication' through the subject.

The subject was introduced considering the present job market of the country as well as demand of global job, they added.

Azizul Bari Helal visits Zia's mazar

DU Correspondent

Recently released Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) president Azizul Bari Helal yesterday visited the 'mazar' of late president Ziaur Rahman, also founder of BNP, and placed floral wreath on his memorial.

After visiting the 'mazar,' JCD president, who got released on bail on Thursday after 11 months languishing in jail for the allegation of breaking emergency rule, reiterate his demand of releasing BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and sending Tarique Rahman to abroad for better treatment.

'Tarique`s condition is critical. His need proper treatment otherwise any accident can occur anytime," Helal said accusing the government for this condition.

JCD general secretary Shafiul Bari Babu, organizing secretary Abdul Kader Bhuiyan Jewel, DU unit president Hasan Mamun, general secretary Saiful Islam Firoz and Mamunur Rashid Mamun, among others, accompanied its president during his visit.

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TAC passes a Barren week: Corrupts to start coming this week, hopes chairma

UNB, Dhaka

Though the Truth and Accountability Commission (TAC) passed a barren week after its birth, without dealing with a single case of clemency, its chairman Justice Habibur Rahman Khan hoped the corrupt would start coming to the newly formed commission from this week beginning today.

"I do hope people will start coming to the TAC from this week to take the advantage of clemency," the TAC chairman told UNB.

He also hoped that the Commission would start to receive cases from the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on serious crime and corruption, the Anti-Corruption Commission and the courts in the exoneration process.

Responding to a query, Justice Khan refused to admit that it was a setback for the Commission as not a single corrupt did come to make voluntary confession about his or her ill-gotten wealth in the first week of operation.

He reminded that two persons approached the TAC, but they were refused because their cases are pending with the ACC. The individuals have been asked to apply to the ACC for referring the cases to the TAC.

The TAC chairman said in the first week, all the official works, including printing forms and issuance of public notification, were completed to set the stage for the clemency parade.

About the reasons for clients shying away from approaching the Commission, he said people intending to take the advantage could not yet come to know whether there would be confidentiality and there be no chances of being insulted in public domain.

Replying to a question, he firmly reiterated that his Commission would see success in its assigned mission, which opened a window in the anti-corruption purge launched by the interim regime after last year's changeover in the corridors of power.

The TAC has fixed September 1 the deadline for voluntary disclosure of anybody's wealth amassed by corrupt means. Asked if the deadline would be extended, Justice Khan said, "I am not going to comment on that."

He, however, said, "Let people understand that they will have to come within this time."

The TAC chairman reaffirmed the privacy of those coming to take the advantage of the Commission would be guaranteed.

Asked for naming the names, he said they are in favour of not disclosing names so people feel encouraged to come to the Commission.

About ACC spokesperson Col Hanif Iqbal's remark that the anti-graft watchdog would extend all-out support to the TAC, Justice Khan said it's a positive development and through this the 'little misunderstanding' between two Commissions ended.

On August 4, ACC chairman Lt Gen (rtd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury said it would not be acceptable if the newborn Commission compromised on big corruption. In response, the TAC chairman said on August 6 that under the law the ACC is obligated to refer the cases to TAC if the concerned people apply.

The much-talked-about TAC was formed on July 30 with the appointment of Justice Khan as chairman and former Comptroller and Auditor General Asif Ali and retired major general Manjur Rashid Chowdhury as members.

The Commission started functioning on August 3 with the publication of the mass notification asking the corrupt to take the clemency in return for their ill-gotten money in order to avert getting caught onto the countrywide dragnet.

Bangladeshi trade fair in Greece in March 2009

Staff Reporter

The first ever-single country exposition of Bangladeshi goods in Greece will be held in March 2009 under the auspicious of Greek-Bangladeshi Commercial and Cultural Chamber and the Greece-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GBCCI).

Readymade garment, frozen food, tea, handicrafts, jute and jute goods, leather goods and other exportable items will be exhibited in the fair.

GBCCI said a nine-member delegation of the fair committee and media personnel will visit Greece from September 15 to 21 to sign an agreement with Rota Ltd, one of the largest Event Management Company in the country. At the same time the GBCCI delegation will be meeting with different trade groups to discuss various business issues.

GBCCI said there was no significant business relation between Greece and Bangladesh. Very few Bangladeshi goods, especially readymade garment, go to Greece through Germany. The fair aims at increasing trade between the two countries.

In the recent days Bangladesh's knitwear export to European market faces stiff competition due to the diversification in fashion. Experts believe that the growth of Bangladesh's knitwear export to European market is due to low price and GSP facilities.