Life is all about second chances. If one makes a mistake, one should get at least another chance to come back and fulfil one's dream. But when it comes to university admission in Bangladesh, there is hardly any room for admission aspirants to make a mistake. They can apply and sit for the undergrad admission test only once at the University of Dhaka (DU), University of Chittagong (CU) and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). Except DU, CU and BUET, other universities give first-year admission seekers another opportunity to sit for the entry test. However, five marks are deducted from second-time candidates for medical college admission.
Admission in a prestigious public university like DU or BUET is one of the most desired but difficult challenges for any student. Every year, more than 50 admission seekers compete for each seat at the DU admission test. It is a dream university for most of our HSC (Higher Secondary Certificate) passed students. However, the university allows a student only once to sit for its admission tests. CU, BUET and other public engineering universities follow the same path. Despite giving their cent per cent effort, many admission aspirants fail to secure a seat in their desired university. This failure may cause many of them to suffer deep mental depression and even to suicidal tendencies. In a system where one mistake makes or breaks a student's entire future, it appears almost too cruel to take away the option to even try again.
In almost every country in the world, students have the opportunity to participate in the admission test for more than once. Unsuccessful applicants who reapply at Oxford or Cambridge University are often found successful in their second attempt and even secure first class degrees from these top-ranked universities. This creates an open environment for admission tests. Sadly, our top universities do not have this option. If medical colleges can allow students to sit for second-time entry test, then why won't DU, CU and BUET allow it? There could be some students, who may miss the admission test due to sickness or family problems. There could be students who had an accident or misfortune on the day of the examination. Isn't it injustice to deprive them of an opportunity to appear in admission tests? If DU allows second-timers, first-time admission seekers will not be deprived as they will also be able to participate in the tests once more. As a result, these universities will get more qualified students. If the university authorities want, they can deduct some marks from the total number of second-timer candidates. But they should be given another chance for taking part in the admission tests.
At present, every university in the country allows second-time admission seekers to compete with the first-time candidates. But DU, CU and BUET are exception. How could University Grants Commission (UGC) allow two systems of admission procedures in public universities? There should be a guideline for public university admission tests allowing admission seekers a second chance. And this provision should be available in all the universities.
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