Uncertainty over university admission process

The coronavirus crisis is causing a knock-on effect on the university admission process. Thousands of other Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinees have been given automatic promotion this year but most of them are facing uncertainty over whether the universities would take enrollment test online or offline, or whether it will be written tests or multiple choice questions (MCQs).

Education minister Dipu Moni has recently said that the government is planning to announce the final results of the HSC exams by December so that the university admission process can start in January, 2021. So, admission seekers have more or less two months in hand to get ready for the test. But how can they take preparations if they don't know the process and syllabus?

The Association of Universities of Bangladesh (AUB) has decided to hold university admission tests for the academic year 2020-21 following the cancellation of HSC and equivalent examinations this year. Many vice chancellors want to take the admission tests online while the University Grants Commission (UGC) has proposed introducing written examinations along with the existing MCQ in the admission tests.

However, no decision has been taken to consider the SSC and HSC marks in the university enrolment test. The admission seekers are in confusion whereas time is running out for them. We hope the issue would be resolve with clarity and fairness for all.

Abrar Khan

University admission seeker

Jatrabari, Dhaka