Second chance for university admission seekers

Every year, thousands of students from across Bangladesh join the battle to get admitted to the University of Dhaka for their undergraduate studies. On average, more than 50 students compete for each seat in the first-year admission test of DU. In this competitive environment, many students make momentary mistakes and fail to fulfil their dream. What is more unfortunate is that the university allows a student only once to sit for its admission test. Until 2015, DU used to allow HSC (Higher Secondary Certificate) and equivalent graduates from two years prior, creating opportunities for students to appear in the admission test for a second time.
At present, other universities in the country, except DU, allow second-time admission candidates to compete once more for a seat with the first-time candidates. It is in place in other countries, as well. In almost every country in the world, students have the opportunity to participate in the admission test for more than once. This creates an open environment for admission test. Sadly, DU does not offer this option. If medical colleges can allow students to sit for second-time entry test, then why won't our top university allow it?
There could be some students, who may miss the admission test due to their sickness. Is it not injustice to deprive them? If DU allows second-timers, first-time admission seekers will not be deprived as they will also be able to participate in the tests one more time. If this opportunity is allowed, DU will get more qualified students. If the DU administration wants, it 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.

Ashikujaman Syed,
Research Assistant,
Bioinformatics Research Lab,
Center for Research Innovation and Development (CRID),
syedashikujaman@yahoo.com