UGC wants cluster admission system for private universities

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UNB :
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has recommended private universities adopt a cluster admission test system similar to the centralized entry exam hosted by public universities to mitigate the sufferings of examinees.
In its 47th annual report to the government, the UGC suggested formulating a policy to introduce a unified test for students vying for a seat at the private universities in Dhaka.
A delegation, led by UGC Chairman Professor Kazi Shahidullah,
 presented the report to President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban on Sunday.
Maria Akter, an admission seeker, said that she plans to study at a private university if she fails to get into a public one. She explained that going to every private university and sit for separate entry tests would be a waste of time and money.
“The cluster system will help me find a private university easily. It’ll save me a lot of hassle,” she said.
Admission seekers as well as their guardians welcomed the UGC recommendation.
Rabbil Bhuiyan from Rangpur, whose daughter is an admission seeker, said that it is a matter of relief for people like them.
“It’ll be really helpful if the recommendation is executed,” he said.
“I’m not in a position to roam around the city going from one university to another for my daughter’s admission nor can I leave my daughter on her own in the city since it’s not safe.
“I hope the authorities concerned will consider the issue very seriously,” he said.
Chairman of the Association of Private University of Bangladesh (APUB) Sheikh Kabir Hossain said that this will be a very welcoming initiative for the private universities, if it works properly.
“We haven’t been formally informed about this. But it’s a positive approach from UGC. It’ll help all universities to get students proportionately. Students can also admit themselves considering the standard of the universities,” he said.
Hossain hoped the UGC would sit with them to set the forms and formalities of the cluster system before introducing it.
“It’ll be fruitful if most of the universities participate in the system. The UGC will have to come up with an acceptable formula,” he added.
UGC Chairman Prof Shahidullah said that the 47th annual report made some recommendations on the current situation, problems and solutions at public and private universities.
The introduction of cluster system in private is one of them, he noted.

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