After Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and Chattogram University, the Dhaka University and Rajshahi University authorities on Monday ruled out the holding of uniform admission test proposed by University Grants Commission. The DU Academic Council decided that the university will continue to enroll students through its own method of admission tests. The DU authorities said they would not participate in the uniform admission system to protect its “uniqueness”. However, in the years the admission process has become painful for admission seekers as they have to participate in all the tests in the public universities across the country that is arranged haphazardly. DU VC Prof Akhtaruzzaman said that the uniform admission test can pose risks of question paper leaks, and it would be difficult to ensure standard of students in the uniform test. But what’s true is that, the uniform admission test will save the students from travelling to different parts of the country, which takes its toll on them, physically, emotionally and financially as well.
Academicians and education experts have long been demanding a uniform test but to no avail. What’s interesting is that the four universities — Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram and Jahangirnagar — are showing apparent support to the 1973 University Act. And so, the BUET have also not agreed to the UGC proposal. We think the excuse the universities have showed for not accepting the UGC call is not convincing at all. Question paper leakage, scams in admission tests, illegal admission into the universities are widely known to us. On the other hand, the quality of education of the four is far below the regional standard. All of them have failed to stay in the list of Global 1000 universities. May we ask — what is the point of this snobbish attitude?
The main constraint for not holding a uniform test might be fear of losing chance of making more money. The universities earn millions thanks from these admission tests and it becomes a big business from where everyone gets their share.
