Public univ admission: Issue ordinance to hold single entry exam

The Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) today recommended issuing as soon as possible an ordinance to hold a single admission test for all public universities from the 2023-2024 academic year.

A 15-member committee headed by UGC chairman, tasked with organising such a test for all public universities, took the decision during a meeting held today, according to a press release issued in this regard.

It said, the ordinance will prevail over the university acts regarding admission tests. It will be in effect until the National Testing Authority (NTA) is formed. The meeting also formed a committee led by a UGC member to draft the ordinance, the press release adds.

UGC Chairman (additional charge) Muhammad Alamgir at the meeting said that the president is the chancellor of all universities. The decision to hold a single entrance exam was taken for the public interest in accordance with his wishes.

So, all public university vice-chancellors and teachers must work with a positive attitude to implement it. Besides, there is no possibility of any university taking admission tests outside the chancellor's wishes or orders, he said.

Committee members at the meeting discussed various aspects of the single admission test and agreed that goodwill of the university authorities is essential for its implementation.

Education Minister Dipu Moni in April said that a single admission test would not harm the identity, uniqueness, and autonomy of any universities.