DU holidays declared over quake fallout: What authorities say on admission tests

Dhaka University (DU) has been closed for 15 days due to the emergency situation following the recent earthquake and aftershocks. This period includes scheduled admission tests for the IBA, Business Education and Fine Arts units under the 2025-26 undergraduate programme. With the university shutdown, many are wondering if the exams will proceed as planned.

The university authorities have allayed fears over the three units' admission tests. The exams will be held according to the pre-determined schedule, they confirmed. An emergency Syndicate and Syndicate Management Team (SMT) meeting on Saturday (22 November) suspended all academic activities and exams from 23 November to 6 December 2025 to repair abandoned and risky halls.

As per the admission committee's decision on 13 October, the IBA Unit test is scheduled for 28 November (Friday), Fine Arts Unit (General Knowledge and Drawing) on 29 November, and Business Education Unit on 6 December.

When asked if the admission tests would be postponed, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Business Education Prof Dr Mohammad Osman Imam told The Daily Campus: "Only internal classes and exams at the university have been suspended. Students residing in halls have been directed to vacate. No changes have been made regarding admission tests."

He added: "Since the exams will be held in different divisional cities and the number of candidates in these units is low, it is not advisable to alter the schedule. The administration has not decided to postpone admission tests. Therefore, they will be conducted as scheduled."

Prof Dr Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, echoed similar sentiments. He told The Daily Campus: "No decision was taken in the meeting to postpone admission tests. The university has been closed only for inspection and repair of the halls. Admission tests will proceed according to the scheduled dates."