Clash of admission tests at five universities in three days

The new date for the postponed admission test of Science Unit under undergraduate programme for the 2025-26 academic session at Dhaka University (DU) has been fixed on 27 December (Saturday). However, admission tests of Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) and Jagannath University will be held in the morning on the same day. Admission tests of three more universities are scheduled on the previous and next day. As a result, admission aspirants are facing difficulties.

Students said the admission test for 'C' Unit under Faculty of Business Studies of Jagannath University will be held on 27 December. The test will be from 11 am to 12 noon. As it is not science-related, students will not face much problem. However, admission test for 'A' and 'B' Units of MIST will be held on that day. As it is science-related, students aspiring for DU Science Unit will face trouble.

According to them, many will not be able to participate in DU test in the afternoon after giving MIST test in the morning. Especially those whose DU test seats are outside Dhaka will have to give up hope for one university. Those who have afternoon shift in MIST Architecture will also have to skip one. Although university authorities have said they will give opportunity to take test in Dhaka itself.

On the previous day 26 December, tests for Faculty of Science and Life and Earth Science of Jagannath University will be held. On the same day, admission test of Bangladesh Aviation and Aerospace University. Students will participate in admission test for BSc in Aerospace Engineering (Aerospace), Avionics Engineering and Aviation, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (Aerospace), Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (Avionics) departments.

As both are tests for science students, students will have to participate in admission tests of four universities in two consecutive days. They will have to suffer intense trouble. Especially those whose seats fall in different divisional cities will face more hardship.

Besides, on the next day 28 December, admission test of IBA-JU of Jahangirnagar University will be held. Many science students will participate in this too. Alongside, business studies aspirants of JU will have to rush to different universities in two consecutive days for admission tests.

In a meeting held this afternoon on Saturday (20 December) at Dhaka University, the new date for Science Unit was fixed. Later, a notification in this regard was published at night. Professor Dr. Abdus Salam, Dean of Science Faculty, confirmed the matter to The Daily Campus. He said, ‘Science Unit admission test will be held on 27 December. The test will start at 3:30 pm on that day. A notification in this regard will be issued within tonight.’

Immediately after this, many including students and guardians have raised demand to postpone DU admission test. The matter is being discussed in Facebook groups run by university students. Many said they will formally inform the university.

Retired additional secretary Md. Mahbub Kabir Milan gave a Facebook post today Sunday (21 December) regarding this clash of admission tests. He wrote, ‘Science Faculty admission test of Dhaka University was yesterday morning. It was cancelled due to state mourning over Osman Hadi's death. It is heard decision is being taken to hold it on 27 December at 3:30 pm.’

On the same day that is 27 December at 11 am, MIST admission test schedule has been given earlier. Their test is 3 hours. Meaning till 1 pm. If Dhaka University Science Faculty admission test is decided on 27 December afternoon 3:30 pm, a massacre will descend among examinees.

Finishing test at Mirpur at 1 pm noon and coming to Dhaka University at 3:30 pm afternoon to give test again will become impossible for many. Children need mental preparation too. Taking two tests at two ends of the city on the same day is neither realistic nor acceptable.

Again, Dhaka University admission test will be held in other districts too. Then those who give MIST admission test in Dhaka, how will they go to other districts in afternoon to give DU test. He said, ‘Our children are not guinea pigs. So earnest request to Dhaka University administration, thinking of our children please do not take Science Faculty admission test on 27 December.’

However, Dhaka University has given a solution regarding test on 27th date. Coordinator of Science Unit admission test and Dean of Biological Science Faculty Professor Dr. Md. Enamul Haque told The Daily Campus, ‘We do not have much problem with other universities' tests. Only MIST test matter we had to keep in mind while working.’

He said, ‘We have given solution to this too. Those who have morning test in Dhaka, if anyone's test is in afternoon, they can give test in Dhaka itself. We have kept that option, the matter has been given on website too.’

As a tribute to brave July fighter Sharif Osman Hadi and all July fighters and martyrs who participated in the 2024 mass uprising, the admission test for the first year undergraduate programme of Science Unit for the 2025-2026 academic session of Dhaka University scheduled on Saturday (20 December) has been postponed.

Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, convener of Inqilab Moncho undergoing treatment in Singapore, died on Thursday night (18 December). Later that night, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in his address to the nation announced state mourning on Saturday (20 December) over Hadi's death. Considering the observance of mourning and the death of former student Hadi, the authorities took the decision deeming it inappropriate to hold the admission test.