UGC Meeting with University VCs Begins on Clustered Admission Test

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has convened a meeting with vice-chancellors of universities to discuss the clustered admission test system. The meeting began today, Thursday (23 October), at 11:30 AM in the conference room of the UGC building in Agargaon, the capital. The agenda includes discussions on the 2025-26 academic year.

UGC Member (responsible for public universities) Professor Dr. Tanjim Uddin Khan, Secretary Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam, and vice-chancellors of universities under the clustered system are attending the meeting.

The UGC is holding a meeting with vice-chancellors of universities on Thursday (23 October) regarding the clustered admission test. The meeting is taking place at the UGC headquarters in the capital. Discussions on the 2025-26 academic year are on the agenda, though it is unlikely that the exam date will be finalized today.

Three vice-chancellors have informed that for the 2025-26 academic year, several more universities may join the process in addition to the 19 from the previous year. The admission activities for the 2024-25 academic year have already concluded, with classes and exams underway in the universities. As a result, the few remaining vacant seats cannot be filled. The meeting has primarily been called to formally conclude this process.

The same meeting also has on the agenda discussions on the admission process for the 2025-26 academic year. While preliminary dates for the admission test may be discussed, it is unlikely to be finalized. The meeting may form the admission committee for the 2025-26 academic year, which will then hold its own meeting to finalize the exam date.

Stakeholders believe that holding the exam before the national election in February, as announced by the interim government, and ahead of Ramadan would be challenging. In that case, the admission test is more likely to take place in March-April after the election and Ramadan.

Sources said that 19 universities were involved in the clustered admission process last year. Several universities that have received approval for new programmes will join this process this time. The UGC and Education Ministry expect that five higher education institutions that previously left the cluster will rejoin. Multiple universities are expected to participate in the clustered process this time.

Confirming the meeting with vice-chancellors on Thursday, Vice-Chancellor of Maulana Bhasani Science and Technology University (MBSTU) Professor Dr. Md. Anowerul Azim Akhond said on Wednesday (22 October), "The meeting has been called regarding the 2024-25 academic year. Discussions on admissions for the 2025-26 academic year will also take place."

He added that whether the admission test can be held before February will be discussed and decided. "Several universities have already announced their dates. The clustered admission test date will be set considering that there is no clash. Since the election date has not been announced, it is not possible to say when the test can be held without discussions."