AI to Conduct Interviews for Institute Heads; Grooming and Body Language to be Evaluated

In a historic move to ensure transparency and meritocracy, the government is set to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) to conduct viva voce for the recruitment of heads and assistant heads of private schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical institutions. For the first time, candidates may face an AI character on screen, with evaluations extending beyond subject knowledge to include personal grooming—such as whether a candidate has combed their hair or polished their shoes.

The initiative follows recent high-level meetings involving the Ministry of Education, the Non-Government Teachers' Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), and American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB).

According to NTRCA and Ministry sources, the shift to AI-driven interviews is intended to eliminate political influence and traditional bias. If the proposal receives final approval, candidates will interact with AI characters across multiple monitors. Questions will either flash on the screen or be delivered via a sound system through pre-programmed algorithms.

Md. Aminul Islam, the outgoing Chairman of NTRCA, told The Daily Campus that a crucial meeting is scheduled for next Thursday (April 30) at the Ministry of Education to finalize the marking criteria. A live demonstration of the AI interview system will be presented during the session.

The AI system is expected to be remarkably sophisticated, utilizing cameras and sensors to record and analyze a candidate's every move. An official from the Ministry of Education, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the AI would assess dress codes, hand movements, and even minor details like hair grooming and shoe polishing.

Under the current plan, separate marks will be allocated for body language and presentation. For instance, two marks may be reserved for body movement and another two for overall appearance, including dress and hair. Subject-specific knowledge will also carry a weighted score, ensuring a holistic but objective evaluation. "Candidates will receive only the marks they truly earn based on their performance, with no scope for manual manipulation," the official added.

The technical framework for this project is being jointly developed by BUET and AIUB. Following the demonstration on April 30, the formal dates for the oral examinations will be announced. Additional Secretary (Private Secondary) of the Ministry, Md. Mizanur Rahman, noted that while the plans are in motion, they await final confirmation after the demo session.

This announcement follows the publication of MCQ results for the recruitment of institution heads last Wednesday. Out of over 48,000 participants, 14,942 candidates—approximately 31%—successfully passed the preliminary stage and are now awaiting this innovative viva process. The MCQ exams were held on April 18 across nine centers in the capital.