Cluster entry test of universities likely to be postponed

Cluster admission tests of 20 general and science and technology universities, scheduled to start from June 19, are to be delayed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic situation. The new possible dates will be set in the next meeting of the admission test organizing committee.

It has been confirmed by Prof Farid Uddin, the joint convener of the bunch admission test organizing committee and Vice-Chancellor of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.

He said, “There is no way but to postpone the admission tests as the pandemic situation has not improved. Moreover, the primary application has not been completed yet. The time limit for application is likely to be extended to 10 more days after the ongoing restriction ends.”

Prof Farid Uddin further said, “Even if there are restrictions till June 16, it will take till June 26 to make an initial application. Then comes the final application and it will take a while to do all these. Therefore, it is unknown at this period what to do regarding the dates. However, it may be decided at the next meeting.”

This is for the first time, 20 general and science and technology universities are going to take admission tests on cluster basis. In the last academic year, seven agricultural universities and agricultural-oriented universities started admission tests on cluster basis.

The admission tests will be organized in three steps and 23,104 students will get admission in these 20 universities. There will be separate test for each of the students from science, humanities and business education.

So far it has been decided that the admission tests will be conducted in these universities in person, and not online. It was decided to take admission tests on cluster basis to reduce the suffering and financial cost of the students.

The universities are: Islamic University, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Khulna University, Haji Mohammad Danesh University of Science and Technology, Maulana Bhasani University of Science and Technology, Noakhali University of Science and Technology, Jagannath University, Cumilla University, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Jessore University of Science and Technology, Patuakhali University of Science and Technology, Begum Rokeya University, Pabna University of Science and Technology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman University of Science and Technology, Barisal University, Rangamati University of Science and Technology, Rabindra University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Digital University, Sheikh Hasina University and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib University of Science and Technology.