Universities to Conduct Exams And Admission Tests Online

In the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic, all of the country's universities have been required to resume instructional programs including exams and admission online.

On Thursday, Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni asked all the respective authorities for this in a virtual meeting with the University Grants Commission (UGC) and vice-chancellors of public and private universities via video conference.

The minister of education also guided on ensuring online involvement of all students with all assistance from the ministry and UGC.

On Thursday's conference, the Ministry of Education and UGC took several clear decisions so that universities can manage their academic activities online, including exams and admissions.

The decisions were unanimously accepted by the VCs of public, private, and national universities without any criticism.

Among others, Deputy Minister Barrister Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury Nawfel, UGC Chairman Prof Kazi Shahidullah, Secretary of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Mahbub Hossain, Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Dr. Akhtaruzzaman, Vice-Chancellor of the National University, Harun-or-Rashid, President of Private University Association Sheikh Kabir Hossain, Vice-Chancellor of North-South University Prof Atiqul Islam, President of Bangladesh University Teachers Association Federation Prof ASMM Maksud Kamal attended the meeting held at 4:00 pm Thursday.

Decisions are as follows:

To ensure that students are busy with academic activities, all universities including NU must take initiatives to ensure and provide all the facilities required for online education.

Private universities will conduct online exams and admissions, and complete the semester. UGC will provide advice on this matter, to be released next week.

Thirdly, a student who failed to participate in classes online and thus failed to attempt the final exam this semester can do so in the next one. The university authorities must provide all support necessary to help such students to complete their academic life.

Public universities should take decisions according to their academic council rules and regulations so that effective steps are taken to reduce session jams.

Private universities can continue enrolling students via online admission tests for the upcoming academic session. However, UGC will provide a certain timeframe for admission and class routine for the new semester.

Lastly, university authorities can not create pressure or cancel studentship if students fail to pay tuition fees, especially if they are unable to pay. Rather, they must take steps and come to their aid by waiving fees.

Dipu Moni has also instructed all universities to pay salaries and to ensure that no teacher or employee is fired.

At the conference, UGC chairman Prof Kazi Shahidullah said it will take stern action if any university fires its workers UGC, being a regulatory agency. The following week UGC will take any decisions on this issue.