Hike in Varsity Admission Test Fee Illogical: Dr Sirajul Islam

The proposal for hiking of admission test fee in Dhaka University is illogical, rather the cost should decrease. More budgetary allocation is needed to increase the number of seats in universities and colleges.a

Emeritus Professor Serajul Islam Chowdhury made the statements while addressing a debate as to the chief guest. The debate competition in a shadow parliament titled 'Standard in Varsity Admission' was organized by the ‘Debate for Democracy’ at FDC in Tejgaon of the capital on Saturday.

The dialogue was presided over by Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiran, Chairman of Debate for Democracy.

Prof Serajul Islam, a literary critic and social and political analyst, said ''Brief written examination is the best system for adjudging aptitude of the students in the university admission test. MCQ system cannot be accepted in any consideration.''

The chance of higher education will be limited unless the universities increase the number of seats, said the renowned academician.

He also stretched more budgetary allocation to facilitate higher education and exhilarate overall development.

''A university is not only an academic institution but also a social organization. So, elections to the students' union in the universities should be held every year as a part of democratic practice in educational institutions.''

Addressing the seminar, Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Kiran said the DU authority has decided to increase the admission test fee from Tk 450 to Tk 650. The decision should not be implemented considering the economic hardship of the people amid the coronavirus pandemic, he said.

''The universities in the developed countries do not rely on the admission tests. Rather, they focus on scores of IELTS, GRE, SAT and GMAT. Our universities also come forward to follow the noted universities of the developed countries, skipping the traditional system of our country,'' he said.