UGC asks pvt varsities not to admit students with GED certificates

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked private universities not to admit students having the General Education Development (GED) certificate, which is said to be equivalent to the Higher School Certificate (HSC) or A-Level. UGC sources said such an embargo has been imposed because GED students complete a four-month course, which cannot offer the same kind of qualification that an HSC student acquires after two years.

Sources said the GED is a US degree and the certificates came from that country. At present, Students could go directly to private universities in Bangladesh by doing GED after SSC or O-Level exams, without having to pass HSC or A-Level exams. If a student fails in HSC or A-level exams, he/she can sit for GED. Students can easily take admission to BSc or BBA at private universities or study abroad with this certificate.

But now, the UGC has decided that private universities will not be allowed to admit students who have GED certificates after July 31, 2018.

The commission took the decision at a recent meeting and asked the authorities of all private universities to follow the instruction.

Some of the private universities that have been admitting GED certificate-holders are Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, Independent University, United International University, East West University, University of Liberal Arts, University of Asia Pacific, Manarat International University, Prime Asia, and International University of Business Agriculture and Technology.

Some of the private university sources said they have received the UGC letter and agreed not to admit GED students anymore.

A senior official of Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology said: “Earlier, the UGC allowed the GED certificate. Now, it has told us not to admit students having this certificate. We'll follow this directive.”

GED Core Bangladesh is an organisation that conducts GED courses for students. Shahed Hasan, chief executive officer of this organisation, said a student needs to complete four courses, which take four months to finish through online. “We take Tk. 20,000 for the whole course. It’s just like any adult education course for students to give them a second chance. If the UGC stops it, there will be no problem because students can pursue higher education abroad with this certificate,” he added.

UGC sources said the commission has taken the decision to ensure quality education.

UGC asks pvt varsities not to admit students with GED certificates

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked private universities not to admit students having the General Education Development (GED) certificate, which is said to be equivalent to the Higher School Certificate (HSC) or A-Level. UGC sources said such an embargo has been imposed because GED students complete a four-month course, which cannot offer the same kind of qualification that an HSC student acquires after two years. Sources said the GED is a US degree and the certificates came from that country. At present, Students could go directly to private universities in Bangladesh by doing GED after SSC or O-Level exams, without having to pass HSC or A-Level exams. If a student fails in HSC or A-level exams, he/she can sit for GED. Students can easily take admission to BSc or BBA at private universities or study abroad with this certificate. But now, the UGC has decided that private universities will not be allowed to admit students who have GED certificates after July 31, 2018. The commission took the decision at a recent meeting and asked the authorities of all private universities to follow the instruction. Some of the private universities that have been admitting GED certificate-holders are Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, Independent University, United International University, East West University, University of Liberal Arts, University of Asia Pacific, Manarat International University, Prime Asia, and International University of Business Agriculture and Technology. Some of the private university sources said they have received the UGC letter and agreed not to admit GED students anymore. A senior official of Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology said: Earlier, the UGC allowed the GED certificate. Now, it has told us not to admit students having this certificate. Well follow this directive. GED Core Bangladesh is an organisation that conducts GED courses for students. Shahed Hasan, chief executive officer of this organisation, said a student needs to complete four courses, which take four months to finish through online. We take Tk. 20,000 for the whole course. Its just like any adult education course for students to give them a second chance. If the UGC stops it, there will be no problem because students can pursue higher education abroad with this certificate, he added. UGC sources said the commission has taken the decision to ensure quality education.