Uniform entry test for 7 agri varsities likely in Oct

Following an agreement in principle to hold admission tests under a cluster system in seven agricultural universities, sources said the candidates would have to sit for a 100-mark exam on the multiple choice question (MCQ) pattern. Sources in the University Grants Commission (UGC) and universities said they would issue a circular in this regard on September 10 through an advertisement in newspapers and on a common website. The exam would be held in October.

The MCQ test would include 10 marks for English, 15 marks for zoology, 15 marks for botany, 20 marks for physics, 20 marks for chemistry and 20 marks for mathematics.

If a student commits a mistake while answering a question, 0.25 marks would be deducted, the sources said.

Besides, the results of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations would also be counted while preparing the merit list.

A total of 100 marks would be assigned for SSC and HSC and equivalent results. This would comprise 40 marks from SSC and 60 marks from HSC results.

The sources, however, added that such examinations may be held on the basis of short questions in future.

Also, the existing quotas of the individual universities would also be followed with a benchmark while preparing the merit and waiting lists.

UGC sources said they came to these decisions after a meeting on July 29. The vice-chancellors of the seven agri

cultural universities, an additional secretary of the education ministry and a UGC member were present in the meeting.

The seven agricultural universities that will hold the common admission test are Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), Sylhet Agricultural University, Khulna Agricultural University, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University and Patuakhali Science and Technology University.

The director of the public university management division, Md. Kamal Hossain, told The Independent: “The seven universities have agreed in principle to hold the admission test under a cluster system to reduce hassles for students and guardians during admission test.”

“Several decisions were taken at the fourth meeting of these universities on July 29. We have prepared the draft of the circular. We hope it would be published on September 10,” he added.

Hossain also said the application would be online in order to reduce the suffering of students and guardians.

UGC sources said another meeting of the seven universities at BAU, Mymensingh was likely to be held on August 20 to deliberate on some other issues pertaining to the admission process.

Sources said though Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) wanted to join the uniform system of admission, it could not do so because of many dissimilar subjects with the other universities.

Sources said only five subjects under HSTU have similarities with the others, while 18 other departments are different.

The holding of the cluster system of admission test was an overdue issue. The system was proposed in 2008. Since then, several committees and meetings have been held in this regard, but no headway could be made for various complexities, including it would cut the income the universities earn by selling admission forms.

Finally, the seven agricultural universities agreed to launch the cluster system of admission test for the first time. This year BAU would lead the whole examination process. It would go on a rotation from next year.

On the other hand, the general universities and other science and technology universities have still failed to arrange for such a common admission test despite many attempts.

However, the vice-chancellors of these universities recently agreed that they would hold a cluster system of admission test from next year.

As per the UGC annual report 2017, Bangladesh Agricultural University has 1,200 seats, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University has 310 seats, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University has 588 seats, Sylhet Agricultural University has 405 seats, Khulna Agricultural University has 150 seats, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University has 245 seats and Patuakhali Science and Technology University has 846 seats.

Uniform entry test for 7 agri varsities likely in Oct

Following an agreement in principle to hold admission tests under a cluster system in seven agricultural universities, sources said the candidates would have to sit for a 100-mark exam on the multiple choice question (MCQ) pattern. Sources in the University Grants Commission (UGC) and universities said they would issue a circular in this regard on September 10 through an advertisement in newspapers and on a common website. The exam would be held in October. The MCQ test would include 10 marks for English, 15 marks for zoology, 15 marks for botany, 20 marks for physics, 20 marks for chemistry and 20 marks for mathematics. If a student commits a mistake while answering a question, 0.25 marks would be deducted, the sources said. Besides, the results of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations would also be counted while preparing the merit list. A total of 100 marks would be assigned for SSC and HSC and equivalent results. This would comprise 40 marks from SSC and 60 marks from HSC results. The sources, however, added that such examinations may be held on the basis of short questions in future. Also, the existing quotas of the individual universities would also be followed with a benchmark while preparing the merit and waiting lists. UGC sources said they came to these decisions after a meeting on July 29. The vice-chancellors of the seven agri cultural universities, an additional secretary of the education ministry and a UGC member were present in the meeting. The seven agricultural universities that will hold the common admission test are Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), Sylhet Agricultural University, Khulna Agricultural University, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University and Patuakhali Science and Technology University. The director of the public university management division, Md. Kamal Hossain, told The Independent: The seven universities have agreed in principle to hold the admission test under a cluster system to reduce hassles for students and guardians during admission test. Several decisions were taken at the fourth meeting of these universities on July 29. We have prepared the draft of the circular. We hope it would be published on September 10, he added. Hossain also said the application would be online in order to reduce the suffering of students and guardians. UGC sources said another meeting of the seven universities at BAU, Mymensingh was likely to be held on August 20 to deliberate on some other issues pertaining to the admission process. Sources said though Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) wanted to join the uniform system of admission, it could not do so because of many dissimilar subjects with the other universities. Sources said only five subjects under HSTU have similarities with the others, while 18 other departments are different. The holding of the cluster system of admission test was an overdue issue. The system was proposed in 2008. Since then, several committees and meetings have been held in this regard, but no headway could be made for various complexities, including it would cut the income the universities earn by selling admission forms. Finally, the seven agricultural universities agreed to launch the cluster system of admission test for the first time. This year BAU would lead the whole examination process. It would go on a rotation from next year. On the other hand, the general universities and other science and technology universities have still failed to arrange for such a common admission test despite many attempts. However, the vice-chancellors of these universities recently agreed that they would hold a cluster system of admission test from next year. As per the UGC annual report 2017, Bangladesh Agricultural University has 1,200 seats, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University has 310 seats, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University has 588 seats, Sylhet Agricultural University has 405 seats, Khulna Agricultural University has 150 seats, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University has 245 seats and Patuakhali Science and Technology University has 846 seats.