The Ministry of Education has announced that a decision on the cluster-based admission system for public universities will be finalized after consulting all stakeholders.
During a meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday, chaired by Special Assistant Professor M Aminul Islam, vice-chancellors of cluster-affiliated universities shared their views on the benefits and challenges of the current system. The meeting emphasized creating a universally accepted admission process to address the concerns of students and parents.
The cluster-based system allows students to take a single admission test for multiple universities within a cluster, reducing financial strain and travel burdens. Presently, 24 general universities and one Science and Technology (GST) cluster use this system. Agricultural universities form another cluster, while Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, and Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology comprise an additional cluster.
The system was introduced to simplify admissions and minimize the financial and logistical challenges students faced when traveling to distant universities for separate tests.
Bangladesh currently has 55 public universities, 114 approved private universities, and 881 colleges under the National University offering undergraduate programs. Islamic Arabic University oversees madrasas, while Dhaka University-affiliated colleges and the Open University also contribute to higher education.
The meeting highlighted the need for a streamlined admission process that accommodates the evolving educational landscape. Discussions also considered the potential impacts of political changes on the system’s future.
The Ministry aims to ensure that the final decision benefits students nationwide while maintaining fairness and efficiency in university admissions. Further updates will follow as consultations progress.
