The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE University of Dhaka, once known as 'Oxford of the East' for its high standard of education, now appears to be a 'commercial concern' as it has earned rather a fabulous amount of Tk. 3.13 crore by selling only application forms to students seeking admission to first year honours courses for the academic session 2007-2008. According to a recent BSS official news agency report, a total of 125,013 forms were sold this year against 4,684 seats available at the university to be filled up by new entrants - that is, 26 students to compete for each seat on an average. The university earned Tk 40 lakh more this year by selling the admission forms than that of the previous year when it had sold forms worth over Tk 2.73 crore, the news report said quoting University sources.

As reported, students for this academic year bought 27,908 forms for admission to 20 departments under three faculties of Science, Biological Sciences and Pharmacy, grouped under 'Ka' Unit. Those seeking admission to 24 departments under the three faculties of Arts, Social Sciences and Law, bought 26,708 forms under 'Kha' Unit. For admission to eight departments under the Business Studies faculty under 'Ga' Unit, 25,122 forms were sold.

A total of 45,275 forms were sold in 'Gha' Unit under which the authorities facilitate migration between departments as well as faculties. The 'Ka' Unit admission test was held last month, that of 'Kha' Unit is due on January 11. The 'Ga' Unit admission test was held on November 30 and the 'Gha' Unit admission test is due on January 4. Apart from the university authority, the departments and the faculty concerned also often charge some fees to be paid by the admission seekers for maintenance and running of the department's seminar and laboratory, particularly for conducting practical science classes.

Situation in the newly set up private universities is different as it is very expensive to pursue studies in private varsities offering academic courses almost on the pattern of the universities in America and Europe where higher studies are also very costly. Though tuition fees in the public universities like the Dhaka University and the Jahangirnagar University are not that high as those of the private universities, the university authorities have gone for imposition of prices for admission forms without any rational explanation, as alleged by students and their guardians. Those who will have the privilege to get admitted will have consolation, but how the authorities would console those who would be dropped through selection tests. Toeing almost the same line the colleges and other institutions across the country affiliated by the National University also go for 'extra earnings' during the admission season. The parents are to bear the brunt of such money-making business in the educational institutions nowadays. Unusual lust of the corrupt section of the teachers of the universities and colleges is allegedly responsible for such commercial ventures.