Many HSC top scorers see slim chance of admission: DU VC for setting up public varsity in every old dist

The private universities that have sprung up in the city and elsewhere in the country in recent years are cashing in on seat crisis in public universities although there is a question about the standard of education they offer.
“Many brilliant students from low and middle-income families are unlikely to be able to get admitted to private universities in case of their failure to have admission to public universities,” said an educationist.
When contacted, Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique said they are trying to increase the number of seats for graduation courses under different departments, but they have limitations.
“Despite our sincerity, we can’t create proper scope for a significant number of good scorers for choosing their favorite subjects. We’re increasing the number of seat every year but that’s not enough compared to the success rate at the HSC level,” he said.
Prof Arefin said most of those who want to pursue higher education have to take admission to private universities for various reasons even though the quality of education in those universities is questionable.
He stressed the need for setting up at least one public university in every old district to ensure higher education for meritorious students.
A total of 4,42,389 students came out successful in this year’s HSC examination and of them 20,136 secured GPA-5 (Grade Point Average).
According to sources, some 2260 seats are available for the medical and engineering students while 25,000 for others in various public universities and medical colleges.
The colleges, affiliated with the National University, appear to be able to enroll 90,000 students in various courses now on offer.
Though majority of the students come from poor families, there is hardly any move from the state to help them materialize their dreams. “It’s necessary to increase the number of seats in public universities, medical colleges and other institutions as many deserving students cannot avail of the facilities of higher education simply for lack of accommodation,” said Kamal Ahmed whose daughter obtained GPA-5 in this year’s HSC examination.
“I’m happy with my results, but I’m worried whether I’ll be able to take admission to any university of my choice,” Shaoni Priom, a student of Rupnagar Model School and College, who secured GPA-5, told the UNB correspondent.
Prof Dr M Shamser Ali, Vice Chancellor of Southeast University, said education in private universities is a bit costlier, as they do not get any support from the government.
He, however, said their education expenses are much cheaper than many other countries.

Courtesy of UNB, Dhaka