Education Minister Dipu Moni on Friday said that the age barrier and time limit should be removed for admission to public universities in Bangladesh.
“People of any age have the right to study in the university if they can pass the admission test. No obstacle can be placed in education,” she said.
The minister made the remarks while speaking as chief guest at the golden jubilee celebration programme of Jahangirnagar University's Physics Department.
In her speech, she called upon all public universities to come under the cluster admission test system.
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“The admission test process in the cluster system has reduced the sufferings of everyone, including students and parents. Five or six universities in the country are not covered under the system. I hope they would join the cluster admission test system soon,” she said.
The education minister said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave autonomy to universities to promote free thinking.
“Bangabandhu knew that in order to retain the freedom we achieved, education and research sectors must be developed.
So, after independence, he focused on the development of educational institutions and universities,” she added.
Bangladesh is now in the rank of developing countries and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is the mastermind behind this, Dipu Moni said, adding, “By 2041, we will become a developed country.”
‘We need to make more progress in science education. Honourable Prime Minister is working to focus on science education. After coming to power in 1996, she approved 12 science and technology universities,” the minister added.
Addressing the programme, JU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Nurul Alam said that after he took charge, the first demand of the students of the university was to organise the convocation.
“I will organise the convocation very soon,” he declared.
Mentioning that during the Coronavirus pandemic, there was a temporary lull in the education system, he said, “We have started online education programmes in the university. It reduced session jams a lot. So, I thank the prime minister and the education minister for taking the necessary steps to conduct online activities.”
He mentioned that the prime minister has allotted Tk 1,445 crore for the development of Jahangirnagar University and several works have been implemented under this project.
“By the end of this month, we will inaugurate two newly constructed halls. This will reduce the seat crisis at dormitories. We have sent a letter to the Prime Minister for naming and inaugurating the newly constructed halls.”
The VC said the university accounts office, library and examination control office will come under automation by the end of this year.
“Besides, we have taken the initiative to launch a scholarship in the name of Bangabandhu to encourage research,” he added.
JU Pro-VC (Administration) Prof Sheikh Md Manzurul Huq, JU Mathematical and Physical Sciences faculty Dean Prof Dr Farid Ahmed, and Wazed Miah science research centre Director and prominent scientist Prof Dr A A Mamun were present as special guests, among others.
