The University Grants Commission (UGC) is holding a meeting today with vice-chancellors of universities regarding the cluster admission test process.
The meeting will take place on Thursday (October 23) at the UGC office in the capital.
Meanwhile, sources say that in addition to the 19 universities that participated in the 2024-25 academic year’s cluster admission, several more universities may join this process for the 2025-26 academic year.
According to UGC sources, the admission process for the 2024-25 academic year has already been completed, and university classes and exams have started. Therefore, the few remaining vacant seats cannot be filled. The meeting is primarily called to formally conclude this process.
The meeting will also discuss the admission process for the 2025-26 academic year. Preliminary dates for the admission tests may be set. However, concerned officials believe that conducting the tests before the February national elections and the holy month of Ramadan will be difficult. In that case, the admission tests are likely to be held around March-April, after the elections and Ramadan.
Officials say that last year, 19 universities participated in the cluster admission process. Several newly authorized universities to offer courses are expected to join this process this year. The UGC and the Ministry of Education hope that five higher education institutions that had previously left the cluster system will rejoin this time. Several universities are expected to participate in the cluster process this year.
When asked, Professor Dr. Md. Anwarul Azim Akhand, Vice-Chancellor of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University (MBSTU) and head of the GST Cluster Admission Committee, said that the meeting is called regarding the 2024-25 academic year, but the admission process for the 2025-26 academic year will also be discussed.
He added that it will be decided after discussion whether it will be possible to hold admission tests before February. Some universities have already announced dates. To avoid clashes with other universities, the cluster admission test dates will be finalized accordingly. Since the election date has not yet been announced, it is not possible to say when the tests can be held without further discussion.