MOHIUDDIN ALAMGIR and ARAFAT RAHAMAN

From the next academic year, all public universities have to enrol students through a single admission test and the government will set up a separate authority to hold that exam.

The education ministry and the University Grants Commission said such a centralised test will reduce the hassle of admission seekers and cut both time and cost.

The schedule of the entry test will be declared immediately after the completion of the HSC exams and all public universities will start classes at the same time, officials said.

The UGC at its office yesterday held a meeting on forming a separate body titled “National Testing Authority”. The meeting was attended by Education Minister Dipu Moni as the chief guest.

It was decided that a high-powered committee under the leadership of UGC Chairman Prof Kazi Shahidullah will soon be formed to work out how to initiate an acceptable admission process, UGC member Prof Muhammed Alamgir told this newspaper.

He also said the committee will comprise representatives from all public universities.

Dipu Moni, while talking to reporters after the meeting, said the decision of a single entrance test has been taken in the interest of students and parents.