Dhaka University’s admissions procedure has begun, maintaining the quota structure: The admission procedure for the 2024-25 academic year at Dhaka University (DU) has begun, with the quota system in place. According to the announcement, students must select their quota preferences.
Dhaka University’s admissions procedure has begun, maintaining the quota structure. According to university sources, Dhaka University admissions would continue to reserve seats for certain quotas, as they have in prior years. These include 5% for the Freedom Fighter quota, 1% for the Ward/Dependent quota, 1% for the Indigenous/Minority Ethnic group quota, 1% for the Harijan and Dalit communities, and 1% for those with impairments (visual, speaking, hearing, physical, neuro-developmental problems, transgender people).
Furthermore, since last year, 60 students have been admitted using the Sports quota.
However, during a meeting of the university’s Academic Council, calls for quota reform were made, prompting the formation of a commission. However, disagreements and debates have begun because the quota system is still being used in the admissions process before the panel has finished its job.
Teachers and students have protested the start of the admissions process with the quota system retained, claiming that it violates the spirit of the July Revolution.
In this regard, Professor Dr. ABM Shafiqul Islam, Chairman of the Marketing Department, has sent a memo to the Vice-Chancellor.
In the memorandum, he added, “We all know that the July Revolution began with the fight to reform the quota system, and in the anti-discrimination battle, many students and citizens, including Abu Sayeed, gave their lives, and many more are currently receiving treatment. To honor their sacrifice, the university admissions process should not begin without quota reform. I request that the required procedures be done in this regard.
Meanwhile, a legal notification has been submitted to the university administration requesting that the quotas for Freedom Fighter grandchildren, dependents, and sports be removed from Dhaka University admissions. Barrister Solaiman Tushar, a Supreme Court lawyer, sent the warning via email on Tuesday.
According to the notice, all quotas must be eliminated within five days, with the exception of the following: (a) 5% for offspring of Freedom Fighters, Martyred Freedom Fighters, and Biranganas (war heroines); (b) 1% for Indigenous communities; and (c) 1% for people with physical disabilities and third-gender individuals. If no action is taken, legal actions, including a writ petition to the Supreme Court, would begin.
