After an unprecedented delay of 17 years, Dhaka University (DU) has released the results of the final exams of the Master of Social Sciences (MSS) for three students from the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies.
Last year, on 11 December, the long-overdue results were released following approval from Vice-Chancellor Niaz Ahmad Khan. Acting on the Vice-Chancellor's directive, the Controller of Examina-tions issued instructions on 10 December to expedite the release, finally bringing closure to the students' prolonged wait.
The published results revealed that Tarnima Warda Andalib secured 2nd position, Md Musabbir Fahd Riazi came in 8th, and Liton Roy ranked 18th in the exams.
The saga began in 2008 when the students sat for the MSS final-2006 exams held on 20 September. Not meeting the scheduled 60 per cent attendance as students, a special permit was granted by the Chairperson of Departments to sit for the exam subject to the payment of non-collegiate fees. However, the results were withheld by the Controller of Examinations on the grounds that approval by the Dean's Committee was required due to the attendance matter.
According to university policy, students with less than 60 per cent attendance could participate in exams if approved by the Dean's Committee, subject to a fine of BDT 3,000. This matter was presented to the committee on 18 January 2009, but instead of deciding on the results, the committee initiated an investigation into how the students had been permitted to sit for the exams.
The investigative committee, comprising senior university officials, sought permission in April 2009 to convene a meeting, which was eventually scheduled seven months later in November. However, no resolution was reached, and subsequent meetings were repeatedly delayed. No final report from the investigation was ever submitted, further prolonging the students' plight.
Over the years, the students regularly pleaded with university authorities to release the results that had been withheld based on departmental requests and multiple letters. The whole setup led to years of inertia and frustration despite efforts to overcome bureaucratic obstacles and interference by senior officials.
