505 empty seats expose DU admission planning failures

Dhaka University (DU) faces a mounting crisis as 505 seats remain vacant across 84 departments, exposing fundamental flaws in admission planning and academic alignment with market demands. 

Technical fields bear the heaviest burden, with Leather Engineering and Technology reporting nearly two-thirds of seats unfilled.

Science departments struggle most severely, with only 5.93% of candidates passing admission tests from 1,46,694 applicants. Applied Chemistry managed to fill merely 32 of 60 seats, whilst Electrical and Electronic Engineering secured 52 of 75 positions. 

Physics department filled 64 seats from 100 available, highlighting a stark mismatch between student capabilities and departmental requirements.

"Students are failing to meet science programme requirements," explained Professor Dr Mohammad Moninoor Rashid from the Institute of Education and Research. 

"High GPAs alone don't suffice; students must meet departmental criteria. We're overmarking at school levels, which explains why 90% fail DU's tests."

Language programmes face declining interest, with Urdu recording 35 vacant seats, Persian 21, Sanskrit 37 and Pali 22. These departments experienced 61 unfilled positions last year and 129 in 2022-23, demonstrating a consistent downward trend. 

Sumaiya Afrin enrolled in Persian Literature but withdrew due to family concerns about career prospects, eventually securing admission to English at Rajshahi University.

Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology filled only 53 of 150 seats, despite strong alumni performance and job market prospects. 

"Perhaps today's generation is less inclined toward industrial careers," noted Professor Dr Mohammad Kamruzzaman, the institute's director.

Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed acknowledged the persistent challenge: "Despite all efforts, some seats always remain vacant." 

Experts argue DU must conduct comprehensive research to determine workforce requirements and institutional capacity, ensuring evidence-based planning aligns programmes with national goals whilst maintaining educational quality.

NRE/NSA