DU yet to resolve student’s int'l admission payment issue

Dhaka University (DU) has not taken any formal action regarding a payment request sent to a Swedish admissions authority; a demand that ultimately cost a graduate her opportunity to study in Europe.

Zinnia Tasnim, a graduate of Food and Nutrition Department, had her applications to Swedish universities rejected after the Swedish central admissions authority refused to pay the verification fee that Dhaka University required. 

The authority explicitly stated that it does not cover such verification costs.

DU’s acting registrar, Munshi Shams Uddin Ahmed, told The Daily Observer on Saturday that he would investigate the matter on Sunday. 

He noted that verification and transcript charges are set by the Syndicate and have been in place for years.

“Our academic section, Shikkha-1, and the transcript section of Exam Controller’s Office handle these matters separately,” Shams Uddin said. “I need to see which office sent the letter and how the language was framed. I will look into it tomorrow.”

Pro-VC (Administration) Prof. Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha did not respond to queries on Saturday. 

She had previously acknowledged that service charges exist but noted that the university is working to simplify processes for students.

Zinnia’s ordeal began weeks earlier. After paying Tk 2,800 as an emergency fee for her transcript on December 22, she faced multiple delays. Staff unavailability and uncooperative behaviour forced her to wait from morning until evening. Attestation fees added to her expenses.

“I was never informed about this requirement,” Zinnia said. “I did everything correctly. But in the end, it all went to waste�"not because of my qualifications, but because of the system.”

While the acting registrar said he would review the matter on Sunday, no deadline for formal action has been set.

NRE/SH