UGC appreciated for initiative to ensure quota for students with disabilities

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has received a letter of appreciation from the students with special needs group following its move to ensure the reserved seats for the students in universities.

Afia Kabir Anila, a student with disabilities at the North South University, in a letter to the UGC expressed her gratitude for taking such initiative so that students with special needs could avail a fair quota reservation during the enrolment process without facing any hassle; said a media statement of the country’s apex body for higher education on Sunday.

The UGC on November 3 asked all the universities to keep seat reserved or ensure quota for the students with disabilities at the higher educational institutions at a fair ratio in line with the relevant law of the country.   

Earlier in January, the Ministry of Social Welfare in a letter to the UGC chairman requested that steps be taken to educate and integrate people with disabilities into the mainstream.

Anila, in the letter to the UGC Chairman Prof Kazi Shahidullah, said: "The initiative of the UGC will help the students with disabilities to avail the opportunity to pursue higher education and will be able to lead a dignified life by integrating into the mainstream of society."

She also expressed gratitude for the “groundbreaking decisions in implementing the longstanding aspirations of students with disabilities, and relaxation of other regulations in line with the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2013."

On behalf of the students with special needs group, Anila met UGC Secretary Ferdous Zaman on Sunday.

Afia Kabir Anila is a third-semester law student at North South University. She, as a successful person with disability, received an award from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2019.

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