DU admission-seekers demand reinstatement of previous GPA system

A group of students seeking admission under the 2020-21 academic session have staged a demonstration demanding reinstatement of the previous Grade Point Average (GPA) system for Dhaka University's intake test.

They came up with their demand on Monday from a protest rally at the TSC area of the university campus under the banner of "General students under 2020-21 academic session."

They gave a 48-hour ultimatum to reinstate the previous GPA system. Otherwise, they warned to go for tougher movements like hunger strike, reports UNB.

This year, DU authorities have decided to increase the combined required GPA for this year only to sit for the entrance test.

Students applying from the science group are required to have a minimum SSC and HSC combined GPA of 8.5 this year. Applicants from the arts and business studies groups require a combined GPA of 8, while those applying for fine arts will need 7.

Previously, DU used to allow students from science faculty with a minimum SSC and HSC combined GPA of 8 while applicants from Business Studies and Arts faculties with a combined GPA of 7.5 and 7 respectively.

Due to auto pass this year, a total of 1,61,807 students got GPA 5 in Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent results for 2020.

Later, protesting admission seekers approached the vice-chancellor and proctor of DU for placing a memorandum in this regard but they failed to meet any of them.

Abu Huraira Tanjim, a student from Govt Tolaram College Narayanganj who joined the protest, said: "The decision of reshuffling GPA system is completely inhumane. We are already done with our preparations. The university administration should inform us about this change at least six months earlier."