TDS Desk:

Students have launched a long march towards the University Grants Commission (UGC) demanding the continuation of the cluster system for the entrance exams of 24 universities in the 2024-25 academic year.

On Sunday afternoon, when they arrived in front of the UGC, the authorities invited them for discussions.

However, the students refused the offer and called for their demands to be met instead.

Regarding the long march and the cluster admission system, UGC member Professor Dr Mohammad Anwar Hossain said: “Our role is to work for the welfare of the students. We will listen to what they have to say, and we will do whatever is necessary for their well-being. The UGC and our country belong to the common people, and we are working with their needs in mind.”

Earlier, the students gathered at the Agargaon Metro Station and marched to the UGC building with a protest procession.

Participating student Rahmat Ullah and other applicants stated that traveling to multiple universities is financially burdensome. With the cluster system, students can apply to all universities with a single payment. Without it, they would have to apply separately to each university, incurring excessive travel and application costs, which most students cannot afford.

Therefore, their demand is for all universities to participate in the cluster exam system, and they urged the UGC to ensure its continuation for all universities.

Reports indicate that some universities will not participate in the cluster system this year, but general and science and technology universities will take part in the cluster admission exams for undergraduate (honors) first year.

These exams are scheduled to begin on April 25 for the 2024-25 academic year.