JU students demand reform of quota system in university admission

Students at Jahangirnagar University (JU) organised a human chain on Sunday to press for four key demands, including the abolition of the vice-chancellor's quota.

Under the banner of "Gono Obhyutthan Rakkha Andolon," the protest took place at 11:30 am in front of the university's new administrative building.

The demands included scrapping the VC quota, rationally reforming the pet quotas allocated for officials, employees, and teachers, introducing a single question paper for admission tests, and lowering the additional application fees imposed during the admission process.

Abdur Rashid Jitu, a student of the Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture, said, "We have been protesting against various quota systems for a long time, which perpetuate discrimination. It is shameful to still stand in front of the registrar's building demanding their removal, even after widespread movements against such systems."

Jahidul Islam, a student of the Department of Government and Politics, said, "Quota reform is a demand of the entire student community. The administration’s silence feels like a betrayal, and we urge them to issue a notification accepting our demands immediately."

Ziauddin Ayan, a student of the same department, said, "Jahangirnagar is the only autonomous university with a VC quota, admitting 20 students yearly. About 300 students are admitted through quotas with minimal qualifications, depriving deserving candidates. We demand reforms and the abolition of the VC quota."

In the 2023-24 academic year, 11 per cent of the total admissions at JU were granted through various quotas. Despite many candidates with scores of 50-60 missing out on admission, others secured spots in prominent departments with minimal marks through the pet and vice-chancellor quotas, which have no seat limits, allowing all passing candidates to gain admission.

Out of 2,117 students admitted, 224 were enrolled through quotas, including 101 under the freedom fighter quota, 53 under the pet quota, 30 under the ethnic group quota, and 20 under the vice-chancellor quota. Additionally, 7 boys and 7 girls were admitted under the differently-abled quota, and 6 boys were admitted through the sportsperson quota.

On December 5th, it was reported that the quota for the grandchildren of freedom fighters would not be included in this year's admission process, following a decision made by the Central Admission Management Committee, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor. However, no progress was made regarding the VC quota and pet quotas for the relatives of university employees, officials, and faculty members, despite student protests for rational reform of all quotas.

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