The smooth execution of the MBBS admission test for 2023-24 set for Friday will be a big challenge, Health Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen said on Thursday.
He was speaking at a press conference at the Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute in the morning.
The health minister said that currently there are 37 government medical colleges in Bangladesh, with 5,380 seats. Besides, there are 67 approved medical colleges at the private level, with 6,295 seats.
Mentioning that digitization measures have been taken to stop question loopholes, the health minister said: "To enhance transparency, prevent harassment and irregularities affecting students, and ensure the admission of meritorious candidates, digitization initiatives have been implemented in the admission process. Over the past few years, government medical colleges have successfully transitioned to online admission procedures, effectively curbing the issue of question paper leaks. The digitization efforts have facilitated the completion of the admission process through a transparent and secure system."
He said that earlier, digitization program was adopted in the admission process of private medical colleges in the academic year 2022-23 in order to prevent irregularities and stop collecting extra money from students.
With the start of online admission process through digitalization, harassment of students, irregularities and extra fees have been stopped and opportunities have been created to ensure admission of meritorious students. The issue has also been widely appreciated by the people. There is an electronic device in the question paper trunk, through which the movement of question papers from the office to the examination centre is monitored.
Guidance for students and officials in admission test
The gate of the halls will open at 8am on the day of the admission test. No candidate will be allowed to enter the hall after 9:30am on this day. Candidates will bring coloured print copy of admit card.
There will be separate screening of candidates (boys and girls) at the centre. Entry of students will be monitored through archways along with metal detectors so that candidates cannot enter with any electronic devices other than admit cards and ball point pens.
For candidates entering the examination centre at 8am, invigilators (room inspectors) will be present in the examination room from 8am onwards. They will facilitate entry into the examination room by verifying the candidate's face against the watermark and colour photo on the admit card. The officials in charge will be present at the centre to oversee and confirm this process.
It is strictly prohibited for candidates, invigilators, venue officials, and ministry or department officials to carry mobile phones, electronic devices, Bluetooth devices, earphones, etc. No one involved in tasks related to the admission test is allowed to bring a mobile phone into the examination hall.
Additionally, only individuals directly associated with the admission test are permitted to enter the admission test centre or venue.
Dr Samant Lal Sen said: "Medical admission coaching centres were shut down on January 10 through the assistance of the district administration using mobile courts. Additionally, law enforcement and intelligence agencies are actively working to curtail online coaching and prevent cybercrime. On the day of the examination, photocopy machines in the vicinity of the centres will also be closed. Strong legal action will be taken against individuals engaged in malpractice, cheating, or spreading rumours related to the examination."
19 examination centres
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College, Faridpur
Chittagong Medical College, Chittagong
Comilla Medical College, Comilla
Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka
Khulna Medical College, Khulna
M Abdur Rahim Medical College, Dinajpur
MAG Osmani Medical College, Sylhet
Mugda Medical College, Dhaka
Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh
Pabna Medical College, Pabna
Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshahi
Rangpur Medical College, Rangpur
Sher-e-Bangla Medical College, Barisal
Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, Dhaka
Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College, Kishoreganj
Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College, Bogra
Sheikh Sayera Khatun Medical College, Gopalganj
Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka
Dhaka Dental College, Dhaka