Freshers of the 2023-24 academic year from universities under the GST (General, Science and Technology) cluster have demanded that the final admission date be set by September 22 and classes begin no later than October 1.
The students voiced their demands during a human chain program held in front of the Jagannath University administrative building on Sunday.
Students from other GST-affiliated universities also joined the protest.
They pointed out that universities like Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, and several others have already started classes, but the 24 universities under the GST cluster have yet to begin theirs.
The students warned that they would launch a stricter movement if classes did not commence by the beginning of October.
Mohibur Rahman Akib, a student of the Law Department, said: “We were supposed to start classes on August 1, but that didn’t happen. Now, with the current political situation, there seems to be no progress. We have two demands — final admission should be completed by September 22, and classes at all GST universities must start by October 1. Otherwise, students will be forced to take to the streets to secure their future.”
A parent present at the human chain echoed these sentiments: “I speak on behalf of all the students — classes must start immediately after the final admission process. Many students have already lost two years of their lives preparing for the exams. We urge the authorities to take action and begin classes without further delay.”
Other speakers at the human chain included students from various departments, including Rahima Sultana from the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of Jagannath University, and Khairul Islam from the Law Department.
Despite the fact that three months have passed since the GST admission tests, classes have yet to begin.
Meanwhile, Dhaka University and Rajshahi University are set to start their new academic sessions on September 22, and Jahangirnagar University on September 30.
However, admissions to the fourth phase of the 24 universities in the cluster remain pending.
