Staff Correspondent: 30 public universities of the country are being added to the admission test of cluster system. Besides, 3 more specialized universities want to be associated with 4 engineering universities in a cluster system. However, Bangladesh University of Engineering (BUET) is not willing to go this route.

The three universities interested in the specialized cluster system are Bangladesh Textile, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University.

Meanwhile, the autonomous universities of Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi and Jahangirnagar do not want to go for cluster system. The National University and the University of Professionals (BUP) have announced separate admission tests.

Besides, there is no opportunity to go to Open University, Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) and Islamic Arabic University in cluster system.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has said that if a university does not appear in a cluster admission test, the decision will not be forced. However, considering the situation, the UGC also urged them to come to this method.

According to UGC sources, this time 30 public universities have agreed to take admission test in cluster system. Of these, 6 are agricultural universities, 19 are general and science and technology universities. Besides, Chittagong University of Engineering (CUET), Rajshahi University of Engineering (RUET) and Khulna University of Engineering (CUET) have been added.

Bangladesh Textile University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University have not yet decided which bunch will actually go for the admission test. However, they want to go for a bunch of admission tests with four engineering universities. But BUET has not agreed to that yet.

Meanwhile, Autonomous University 4 will not take this method and will take admission test as per their own. Among them, DU has already revealed its position and plan to take the admission test.

In addition, Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) will arrange for admission separately as there are diploma courses. Open universities and Islamic Arabic universities do not have the opportunity to go in cluster system.

UGC member Prof. Muhammad Alamgir said, '30 universities are going for admission test in cluster system. 3 specialized universities also want to go with BUET. But BUET is not agreeing. Meetings will be held with engineering universities on the issue. Letters have been sent to BUET, RUET, KUET and CUET. After receiving BUET's reply, he said that he will sit in discussion with 3 other universities.