Health Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen said on Thursday that the highest precautions have been taken in the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Dental Surgeon (BDS) admission tests for 2023-24 academic year.
All the concerned units of the government will perform their duties smoothly until the end of the examinations, he said.
Dr Sen said this at a press conference on the issues related to this year's MBBS and BDS admission tests at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery on Thursday.
The minister put forward a 15-point chart to ensure a fair admission test this year:
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1.The MBBS admission test for the academic year 2023-24 will be held simultaneously in 44 venues of 19 examination centres of the country for one hour from 10 am to 11 am tomorrow.
2. Currently there are 37 government medical colleges in Bangladesh with a total of 5380 seats. Besides, there are 67 medical colleges approved at the private level with a total of 6295 seats.
3. Activities have been taken to digitalise the admission process to bring transparency in the MBBS admission process, stop harassment and irregularities of genuine students and ensure admission of meritorious students. In the last few years, due to the completion of online admission process and digitalisation in government medical colleges, question paper leaks have stopped and it has been possible to complete the admission process through a transparent process.
4. In continuation of the government medical college, the activities of digitalisation of the admission process of private medical colleges were taken in the academic year 2022-23 to prevent irregularities in the admission process and to stop the collection of extra money from the students.
5. The MBBS admission process in private medical colleges for the academic year 2022-23 has started in the online process through digitalisation, the way of harassment, irregularities and extra money collection of genuine students has been stopped and the opportunity to ensure admission of meritorious students has been widely appreciated among the people.
6. There is an electronic device in the trunk carrying question papers through which the activities brought from the department to the examination centres are monitored.
7. The gate of the examination centre or venue will open at 8 am tomorrow. No examinee will be able to enter the examination hall after 9:30 am on the examination day.
8. Candidates will bring a colour printed copy of the admit card.
9.There will be separate frisking of candidates (boys and girls) at the centres or venues. Students will be monitored through metal detectors as well as archways so that the examinees cannot enter with any electronic device other than admit card and ball point pen.
10. To enter the admission test centre or venue from 8.00 am, the invigilators (room invigilators) will stay in the examination room from 8 am and allow the examinee to enter the examination room by matching the face of the examinee with the watermark and colour photo of the candidate in the admit card. Responsible officials will be present at the center and confirm the matter.
11. Officials of the ministry or department, including examinees, invigilators and officials and employees of the venue, will not carry mobile, electronic device, bluetooth, airphone, etc. in any way. No one involved in the admission test related work will be able to enter the admission test with a mobile.
12. No person other than the admission test related persons can enter the admission test center or venue.
13. From January 10, 2024, offline coaching centers have been closed by conducting mobile courts in collaboration with the district administration. In addition, law enforcement and intelligence agencies are continuing their activities to stop online coaching and prevent cyber crimes.
14.Photocopy machines around the examination centers will be closed on the day of the examination.
15.If anyone involved in any kind of misconduct or cheating or spreading rumours related to the examination is identified, legal action has been taken against him and extensive publicity measures have been taken.
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Health Education and Family Welfare Division Secretary Azizur Rahman, BMA President Dr Abul Kalam Azad, among others, were present at the press conference.
Director General (DG) of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) ABM Khurshid Alam, DG of Directorate Education Prof Titu Mia, Pro Awami League physicians’ group Swachip President Jamal Uddin Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Dr Sharfuddin Ahmed, among others spoke on the occasion.