CUET’s master’s level admissions fee increases fourfold

The admission fee for the master's level in Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) has increased fourfold, increasing the burden on students eager to get into the university.

According to a notice published on 17 January, the admissions fee for the master's students of 2022-23 session was Tk2,700. However, in a new notice published on 25 September, the fee for 2023-24 session was set at Tk10,600, which means the fee has quadrupled.

Students who are not well-off are finding it hard to manage the money needed to pay the admission fee. Some have expressed their anger on social media, while some others have backtracked from their decision to get enrolled.

Ishtiak Ahmed Sajid, a recent graduate from the university's Computer Science and Engineering department, said, "As we didn't know about the new fee, we had prepared according to the old notice. Many of us did not enroll in the master's programme seeing the exorbitant fees just a day before the admissions. It's really tough for us to manage Tk11,000 as admissions fee after covering our living costs."

"When we contacted the university administration, they told us that the fee has been increased to make it competitive with the other engineering universities. But the master's level admissions fee is Tk3,000 at BUET. Later, we submitted a letter to the authority after consulting with Sudip Kumar Pal, a faculty who oversees the administrative and financial affairs of the university. He has assured us of discussing the issue at the academic council," Sajid added.

Aritra Arhan Sabbir, a recent graduate from the university's Disaster Engineering and Management department, said, "CUET doesn't have any residential halls or enough amenities for master's level students. Besides, a large amount of money has to be paid as lab fee as there is no sessional classes. Students coming from middle class background like us are finding it hard to manage such a large sum of money all of a sudden. We were forced to get admitted through taking credits. We hope that the university administration will find a solution to this issue."

Contacted, Registrar of the university Sheikh Mohammad Humayun Kabir said, "The new fee has been set at the 150th meeting of the academic council after a committee synchronised CUET's fee with the admission costs of other engineering universities. I have received some applications regarding the matter. The academic council will take decisions on these after a vice chancellor is appointed."

Sudip Kumar Pal, a professor at the Civil Engineering department and a faculty responsible for the administrative and financial affairs of the university, said, "I have told the students to identify the areas where the fees are exorbitant as present them to the administration. We are currently unable to solve the issue as the academic council meeting can't be held due to not having a VC. We will take steps regarding the matter after the appointment of a VC, and coordinate the fees during the next semester."