Tanvir Mahim, CoU

The admission test for the first-year undergraduate program of Comilla University for the 2024-25 academic year commenced today, Saturday, amid continuous rainfall. The examination process began at 10 AM with the test for the ‘C’ unit. However, due to heavy rain since early morning, candidates and their guardians faced significant difficulties.

Observations in the university campus and surrounding areas revealed that students arrived at the exam centers either by walking through wet roads or hiring rickshaws. Many candidates reported paying twice or more the usual fare. One examinee shared, “The distance for which we usually pay 20-30 taka, today auto-rickshaw and CNG drivers charged 70-80 taka.”

Due to the rain, some students arrived late at the exam center. However, university authorities confirmed that no candidate had been completely excluded so far. Latecomers were allowed to sit for the test after necessary verification.

Various student organizations and social groups of Comilla University actively assisted examinees by guiding them with umbrellas and notebooks. Volunteers from student bodies, including Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir, Inkilab Mancha, BNCC, and Rover Scouts, provided support to the candidates.

Many guardians complained that opportunistic drivers were overcharging due to the rainy conditions. They urged authorities to implement proper monitoring to prevent such exploitation.

One examinee remarked, “I have been preparing for a long time, but such weather creates mental pressure. Nevertheless, I tried my best to perform well in the exam.”

Notably, around 9,952 candidates are competing for 240 seats in the ‘C’ unit, making it one of the largest participation figures in the university’s history.