In a significant move towards academic reform, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) is set to implement a ‘Unique Coding’ system to ensure the anonymity of examinees during answer script evaluation.
The university administration formally approved the proposal during an Academic Council meeting on 2 May. The initiative aims to enhance transparency and impartiality within the grading process.
According to university sources, the system will debut on a pilot basis during the 2025-26 academic session.
Three departments have been selected for the initial phase: Chemical Engineering, Building Engineering and Construction Management (BECM), and Electrical and Computer Engineering. If the pilot proves successful, the administration will expand the coding method to all departments and academic years.
The introduction of this system was a core component of a 12-point charter of demand submitted by students following the events of August 5, 2024.
The call for reform intensified after allegations of “bias” surfaced in the wake of a student’s death from the Urban and Regional Planning department in January 2025.
In pursuit of these changes, students previously organised a human chain in front of the university’s central library on July 25.
Md Main Uddin, a former student and a key organiser of the 12-point movement, noted that students have historically faced academic setbacks due to the personal biases of instructors.
He expressed confidence that the coding method would restore impartiality and eliminate discrimination in evaluations.
Welcoming the decision, Mohiuddin Nahid, a student of Chemical Engineering, described the move as a “long-standing demand” and urged for its swift and effective implementation.
The RUET administration views the project as a groundbreaking reform designed to align the university with modern educational standards.
Officials believe the move will not only create a discrimination-free environment but also ensure greater accountability among the teaching staff.
