After being formally included under Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) three years ago, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is yet to begin regular student admissions, raising fears that the campus could soon be left without students.
The faculty currently has only 160 students across three batches studying in 10 departments, following a four-year halt in new admissions.
Sources said the last batch was admitted in the 2020–2021 academic year, when the institution was operating as Jhenaidah Government Veterinary College, before it was incorporated into JUST at the end of 2023.
Despite the transition, no new students have been admitted up to the 2024–2025 academic year, putting the faculty at risk of severe academic stagnation.
Students said the prolonged admission freeze has disrupted normal academic life, with the absence of junior batches affecting examinations, campus activities, and overall learning.
Sohel Rana, a student of the 2020–2021 session, said students were being forced to sit for special or retake examinations due to the lack of subsequent batches, adding that such exams impose additional financial and time burdens.
He also said living costs in the dormitory have increased, while academic and extracurricular activities such as cultural programmes and sports have become nearly impossible to organise.
Students further alleged that when they raised the issue with the university administration, they were repeatedly told by the vice-chancellor to focus on completing their studies rather than questioning admission decisions.
Responding to the concerns, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Dean Professor Md Ziaul Amin said teacher shortages had previously delayed the process, but appointments have now been made.
“We will start admissions going forward, what is there to ask?” he said.
Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor Professor Md Abdul Mazid said admissions to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine would begin from the 2025–2026 academic year.
He said the intake would be conducted after the cluster-based integrated admission test, assuring that the issue would be addressed in the upcoming academic cycle.
