Students still struggling to complete their admission to GST cluster universities have been given a second chance. The final application deadline for GST cluster universities has been extended once again, this time to July 21, after the admissions committee identified hundreds of vacant places just days before the original deadline.
The decision came from an emergency virtual meeting held on Saturday afternoon, July 18, chaired by the examinations committee coordinator and the vice-chancellor of the Islamic University. The extension applies to admission to the first year of an honors bachelor’s degree program for the 2025-26 academic year at the 20 general and science and technology universities that comprise the GST cluster system.
Why the Deadline Moved Again
Two problems prompted the committee to act. First, hundreds of allocated places remained vacant even as the original deadline approached. Second, many eligible students simply couldn’t complete their admissions process in time due to the ongoing disaster situation: flooding that has disrupted travel, communications, and daily life in several regions this month.
The committee’s own reasoning connects the two problems: giving struggling students more time is also the most direct way to fill the vacant places before they go to waste during the year.
Where the 420 Empty Seats Are
As things stand, 420 seats remain vacant across the participating cluster universities. The vacancy is not spread evenly — a large share is concentrated at just two institutions: Barishal University and Patuakhali Science and Technology University.
The Islamic University offers a clear and concrete example of this pattern. The acting registrar, Professor Dr. Monjurul Haque, confirmed that the university still has 36 places available: 35 based on merit and 1 in a separate quota category. If we multiply this gap by twenty universities, the figure of 420 becomes easy to understand.
What Eligible Students Should Do Before July 21
If you were offered a place but haven’t yet completed the admissions process, this extension is your chance, and it’s final; it’s unlikely to be changed a third time. Follow the standard process your university specified: submit the required documents, pay the admissions fee, and confirm your place through the official portal before the new deadline.
Students who faced real-life obstacles related to disasters (flooded roads, transportation disruptions, communication failures) should be aware that this extension exists precisely because the committee recognized those difficulties. Don’t let the same problems cause you to lose your place a second time.
The GST cluster system was designed to prevent students from having to take separate entrance exams at nearly two dozen universities. But it also means that place management is centralized; when a disruption occurs, it affects the entire cluster at once, which is precisely what necessitated this second extension.
Rising Barta will confirm whether the deadline remains July 21 or if any adjustments are needed. Stay tuned for the latest news.
