Chittagong University (CU) has prohibited all departments and institutes from collecting unauthorised fees or receiving payments without issuing official receipts.

The university issued the directive on 22 September through a notice signed by Acting Comptroller of Accounts Md Amirul Islam.

According to the notice, chairpersons and directors of all departments and institutes have been instructed not to collect any student fees that have not been approved by the university or without issuing proper receipts.

The directive came after students raised complaints over the collection of additional fees. Abdullah Al Noman, office secretary of the University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU), submitted a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor last Wednesday, calling for an end to fee collection without official approval, receipts or payment through formal banking channels.

Students alleged that some departments and institutes had been collecting additional amounts ranging from Tk2,000 to Tk20,000 beyond prescribed university fees, often under the names of department development fees, laboratory development fees or absenteeism fines.

“Based on student complaints, we submitted an application on behalf of CUCSU to the VC to stop the collection of extra fees. Taking the matter into cognisance, the VC issued directives to all departments and institutes to halt unauthorised fee collections without receipts,” Abdullah Al Noman said.