Islamic Arabic University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Abu Zafar Khan has warned that examination centres could have their approval revoked immediately if they fail to prevent cheating during the Fazil pass examinations for 2025.

He issued the warning as the chief guest at a meeting with officers in charge of examination centres in Dhaka division, organised by the university’s examination controller’s office at its auditorium yesterday (12 October), according to the press release.

Abu Zafar said measures to prevent cheating would not be limited to punishing students. If necessary, the university could revoke centres’ approval and remove centre secretaries from their responsibilities.

“If students have the opportunity to cheat, it is natural that they will not be inclined to attend classes. Despite our best efforts, it will not be possible to increase student enrolment in madrasas,” he said.

He said the government had issued strict instructions on the matter and stressed the need to install CCTV cameras at every examination centre and arrange for the footage to be monitored.

Controller of Examinations Dr Md Waliur Rahman chaired the meeting, which focused on ensuring the smooth conduct of the Fazil undergraduate pass examinations without cheating.

Those present included Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Mohammad Ilias Siddiqui; Professor Dr Mohammad Golam Rabbani, dean of the Centre for Kamil Postgraduate Education, Training and Research; Madrasa Inspector (Additional Charge) Professor Dr Husain Ahmad; Deputy Registrar Fahad Ahmad Momtazi; and Deputy Controller of Examinations (Additional Charge) Md Ziaur Rahman.

The vice-chancellor said greater attention should be given to increasing enrolment at existing madrasas rather than establishing more institutions offering Fazil and Kamil programmes.

Responding to principals’ questions about increased examination form submission fees, he said the curricula of the Fazil pass and Kamil master’s programmes had been aligned with international education systems, resulting in an increase in the number of courses.

The number of courses in both programmes had risen from four to seven, he said, adding that the additional courses were the reason for the higher fees.

The officers in charge of examination centres shared their views on conducting the examinations smoothly and maintaining an environment free from cheating.

The Fazil pass examinations for 2025 will begin on 15 October and continue until 30 November.