Jagannath University has introduced a major academic support initiative through the approval of its Special Scholarship Policy 2025, aimed at providing substantial financial assistance to eligible students across the institution. A formal office order confirming the approval was issued on Monday, signed by Acting Registrar Professor Sheikh Rafiqul Islam. The Syndicate granted final approval to the policy during its 104th meeting last Thursday.
The policy will apply to students enrolled from the 2019–20 academic session onwards, covering a five-year span comprising four undergraduate years and one year of postgraduate study. According to university officials, the aim is to build an equitable support system that assists students who face financial stress while maintaining strong academic performance.
Eligibility will be determined through a robust assessment process. Four major factors have been identified as key indicators: economic hardship, academic results, class attendance, and overall merit. The combination of these factors reflects the university’s desire to ensure that scholarships go to students who not only need financial aid but who are actively committed to their academic responsibilities.
However, the policy outlines several disqualifying conditions. Students living in university halls, those staying comfortably with financially stable families in Dhaka, individuals involved in disciplinary violations, and students who have undergone re-admission will not qualify. Administrators emphasise that these rules are designed to maintain the integrity of the programme and prevent unfair advantage.
Once applications open, departmental committees will conduct initial evaluations. Successful applicants will then be reviewed by the Central Special Scholarship Committee. The final approval rests with the Vice-Chancellor, who will authorise the publication of the official list of beneficiaries. This multi-tiered system aims to prevent bias and ensure transparency.
Scholarship payments will be made directly to students’ bank accounts. This streamlined process is expected to eliminate delays and ensure that funds reach students at the critical moments when tuition fees, accommodation costs, or other educational expenses arise.
The Special Scholarship Policy will formally come into effect on 1 July 2025. Subject to government funding, the policy could potentially support up to 70 per cent of Jagannath University’s student population—an unprecedented scale for the institution. Such a high coverage rate is being hailed as a landmark step in widening access to higher education for students from economically challenged backgrounds.
Treasurer Professor Sabina Sharmin further clarified a mistake in the initial announcement. “The Special Scholarship Policy 2025 has been finalised. There was a typing error stating 1 July 2026, but the correct date is 1 July 2025,” she confirmed.
The approval of this policy arrives at a crucial time, as students nationwide face escalating living expenses and study-related costs. Education experts note that without adequate financial support, many promising students risk falling behind or dropping out entirely. Jagannath University’s decision is therefore seen as part of a broader effort to safeguard academic continuity and reduce inequality.
Student groups have expressed strong support for the initiative, noting that it aligns with long-standing demands for more comprehensive financial assistance. Many believe the policy will strengthen student retention rates, encourage academic excellence, and promote a more supportive institutional culture.
As the university prepares for the July rollout, attention will turn to ensuring proper implementation, sufficient government funding, and a transparent selection process. If executed effectively, the scheme has the potential to significantly transform the academic landscape of Jagannath University—setting a new benchmark for public universities nationwide.