The history of Rajshahi University (RU) convocation has not been an easy one. The 64-year old educational institute has had only nine convocation ceremonies for its graduates so far. The 8th certificate giving ceremony was held in December 2012, almost 14 years after the 7th convocation.

That is why we felt very lucky when the 10th convocation was announced a mere 2-years after the 9th, and the registration process began in 2016.

Also read: 10th Convocation: RU puts graduates in uncertainty

The online registration process opened on November 3 in 2016 with a deadline of November 30 for those who earned their masters, MBBS, BDS, MPhil and PhD degrees between 2011 and 2014 under Rajshahi University. Later the dead line was extended until December 15, 2016.

Nearly 5000 graduates registered to take part in the program, Khademul Islam Molla, director of RU ICT centre told us.

I was among the freshly graduated students, who just finished Masters one year back. Clearly our batch was among the most excited. The thought of meeting all friends again in the same place where we spent almost six years together excited us all. Moreover, who does not want to wear that black gown, cap and tassel and have a picture with the iconic pose of throwing it towards the sky? I started practicing how I will get on the stage and receive my hard-earned certificate as well.

But I am yet to do any of the above. Yes, it is December 2017 and I have not gotten my convocation yet. Although the registration process was completed one year ago, we have not even gotten any dates till now. Few friends who decided to not register because of the high amount fixed as the fee, 3,570 taka, now laugh at us, whose money have vanished. Some friends whom we forced to register along, alluring and emotionally blackmailing them mentioning all the fun we potentially would have together, are still mad at us.

As I said before, my friends and I were among the fresh graduates and as a result most of us were still unemployed and looking for  jobs. Many just took the fee amount from their parents who also thought the amount was outrageously high. Moreover, which Bangladeshi unemployed youth does not know what and what-not one goes through while having to ask for extra money from parents?

But not only the unemployed and fresh graduates, full-on employed and our senior batches are also discontent regarding the issue.

Fuad Hasan, a former student of Department of English, MA ’12 batch, said that convocation has always been a cherished thing, but such uncertainty regarding the matter even after registration is unexpected and unacceptable.

“I had even gotten my boss sanction my vacation for whenever the program takes place since one year back, when I completed the registration.”

“My boss now often jokingly asks what happened to your convocation you were so excited about?” the English Department graduate added.

No one has the answer to this, neither any cancellation nor any refunds were announced.

When we tried to reach the authorities regarding the matter, after taking quite a while, they replied the chancellor has not given green signal for the program yet.

RU Vice Chancellor Prof M Abdus Sobhan said, a letter has been submitted to the Education Ministry regarding the convocation programme “recently.” Well, “recently” is almost after one year of the registration.

Although no announcements have been made for the graduates, the authorities also claimed to have almost completed the arrangements to hold the programme.

“But the date will be fixed after the Chancellor's decision,” the vice chancellor reiterated.

The VC also revealed the authorities’ plan to hold the registration process again for those who missed it.

At last the authorities said, the convocation might take place in February-March 2018 if the Chancellor approves, but no confirmation was provided.

Our Rajshahi University Correspondent Arafat Rahaman contributed to the report.