Indomitable Balayet’s DU studies dream unfulfilled, will sit for RU admission test

Fifty-five-year-old Balayet Sheikh made positive news when he decided to sit for Dhaka University admission test under Social Science faculty (D Unit) on June 11, 2022.

This afternoon (July 5, 2022), the Dhaka University authorities published the D Unit entry test results. Balayat scored 26.02 out 120. To pass, a candidate needs to score at least 40.

Balayet became a familiar name to netizens in the country, as he tried to prove that age cannot be a barrier to higher education.

Contacted, Balayat told The Daily Star over phone: "I tried, but could not pass the (DU admission) test. As I have never been to Dhaka University, I was a little nervous during the exam. Now, I will sit for Rajshahi University admission test."

Balayat said he would like to study until he dies. "As my financial situation is not sound, I'll cover my education expenses even if I have to pull a rickshaw."

Balayet, from Mawna in Gazipur, had wanted to study at DU since childhood, but could not due to many obstacles.

In 1983, he took preparation to sit for Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination but could not register due to lack of money.

He tried again to sit for the SSC examination in 1988 but failed – this time because of flood across the country.

After months, he started his career as a photographer. Now he is Gazipur's Sreepur correspondent of Daily Karatoa.

Indomitable Balayet finally passed the SSC examination in 2019 and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination in 2021.