This rejoinder is in response to a report, “Certificates, without any exams!”, which was published in The Business Standard, on 30th of April 2020. There were numerous factual errors in an article published on 30 April 2020 in The Business Standard with regard to Brac University. We use this rejoinder to correct some of them. The article mentioned that “Brac University administration recently provided certificates to students of the current semester without taking any examinations,” and quoted an anonymous student saying “the university stopped taking classes after a few ones and sent the certificate.” Brac University has not issued any certificates to its students of the current semester. The current semester’s grades have still not been finalized. When the government ordered academic institutions to close campuses in March, Brac University continued the semester by offering classes online. Once the government issued a second order to extend the shutdown, the university sought a fair way to conclude the semester’s activities. At the time, the UGC had not issued any directive on the matter. When the UGC did request universities to halt all grading, online exams and admissions, the university immediately paused both grade finalization and admissions. The university still awaits UGC’s directive on how to conclude the spring semester. Meanwhile, as has been widely reported, the Education Ministry has instructed universities to conduct online classes and online exams. Factual accuracy is of paramount importance, especially during this lockdown due to the ongoing Covid – 19 pandemic. Brac University is unconditionally committed to its students’ wellbeing, as well as upholding the highest standards in academia. We request all to contact University Communications at communications@bracu.ac.bd for any clarification in the future. Abdullah R. Chowdhury (Robin), Director, Student Life & CEII, Brac University, Bangladesh
