Dhaka, Nov. 3 -- Universities all across Bangladesh could have around 800,000 vacant seats this academic year after just over half of the students who sat the higher secondary examinations passed.

There are 61 public and 117 approved private universities nationwide, with a combined capacity of about 1.49 million seats, according to the University Grants Commission.

Public universities and affiliated institutions account for around one million seats, while private universities have approximately 400,000.

Of the 1,240,798 students who sat the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations, 633,149 passed, a rate of 52.12 percent.

Even if all successful candidates enter higher education, more than 850,000 seats could rema...