DU students launch online platform for teacher evaluations

Dhaka University students can now evaluate their teachers through an online platform called 'duevaluation.com', launched by a member of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu). The platform allows students to rate faculty members in their respective departments while keeping the evaluator's identity confidential, though the overall results will be publicly available.

The platform was initiated by Ducsu Executive Member Umme Usawatun Rafia, who stated that introducing a teacher evaluation system was one of her key electoral promises.

Students from the 2018-19 academic session and subsequent batches can participate in the system. To take part, students must register using their university academic email and then use a code sent to their email to access the system. Once logged in, students can only evaluate teachers from their own department. The evaluation process is fully anonymous, so individual ratings are not disclosed, but the aggregated results will be visible to everyone.

Rafia said that while various policies and drafts had been prepared in the past regarding a teacher evaluation system, they were never implemented. She had contacted different levels of the university administration regarding the matter but, as the process remained stalled, she decided to take the initiative on her own.

She noted that the system is not centrally mandatory, so its effectiveness depends on spontaneous student participation. The initiative is inspired by platforms like 'Rate My Professors', but aims to provide a broader overview of the academic environment and faculty within DU departments. She also believes the public nature of the results could serve as an external pressure mechanism to improve teaching quality.

While an official university-administered system would have been most effective, Rafia said the administrative process remains pending in various meetings and reviews. She hopes to establish at least a functional system before the end of her tenure. The platform is not an officially approved or centrally managed initiative of the university administration, and the university's position on its methodology, verification and data usage remains unclear.