After seven years of affiliation with Dhaka University, the seven government colleges in Dhaka have faced ongoing challenges in operating smoothly. Frequent protests over academic and administrative issues have repeatedly made headlines. These efforts have finally borne fruit, as students are now free from affiliation and are stepping into a new institutional identity. The seven colleges are being transformed into a university named Dhaka Central University (DCU). While students from six of the colleges are satisfied with the name, Government Titumir College students are protesting for a separate university.
Although the decision to transform the colleges into a university and the name have been settled, debates continue over the structure and framework of the new institution. Students are advocating for a modern, faculty-based, full-fledged university, rejecting the collegiate system they experienced under Dhaka University. The outline for the independent institutional structure of the seven colleges, which collectively have nearly 200,000 students, has not yet been finalized. A committee formed by the Ministry of Education is working on the framework, with plans to submit it to the ministry by April.
Before granting the colleges their independent structure, the education ministry requested Dhaka University to form an interim administration, following recommendations from the University Grants Commission (UGC). This temporary framework will include representatives from Dhaka University’s exam controller’s office, admissions office, registrar’s office, and accounts department. It will manage all academic activities for undergraduate and postgraduate courses at the seven colleges starting from the 2024-25 academic session. A committee led by a UGC member will oversee the seven colleges, with a “competent and experienced” principal from one of the colleges serving as director.
The proposed structure will involve Dhaka University’s registrar’s office assisting with administrative matters, the exam controller’s office handling exams, and the accounts department managing financial matters. A separate committee will oversee online admissions for the seven colleges. Many students have urged the swift establishment of this interim structure.
The seven government colleges involved are Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls’ College, Government Bangla College, and Government Titumir College.
Dhaka College Students Demand a Modern University
Students from Dhaka College are calling for the new university to be modernized. Abdur Rahman, a student representative, emphasized the need for a fully autonomous, modern university that includes both traditional and new subjects relevant to today’s needs. He expressed satisfaction with the name Dhaka Central University, which emerged from their protests.
Eden College Students Seek Quick Interim Structure
Students from Eden Mohila College are urging the swift establishment of an interim structure. Smriti Akter, a student representative, highlighted the importance of finalizing the structure based on student input to prevent session jams and ensure smooth academic operations.
Badrunnesa College Students Happy with the Name
Students from Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls’ College are pleased with the name Dhaka Central University. Anjuma Israt Emu, a student representative, shared that the college plans to continue offering higher secondary education while students pursue honors and master’s degrees under DCU. She also noted that this model would allow male students to study at their college.
Kabi Nazrul College Students Embrace New Identity
Students from Kabi Nazrul Government College are happy with their new identity. Jakaria Bari Sagar, a student representative, expressed relief at moving away from Dhaka University’s affiliation and looks forward to a faculty-based university structure.
Suhrawardy College Students Advocate for Faculty-Based University
Students from Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College are pushing for a full-fledged, faculty-based university. Walid Jisan, a student representative, emphasized that such a structure would end prolonged student struggles and dismantle the education syndicate. He also expressed strong support for the name Dhaka Central University.
Bangla College Students Raise Concerns
Some students from Government Bangla College have concerns about the name Dhaka Central University, fearing it may give Dhaka College undue influence. Shahadat Hossain, a student representative, called for the swift formation of an interim administration led by someone from a college other than Dhaka College to address these concerns.
Titumir College Students Demand Separate University
Students from Government Titumir College are firmly opposed to merging with the other six colleges into DCU. They are demanding a separate university for their college. Md Bellal Hasan, a student representative, reiterated their commitment to this demand, despite some students supporting the formation of DCU.
Full Outline Expected in April
The education ministry has set a deadline of April for the completion of the outline for the new university. UGC member Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan expressed confidence in the committee’s progress, noting that the outline will need approval from Parliament and the Cabinet. In the meantime, an interim framework will manage the colleges’ academic activities until the full transition to an independent institutional structure is complete.
The proposed university will coexist with the seven colleges, which will continue to offer higher secondary education. The outline for the independent institutional structure is being developed with this framework in mind.
