The authorities have decided to end Dhaka University's affiliation with the seven government colleges.
Starting from the 2024-25 academic year, the undergraduate first-year admission test for these colleges will no longer be conducted under Dhaka University.
The decision was made on Monday during a meeting between the principals of the seven colleges and the vice-chancellor of Dhaka University.
Following the emergency meeting, a press conference was held at the Professor Abdul Matin Chowdhury Virtual Classroom adjacent to the vice-chancellor’s office.
There, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Niaz Ahmed Khan read out a written statement announcing the decision.
The decisions made in the meeting are as follows:
- A decision to formally separate the seven government colleges from Dhaka University in an honorable manner.
- The previous decision regarding the admission process for students of the affiliated seven colleges has been revised, advancing the separation by one year. As a result, from the 2024-25 academic year, admissions will no longer be conducted under Dhaka University.
- In response to student demands, the meeting strongly recommended that the expert committee formed by the Ministry of Education on December 29, 2024, oversee the transition from the 2024-25 academic year onwards.
- From the 2024-25 academic year, the expert committee formed by the ministry will determine all matters, including seat allocation and admission fees, as per student demands.
- Dhaka University administration will remain responsible for students currently enrolled in its academic programs, ensuring that their education is not disrupted in any way.
During the meeting, the vice-chancellor urged everyone to remain united and act responsibly to keep academic activities running smoothly.
However, he did not comment on the demand for the resignation of Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Mamun Ahmed.
The clashes
Earlier on Sunday, tensions between students of Dhaka University (DU) and seven affiliated government colleges escalated and continued into the early hours of Monday.
The conflict started when several hundred students from the affiliated colleges staged a sit-in at the Science Lab intersection for about four and a half hours.
Around 10:30pm on Sunday, the protesters marched towards the residence of DU Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mamun Ahmed, and continued their protest in front of the Mukti O Gonotontro Toron at Nilkhet intersection.
The situation intensified when hundreds of DU students emerged from various halls and chased the protesting students away from the Nilkhet intersection.
The affiliated college students regrouped and counter-chased the DU students -- leaving many injured.
By midnight, the police intervened, throwing sound grenades to disperse the crowd and control the escalating situation.
Four platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members were deployed to maintain order.
In light of the situation, the Dhaka University administration has announced the suspension of classes and examinations for today. Additionally, all final exams scheduled for today in the seven affiliated colleges have also been postponed.
