The struggles of the seven colleges have been in the media for almost a decade.
In 2017, seven colleges of the capital got affiliated with the Dhaka University (DU) after cutting ties with the National University. Since their affiliation, the students of these colleges have taken to the streets multiple times for their various demands.
This March, “Dhaka Central University” was proposed after the students took to the streets once again. As a part of the students’ demands, an administrator was appointed for seven colleges as part of the transition.
Prof AKM Elius, former principal of Dhaka College, was appointed by the Ministry of Public Administration as the first administrator of the seven colleges.
These seven colleges are: Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Government Titumir College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls' College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Government Bangla College, and Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College
As Dhaka Central University is preparing to start its journey, Dhaka Tribune explored some aspects of public interest regarding the university.
Admission process
In January this year, the DU administration said no new students from the seven colleges would be admitted to the 2024-25 session under them. However, the current students will continue their studies under the affiliation of DU.
These make the admission process of these colleges the first challenge to overcome. Prof Elius echoed the same; however, guidelines for new admission to these colleges are yet to be published.
Teachers and HSC programs
As some of these colleges have a higher secondary program, the question arises as to what will happen to them. While talking to Dhaka Tribune, Prof Elius confirmed that the higher secondary programs will remain at the institutions.
The seven colleges have more than a thousand teachers, who are appointed under the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS). As the appointment of university teachers is different from the appointment of public college teachers, another issue emerges.
Answering the question, Prof Elius said: “The UGC has ensured two things for us: one, that higher secondary education will remain in the colleges; and two, that the teaching positions will be retained.”
The model of DCU
Several media reports stated that each college will function as a different faculty of the proposed university. However, the model of the university is still undisclosed, according to Prof Elius.
As the colleges are spread out across various parts of the capital, some students expressed concern about commuting to other parts of the town for classes or services.
Addressing the concern, Prof Elius stressed the importance of each college to be self-reliant at Dhaka Central University.
He said: “We are planning on technological services, so that students do not need to run from one institution to another.”
According to him, the services of the university will be accessible from all the institutions.
He also confirmed that the programs of the university will follow a hybrid module where 60% of classes will be conducted in person, and the rest online.
Accomodation
Upon asking about the accommodation situation, he said: “The students have a demand that the number of students should be proportional to the size of the classroom. In that case, the number of students will decrease significantly.”
Prof Elius is expecting future funding from the state, and a decrease in the number of students will create accommodation possibilities.
“In light of the students' demands, we hope that the steps the state is considering will bring about the welfare of all. We also hope that the necessary steps can be taken smoothly. If the state takes appropriate measures and all parties work with interest, trust, and confidence, then it will be successful,” said Prof Elius.
As the model of Dhaka Central University has not been disclosed yet, the thousands of students and teachers are depending on the implementation of the idea. The transition of this historical college to a university will mark a significant chapter in Bangladesh’s higher education landscape.
