- Dhaka
The current academic activities of the seven government colleges in Dhaka will continue under a unified structure supervised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) until a new university is established, according to a UGC member.
As part of this interim arrangement, Professor AKM Elias, the recently retired principal of Dhaka College, has been appointed as the administrator on a contractual basis.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Administration has also appointed Professor Elias as the principal of Dhaka College for a two-year term on a contractual basis, effective immediately. This was stated in a circular signed by Deputy Secretary ASM Mahfuzul Alam. The interim administration will operate from Dhaka College, and another circular regarding this appointment is expected soon.
Earlier, the government announced plans to establish Dhaka Central University, which would bring these seven colleges under a single institutional framework. The proposed university will follow a hybrid education model, with 40 percent of classes conducted online and 60 percent in person. Unlike the current system where all subjects are taught at each college, the new model will introduce faculty-based campuses—for example, Government Titumir College is expected to host the business studies faculty, while other colleges will focus on different academic disciplines.
However, the creation of the new university will take time due to the need for legislative approvals, infrastructure development, and administrative preparations. Until then, the UGC will supervise the colleges under a temporary structure, with a principal from one of the colleges serving as the administrator.
In response to the delay, students have issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding the immediate issuance of a gazette notification to form the interim administrative body for Dhaka Central University. They warned of launching tougher protest programs if their demand is not met by Sunday, saying they would surround the relevant ministry instead of demonstrating on roads to avoid public disruption.
The seven colleges are Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government College, Government Bangla College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Government Titumir College, and Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College. These colleges were re-affiliated with Dhaka University in 2017.
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