- Dhaka
Students of Gazipur Digital University have urged the government to immediately change the institution’s name to include the word “Bangladesh,” calling it a matter of national identity and academic recognition.
In a memorandum recently submitted to the Ministry of Education, they expressed frustration over the prolonged delay despite repeated assurances from authorities.
They stated that without the inclusion of “Bangladesh” in the university’s name, the institution struggles to gain proper recognition both nationally and internationally.
Speaking to The Daily Star, student leader FH Faisal announced, “We have planned a long march to the University Grants Commission on Monday to demand our request.”
Established in 2016 as a specialized institution focusing on emerging technologies, the university was officially named “Gazipur Digital University” through a gazette notification issued on February 13 this year. However, students rejected the name, saying it neither reflects its status as a specialized public university nor aligns with international academic standards.
They also pointed out that the university is not part of the government’s “University in Every District” initiative and therefore should have a distinctive name that accurately represents its specialized academic focus. The institution is dedicated to advanced technologies and should not be categorized as a general university under the government’s expansion plan.
The students criticized a recent government decision that approved name changes for 12 other universities under a standardized structure but excluded Gazipur Digital University from the process. Calling this move discriminatory and inconsistent, they emphasized that a university’s name is more than just a label—it reflects its academic mission and reputation.
They referred to several specialized public universities that already include the country’s name, such as Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Bangladesh Agricultural University, and Bangladesh Textile University. They argued their university deserves the same recognition.
A previous proposal for a name change was also submitted but rejected, prompting students to submit a fresh proposal. They said a nationally representative name would support the university’s goal of becoming a Centre of Excellence and a National Hub for Research and Innovation.
The students also suggested four alternative names for consideration: Bangladesh University of Technology, Bangladesh University of Future Technologies, Bangladesh University of Information and Technologies, and Bangladesh University of Advanced Technologies.
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