7 affiliate colleges to separate from DU, admissions oversight to end from this year

The decisions comes after DU Vice Chancellor Niaz Ahmed Khan meets with the principals of the seven colleges

Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Niaz Ahmed Khan says that the university will no longer oversee the admissions process of the seven colleges affiliated with it, starting from the 2024-25 session.

The decision begins the process of ending the affiliations of the seven colleges – Dhaka College, Government Bangla College, Government Titumir College, Eden Mohila College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, and Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls’ College – with Dhaka University, he said.

The vice chancellor made the announcement on Monday after an emergency meeting with the principals of the seven affiliate colleges. The meeting started at 12:30pm on Monday after clashes broke out between students of Dhaka University and students of the seven colleges late on Monday night.

The vice chancellor’s announcement was made at 2:45pm, following the end of the meeting.

In a written statement, he said: “The Dhaka University administration has already expressed its sincere regret over the unfortunate incident regarding the seven affiliated government colleges and has called upon the students of Dhaka University and the seven affiliated government colleges to maintain patience, harmony and cordial relations.”

A number of decisions were made at the meeting, Niaz said.

Firstly, the affiliations of the seven colleges with the university would be ended. Secondly, the decision regarding the separation of the admission process would be brought forward by one year and start from the 2024-25 academic year, he said.

As per the demands of the students, the meeting strongly recommended that the activities 2024-2025 academic year and in future be conducted through the expert committee formed by the Ministry of Education on Dec 29, 2024. It also recommended that from the 2024-2025 academic year, an expert committee formed by the ministry will make decisions on all issues, including determining the number of seats and admission fees. as per the demands of students. However, the university administration will be responsible for the students who are currently under the ongoing educational programmes at Dhaka University, so that their educational life is not affected in any way.

Those at the meeting called on everyone to unite and play a responsible role from their respective positions in keeping educational programmes running.

Vice Chancellor Niaz did not take any questions from the media.

In addition to Niaz, many senior members of the Dhaka University administration, including Pro Vice-Chancellor Sayema Haque Bidisha and Pro-Vice Chancellor Mamun Ahmed attended the meeting.

HOME ADVISOR URGES PATIENCE

Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the home affairs advisor to the interim government, has called for patience amid the ongoing clashes between students of Dhaka University and its seven affiliated colleges.

Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Monday, Jahangir emphasised that the situation could be resolved through dialogue.

He said, “I think we can find a solution to this through discussions. In this case, everyone has to be patient. If we become impatient, nothing will be solved. Everyone has to face these problems with patience.”

Jahangir also urged law-enforcing agencies to exercise restraint in managing the situation on the ground.

“They [police] will deal with the matter patiently, and I would also request our student brothers to resolve everything through patient discussions,” he said.

The clash between the students of Dhaka University and those from seven affiliated colleges erupted around 11pm in Dhaka’s Nilkhet area on Sunday, continuing into the wee hours of Monday morning

To regain control, police used sound grenades, tear gas, and rubber bullets as the two groups engaged in repeated chases and counter-chases. As the situation intensified, four platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh, or BGB, were called in to assist the police in restoring order.

Addressing the clashes between students Jahangir said, “The incident is not a matter of home affairs. This incident is related the Ministry of Education. There was a verbal altercation between students of Dhaka University and the seven colleges. This is a topic for the Ministry of Education.”

“Since it is a law and order situation, we - the home affairs ministry – have gotten involved,” he said, adding that the unrest stemmed from a relatively minor incident.

He also urged protesters to refrain from blocking roads and causing inconvenience to the residents of Dhaka.

“We have a field, Suhrawardy Udyan—it is best to protest in these places. Otherwise, the people have to suffer due to traffic jams. Patients also suffer. The two hospitals in Shahbagh are the most troubled,” he added.

Jahangir emphasised the importance of resolving grievances through proper channels, urging protesters to engage with the relevant authorities to address their concerns.

“I want everything to be resolved through discussion. Many demands may be reasonable. Whatever demands there are, they must be resolved through discussion.”