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Published : 09 Feb 2026, 11:29 AM
The government has issued an ordinance forming Dhaka Central University colleges to manage higher education and research at seven public colleges in the capital.
However, the ordinance does not divide the seven colleges into four schools as proposed in the initial draft. Instead, the colleges will remain academically affiliated with the university while maintaining their individuality.
The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs published the “Dhaka Central University Ordinance, 2026” in the form of a gazette.
The newly formed higher education institution will oversee Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls’ College, Mirpur Government Bangla College and Government Titumir College.
The students at these institutions, which had previously been affiliated with Dhaka University, have been awaiting the formation of Dhaka Central University for a long time.
According to the ordinance, Dhaka Central University will have overall responsibility for curriculum design, teaching, research, examinations and certification for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at the seven colleges.
The university will develop a self-contained administrative infrastructure and establish a permanent campus with the required academic facilities. Until the permanent campus is built, university activities will be conducted from rented buildings and land.
The seven colleges will continue as affiliated colleges of Dhaka Central University.
Their identities, characteristics, infrastructure, movable and immovable assets and existing facilities will remain unchanged, the ordinance says.
The university will function as an autonomous institution, comprising a chancellor, vice-chancellor, pro-vice-chancellor, treasurer, senate, syndicate and academic council.
Outlining the responsibilities and powers of Dhaka Central University, the ordinance authorises it to determine curricula, conduct exams and award degrees, diplomas and certificates.
The university will also be responsible for teaching, research, knowledge creation and dissemination at undergraduate and postgraduate levels across all branches of knowledge and science.
It will formulate academic programmes aligned with modern technology, professional standards, scholarship and economic needs to develop skilled human resources.
The ordinance also empowers the university to confer honorary degrees and other distinctions.
The university may create academic, research and administrative posts -- including lecturer, assistant professor, associate professor, professor, supernumerary professor and emeritus professor -- and make appointments based on the recommendations of the relevant selection boards.
Under the ordinance, principals will remain the administrative heads of the colleges, while the vice-chancellor will be the chief executive of Dhaka Central University.
Teachers working at the affiliated colleges will be designated as “college teachers”, while those appointed directly by the university will be referred to as “teachers”.
The ordinance states that all teaching and research activities related to the university curriculum -- including those conducted at the affiliated colleges -- will fall under the university’s authority.
Teaching will include lectures, laboratory and workshop activities, tutorials, virtual instruction and other approved methods.
Curricula, syllabuses and teaching methodologies will be determined by the university’s academic council in accordance with the ordinance and relevant statutes.
Earlier, on Sept 24, the education ministry published a draft ordinance proposing to divide the seven colleges into four schools under a central administrative structure.
Teachers from the BCS general education cadre opposed the proposal, arguing that it could undermine their professional status and promotion prospects.
As discussions over the formation of Dhaka Central University progressed, sections of teachers and students voiced concerns about the draft structure.
Education cadre officials demanded that the new university be established through an affiliation-based model that preserves the autonomy of the colleges.
Meanwhile, a section of current students supported the swift issuance of the ordinance to bring academic stability.
However, many higher secondary and honours–masters level students opposed the school-based model, echoing teachers’ concerns that it would erode institutional autonomy.
