ঢাকা কেন্দ্রীয় বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় | |
| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Established | 16 March 2025 |
| Chancellor | President Mohammed Shahabuddin |
| Superintendent | Professor A.K.M. Elias |
| Location | , Bangladesh |
| Campus | • Dhaka College • Eden Mohila College • Govt. Bangla College • Govt. Titumir College • Begum Badrunnesa Govt. Mohila College • Kabi Nazrul Govt. College • Govt. Shaheed Suhrawardy College |
| Nickname | DCU |
| Website | https://dcuadmission.org |
Dhaka Central University (DCU) is a proposed public university in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is planned to be established through the merger of seven prominent government colleges in the capital. [1] [2] [3]
The decision to form the university was made by the University Grants Commission (UGC) following prolonged demands from students for better administration and academic management.
In February 2017, the Government of Bangladesh affiliated seven major public colleges with the University of Dhaka to improve the standard of higher education and introduce a modern curriculum. [4] These colleges had previously been under Dhaka University before being transferred to the National University in 1992. [5] However, challenges in administration and inefficiencies led to student protests beginning in October 2023. In response, the government formed a special committee in December 2023 to assess the feasibility of establishing a new independent university. [2] [6]
In early 2025, students of Government Titumir College intensified their demand for the institution's upgrade to a university. Beginning in late January, they organized hunger strikes and road blockades, notably obstructing the Mohakhali–Gulshan road. The protests focused solely on achieving university status for Titumir College. The Ministry of Education acknowledged the concerns but emphasized the need for a thorough evaluation. Following assurances from government representatives, the students suspended their protests. [7]
Clashes between Dhaka University and college students in January 2025 worsened the situation. Dhaka University decided to sever ties with the colleges, effective from the 2024–25 academic session. While existing students remained under DU’s administration, an expert committee formed by the Ministry of Education in December 2024 was tasked with overseeing the transition.
On 16 March 2025, the UGC finalized the name Dhaka Central University (DCU) during a meeting held at its headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka. [8] The proposed name was to be submitted to the Ministry of Education for approval, followed by endorsement from the advisory council and formal issuance of an ordinance by the President of Bangladesh. [9]
On 17 July 2025, Dhaka Central University received permission to start the admission process. [10]
The new university is planned to operate under a hybrid model, with 40 percent of classes conducted online and 60 percent held on campus. Until the university is fully established, the operations of the seven constituent colleges will continue under an integrated framework supervised by the University Grants Commission. The framework will be headed by one of the principals of the seven colleges and will also include representatives from Dhaka University’s Examination Controller’s Office, Admission Office, Registrar’s Office, and Accounts Office. At present, each college offers a wide range of subjects at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Under the new model, classes will be organized on a faculty basis within the colleges. [11]
Dhaka Central University will incorporate the following seven public colleges: [12] [3] [13]
According to the 2024 data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics, the number of students in colleges is as follows: [14]
| College | UG | PG | HSC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dhaka College | 13336 | 1545 | 2350 | 17231 |
| Eden Mohila College | 16730 | 3340 | 0 | 20170 |
| Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls' College | 6247 | 800 | 4038 | 11085 |
| Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College | 5705 | 538 | 3433 | 9676 |
| Kabi Nazrul Government College | 10278 | 863 | 3171 | 14312 |
| Government Bangla College | 9678 | 1331 | 2171 | 13176 |
| Government Titumir College | 24990 | 2898 | 0 | 27885 |
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