Dhaka Central University

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Dhaka Central University
ঢাকা কেন্দ্রীয় বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়
Type Public
EstablishedProposed (2025)
Chancellor President Mohammed Shahabuddin
SuperintendentProfessor 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]

Contents

History

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]

Structure

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]

  1. Dhaka College
  2. Eden Mohila College
  3. Government Bangla College
  4. Government Titumir College
  5. Begum Badrunnesa Government Mohila College
  6. Kabi Nazrul Government College
  7. Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College

See also

References

  1. "Dhaka Central University to be established with 7 colleges". Prothom Alo. 16 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  2. 1 2 "'ঢাকা সেন্ট্রাল ইউনিভার্সিটি' নামে এক হচ্ছে সাত কলেজ". Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 16 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  3. 1 2 "৭ কলেজের বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের নাম হচ্ছে ঢাকা সেন্ট্রাল ইউনিভার্সিটি". The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  4. "Seven colleges to turn into a university with proposed name 'Dhaka Central University'". The Financial Express. 16 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  5. "DU, 7 colleges part ways at last". The Daily Star. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  6. "'Dhaka Central University' to be formed with seven govt colleges". The Business Standard. 16 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  7. jagonews24.com. "Titumir students return to classes after week-long protest". jagonews24.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. "New university for seven colleges to be called 'Dhaka Central University'". The Daily Star. 16 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  9. "'Dhaka Central University' formed from seven colleges". banglanews24.com. 16 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  10. "ভর্তি কার্যক্রম শুরুর অনুমতি পেল 'ঢাকা কেন্দ্রীয় বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়'" [Dhaka Central University gets permission to start admission process]. Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 17 July 2025. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  11. আহমেদ, মোশতাক (17 March 2025). "সাত কলেজ নিয়ে নতুন বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়, চলবে ভিন্ন মডেলে". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  12. "7 colleges' independent university named 'Dhaka Central University'". The Daily Observer. 16 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  13. "7 Colleges Affiliated with University of Dhaka". 7 College. Retrieved 16 March 2025.