Students from 7 Colleges Demand Inclusion of Running Batches in Proposed Dhaka Central University at UGC

A delegation of students from the capital's historic seven colleges has approached the University Grants Commission (UGC) demanding the inclusion of ongoing batches in the proposed Dhaka Central University. A meeting is scheduled for today, Thursday (September 25), at 2:00 PM between the student representatives and UGC Chairman Professor Dr. S.M. A. Faiz and Member Professor Dr. Tanjim Uddin Khan.

The students allege that the draft outline for the proposed Central University only incorporates new students, ignoring the ongoing batches that have long advocated for university status. This exclusion would make them victims of discrimination.

The representatives demand that all current students, including those from the 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 academic years, be brought under the Central University's framework. Without this, they will be deprived of equal opportunities and facilities. They insist that running students must be included in the outline before the ordinance is issued. If their "just demands" are ignored, the students warn of escalating to broader programs.

Awlad Jisan, a student from the 2020-21 Political Science batch at Sohrawardi College and focal person for the Seven Colleges University Transformation Team, stated that a partial outline for Dhaka Central University was published on the Law Ministry's website on September 23. It notably omits the mentioned running batches.

He added that following this, a press conference was held yesterday where three specific demands were presented on behalf of the students, leading to today's UGC meeting. Jisan emphasized, "If UGC assures us in the meeting to amend the previous outline and include all running batches, we will return to our studies. Otherwise, a stringent program will be announced immediately after the discussion."

This demand aligns with ongoing tensions surrounding the proposed university, formed by merging the seven government colleges previously affiliated with Dhaka University since 2017. While the interim government has praised the initiative for elevating education standards, student and faculty concerns persist over academic continuity and infrastructure. Recent admissions for the 2024-25 session targeted new entrants with 11,150 seats across units, but running students fear being left behind. Faculty from colleges like Sohrawardi have also protested against structural changes, submitting 11-point demands. A High Court writ challenging the admission circular's validity was filed in August, highlighting procedural issues. The UGC meeting's outcome could determine the next steps in this evolving educational reform.