DHAKA — The Bangladesh government has approved in principle the creation of a new independent public university called “Dhaka Central University” by merging seven government colleges in the capital and severing their affiliation with the University of Dhaka, the Education Ministry said Tuesday.
The decision was announced in a statement from the ministry’s public relations division on the afternoon of Tuesday, Nov. 18.
The ministry said the initiative aims to ensure quality education, timely examinations, prompt publication of results, and improved administrative efficiency. The interim administration has also approved an operations manual for the admission, registration and teaching of students in the 2024-25 academic year, the ministry said. On that basis, the admission process for 2024-25 will be completed, and classes will begin on Nov. 23.
The statement said that as part of preparations to establish the standalone university, the University Grants Commission (UGC) drafted the Dhaka Central University Ordinance 2025 and sent it to the Secondary and Higher Education Division. The draft ordinance was posted on the division’s website on Sept. 24, drawing more than 5,000 comments from students, teachers and members of the public. Each comment is being reviewed for legal and practical relevance, and the draft is being revised and refined. The ministry said it believes a transparent process will lead to a widely acceptable and coordinated decision.
The statement said that although finalizing the ordinance and completing the broader process will take time, the Secondary and Higher Education Division is mindful that students’ education should not be disrupted. An interim administrator has already been appointed to oversee academic and administrative affairs until the proposed university is established.
The Education Ministry said it considers the initiative an important step in improving higher education in the country and pledged to protect the legitimate interests of all stakeholders. The ministry urged the public not to spread confusion based on personal opinions or rumors.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report