'Dhaka Central University' to be Established with 7 Colleges

The name for the new university formed from seven government colleges in Dhaka has been finalized as "Dhaka Central University."

On Sunday, March 16, the decision was made in a meeting at the University Grants Commission (UGC) with a 32-member student delegation.

Initially, two names were proposed by the student representatives. Seventeen students supported "Dhaka Central University," while others opposed the name, pointing out that Dhaka College’s previous name was "Dhaka Central College." They favoured the name "Federal University" instead. After the UGC advised them to discuss and reach a consensus, the student delegation chose "Dhaka Central University" as the final name.

Previously, on March 13, Mohammad Jamal Uddin, Deputy Director of the UGC’s Public Universities Department, issued a notice announcing a meeting with student leaders to discuss the naming of the new university.

The notice stated that to establish an independent institutional framework equivalent to a university for the seven colleges, a meeting would be held on March 16 at 10:00 AM in the UGC conference room, chaired by the UGC Chairman, to finalize the proposed name.

In 2017, the seven government colleges in Dhaka—Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women’s College, Shaheed Sohrawardi College, Kobi Nazrul Government College, Mirpur Bangla College, and Government Titumir College—were affiliated with Dhaka University to enhance the quality of education and introduce modern curricula.

However, following ongoing complaints of mismanagement and inefficiency by Dhaka University authorities in managing these colleges, students began protests in October of the previous year. As a result, the government cancelled its affiliation with Dhaka University in December and formed a special committee. Over the next three months, the committee conducted feasibility studies, campus visits, and meetings with faculty and students. On February 18, the UGC invited suggestions from all stakeholders regarding the proposed name of the new university.