The Jatiya Sangsad on Friday passed the Dhaka Central University Bill 2026.
The legislation officially establishes a new university to oversee the academic and research activities of the capital’s seven premier government colleges, fulfilling a long-standing demand from thousands of students.
With Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal presiding, Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon moved the Bill, which was subsequently passed by a unanimous voice vote.
The law aims to resolve persistent administrative gridlocks and enhance the overall quality of education for students enrolled in these institutions.
Under the new legal framework, Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women's College, Mirpur Government Bangla College, and Government Titumir College will fall under the unified academic umbrella of Dhaka Central University.
While an initial proposal suggested grouping the colleges into four schools, the final law ensures that each college will retain its individual identity while remaining academically affiliated with the new university.
The university will implement a centralized admission system based on SSC and HSC results combined with a central entrance exam.
Beyond undergraduate studies, the law paves the way for the colleges to centrally run MPhil and PhD programs, alongside specialized initiatives for teacher development and advanced research training.
The history of these colleges has been marked by several administrative shifts, having moved from the National University to Dhaka University (DU) in 2017.
However, students frequently alleged academic harassment and mismanagement under DU, leading to intense protests and the eventual demand for an independent university structure.
The passage of this Bill marks the successful culmination of that movement and a new chapter for higher education in the capital.
