Bangladesh’s higher education landscape reached a historic turning point as the government officially approved the Dhaka Central University (DCU) Ordinance, 2026.

The landmark decision effectively ends the long-standing affiliation of seven major public colleges with Dhaka University (DU), merging them into a single, specialized academic framework designed to resolve years of administrative deadlock and session delays.

The ordinance, approved by the Council of Advisers in a meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on January 22, integrates 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.

While these institutions will now be academically affiliated with DCU, the government emphasized that they will retain their individual identities, administrative autonomy, and ownership of all movable and immovable assets.

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A key feature of the new university is the departure from the traditional faculty model in favor of a school-based academic system. DCU will feature dedicated schools for Arts, Science, Social Sciences, Business Studies, Law and Fine Arts, each led by a "Head of School."

This structure aims to implement a unified academic calendar and standardized assessment framework for the nearly 200,000 students currently enrolled across the seven colleges.

Furthermore, the ordinance safeguards intermediate-level education, ensuring that higher secondary programs within these colleges continue undisturbed under the existing board system.

The transition follows a period of intense student activism and recent clashes on January 27, which prompted Dhaka University to formally revoke the colleges' affiliation.

Addressing concerns over the first batch of students—who have faced a nearly one-year session jam without attending a single class—Interim Administrator Prof. AKM Ilias expressed optimism that the formalization of DCU would finally bring stability.

"This ordinance is a milestone in improving the quality of education and resolving the administrative gridlocks that have plagued our students for too long," he stated.

While DCU will initially operate through its affiliated colleges and temporary facilities, the ordinance provides for the construction of a permanent, self-contained campus.

For the thousands of students who have spent months protesting at key city intersections, the signing of the ordinance marks a hard-won victory.

Movement coordinator Zakaria Bari Sagor dedicated the achievement to the martyrs of the 2024 uprising, noting that the university now moves from a period of "uncertainty to institutional dignity."

With Inputs from UNB