New University Approved For Seven Dhaka Colleges

The Interim Government’s Advisory Council has approved the draft ordinance for the establishment of a proposed “Dhaka Central University,” consolidating seven major government colleges in the capital under a unified academic framework. The council convened on Thursday at the Chief Advisor’s office in Tejgaon, presided over by Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus.

Following the meeting, Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced the decision at a press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. The Chief Advisor’s press wing highlighted that the primary objective of the ordinance is to enhance the quality of higher education and resolve long-standing administrative complexities affecting the seven colleges.

Once the ordinance is enacted, these colleges will function as “affiliated colleges” of Dhaka Central University while the university will also operate its independent academic programmes. Until now, the colleges were affiliated with the University of Dhaka.

The seven colleges to be incorporated are as follows:

The new draft ordinance discards earlier plans to create separate “school-based” programmes within individual colleges. Previously, campuses such as Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, and Begum Badrunnesa College were to operate dedicated “School of Science” programmes.

The ordinance provides a comprehensive administrative structure, including a Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Senate, Syndicate, and Academic Council. The President of Bangladesh will serve as Chancellor and appoint the Vice-Chancellor from a Senate-nominated panel. The University Grants Commission (UGC) will oversee academic, administrative, and research activities, ensuring compliance with national and international standards.

Dhaka Central University will feature distinct schools covering Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Business Studies, Law, and Fine Arts, each led by a Head of School. Undergraduate and postgraduate courses in affiliated colleges will follow unified curricula, schedules, and assessment frameworks. Admission will be based on SSC, HSC results, and centralised entrance examinations.

The ordinance also includes provisions for residential halls, student council elections, co-curricular activities, teacher development programmes, and temporary campus arrangements until a permanent campus is established. Students of all nationalities, religions, genders, and abilities will have equitable access to education and degrees.

The Ministry of Secondary and Higher Education believes the new university will resolve decades-long administrative challenges, create a coordinated, research-oriented, and student-friendly academic environment in Dhaka, and strengthen oversight by the UGC.

The seven colleges have faced persistent administrative crises since their hurried transfer from the National University to the University of Dhaka in 2017. Following student protests and academic disputes, a decision to separate them from the University of Dhaka was announced last January, paving the way for the creation of Dhaka Central University.