The interim government has agreed to sit with students of DU-affiliated 7 colleges, the university authority and other stakeholders for reviewing the decision on keeping the colleges’ affiliation status intact under a new specialised facility.
The University of Dhaka (DU) authority revealed the change in plans in a press release issued Friday, and hours after a group of university students demanded cancellation of the latest decision.
In its press release, DU claimed the government has decided to hold a meeting as early as Sunday to reconsider the latest move, after the university authority pointed out that they had not been discussed with over the matter.
The decision to set up a dedicate facility only for the seven college students on DU premises, with dedicated officials and registrar, has also upset Dhaka University students.
A group of students from the university organised a protest rally on Friday at 4pm in front of the vice-chancellor's residence, demanding the cancellation of the affiliation of seven colleges and the construction of a new hall for female students, UNB reports.
The protesters emphasised that both the university and the students from the affiliated colleges do not support the affiliation.
They issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the university administration, warning of escalated actions —including class and exam boycotts and locking administrative buildings — if their demands are not met.
Raihan Ferdous, co-coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said that students from both Dhaka University and the seven colleges want the removal of the affiliation.
He also noted that 53% of Dhaka University's students are female, yet they only have five residential halls. He questioned how new administrative buildings could be constructed for the 7 colleges when there is insufficient accommodation for Dhaka University students.
He added that Dhaka University is an autonomous institution, and any decision regarding it should be made by the university administration and students. He insisted that they do not accept the affiliation of the 7 colleges.
Nusrat Imroz, a resident student of Bangladesh Kuwait Maitree Hall of Dhaka University, shared her experience of living in a Ghonoroom for two years before finally obtaining a valid seat.
She said that some master's students are still living in Gonorooms. She said that the university authorities are unable to build a new hall for students due to budget constraints, but how they could manage to construct a new administrative building for the 7 colleges.
She stated that they urgently demand the cancellation of the 7 colleges' affiliation and that any new construction built at Dhaka University should be for female students.
In response to the protest, Dhaka University authorities have initiated urgent discussions with relevant advisers and high-ranking government officials, prioritizing the issue.
Recognizing its public significance, the government has responded positively and agreed to hold an urgent meeting at the ministry level with the concerned students and key stakeholders, likely on the upcoming Sunday.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
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