Students from Dhaka’s seven government colleges entered the Secretariat to meet the education adviser on Monday (Oct 13), pressing four demands led by a call to finalise the “Dhaka Central University Act–2025” and issue the ordinance quickly.

At around 3:45 pm, a 23-member team entered the compound to discuss when the ordinance would be issued and to raise the remaining demands. 

The delegation comprises Md Naim Howlader, Tanzimul Abid, Robin, Riaz Uddin, Fahad, Forhad, Pavel, Yusa Bin Alam, Maruf, Yunus, Zafreen, Imu, Smriti, Samanta, Asfia, Robiul Chokdar, Saikat, Sabrina, Aolad, Robiullah, Sani, Muttaki and Masum. 

The group said they would meet Education Adviser C R Abrar as well as the education secretary.

Earlier in the day, more than a hundred students from Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College and Kabi Nazrul Government College marched to Shikkha Bhaban and began a sit-in. 

They were later joined by students from Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls’ College, Government Bangla College (Mirpur) and Government Titumir College.

Traffic on both sides of the road from Shikkha Bhaban towards the Secretariat was suspended due to the demonstration. 

Police erected barricades in the area to prevent the students from advancing to the Secretariat, and a water cannon and a riot-control vehicle were seen at the scene.

On March 26, the government announced plans to separate the seven government colleges in Dhaka and form a new university. 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) proposed naming it “Dhaka Central University.” The seven colleges are Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls’ College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Government Bangla College and Government Titumir College.

SMS/