Bangladesh’s higher education scenario is set for a major transformation as the government has approved the Dhaka Central University (DCU) Ordinance, 2026, paving the path for establishing the new university through the integration of seven major govt colleges in Dhaka.
The move marks the end of the colleges’ affiliation with Dhaka University (DU) and ushers in a new institutional framework aimed at addressing long-standing administrative challenges, session delays and allegations of academic discrimination that have plagued the colleges for years.
Under the ordinance, the seven colleges—recently detached from DU—will now be academically affiliated with the newly established DCU while retaining their individual identities, infrastructure and administrative autonomy.
Intermediate-level education in the colleges will continue under the existing system, ensuring continuity for higher secondary students.
The ordinance was approved on January 22, with Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stating that the decision seeks to improve the quality of higher education and resolve complexities that arose from the colleges’ earlier affiliation with DU.
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Affiliated Colleges, Independent University
While the colleges will operate as affiliated institutions, DCU will also run its own independent academic programmes.
The university will eventually have a permanent, self-contained campus, though temporary facilities—such as rented buildings or designated locations—will be used until construction is completed.
The seven colleges are 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.
Together, they currently serve nearly 200,000 students.
The ordinance establishes a full administrative structure for DCU, including the offices of Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Senate, Syndicate and Academic Council.
The President will serve as Chancellor, while the Vice-Chancellor will be appointed from a panel nominated by the Senate.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) will retain oversight authority, with powers to inspect, evaluate and issue directives relating to academic, examination, research and administrative activities.
Shift from DU
Dhaka University formally revoked the affiliation of the seven colleges on January 27 following prolonged protests, road blockades and clashes involving students from both sides.
The unrest stemmed from claims of discrimination, delayed examinations and prolonged academic sessions after the colleges were brought under DU in February 2017, following decades under the National University.
According to the new ordinance, the colleges will continue as “affiliated colleges”, with full rights over their movable and immovable assets preserved.
At the same time, DCU will design curricula, conduct examinations and award degrees, diplomas and certificates.
Students will be admitted either to DCU’s main campus or to its affiliated colleges based on SSC and HSC results and a centrally administered admission test.
School-based Academic System
One of the key features of the ordinance is the introduction of a school-based academic system, replacing the traditional faculty model.
Separate schools will be formed for Arts, Science, Social Sciences, Business Studies, Law and Fine Arts, each led by a Head of School.
Teaching, examinations and evaluation at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in affiliated colleges will follow a uniform academic calendar and assessment framework set by the university.
The ordinance defines a “school” as an integrated academic structure comprising multiple departments or disciplines.
DCU will also centrally conduct MPhil and PhD programmes and provide opportunities for faculty development and advanced training.
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Intermediate Education Remains Unchanged
Of the seven colleges, five—Dhaka College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women’s College, Kabi Nazrul Government College and Mirpur Government Bangla College—currently offer higher secondary education.
Earlier drafts of the ordinance had raised concerns among higher secondary students about the possible erosion of the colleges’ identities.
Those concerns have now been addressed, with the approved ordinance clearly stating that intermediate-level education will continue under the existing system.
From Protests to Policy
The journey towards establishing DCU has been shaped by years of student activism. Renewed demands for a separate university gained momentum during the 2024 student movement, with students citing persistent academic delays under DU.
In response, the Ministry of Education formed a four-member expert committee under the UGC to design a structural framework. Following clashes between DU and college students on January 27, steps were taken to formally detach the colleges from DU.
An interim administrative arrangement was proposed, placing a principal-level administrator under UGC supervision until a full university system could be established.
The name ‘Dhaka Central University’ was finalised after consultations, and on May 18, 2025, retired Dhaka College principal Prof AKM Ilias was appointed interim administrator for two years.
Delays Despite Momentum
Admission notices were issued in July, and results for the first undergraduate batch were published on August 26. Around 72,000 students applied for 11,150 seats across Science, Arts and Social Sciences.
A draft ordinance prepared by a committee led by Prof. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan was released on September 24, inviting feedback from teachers, students and other stakeholders. More than 6,000 responses were submitted, triggering intense debate and divisions.
On November 18, the Education Ministry announced its in-principle decision to establish DCU, promising quality education, timely examinations and improved administration.
Despite completing admissions for the 2024–25 academic year and announcing that classes would begin on November 23, no classes have yet commenced.
As most public universities have already been in session for months—and DU is completing admission process for the next academic year—DCU’s first batch has effectively suffered a one-year session delay without attending a single class.
Meanwhile, students from the seven colleges have continued to stage road blockades demanding the final ordinance, with the most recent protest on January 15 disrupting traffic at Science Lab, Technical and Tantibazar intersections for several hours.
Professor AKM Ilias, Principal of Dhaka College and administrator of seven colleges, said the launch of Dhaka Central University (DCU) will improve the academic standards of the affiliated colleges.
Responding to questions about the long-standing DCU movement, which at times caused public inconvenience, he said, “Such situations arise in our country when nothing is finalised. Even if the delay is reasonable, problems occur. If the issues had been resolved earlier, these situations could have been avoided.”
He added that the current BCS education cadre teachers will continue teaching at the colleges and may also join university positions either through direct recruitment exams or by transfer if they wish.
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DCU movement coordinator Zakaria Bari Sagor, a master’s student of Kabi Nazrul Government College, said, “After one and a half years of struggle with students, our long-awaited ordinance has been signed by the advisory council. The presidential notification will be issued soon. We dedicate this ordinance to four students martyred during the July uprising at Kabi Nazrul Government College.”
With the ordinance now approved, stakeholders hope that Dhaka Central University will finally move from uncertainty to stability, delivering on promises of timely education, institutional autonomy and academic dignity for thousands of students in the capital.