The government will hold an urgent meeting with key stakeholders, including Dhaka University (DU) and students, on setting up a separate facility for seven colleges affiliated with the university, likely on Sunday (November 3).

In their statement today (November 1), DU officials explained their stance on the interim government’s decision taken yesterday that a separate administrative system will be established for the maintenance of seven colleges in DU.

DU officials learned about this decision of the Advisory Board from media reports. In the statement, it was stated that the relevant ministry did not hold any official discussions with DU officials regarding this proposal.

After learning about the matter, university officials immediately discussed the matter with various senior officials of the government, including relevant advisors. It was stated that the government responded sincerely, considering the public importance of the issue.

The government has agreed to hold an urgent meeting on this issue at the ministerial level with DU and other key stakeholders, including students, on Sunday at the earliest, the statement said.

Students of seven colleges affiliated to DU – Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Mohila College, Mirpur Government Bangla College and Government Titumir College – are blocking roads in the city. In the past few days, the establishment of a separate state university has been demanded.

In a press conference yesterday (October 31), Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said that representatives of seven colleges met Education Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud and Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain.

He said that they decided to make a designated place in DU to carry out administrative work of seven colleges.

There will be a separate registrar and special officers and this will be done in consultation with DU officials and the University Grants Commission (UGC), he added.