Dhaka Central University to begin operations in rented premises before permanent campus established
The Dhaka Central University will initially operate from rented premises until a permanent campus and its own buildings are established, according to the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education.
The government will soon identify a suitable location to set up a permanent campus for the newly established university. Recruitment of necessary manpower will also be carried out in accordance with the university's law, according to the ministry.
The development comes following approval from the Advisory Council for an ordinance to establish Dhaka Central University by amalgamating seven government colleges in the capital.
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Mahbubul Hoque Patwary, additional secretary (planning) of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, told The Business Standard that with the approval in place, the university's activities will now begin.
"Until it has its own building or campus, operations will continue in rented premises. Required manpower will be appointed as per the university law," he said.
He added that initial funding for launching the university's activities will come from a project under the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education.
"At a later stage, the government will allocate a separate budget for Dhaka Central University," he said.
The additional secretary also said the Secondary and Higher Education Division is giving the highest priority to establishing the university and ensuring the smooth conduct of its activities.
"All concerned departments will work in coordination to move the university's operations forward," he added.
Students of the seven government colleges had long been demanding the establishment of a separate and autonomous university.
The crisis involving the colleges dates back to 2017, when they were affiliated with the University of Dhaka reportedly without adequate preparation.
The seven colleges are Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls' College, Shahid Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Government Bangla College and Titumir College.
On 19 January, students of the seven colleges began erecting "ordinance stages" (Adhyadesh Mancha) in front of several campuses to press for the immediate issuance of the ordinance. Timber and bamboo platforms were set up near the main gates of Dhaka College and Government Bangla College, among others.
