Central University Bill 2026 passed in parliament

Parliament today (10 April) passed Dhaka Central University Bill 2026 aimed at bringing seven government colleges in the capital under a unified academic structure to enhance the quality of higher education and resolve long-standing administrative gridlocks.

The enactment of the law will help to oversee higher education and research at seven government colleges in the capital.

With Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal in the chair, Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon moved the Bill, which was passed by voice vote.

The new law proposed grouping the seven colleges into four schools. The final ordinance reverses that decision, stating that the colleges will retain their individual identities while being academically affiliated with Dhaka Central University.

Through enactment of the law, a new university has been formed to manage higher education and research at 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.

Students of the colleges had long been waiting for the implementation of the university.

Based on SSC and HSC examination results and a central admission test, students will have the opportunity to enrol at the main campus or at affiliated colleges.

The colleges will centrally run MPhil and PhD programmes, alongside opportunities for teacher development and advanced training.

The colleges were previously affiliated with the National University before being brought under Dhaka University in 2017.

However, alleging academic harassment by Dhaka University, students had later demanded the establishment of a separate university.

The enactment of the law marked a significant advancement in higher education and the fulfilment of their long-standing demand.