Students set 48-hour deadline to announce feasibility panel for Titumir University

Students of Titumir College have issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the formation of a committee to evaluate the feasibility of upgrading the college to a university.

The announcement was made during a media briefing on the college campus on Monday, reports bdnews24.com.

Mosharraf Hossain Rabbi, a postgraduate student from the 2019-20 session, said, “The authorities must issue an official notice within 48 hours about forming a committee to assess the feasibility of establishing Titumir University. The committee must begin its work by conducting an on-site inspection within three working days of its formation. A detailed feasibility report should also be submitted within 15 days.”

“If our demands are not met within 48 hours, we will be compelled to take further action."

Abdul Hamid, another postgraduate student from the 2021-22 session, noted that on Nov 18, the education ministry acknowledged the validity of the students' demands and agreed to form a committee to evaluate the establishment of Titumir University.

"However, despite assuring us that they'd issue a press release announcing the decision, the authorities have yet to make a public statement.”

He continued, “In response, Titumir College students took to the streets again that night. Senior officials then engaged with us, assuring that discussions involving the chief advisor, education advisor, and other relevant figures would be held on Nov 19.”

Hamid added that during the Nov 19 meeting, which included representatives like Dr M Aminul Islam, special assistant to the education advisor, and ICT Advisor Nahid Islam, it was decided to form a separate committee to assess the feasibility of the transformation. Nahid mentioned a 7-day timeline for the committee's formation.

“Initially, we respected the ministry’s decision and called off all protests, encouraging students to return to normal campus life while waiting for the promised action in seven days. During this time, we maintained a peaceful environment on campus,” Hamid said.

“However, even after the seven days passed, there was no update on the committee's formation. We repeated inquired about the issue but were given vague responses to the effect that the process was ‘ongoing’.”

Expressing frustration, Hamid added, “After the deadline, we were informed by the special assistant’s aide, Mutahsin Tasnim Rahman, that the committee had been formed and copies would be shared with stakeholders. However, we have not received any official document yet.”

“The lack of clarity and constant delays from the ministry have left Titumir College students disappointed,” he said. “If the committee has been formed, why hasn’t the notification been published? Where is the so-called document attesting to its formation?”

On Nov 18, hundreds of Titumir College students gathered in Mohakhali’s Amtoli and rail crossing areas, demanding the formation of a commission to upgrade the Dhaka University-affiliated college to a university. Their protest caused severe traffic congestion across Dhaka.

The protests ended at 4pm after the education ministry assured students of a discussion. However, dissatisfied with the outcomes, students resumed their protests at 6pm.

They boycotted classes and exams the next day, prompting the ministry to promise the formation of a feasibility committee the following week.

When contacted, senior information officer of the Ministry of Education, Siraj-Ud-Daula Khan, said, “I’ve heard that the committee is being formed, but we have not yet received any official notification.”