Titumir students reject ‘Dhaka Central University'

“Titumir Oikya”, the platform of the students of Government Titumir College, has rejected the university that is going to be formed through the merger of seven government colleges in Dhaka.

The platform, which is spearheading the movement to upgrade Titumir College into an independent university, said it was "steadfast" in its demands.

It was earlier decided that the name of the new university would be Dhaka Central University (DCU).

The decision was made at a meeting of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman SMA Faiz with representatives of seven colleges on Sunday, reports bdnews24.com.

The seven government colleges, formerly affiliated with Dhaka University, include Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls’ College, Government Bangla College, and Government Titumir College.

After the UGC meeting, Titumir Oikya Office Secretary Bellal Hasan said: "We refute the process of forming Dhaka Central University by merging seven colleges. We are steadfast in ‘our’ demand to transform Titumir College into an institutional structure or university.

“Four students were invited to the UGC meeting on Sunday. Three of ‘our’ student representatives rejected the meeting. Although one participated, they left the meeting protesting the process of forming Dhaka Central University."

A Titumir Oikya statement reads the students of Government Titumir College are refusing the administrative structure proposed as “Dhaka Central University” with contempt.

Of the four representatives, Aminul Islam, Rony Islam, and Ali Ahmed did not attend the UGC meeting.

“A representative named Rezaye Rabbi Zayed walked out of the meeting in protest. While leaving, he declared to remain steadfast in students’ demand for justice."

Earlier, at a media briefing on Saturday night, the platform gave authorities 15 hours to contact student representatives and declare the college a separate independent educational institution or university.

The students alleged that the education ministry had asked to form a feasibility committee to declare Titumir College as a university on Nov 19, but the panel has not yet submitted its report.

On Feb 12, students held a press conference accusing the education ministry of duplicity and demanding a meeting with the chief advisor to address their concerns and discuss implementing their demands.

Students launched a hunger strike with seven demands, including converting Titumir College into a university, and planned the “Barasat Barricade to North City” to block the Dhaka North City Corporation area.

On Feb 3, as they protested by blocking the Mohakhali rail crossing and road, Md Nuruzzaman, joint secretary of the education ministry, and other officials met with them on campus.

While officials said converting the college into a university was not feasible, students suspended their sit-in and hunger strike after the ministry assured them of addressing other demands.