Thursday, 30 January, 2025
Last Monday's actions by students in the capital city have undermined the long-standing legacy of student activism in Bangladesh, which has historically been about justice, democracy, and national progress. Disruptive tactics that harm public order tarnish the credibility of their legitimate struggles and overshadow the noble role they’ve played in shaping the nation's history.
The students of Bangladesh have played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s political landscape, from the Language Movement in 1952 to the recent protests in 2024. Their resilience and activism have been at the forefront of demanding justice, freedom, and rights.
However, the students of seven government colleges in Dhaka, after eight years of protest, conflict, and tension, are now witnessing a significant milestone in their long-standing struggle for autonomy. In a highly anticipated announcement made on Monday afternoon, it was confirmed that these colleges will no longer remain affiliated with Dhaka University. The long-awaited news marks the beginning of their “honourable separation,” a step toward granting these institutions the autonomy they have long sought.
For years, however, students, many of whom have rallied in large numbers, holding demonstrations and staging roadblockades, have fought for their independence from the cumbersome and inefficient administrative structure of Dhaka University. Their relentless activism is finally beginning to bear fruit, but the question remains: Is the battle truly over, or does it open up a new chapter of challenges?
The newly confirmed separation of these colleges from Dhaka University is historic, but it raises new questions about the future structure of these colleges. While the decision to grant autonomy has been celebrated as a victory for student activism, the process of how these colleges will handle admissions, curricula, and operations moving forward has created significant uncertainty.
The committee responsible for overseeing the transition is headed by Prof SMA Faiz, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC). Despite the announcement, the chairman emphasized that the committee has yet to tackle critical issues such as the college admission process for the upcoming academic session. As Prof Faiz told bdnews24.com on Monday evening, “The admission process for the seven colleges is not under our jurisdiction yet. What decisions Dhaka University and the principals of the seven colleges have made are their own matters. If the education ministry instructs us, we will convene to discuss it.”
This leaves the future of student admissions in limbo. It has been decided that Dhaka University will no longer oversee student admissions for the colleges beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, but current students will continue under the existing system for their academic courses and exams. According to Prof AKM Elius, the principal of Dhaka College, one of the seven colleges, the future academic and admission processes will be guided by the recommendations of the committee, which is still in its early stages.
While the other universities in Bangladesh have already begun their admission processes, the seven colleges are in a state of uncertainty. A separate admission notice was issued for the seven colleges, and their admission framework will soon be developed. But for now, the new institutional framework is still under discussion.
At present, no clear mechanism exists to address the fate of the ongoing admission process. The committee formed by the Ministry of Education, which is charged with creating an independent institutional structure for these colleges, is still finalizing its work. Although a temporary notice was issued to conduct admissions under Dhaka University for the 2024-2025 academic session, the question remains: will this notice be affected by the new structural changes?
In a statement made on Monday, Prof Elius confirmed that student admissions will not take place under Dhaka University for the 2024-25 academic year. He also stressed that the ongoing exams for current students will continue to be conducted under Dhaka University, but this will only last until the new framework is in place.
Despite the government's efforts to establish an independent framework, questions abound regarding the ultimate jurisdiction over these colleges. Will they fall under the National University, or will they be directly managed by a new entity? How will their certificates be issued? These unresolved questions contribute to the growing uncertainty surrounding the de-affiliation process.
Prof Faiz, in his response to queries, emphasized that the committee has not yet addressed key issues like admissions. He noted, “We are still in discussions, but the work has not progressed significantly yet.”
On Jan 6, a notice was issued by Dhaka University to conduct admission tests for undergraduate first-year students for the 2024-2025 academic session. However, with the new decision on de-affiliation, it remains unclear how this process will unfold, raising concerns about how the transition will affect both current and future students.
The committee’s role in drafting the framework for the colleges’ future is critical. According to Prof Elius, the committee is expected to engage with stakeholders, including college principals and academic staff, to ensure the new structure meets the needs of students. However, without a clear and finalized plan in place, the colleges and students alike remain in a state of flux.
While students in Dhaka’s seven colleges face the uncertainty of what their future academic structure will look like, the long-standing legacy of student activism in Bangladesh is undeniable. From the Language Movement in 1952 to the protests of 2024, students have been at the forefront of social and political change, advocating for justice, democracy, and education reform.
Throughout the history of Bangladesh, students have shaped the nation’s political landscape. Their activism has been instrumental in securing the country’s independence in 1971, the return to democracy in the 1990s, and the more recent Safe Roads Movement in 2018. As these young activists now press for a fairer educational system, their role continues to be pivotal in shaping the country’s future.
However, recent actions that have involved road blockages and disruptions have sparked concerns about the direction of student activism. These tactics, while born from frustration, have at times undermined the credibility of their otherwise legitimate demands, tarnishing the reputation of the activism that has historically been a force for progress.
As the situation surrounding the seven colleges unfolds, it is clear that while the students have won a significant battle for autonomy, the war is far from over. The uncertain path ahead, marked by unclear governance and admission processes, will require careful navigation by the Ministry of Education, the UGC, and the colleges themselves.
While the government works to establish a new framework, the future of these institutions, and the larger landscape of student activism, will continue to evolve. With student leaders committed to securing their rights and a legacy of impactful activism, there is hope that a more equitable and efficient educational system will emerge from this period of uncertainty.
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Last Monday's actions by students in the capital city have undermined the long-standing legacy of student activism in Bangladesh, which has historically been about justice, democracy, and national progress. Disruptive tactics that harm public order tarnish the credibility of their legitimate struggles and overshadow the noble role they’ve played in shaping the nation's history.
The students of Bangladesh have played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s political landscape, from the Language Movement in 1952 to the recent protests in 2024. Their resilience and activism have been at the forefront of demanding justice, freedom, and rights.
However, the students of seven government colleges in Dhaka, after eight years of protest, conflict, and tension, are now witnessing a significant milestone in their long-standing struggle for autonomy. In a highly anticipated announcement made on Monday afternoon, it was confirmed that these colleges will no longer remain affiliated with Dhaka University. The long-awaited news marks the beginning of their “honourable separation,” a step toward granting these institutions the autonomy they have long sought.
For years, however, students, many of whom have rallied in large numbers, holding demonstrations and staging roadblockades, have fought for their independence from the cumbersome and inefficient administrative structure of Dhaka University. Their relentless activism is finally beginning to bear fruit, but the question remains: Is the battle truly over, or does it open up a new chapter of challenges?
The newly confirmed separation of these colleges from Dhaka University is historic, but it raises new questions about the future structure of these colleges. While the decision to grant autonomy has been celebrated as a victory for student activism, the process of how these colleges will handle admissions, curricula, and operations moving forward has created significant uncertainty.
The committee responsible for overseeing the transition is headed by Prof SMA Faiz, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC). Despite the announcement, the chairman emphasized that the committee has yet to tackle critical issues such as the college admission process for the upcoming academic session. As Prof Faiz told bdnews24.com on Monday evening, “The admission process for the seven colleges is not under our jurisdiction yet. What decisions Dhaka University and the principals of the seven colleges have made are their own matters. If the education ministry instructs us, we will convene to discuss it.”
This leaves the future of student admissions in limbo. It has been decided that Dhaka University will no longer oversee student admissions for the colleges beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, but current students will continue under the existing system for their academic courses and exams. According to Prof AKM Elius, the principal of Dhaka College, one of the seven colleges, the future academic and admission processes will be guided by the recommendations of the committee, which is still in its early stages.
While the other universities in Bangladesh have already begun their admission processes, the seven colleges are in a state of uncertainty. A separate admission notice was issued for the seven colleges, and their admission framework will soon be developed. But for now, the new institutional framework is still under discussion.
At present, no clear mechanism exists to address the fate of the ongoing admission process. The committee formed by the Ministry of Education, which is charged with creating an independent institutional structure for these colleges, is still finalizing its work. Although a temporary notice was issued to conduct admissions under Dhaka University for the 2024-2025 academic session, the question remains: will this notice be affected by the new structural changes?
In a statement made on Monday, Prof Elius confirmed that student admissions will not take place under Dhaka University for the 2024-25 academic year. He also stressed that the ongoing exams for current students will continue to be conducted under Dhaka University, but this will only last until the new framework is in place.
Despite the government's efforts to establish an independent framework, questions abound regarding the ultimate jurisdiction over these colleges. Will they fall under the National University, or will they be directly managed by a new entity? How will their certificates be issued? These unresolved questions contribute to the growing uncertainty surrounding the de-affiliation process.
Prof Faiz, in his response to queries, emphasized that the committee has not yet addressed key issues like admissions. He noted, “We are still in discussions, but the work has not progressed significantly yet.”
On Jan 6, a notice was issued by Dhaka University to conduct admission tests for undergraduate first-year students for the 2024-2025 academic session. However, with the new decision on de-affiliation, it remains unclear how this process will unfold, raising concerns about how the transition will affect both current and future students.
The committee’s role in drafting the framework for the colleges’ future is critical. According to Prof Elius, the committee is expected to engage with stakeholders, including college principals and academic staff, to ensure the new structure meets the needs of students. However, without a clear and finalized plan in place, the colleges and students alike remain in a state of flux.
While students in Dhaka’s seven colleges face the uncertainty of what their future academic structure will look like, the long-standing legacy of student activism in Bangladesh is undeniable. From the Language Movement in 1952 to the protests of 2024, students have been at the forefront of social and political change, advocating for justice, democracy, and education reform.
Throughout the history of Bangladesh, students have shaped the nation’s political landscape. Their activism has been instrumental in securing the country’s independence in 1971, the return to democracy in the 1990s, and the more recent Safe Roads Movement in 2018. As these young activists now press for a fairer educational system, their role continues to be pivotal in shaping the country’s future.
However, recent actions that have involved road blockages and disruptions have sparked concerns about the direction of student activism. These tactics, while born from frustration, have at times undermined the credibility of their otherwise legitimate demands, tarnishing the reputation of the activism that has historically been a force for progress.
As the situation surrounding the seven colleges unfolds, it is clear that while the students have won a significant battle for autonomy, the war is far from over. The uncertain path ahead, marked by unclear governance and admission processes, will require careful navigation by the Ministry of Education, the UGC, and the colleges themselves.
While the government works to establish a new framework, the future of these institutions, and the larger landscape of student activism, will continue to evolve. With student leaders committed to securing their rights and a legacy of impactful activism, there is hope that a more equitable and efficient educational system will emerge from this period of uncertainty.
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