As the news reached protesting students around 2pm at Dhaka College, they broke into jubilation, chanting slogans in support of Dhaka Central University
Collage: TBS
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Collage: TBS
The Advisory Council has approved an ordinance to establish Dhaka Central University by amalgamating seven government colleges in the capital.
Education Adviser Prof Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar personally conveyed the news to students over the phone this afternoon (22 January), said Abdur Rahman, a key coordinator of the movement and a master’s student of Political Science at Dhaka College.
“Our one-and-a-half-year-long movement has finally succeeded,” Abdur Rahman said. “The education adviser himself called me to inform that the ordinance for Dhaka Central University has been approved by the advisory council.”
As the news reached protesting students around 2pm at Dhaka College, they broke into jubilation, chanting slogans in support of Dhaka Central University.
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.
Students protesting for the establishment of Dhaka Central University pose for a photo at ‘Oddhadesh Moncho’ in the capital on 22 January 2026. Photo: Courtesy
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Students protesting for the establishment of Dhaka Central University pose for a photo at ‘Oddhadesh Moncho’ in the capital on 22 January 2026. Photo: Courtesy
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.
The protesters had earlier issued a warning to the interim government regarding the progress of the proposed ordinance. Abdur Rahman had said that if any “negative updates” emerged by 21 January, students would march to the State Guest House Jamuna, the chief adviser’s official residence.
He also announced that in the event of a positive outcome, students from all protest stages would gather at the Science Laboratory intersection on 22 January for a grand celebratory procession through the capital.
Last week, students of the seven colleges blocked the Science Lab, Technical and other major intersections in Dhaka, demanding swift approval of the updated draft ordinance for Dhaka Central University.
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