Dhaka Central University

Dhaka Central University
ঢাকা সেন্ট্রাল ইউনিভার্সিটি
ঢাকা কেন্দ্রীয় বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়
Crest of Dhaka Central University
MottoLearn, Create, Inspire
TypePublic
EstablishedFebruary 8, 2026 (2026-02-08)
Accreditation
Budget৳24.92 crore (US$2.0 million)[1] (2026-2027)
ChancellorPresident of Bangladesh
Vice-ChancellorProfessor Dr. Md. Nurul Islam
Location
House No. 191 (3rd Floor), Road No. 2, Baridhara DOHS, Dhaka (Temporary office)
,
Bangladesh

23°46′49″N 90°22′26″E / 23.7802°N 90.3738°E / 23.7802; 90.3738
Campus
  • 75.72 acres (30.64 ha)
  • Urban (7 College of Dhaka)
LanguageBengali, English
NicknameDCU
Websitedcu.ac.bd

Dhaka Central University is a federal public university in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The university was established through the merger of seven prominent government colleges in the capital.[2][3][4] Dhaka Central University was established by an ordinance promulgated on 8 February 2026.[5] Under the provisions of the ordinance, it is the fifth autonomous public university in Bangladesh. The ordinance was subsequently approved by the Parliament of Bangladesh as a bill on 10 April 2026.[6]

History

The decision to form the university was made by the University Grants Commission (UGC) following prolonged demands from students for better administration and academic management.

In February 2017, the government of Bangladesh affiliated seven major public colleges with the University of Dhaka to improve the standard of higher education and introduce a modern curriculum.[7] These colleges had previously been under Dhaka University before being transferred to the National University in 1992.[8] However, challenges in administration and inefficiencies led to student protests beginning in October 2023. In response, the government formed a special committee in December 2023 to assess the feasibility of establishing a new independent university.[3][9]

In early 2025, students of Government Titumir College intensified their demand for the institution's upgrade to a university. Beginning in late January, they organized hunger strikes and road blockades, notably obstructing the Mohakhali–Gulshan road. The protests focused solely on achieving university status for Titumir College. The Ministry of Education acknowledged the concerns but emphasized the need for a thorough evaluation. Following assurances from government representatives, the students suspended their protests.[10]

Clashes between Dhaka University and college students in January 2025 worsened the situation. Dhaka University decided to sever ties with the colleges, effective from the 2024–25 academic session. While existing students remained under DU's administration, an expert committee formed by the Ministry of Education in December 2024 was tasked with overseeing the transition.

On 16 March 2025, the UGC finalized the name Dhaka Central University (DCU) during a meeting held at its headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka.[11] The proposed name was to be submitted to the Ministry of Education for approval, followed by endorsement from the advisory council and formal issuance of an ordinance by the President of Bangladesh.[12]

On 17 July 2025, Dhaka Central University received permission to start the admission process.[13] On 8 February 2026, Government published ordinance regarding the Dhaka Central University.[14] On April 10, 2026, the Bangladeshi Parliament subsequently passed the ordinance as a bill.[15][16]

Structure

Dhaka Central University is planned to be established at a separate permanent site. Until the construction of its permanent campus is completed, the university will conduct its academic and administrative activities on a temporary basis using rented buildings and facilities.

Seven government colleges in Dhaka will operate as the university's Attached Colleges. Under this arrangement, the colleges will retain their own names, infrastructure, and control over their movable and immovable properties.[17] At the same time, Dhaka Central University will conduct its own academic programmes at the Attached Colleges.

Students will be admitted through a centralized admission test and may enrol either at the main campus or at one of the Attached Colleges. The university will also centrally administer MPhil and PhD programmes at the Attached Colleges, while providing faculty development and advanced training for academic staff. In addition, residential halls, student union elections, and a Teachers–Students Centre (TSC) are also planned.[17]

Administration

Administrator

Until the appointment of a vice-chancellor, Professor A. K. M. Elias, principal of Dhaka College and interim administrator of the seven colleges affiliated with the University of Dhaka, also served as the administrator of Dhaka Central University.[18][19]

Administrators of Dhaka Central University
No. Name Assumed office Left office
1 A. K. M. Elias 2025 2026

Vice-chancellors

The following individuals have served as vice-chancellors of Dhaka Central University:

No. Name Assumed office Left office
1 A. S. Md. Abdul Haseeb 15 February 2026[20] 16 March 2026
2 Md. Nurul Islam 16 March 2026[21] Incumbent

Campuses

The following seven public colleges is under the Dhaka Central University:[22][4][23]

  1. Dhaka College Campus
  2. Eden Mohila College Campus
  3. Government Bangla College Campus
  4. Government Titumir College Campus
  5. Begum Badrunnesa Government Mohila College Campus
  6. Kabi Nazrul Government College campus
  7. Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College campus
Dhaka College campus
Bangla College campus
Badrunnesa College Campus

See also

References

  1. ↑ "How much did any public university get allocated in the budget" (in Bengali). Ekhon TV. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  2. ↑ "Dhaka Central University to be established with 7 colleges". Prothom Alo. 16 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  3. 1 2 "'ঢাকা সেন্ট্রাল ইউনিভার্সিটি' নামে এক হচ্ছে সাত কলেজ". Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 16 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  4. 1 2 ৭ কলেজের বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের নাম হচ্ছে ঢাকা সেন্ট্রাল ইউনিভার্সিটি. The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  5. ↑ Ahmed, Mustak (9 February 2026). "University for 7 colleges: Ordinance issued, to operate like National University". Prothom Alo. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  6. ↑ "Dhaka Central University Bill-2026 passed in Parliament". The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). 10 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  7. ↑ "Seven colleges to turn into a university with proposed name 'Dhaka Central University'". The Financial Express. 16 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  8. ↑ "DU, 7 colleges part ways at last". The Daily Star. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  9. ↑ "'Dhaka Central University' to be formed with seven govt colleges". The Business Standard. 16 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  10. ↑ "Titumir students return to classes after week-long protest". jagonews24.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  11. ↑ "New university for seven colleges to be called 'Dhaka Central University'". The Daily Star. 16 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  12. ↑ "'Dhaka Central University' formed from seven colleges". banglanews24.com. 16 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  13. ↑ ভর্তি কার্যক্রম শুরুর অনুমতি পেল 'ঢাকা কেন্দ্রীয় বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়' [Dhaka Central University gets permission to start admission process]. Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 17 July 2025. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  14. ↑ "Department of Printing and Publications - Bangladesh Government Press". www.dpp.gov.bd. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  15. ↑ "Central University Bill 2026 passed in parliament". Dhaka Tribune. 10 April 2026. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
  16. ↑ "Central University Bill 2026 passes in JS". BSS. 10 April 2026. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
  17. 1 2 প্রতিবেদক, বিশেষ (22 January 2026). "ঢাকার সাত কলেজের জন্য নতুন বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের অধ্যাদেশের খসড়া অনুমোদন". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  18. ↑ "ঢাকা সেন্ট্রাল ইউনিভার্সিটির অন্তর্বর্তী প্রশাসক একজন অধ্যক্ষ". Dainik Shiksha (in Bengali). 16 March 2025. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  19. ↑ "ঢাকা সেন্ট্রাল ইউনিভার্সিটি'র প্রশাসক হচ্ছেন ঢাকা কলেজের অধ্যক্ষ". Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 19 March 2025. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  20. ↑ "ঢাকা সেন্ট্রাল ইউনিভার্সিটির প্রথম উপাচার্য হলেন আবদুল হাছিব". Desh Rupantor (in Bengali). 16 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
  21. ↑ "ঢাকা সেন্ট্রাল ইউনিভার্সিটির নতুন উপাচার্য ড. মো. নুরুল ইসলাম". Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  22. ↑ "7 colleges' independent university named 'Dhaka Central University'". The Daily Observer. 16 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  23. ↑ "7 Colleges Affiliated with University of Dhaka". 7 College. Retrieved 16 March 2025.

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