What DU authorities say about govt's decision on 7 affiliated colleges

The University of Dhaka has acknowledged reports from various media outlets that cited an Advisory Council meeting about the seven colleges affiliated with the university.

According to reports from Thursday, referencing Press Secretary of the Chief Adviser, Shafiqul Alam, the Advisory Council decided to implement a separate administrative system within the University of Dhaka to oversee these seven colleges. 

This system will include its own registrar and staff, while the colleges will continue to be affiliated with the university.

In its statement, the university clarified that it became aware of the Advisory Council's decision through media reports and had not previously engaged in any formal discussions with the ministry regarding the proposal. 

After learning about the situation, the university consulted with relevant advisers and government officials. 

Recognizing the public significance of the issue, the government has agreed to convene an urgent meeting with all stakeholders, including students, as early as Sunday.

The statement issued by Rafiqul Islam, acting director of the DU Public Relations Office, said that students from the seven affiliated colleges have been advocating for the establishment of an independent university, while the University of Dhaka students have called for the cancellation of the colleges' affiliation.

The university believes that further discussions with all stakeholders, including students from both the colleges and the University of Dhaka, are necessary to reach a sustainable and peaceful resolution, it adds.

Earlier on Thursday evening, during a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy, Shafiqul Alam said that the seven government colleges in Dhaka would remain affiliated with the Dhaka University, but would have a completely separate administrative structure with its own registrar and dedicated staff.

Shafiqul Alam also said that representatives from the seven colleges had met with Education Adviser Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud and Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud. 

In response to ongoing protests, Shafiqul Alam expressed hope that the students would cease their demonstrations.

The students from the seven colleges have been actively protesting for the establishment of a fully autonomous university. 

On Tuesday and Wednesday, they blocked the Science Lab intersection to express their demands.