Seven college issue: CA calls emergency meeting

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has called an emergency meeting to discuss the ongoing situation of seven colleges.

Sources at the Chief Adviser’s Office confirmed the matter on Tuesday evening.

Education Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud, University Grants Commission Chairman SMA Faiz, and Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Niaz Ahmed were present at the meeting, among others.

Meanwhile, students from the seven colleges previously affiliated with Dhaka University have called off their planned protests, including the blockade of New Market Police Station and the halting of buses from Dhaka University, announcing a 15-day ultimatum for the framework of an independent university.

Representatives of the seven college students made the announcement following a meeting with Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam at the secretariat on Tuesday.

Moinul Islam, a student of Dhaka College, said, “The government has responded positively to our six-point demands. Those that could be immediately addressed have been resolved. We had planned to block buses from Dhaka University, as well as the New Market Police Station, within 24 hours, but we are now withdrawing our protest.”

"On Monday morning, we held a press conference where we presented our demands. That evening, we gave a 24-hour ultimatum for the government to respond. We were contacted by the government, and a discussion was arranged to resolve the issue. We have presented our demands, and we have been assured that they will be addressed through various processes," he added.

After meeting with the students, Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam said the issues of the seven colleges will be resolved swiftly through dialogue, urging students to remain patient. "We have had detailed discussions about their demands and problems. We will take necessary actions to address them," he added.

In another development, students on Tuesday evening demanded to start the activities of an independent university comprising seven colleges within the next one month.

At a press conference held on the Dhaka College campus this evening, student Zakaria Bari Sagar read a written statement, saying, “The committee formed by the education ministry must present the framework for establishing an independent university for the colleges by the next 15 days. And, the activities of the university should be started within one month through the president's ordinance.”

Another student Abdur Rahman said those who beat up students of seven colleges must be brought to book within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media on Tuesday morning, Education Adviser Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud said, “The seven colleges currently affiliated with Dhaka University will be transformed into an independent university. It takes time to establish a new university. We are working on the structure and model for the university, which is a complex process. Eight years ago, a previous government hastily affiliated the seven colleges with Dhaka University, which has caused many problems. We are now working towards creating a separate university for these colleges."