The Advisory Council has greenlighted the Dhaka Central University Ordinance, which will bring seven government colleges "under a single academic framework".

The matter has been confirmed by Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief advisor.

“The main objective of this ordinance is to improve the quality of higher education and resolve longstanding administrative complications by bringing seven government colleges in Dhaka under a single academic framework,” he said at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy on Thursday.

Students have long been protesting, demanding the ordinance. Students of the seven colleges recently announced fresh protests, with “Ordinance Moncho” visiting city streets and their campuses to draw public support to the demand.

Under the ordinance, Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls College, Government Titumir College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, and Government Bangla College will be run as affiliated colleges.

The colleges will retain their individual identities, infrastructure, and ownership rights over their movable and immovable properties, said Shafiqul.

The ordinance provides for a full administrative structure for the university, including a chancellor, vice-chancellor, senate, syndicate, and academic council. The president will serve as chancellor and appoint the vice-chancellor from a panel nominated by the senate. The University Grants Commission (UGC) will have the authority to inspect, evaluate, and issue directives regarding academic, examination, research, and administrative activities.

The university will have separate schools under different faculties, including arts, science, social science, business studies, law, and fine arts.

The colleges, however, follow a unified schedule and assessment framework set by the university at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Students will have the opportunity to enroll at the affiliated colleges based on SSC and HSC examination results and a central admission test.

In addition, the colleges will offer centrally administered MPhil and PhD programmes, alongside opportunities for faculty development and advanced training.

The ordinance includes special provisions for residential hall facilities, student union elections, and the introduction of co-curricular activities.

It also provides for the construction of a permanent campus to run the university’s activities, along with arrangements to operate the institution on a temporary basis until its own campus is built.

Provisions have also been added to ensure equal opportunities for admission and degree attainment for all eligible students, both domestic and international, without discrimination based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or special needs.