Dhaka, Oct 21 (V7N)– Students from seven government colleges affiliated with Dhaka University (DU) have issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding the establishment of an independent, autonomous university. This announcement came during a press conference held after the students blocked the Sciencelab intersection on Monday, causing significant traffic congestion in the capital.

The protesting students declared that if their demand is not addressed within the ultimatum, they will resume their movement on October 23. During the demonstration, which began at noon at the Neelkhet-Sciencelab intersection, the students chanted slogans such as “Affiliation or liberation, liberation, liberation,” “Trading education, we do not accept,” and “We want independence, no more slavery.” They expressed frustration over what they perceive as the failures of their affiliation with Dhaka University.

The students highlighted that since the colleges were affiliated with DU in 2017, their education has been plagued by issues like session jams and a shortage of teachers. They claimed that despite promises of better education when the affiliation was initiated, no meaningful reforms have been made, leaving them trapped in a cycle of academic disruptions.

In a three-point demand, the students called for:

1. The formation of a reform committee to transition the seven colleges into an autonomous public university.
2. The reform committee to engage with teachers, students, and stakeholders within 30 working days to draft a plan for establishing an independent university encompassing all seven colleges.
3. The reform committee to coordinate with Dhaka University administration to ensure that the current system functions smoothly, avoiding further session jams or delays for regular students.

The students also expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of action from the authorities despite their long-standing demands. They argued that the affiliation decision in 2017, made under the direction of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was unplanned and has failed to meet the intended objectives.

The seven affiliated colleges include Government Titumir College, Dhaka College, Eden Women’s College, Mirpur Government Bangla College, Government Shahid Suhrawardy College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women’s College, and Kabi Nazrul Government College.

The students warned that without immediate action, their struggle for independence from DU will intensify in the coming days, with a renewed movement set to begin after their ultimatum expires.

END/MSS/AJ