The debate stirred by the admission procedure of the Dhaka University's (DU) seven affiliated colleges for the 2024-25 academic sessions started recently.
The university has been reporting its decision to hold the admission tests under its very own provisions. Nevertheless, students from the affiliated colleges oppose this vehemently and demand a new framework toward the independence of their institutions.
According to the administration of DU, this arrangement for the admissions process has been decided for this year as, to carry out it on their own, there is no alternative structure for the institution's continuity. Application dates open on January 6 and close on February 12, while admission tests will take place from April 18 to May 2. The departments intended include the Sciences, Arts, and Social Sciences as well as Business Studies, the Government College of Applied Human Sciences, and DU's Technology Unit.
The students from all the seven colleges have protested against this decision. At a press conference held on January 4 at Dhaka College, Abdur Rahman, one of the representatives for the students' movement, stated that no more new sessions would go on under DU's affiliation. The tests will be conducted either under a newly independent university structure or under a high-level expert committee for drafting a framework concerning autonomy.
On December 29, the ministry set into motion the institutional reform process through the formation of a high-level expert committee. Chaired by UGC Chairman Professor Dr. SMA Faiz, the committee includes senior education officials and academics tasked with creating a framework for the colleges' independence. The committee is expected to submit its recommendations by April 2025.
Professor Mostafizur Rahman, convenor of the DU online admission committee defended the decision of the university until their new identity is formalised under DU jurisdiction. It would be impractical to delay the admission procedure under an incomplete framework.
He added, all the principals of the associated colleges now agreed to be supervised under DU for this academic year.
Professor Rahman also rejected allegations of an early start to the admission process saying that this year's admissions are not early; in fact, they are delayed.
The decision has left students largely dissatisfied, some going to the extent of questioning the reason for DU continuing to meddle in admissions when autonomy is being discussed. They want future academic activities, including admissions, to be under the new framework when it is established.
Professor AKM Ilyas, Principal of Dhaka College and the coordinator of the seven colleges said, Admissions will be conducted according to the directives of the government. The process for this year will be on the existing structure but any further change will depend on the recommendations of the committee.
The process concerning the admissions for the year 2024-25 will be left with the University of Dhaka even as the debate persists.
