Affiliation with 7 colleges: DU students to continue demo

Demonstrating students of Dhaka University (DU) today threatened to continue their movement demanding cancellation of affiliation of the capital’s seven collages with the institution.

“We will continue our movement as the university authorities have not assured us to meet our demands yet,” said a student.

He also said they will continue boycotting all classes and examinations and non-cooperation movement until the authorities take proper steps to meet their demands.

Earlier, at a press conference held at the vice-chancellor's lounge of the university, DU Pro-VC [administration] Prof Muhammad Samad said they have no right to cancel affiliation of the colleges.

“We would seat for discussion to find out a way to operate the seven colleges which would not hamper academic activities of the Dhaka University’s regular students. We have no right to cancel their affiliation. It is a governmental decision,” said Prof Samad.

He said they are sympathised to the agitating students for their logical demand and asked the students to return to their classes and examinations sunning the path of movement.

As per their earlier announcement, the agitating students padlocked gates of academic and administrative buildings of the university to press home their four-point demand, including cancellation of seven colleges’ affiliation with the institution.

Agitated students were seen staging a sit-in in front of a locked registrar building around 11:00am.

The protesters also brought out procession that marched all roads on the university campus took position at all the main entrances of the academic buildings including arts and science faculties and administration.

The students were also requested to halt their protest programme until Vice-Chancellor Prof Md. Akhtaruzzaman returns home from China but they rejected it.

On February 17, 2017, the government affiliated Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Mohila College, Mirpur Government Bangla College and Government Titumir College with Dhaka University.

Under the arrangement, their curriculum was brought under DU.

Besides, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on July 9 directed the education ministry to return affiliation of the government colleges to their nearest public universities.