The possibility of the seven colleges each becoming an independent university has been a long-debated topic. This presents significant challenges, however, given the scarcity of resources in terms of land, infrastructure, and supporting workforce. However, establishing one university for all seven colleges is viable.

The current model, in which the seven colleges are administered by Dhaka University (DU), has proven ineffective. The execution of this model has demonstrably strained the university's resources. Besides, DU teachers have received no real support to incorporate this added work pressure, leading to a slow, inefficient cycle where the students suffer the most losing years of their lives. This arrangement has not served the colleges either, because of persistent academic and administrative challenges as well as a lack of communication between the university administration and college authorities and students. With no signs of improvement, the students have been rightfully demanding a change for years.

While this "unhappy marriage" has placed undue stress on all involved, the complexities of creating new universities necessitate careful consideration of various factors.

Two steps can help in solving this problem efficiently. The first is to establish an independent commission that can co-opt the four-member committee headed by the chairman of the University Grants Commission, which was created by the education ministry last month. This commission would be tasked with evaluating and addressing the students' demands. The second step is inclusive decision-making. All stakeholders, including diverse representatives from all seven colleges, must be involved in the decision-making process. This includes teachers, administrative high-ups, and some students from each of the seven colleges as well as some education experts and government officials.

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Separation of seven colleges from DU was long overdue

Internal resistance, particularly from within the colleges and even within the ministry, is anticipated. However, resolving the seven-college problem is paramount. The current uncertainty jeopardises the lives and futures of both students and teachers of Dhaka University and the seven colleges. I welcome the decisive move from the DU administration to sever ties with the seven colleges. This is good news for all involved.

Now, we need to prioritise addressing the issues of these colleges. First, we need to recognise that the teachers and students of these colleges are citizens as well as members of the academic community, and we have a responsibility to protect them from harm. Also, students are urged to remain peaceful and avoid provocation. Any escalation of the situation must be prevented. Patience and collaborative effort are essential for a resolution.

Reports from various sources indicate that provocation has been incited through some social media platforms, especially Facebook. It is crucial to identify and bring those involved in such instigation to book. The frequent formation of mobs, including cyber mobs targeting individuals, is deeply concerning. It is hoped that the authorities will hold perpetrators accountable.

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Rethinking the seven-college conundrum

For the sake of the colleges' future, my humble proposal is to turn them into a federative collegiate university, where the colleges will be in charge of the education, syllabi and to some extent residence of the students. Unlike the Ox-Bridge model, I propose a University College, London model. However, it will be an interim option where the colleges/new umbrella university will gradually decide the nature of this union. The university can be an administrative body, looking after the admission and examination processes. Meanwhile, the umbrella university should admit only bachelor-level students and stop admitting higher secondary-level students. The colleges, meanwhile, can be transformed into Higher Secondary institutions, keeping the current teachers, admin staff, and higher secondary students. Existing teachers should be encouraged to join these seven government higher secondary colleges. The university authorities should initiate recruiting university faculty members for the institutions under the umbrella university. Existing faculty and staff need to be given enough time and benefits to get rehabilitated so that their transition can be smooth. However, this is just a proposal that can be tried out with the stakeholders in the seven colleges. They should be the ones deciding their future and their career, not anyone else.

Dr Samina Luthfa teaches at the Department of Sociology, Dhaka University.

Views expressed in this article are the author's own.

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