Dhaka College correspondent:
The appointment of an interim administration and the launch of the admission process for the proposed new university comprising seven affiliated colleges remain stalled due to complications at the Ministry of Public Administration, according to Professor Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, a member of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
On 25 February last year, the Ministry of Education and the UGC initiated a plan to establish a temporary administrative structure to ensure the continuation of academic activities for students affected by the uncertainty surrounding the seven colleges.
Under this initiative, titled “Temporary Arrangements for the Management of Educational Activities of Students in the Situation That Arose Around the Seven Colleges,” an administrator-of equivalent rank to the principals of the colleges- was decided to be appointed to head the interim administration.
The UGC’s proposal outlined a coordinated structure that would include an examination control office, admissions office, registrar’s office, and accounts office under the interim administration.
Dhaka University (DU) was expected to support the smooth functioning of these offices, with the UGC providing overall supervision. Despite plans to establish the interim administration by April, the process has not been implemented, resulting in a standstill in admissions for the 2024-25 academic session.
Professor Tanzimuddin Khan stated, “The interim administration and admission process for the seven colleges are currently stalled at the Ministry of Public Administration.
Although a meeting is required, it has not yet been convened. However, we are hopeful it will take place this week.”
He clarified that the UGC does not have the authority to appoint the administrator but is pushing for the process to move forward.
“We are making strong efforts to establish the interim administration within this week. Once the administrator is appointed, we aim to begin the admission process as soon as possible. That is our immediate challenge. Many students have already applied for admission,” he added.
When asked about the timeline for the admission test, Professor Khan said it was too early to provide a specific date. “The administrator, once appointed, will evaluate the situation. Only then can the admission test be conducted as per the plan.”
He also mentioned that while the structural framework for the new university is nearly complete, further details will be disclosed within two to three weeks following the administrator’s appointment.
Asked who will be appointed as the interim administrator, he responded, “That decision lies with the Ministry of Education. The UGC has no role in that appointment.”
Professor Dr Shamsun Nahar, Principal of Eden Mohila College, remarked, “It appears that ongoing examinations for the seven colleges will be conducted under the authority of Dhaka University. However, the entire process remains unclear to us, and we have not received any formal communication.”
Regarding the admission process, she added, “We have seen reports in the newspapers indicating that the admission test will be held soon, but we have no official information. Nothing has been communicated to us regarding the schedule or procedures.”
