DHAKA, Jan 22, 2026 (BSS)- Establishment of the Dhaka Central University (DCU) will bring radical change in the higher education system in the country.

The government has approved the ‘Dhaka Central University Ordinance, 2026’ to bring seven government colleges of Dhaka under an integrated higher education framework.

“The decision will bring about a radical change in the higher education system of seven government colleges in Dhaka,” said a press release of the Ministry of Education.

The ordinance will act as a milestone in improving the quality of education. The main objective of this ordinance is to improve the quality of higher education by bringing seven government colleges under the same academic framework and resolve the long-standing administrative gridlock, the press release said.

Under the ordinance Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Govt Girls College, Govt. Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Govt Bangla College and Govt Titumir College will be run as 'affiliated colleges'. 

However, the institutions will retain their own heritage and rights over their movable and immovable properties.

The ministry said under the framework of this new ordinance, undergraduate and postgraduate education programmes, examinations and evaluations will be conducted according to a common schedule.

Students will get admission to the main campus or affiliated colleges on the basis of merit based on SSC and HSC results and through an integrated admission test. The University Grants Commission (UGC) will regularly monitor it.

The ordinance has set up a complete administrative structure for the university, including a chancellor, vice-chancellor, senate, syndicate and academic council. 

The President will be the chancellor of the university, while the vice-chancellor will be appointed from a panel nominated by the senate.

The UGC will have the authority to inspect, evaluate and conduct education, examination, research and administrative activities.
The press release said this university will not be limited to teaching only. M Phil and PhD programmes will be launched centrally. 

At the same time, special arrangements have been made for higher training to enhance the professional skills of teachers. Various faculties, including arts, science, social sciences and business education, will be formed as separate 'schools' to create a specialised learning environment.

Citing the ordinance, the Ministry of Education further said arrangements have been made to build a permanent campus to run the university's activities and to temporarily run the university's activities until its own campus is built.

The ordinance has provisions for residential hall facilities, student council elections and co-curricular activities for students.

Equal education and research opportunities will be ensured for all local and foreign students, regardless of race, religion, caste or gender.

The education ministry hopes that the formation of 'Dhaka Central University' will eliminate the long-term administrative complications of seven colleges and it will be established as an exemplary and modern research-based education model for the country's higher education system in the future.