Titumir College students now want exams under DU, not Dhaka Central University
The 2021-22 batch students say shifting their exams and certification to the newly formed university could prolong their academic life.
Students of Government Titumir College's 2021-22 academic session have demanded that their examinations be held under the Dhaka University instead of the newly formed Dhaka Central University, warning that otherwise they may take legal action.
The students said conducting their examinations and issuing certificates under the new university could take considerable time and further prolong their academic careers, reports Prothom Alo.
They made the demand at a press conference held at college premises in the capital's Mohakhali today (11 August), where they outlined concerns over the continuity of their curriculum, examinations and certification under Dhaka Central University.
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The students demanded that they be allowed to complete their honours degrees under the existing seven-college structure affiliated with DU and that their examinations be arranged without further delay.
The press conference was organised by several students representing the 2021-22 session.
Earlier, they raised their concerns and demands at a meeting with Dhaka Central University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Salma Begum.
Murad Mustakin of the Department of Social Work, Afrina Sanjid of the Department of Physics, Zahidul Hasan Rony of the Department of Chemistry and Aditi Pal of the Department of Marketing spoke on behalf of the students.
Responding to a question from journalists, Murad said students would take collective legal action if they were affiliated with another institution against their wishes.
"We will not accept any decision that goes against the students' opinions," he said.
Murad further said students had collected opinions through a signature campaign and an online poll, with around 90% of participants favouring completion of their honours degrees under DU.
The students also pointed to the experience of the seven colleges after they were brought under DU from the National University.
According to them, it took around two and a half to three years for students of the first batch to overcome session delays.
They questioned whether students would face even greater uncertainty under a newly established university when such delays occurred despite DU having an established administrative and examination system.
Aditi Pal said students were also concerned about the recognition and future prospects of certificates issued by the new university.
"My four years of study and hard work will have no value. There cannot be a bigger problem for a student of the 2021-22 session than facing such a situation," she said.
The seven colleges were affiliated with the University of Dhaka in 2017 after being transferred from the National University. The move led to prolonged disputes over examinations, session delays and administrative arrangements.
Last year, students of the seven major colleges in Dhaka had also staged protests demanding the issuance of the ordinance for the proposed Dhaka Central University.
The seven colleges are Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women's College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Government Bangla College and Government Titumir College.
