Students from seven government colleges affiliated with Dhaka University have staged a protest at Science Lab intersection, demanding the establishment of an independent public university.

On Tuesday (October 29), after 12 PM, the students took to the streets from Dhaka College, blocking the road at Science Lab. This blockade has halted traffic in the surrounding areas.

The protesting students assert that they are advocating for the just demand of an independent public university. They have rejected the Ministry of Education’s initiative to form a reform commission instead of taking steps to establish the university. “We want immediate action for the establishment of a public university. We have been compelled to take to the streets,” they stated.

Earlier, on September 22, during a press conference held at Dhaka College, students highlighted the issues faced by the seven colleges. They subsequently submitted memoranda to Education Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud on September 25, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan on September 29, and UGC Chairman Professor Dr. SM A Faiz. Similar memoranda were also given to the principals of the colleges.

On October 22, students from the seven colleges blocked both Nilkhet and Science Lab intersections in the capital, carrying out the protest from 12 PM to 3 PM. They issued a 24-hour ultimatum with three demands and announced the suspension of that day’s program. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education formed a 13-member committee to address the academic and administrative issues faced by the seven colleges.