The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced to establish a new independent university to oversee the seven major government colleges in Dhaka.
The Commission also proposed the new university to be named 'July 36 University'.
UGC Chairman Prof SMA Faiz and two other Commission members discussed setting up of
the new university with the education adviser on Thursday. At this time, the matter of what name should be given to the new institution also entered into talks.
Prof Faiz said, "We are still working on the outline and structure of the university." Regarding the rationale for naming it 'July 36 University', he said students played an important role in the July uprising. They mentioned the movement as 'July 36' in various graffiti.
"As a reflection of the uprising, remembering their sacrifices and recognising their contributions, we believe this name will be appropriate to honour their efforts," he added.
Prof Faiz further said they also proposed several other names. "Students have done a lot in July, and we believe this recognition should be dedicated to them," he added.
"The matter would be discussed at the UGC this Thursday. We had one round of discussion with the students. There will be another round of discussion. After that, the name of the university would be decided when the students finalise it," he explained.
These seven government colleges in Dhaka are Dhaka College, Eden Women's College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women's College, Government Bangla College and Government Titumir College.
The colleges had been affiliated to Dhaka University for the last seven years. In the wake of the movement, the DU Vice-Chancellor announced the separation of the seven colleges last Monday.
Then, the students of the seven colleges gave the government a 15-day ultimatum for an independent university structure.
Another report says: A group of students from Government Titumir College staged a demonstration by blocking a road in front of the campus gate in the city on Thursday, demanding steps to transform the educational institution into an independent university.
The roadblock caused immense suffering for commuters around the area in Mohakhali and Gulshan. Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, students began a hunger strike under the banner of 'Demand for state recognition of Titumir University' and made a seven-point demand.
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