Students Reject New Vice-Chancellor at Dhaka Central University, Raise Six-Point Demands
Dhaka | September 27, 2026
The protesters marched through the capital before holding a press conference, where they presented a six-point set of demands focused on academic migration, the introduction of a semester and schooling system, curriculum reform, faculty recruitment and the development of modern educational infrastructure.
The demonstration began at around 12:30 p.m. from the main gate of Dhaka College. The students marched towards the Science Lab intersection before returning to the college premises, where they addressed reporters.
During the protest, students chanted slogans including “No lobbying, only the streets”, “Break the Dhaka University syndicate”, “Action, direct action” and “We reject the Dhaka University vice-chancellor.”
Students question repeated changes in leadership
At the press conference, students expressed frustration over what they described as repeated changes in the university’s leadership while fundamental academic issues remained unresolved.
They said students had seen three vice-chancellors within roughly six months, while they had expected the period to be used to establish a stable academic framework, including the completion of academic migration, implementation of a semester system and introduction of an integrated schooling structure.
The protesters said they did not object to the government changing the vice-chancellor when necessary. Their concern, they said, was whether the interests and academic needs of the university’s approximately 54,000 students had been adequately considered in the latest appointment.
“The government may change the vice-chancellor whenever it considers necessary. Our question is what consideration was given to the academic position of 54,000 students when this change was made,” the students said.
They also claimed that the academic migration process was continuing without a clearly defined roadmap, leaving students uncertain about their academic progression and examination schedules.
Calls for immediate academic migration
The students demanded a clear explanation of the new vice-chancellor’s recent statements concerning the university’s academic transition.
They called for the academic migration of students to be completed within two working days, saying that the uncertainty surrounding the process was affecting tens of thousands of students.
They also demanded that final examination dates for students from the 2024-25 and 2021-22 academic sessions be announced within four working days and that the form-filling process be completed within seven working days.
According to the protesters, immediate administrative decisions are necessary to prevent further delays in students’ academic careers.
Demand for a central university location
The students also called for Dhaka Central University to establish its own institutional centre at a convenient location in the heart of the capital.
The university was established around seven government colleges, and students argued that a centrally located administrative and academic facility would make it easier for students from all seven campuses to access university services.
They said students should not have to travel to areas such as Baridhara, Gulshan or Agargaon to resolve routine academic or administrative issues.
The protesters stressed that the university’s future structure should take into account the geographical accessibility of all seven campuses and the needs of the students studying there.
Students’ six-point demands
The protesters presented the following six demands at the press conference:
1. Integrated schooling system
A modern and integrated schooling system must be introduced quickly under Dhaka Central University’s own academic structure.
2. Academic calendar and semester system
A clear and effective academic calendar and syllabus should be introduced, with regular classes and examinations and results published within scheduled deadlines. The students also demanded the rapid introduction of a semester-based academic system to eliminate prolonged delays.
3. Modern, skills-based curriculum
The university should develop a modern, research-oriented and skills-based curriculum aligned with contemporary academic and employment requirements. Where appropriate, English-language versions of academic programmes should also be introduced in line with international standards.
4. Independent university identity
Students enrolled in the 2025-26 academic year should receive identification cards bearing the university’s unified and independent identity.
5. Qualified faculty and research capacity
Experienced and qualified teachers should be recruited to improve academic standards. The university should also provide opportunities for faculty members to pursue higher education, professional training and research.
6. Modern educational and institutional facilities
Students should have access to modern libraries, laboratories, a Teachers-Students Centre, cultural facilities and sports infrastructure. The university should also establish accessible opportunities for advanced academic and research programmes, including MPhil and PhD degrees.
Students seek academic stability
The protesters said the establishment of a new university requires institutional stability and continuity in academic administration.
They argued that administrative changes should not disrupt classes, examinations, results, academic migration or students’ access to certificates and other academic services.
The students also called for a clearly defined roadmap for completing the university’s transition from the existing seven-college structure into a unified university system.
For the students, the central issue is not simply who occupies the vice-chancellor’s office but whether the university can establish a predictable academic system for tens of thousands of students.
They said they would consider further programmes if their demands were not addressed through concrete measures within the timeframes they have set.
The latest protest reflects the broader challenges surrounding the transition to Dhaka Central University, particularly the need to reconcile institutional restructuring with the immediate academic needs of its large student population.
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