Students of Titumir College have expressed satisfaction with the government’s decision to form a committee within the next seven working days to explore the feasibility of converting the college into a university.
Following this development, the students announced they would suspend all street demonstrations for the time being, viewing the government’s step as a positive one.
The announcement came after a meeting at the Secretariat on Tuesday (November 19) with Md Nahid Islam, Adviser for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology and Information and Broadcasting, and Professor Dr M Aminul Islam, Special Assistant to the Education Adviser.
Students' reactions
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, one of student representative who attended the meeting, said: “The government’s decision to form a committee is a welcome step. We are hopeful that this will lead to concrete outcomes. For now, we will refrain from organizing further protests.”
The students had been campaigning for the college to be upgraded to a university, citing the lack of a public university in Dhaka North and the institution’s sprawling 10-acre campus as compelling reasons.
Government’s rerspective
Professor Dr M Aminul Islam, Special Assistant to the Education Adviser, acknowledged the complexities of the transition but noted the unique position of Titumir College.
“Converting a college into a university is a challenging task. However, Dhaka North currently has no university, and Titumir College’s 10-acre campus offers significant potential. The committee will thoroughly assess all aspects before making a decision,” he said.
Next steps
The formation of the committee marks a crucial milestone in addressing the students' demands. The committee is expected to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study, examining logistical, academic, and administrative aspects before making recommendations to the government.
For now, the Titumir students’ decision to halt demonstrations underscores their optimism about the government’s initiative and their commitment to pursuing this cause constructively.
Students of Titumir College have been demonstrating for two months, demanding its conversion into a university. The protests intensified on Monday (November 18) when students blocked roads and railways in the Mohakhali Railgate area, leading to significant disruptions. During the blockade, bricks and stones were thrown at a passing train, injuring several people, including women and children. After five hours, the students ended their protest at 4 pm.
Following an unsuccessful meeting with Ministry of Education officials on Monday afternoon, a 14-member student delegation announced further demonstrations. On Tuesday (November 19), police and army personnel took positions near the college’s main gate to prevent another road and railway blockade. However, tensions rose as students objected to the police presence, leading to their withdrawal by 10:30 am.
In response to the mounting pressure, the students shifted their approach, opting for a peaceful sit-in on campus from 11 am to 5 pm.