Photo: Collected
Students of Government Titumir College staged a road blockade in front of their Mohakhali campus today (30 January), demanding university status, among six other demands. Their demonstration follows an ongoing hunger strike that began yesterday evening (29 January) under the banner of "Titumir University for State Recognition".
The student platform Titumir Oikya outlined their seven-point demand, which includes official recognition of "Titumir University" with an academic calendar, formation of an administration, and initiation of admission activities for the 2024-25 session.
They also called for guaranteed residential facilities for all students or full financial support for housing, as well as the introduction of the two subjects — Law and Journalism from the upcoming academic year.
Other demands include appointing qualified PhD-holding faculty members, capping student intake to enhance academic quality, and ensuring land and financial allocations for world-class research facilities.
Following the political transition on 5 August 2024, students renewed their demand and submitted proposals to the president, chief adviser, and various ministries.
Students from seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University (DU) began calling for separation from DU and the creation of an independent university for all seven institutions following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government.
In response, on 5 November, Education Advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud assured students that DU's affiliation with the colleges would eventually be revoked. A committee was also formed to assess the matter, leading to a temporary suspension of student protests.
However, a group of students from Titumir College opposed this decision, instead demanding that their institution be upgraded to a full-fledged university. To push for their demand, they blocked the Mohakhali Intersection for over four hours and disrupted the Upakul Express train at a nearby railway crossing. According to railway officials, the students threw stones at the train, shattering 25 windows and injuring 15 to 20 passengers.
Messenger/JRTarek
