A group of students from the University of Dhaka has submitted a memorandum to Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan, expressing their objection to the proposed name ‘Dhaka Central University’ for the newly announced institution comprising the seven government colleges in the capital.
The students fear that the name’s similarity to Dhaka University could cause confusion in the future. The memorandum, submitted on Friday evening, outlines three key demands:
- The word ‘Dhaka’ must be removed from the new university’s name.
- A completely distinct and original name should be chosen to prevent confusion, such as ‘Central University of Bangladesh’ or ‘Metropolitan University.’
- The university authorities should formally communicate their objection to the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Ministry of Education, recommending a name change.
The memorandum highlights five major concerns regarding the proposed name:
Name-related confusion: With only one word differentiating ‘Dhaka University’ and ‘Dhaka Central University,’ the similarity could mislead the general public.
Local challenges: Parents and students, particularly from rural areas, may struggle to distinguish between the institutions.
Fraud risks: The name’s resemblance could lead to scams related to tuition and admission fraud.
Employment hurdles: Job applicants from both institutions may face difficulties due to the name confusion.
International implications: Foreign students and academic institutions may mistake one university for the other, potentially harming Dhaka University’s global reputation.
The memorandum underscores that Dhaka University, commonly known as ‘DU,’ holds historic significance and international recognition. It warns that ‘Dhaka Central University’ (DCU) is phonetically similar to ‘DU,’ which could lead to identity-related issues for students, impact tuition processes, complicate job applications, and create obstacles in international academic circles.
University officials have indicated that a formal letter objecting to the name will be sent to the UGC and the education ministry.