Students of seven colleges affiliated to the University of Dhaka yesterday announced a boycott of classes and exams today and tomorrow to protest the government’s refusal to form a commission to establish a separate university for them.

In a press conference held at Dhaka College, they also announced protests and rallies on their campuses.

“Students of the seven colleges strongly reject the statement made by the press secretary (of the chief advisor),” Zakaria Bari, a student of Government College Kabi Nazrul, said at the press conference.

“We will not go back on our primary demand of an autonomous university for the seven colleges. Our demand of a unified and independent university will remain unchanged,” Zakaria said.

The protesting students announced the new schemes two days after Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief advisor, said the seven government colleges affiliated to DU would have a dedicated unit to look after them while their affiliations with the university would remain intact.

During yesterday’s press briefing, Zakaria said the students had rejected the committee formed by the Ministry of Education to look into their demands, adding that a commission should be formed immediately with representatives of the students.

“Our movement will continue to resist any conspiracy surrounding colleges,” he said, demanding the press secretary’s “irresponsible” statement be retracted.

“If our demands are not met, we will announce stricter programs,” Zakaria added.

After Thursday’s meeting, Shafiqul said a dedicated unit would be formed within Dhaka University and it would have a separate registrar and other officials to supervise the seven colleges.

“There will be a designated place at DU to carry out administrative work (for the seven colleges).”

He said the decision was taken during a meeting between representatives of the protesting students, education advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud and youth and sports advisor Asif Mahmud.

Zakaria, however, said the meeting between students and advisors ended without a resolution.

“The advisors suggested setting up a separate administrative office outside the Dhaka University administration for the seven colleges. However, as the students wanted a completely independent university, no decision was taken,” a- he declared.