Honestly, if you’re looking for a name on a deed or a single founder who sat down and "made" Titumir University, you’re going to be a bit disappointed. Because, as of right now, Titumir University doesn’t actually exist—at least not as an official, standalone institution recognized by the government.
What we have is Government Titumir College, a massive educational powerhouse in Mohakhali, Dhaka, that has been at the center of a chaotic, high-stakes tug-of-war. Thousands of students have spent months blocking roads and stopping trains, demanding that their college be transformed into a full-fledged university. So, when people ask who made Titumir University, they’re usually talking about two very different things: the legendary rebel the school is named after, or the student movement trying to force the university into existence.
The Man Behind the Name: Syed Mir Nisar Ali
You can’t talk about this place without talking about Titumir. His real name was Syed Mir Nisar Ali. He wasn’t an academic or a bureaucrat; he was a revolutionary. Back in the early 1800s, he became a symbol of resistance against British colonial rule and the oppressive local zamindars (landlords).
Titumir is famous for the Bansher Kella, or the Bamboo Fort. He built it in Narkelberia in 1831 to protect his followers. He basically told the British East India Company where they could shove their unfair taxes. It didn’t end well for him—he died when the British attacked the fort with cannons—but his name became synonymous with "standing your ground."
Fast forward to 1968. A college was established in Dhaka and originally named Jinnah College. But in 1971, during the heat of the liberation movement, students and activists decided they were done with the Jinnah name. They renamed it after the man of the bamboo fort. That was the birth of Government Titumir College.
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The Current Battle: Who is "Making" the University Now?
The reason this is trending in the news right now isn't because of 19th-century history. It’s because of a group called Titumir Oikya. This is a platform of students who have decided that "College" isn't a big enough title for an institution that houses nearly 60,000 students.
In late 2024 and early 2025, these students effectively "declared" the university themselves. They hoisted banners at the main gate that read "Titumir University" and demanded the government make it official.
So, who made Titumir University?
- Historically: The Government of Pakistan (initially) and later the Bangladesh Government established the college.
- Symbolically: Syed Mir Nisar Ali (Titumir) provided the identity.
- Politically: The students of the "Titumir Oikya" movement are the ones trying to manifest it into reality through sheer willpower and protests.
The Dhaka Central University Twist
Here is where it gets complicated. The interim government, led by figures like Education Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, has been pretty blunt. They’ve said they aren’t just going to cave to deadlines and turn every college into a university overnight.
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Instead, there’s a plan for something called Dhaka Central University (DCU). This is a proposed "umbrella" university that would include seven major government colleges in Dhaka, including Titumir. The idea is to give them university-level autonomy without making them seven individual, tiny universities that lack resources.
But Titumir students? They aren't exactly thrilled. Many of them want their own name on the diploma. They want "Titumir University," not "Titumir College under DCU."
Why Does This Matter?
It’s easy to look at a road blockade in Mohakhali and get annoyed by the traffic. But for the students, this is about their future. Being affiliated with Dhaka University has caused huge administrative headaches—delayed exams, "session jams" where a four-year degree takes six years, and results that take forever to come out.
They believe that "making" Titumir University is the only way to fix the broken system.
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What’s Happening Right Now?
The situation is fluid. In January 2026, we’ve seen continued pressure on the Advisory Council to pass the ordinance for the new university structure. The government is trying to balance the needs of the students with the reality that they can't just print new university charters every time a road gets blocked.
The "founders" of the university, if it ever officially happens, will be the policymakers in the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC). But the history books will likely give the credit to the students who refused to go to class until the sign on the gate changed.
Facts You Should Know
- Established: May 7, 1968 (as Jinnah College).
- Renamed: March 3, 1971 (to Titumir College).
- Location: Mohakhali, Dhaka.
- Status: Currently a Government College affiliated with Dhaka University, moving toward the Dhaka Central University model.
If you’re following this story, the next thing to watch is the Advisory Council meetings. That’s where the legal "making" of the university will actually happen—or won't.
Your Next Steps:
Keep an eye on the official Ministry of Education notices regarding the Dhaka Central University Ordinance. If you are a student or alum, check the college’s official website for updates on exam schedules, as these have been frequently shifted due to the ongoing movement. Don't rely on Facebook rumors; look for the signed government circulars to see if the "University" status has finally been legalized.