Eden Mohila College: A Historical Overview of a Premier Women's Institution in Bangladesh
Eden Mohila College, also known as Eden College, stands as a prominent women's college in Azimpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh, with a rich and complex history dating back to the 19th century. Established in 1873, the college has played a crucial role in the advancement of women's education in the region and has evolved through various phases of development, facing numerous challenges and celebrating significant achievements.
Early Beginnings and Evolution
The story of Eden Mohila College begins in 1873 in the Farashganj area of Dhaka, where the Shubhaswadhini Sabha, a progressive organization, established a school dedicated to the education of Brahmo girls. This marked the initial step towards creating an institution that would later become a cornerstone of women's higher education in Bangladesh.
In 1878, a significant development occurred when Dhaka Female School merged with another girls' school, leading to the establishment of a unified institution. In the same year, the school transitioned into a government-managed entity and was renamed Eden Girls' School. This transition marked a turning point, as it brought the school under state patronage and provided a stable foundation for future growth.
Following its incorporation into the government system, Eden Girls' School was relocated to Laxmibazar. After 1897, the school was shifted to Sadarghat. In 1926, the institution underwent another transformation, evolving into Eden Girls' High School and Higher Secondary College. This upgrade signified the addition of higher secondary education, broadening the scope of the institution and catering to a wider range of students.
Relocations and Mergers
The college experienced several relocations throughout its history, reflecting the changing administrative and infrastructural needs of the institution. When AK Fazlul Haque served as the Education Minister of Bengal, the college was moved to Abdul Gani Road. After the establishment of Pakistan, the college was shifted to Curzon Hall for administrative reasons. In 1958, a significant merger took place when Eden College was combined with Kamrunnesa School and relocated to Tikatuli, where Kamrunnesa School was already situated.
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In 1962, the higher education section of Eden College was shifted to its present location. The following year, the Boxibazar branch of the college was established as the Government Girls College, which is now known as Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls' College.
Contributions to Education and Society
Eden Mohila College has been a pioneering institution in women's education, fostering the growth of numerous accomplished women who have made significant contributions to various fields. The college has played a vital role in empowering women and providing them with opportunities for intellectual and personal development.
The students of Eden Women's College have had a direct, protestant and courageous role in the 2018 Language Movement, the People's Uprising of 1969 and the Great Liberation War of 1971. Even today, the students of Eden Women's College have a proud presence in all fields of governance, administration, politics, education, research, science-engineering-dominion-technology, police and work.
The top female personalities of the country have served as the president of this college at various levels. They have brought the school to the peak of reputation with their knowledge, wisdom and foresight. Renowned teachers have taught here. Their contribution is incredible. Fazilatun Nesa Joha, Prof. Jebunnesa Rahman, Prof. Khodeja Khatun, Prof. Razia Begum, Prof. Dr. Ayesha Khatun, Professor Supriya Bhattacharya etc.
A student of Eden Women's College is a shining female personality of Bangladesh; The bright stars of the world of social culture-literature-politics are- Neela Nag, Pratilata Waddedar, Kamala Sen, Helena Dutta, Matia Chowdhury, Sufia Karim, Mafarufa Chowdhury, Khodeja Khatun, Dr. Sanjida Khatun, Fahmida Khatun, Ferdousi Rahman, Rushan Jamil, Laila Hasan, Ferdousi Majumder, Rani Hamid, Dolly Zahoor etc.
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Recent Controversies and Challenges
Despite its long-standing reputation, Eden Mohila College has faced recent challenges that have tarnished its image. In September 2022, allegations of irregularities and misconduct surfaced, involving student leaders and raising concerns about the overall environment within the college.
On 22 September 2022, Chhatra League's Eden College branch vice-president Jannatul Ferdous raised allegations of various irregularities against president Tamanna Jasmine Riva and general secretary Razia Sultana to the media. College authorities formed a committee on September 25 to investigate the incident. On the same day, the central council of the BCL expelled 16 workers of the Eden College branch based on preliminary evidence and announced the suspension of the branch's activities. On 26 September, the expelled leaders told the media that the central council of the BCL expelled only a section of the branch to systematically suspend the activities of the entire branch by keeping the committee. They alleged that the Riva-Razia group were not expelled despite evidence. These issues are not new but old in this college. In response, the college branch of Chhatra Dal called for resistance against the Chhatra League to make the campus safe for female students. The Central Women's Division of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in a statement condemned the incident and called upon the government to restore the campus environment.
These incidents have sparked widespread concern and debate about the state of student politics and the safety and well-being of female students within the college. The college administration and relevant authorities have taken steps to investigate the allegations and address the issues raised, but challenges remain in ensuring a secure and conducive learning environment for all students.
The Call for Transformation into a Specialized University
In light of the evolving educational landscape and the need for specialized skills, there have been discussions about transforming Eden Mohila College into an independent, specialized university. This proposal aligns with a broader movement to modernize Bangladesh's higher education system and equip it to meet future challenges.
The call to transform these historic colleges into independent, specialised universities is driven by several compelling reasons. Firstly, administrative autonomy would enable each institution to streamline operations and address challenges more effectively. By being freed from bureaucratic hurdles, these colleges could establish governance structures tailored to their unique goals and swiftly implement strategic initiatives. Moreover, academic independence is equally significant. By having the freedom to design their own curricula, the colleges could create programmes that align closely with both local and global job market demands. Additionally, this flexibility would also empower them to launch research projects that address critical societal challenges and adopt innovative teaching methodologies that prepare students for real-world applications.
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For instance, Eden Mohila College, with its long-standing history as a premier institution for women’s education, could evolve into a specialised university for nursing and healthcare sciences. This sense of identity would enhance the appeal of each institution, attracting prospective students and reinforcing the colleges’ legacies.
Transforming the seven colleges into independent and specialised universities would modernise Bangladesh’s higher education system and ensure it is equipped to meet future challenges. Drawing inspiration from international examples, this move would not only improve educational standards but also drive economic and social progress.
Notable Alumni and Faculty
Throughout its history, Eden Mohila College has been associated with numerous distinguished individuals who have left their mark on society. The college boasts a diverse alumni network that includes prominent figures in politics, academia, arts, and other fields.
Renowned teachers have taught here. Their contribution is incredible. Fazilatun Nesa Joha, Prof. Jebunnesa Rahman, Prof. Khodeja Khatun, Prof. Razia Begum, Prof. Dr. Ayesha Khatun, Professor Supriya Bhattacharya etc. A student of Eden Women's College is a shining female personality of Bangladesh; The bright stars of the world of social culture-literature-politics are- Neela Nag, Pratilata Waddedar, Kamala Sen, Helena Dutta, Matia Chowdhury, Sufia Karim, Mafarufa Chowdhury, Khodeja Khatun, Dr. Sanjida Khatun, Fahmida Khatun, Ferdousi Rahman, Rushan Jamil, Laila Hasan, Ferdousi Majumder, Rani Hamid, Dolly Zahoor etc.
Current Status
Over 150 years, Eden Women's College has seen tremendous change. Currently more than 24 thousand students are studying in 23 departments. The number of teachers is 252, administrative building and academic building 6, 6 student residences including 1 multi-storey. Technology has been applied in administrative work and in the classroom. Effective measures have been taken to protect the physical and mental health of students. There are cultural centers Chhayabithi, BNCC, Bandhan etc. Voluntary organizations are always active.
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