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University of Dhaka

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The University of Dhaka is a major public research university located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. As the oldest active university in the nation, it serves as a vital center for higher learning and academic research. The institution is modeled after the structure of British universities. Today, it is one of the highest-ranked universities in Bangladesh according to the QS World University Rankings. It supports a massive community of learners and scholars. Currently, the university has a student body of 46,150 students. It also employs a faculty of 1,992 members.

Curzon Hall old photo
Curzon Hall old photo

The university's origins are tied to political changes in the early 20th century. In 1905, the British government formed a new province called East Bengal and Assam. Dhaka was named the capital of this new province. However, the partition of Bengal was abolished in 1911 due to opposition from the Indian National Congress and Bengali Hindus. This decision deeply hurt many local leaders. A Muslim delegation, led by Nawab Sir Khwaja Salimullah Bahadur, demanded a university be established in Dhaka to compensate for this change. Nawab Salimullah, the Nawab of Dhaka, provided 600 acres of land from his own estate to help the project.

Formal establishment occurred under the Dacca University Act 1920. The Secretary of State approved the final scheme in December 1913. Philip Joseph Hartog became the first vice-chancellor. He had previously served as the academic registrar for the University of London for 17 years. Lord Ronaldshay, the Governor of Bengal from 1917 to 1922, served as the first chancellor. Academic activities officially began on July 1, 1921. At its start, the university had 847 students. These students were divided into three original faculties: Arts, Science, and Law. There were also 12 initial departments and three student dormitories. These halls were named Salimullah Muslim Hall, Dacca Hall, and Jagannath Hall.

Throughout its history, the university has been a focal point for social and political movements. After the Partition of India, it became a center for democratic movements in Pakistan. The university played a significant role in the Bengali language movement. This movement occurred when Bengalis protested against Urdu being the only official language in East Pakistan. Students at the university participated in protests that eventually led to Bengali being restored as an official language. The institution also played a central role in the rise of Bengali nationalism. Its students and teachers were key figures during the independence of Bangladesh in 1971. Following the 1971 War of Independence, the Dacca University Order of 1973 reorganized the university to improve its administration and research.

Dhaka University Central Student's Union (DUCSU) building, University of Dhaka (2)
Dhaka University Central Student's Union (DUCSU) building, University of Dhaka (2)

The university has produced many notable alumni who have changed the world. Physicist Satyendra Nath Bose is famous for the theory of Bose–Einstein condensate. Muhammad Yunus is a pioneer of microcredit and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a student and became the founding president of the country. Other famous figures include the poet Buddhadeb Bose and the chemist Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy. The university has also honored great thinkers like Rabindranath Tagore with honorary doctorates. These individuals represent the academic and leadership strength of the institution.

Dhaka University Central Library
Dhaka University Central Library

The campus provides extensive resources to support its large population. The University Library is the largest in Bangladesh. It is housed in three separate buildings: the administrative building, the main library building, and the science library building. The collection includes more than 617,000 volumes and over 30,000 manuscripts in various languages. The Faculty of Business Studies also features a massive e-library. Built in 2015 with Robi Axiata Limited, this digital facility connects to 35 international libraries. It allows students to access research from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. This facility can accommodate approximately 1,400 students at a time.

Institute of Statistical Research and Training (ISRT), University of Dhaka
Institute of Statistical Research and Training (ISRT), University of Dhaka

The university is organized into 13 faculties and 83 different departments. These cover a wide range of subjects, from Fine Arts and Law to Biological Sciences and Earth Sciences. For example, the Faculty of Biological Sciences includes departments like Zoology and Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. The Faculty of Business Studies was originally called the Faculty of Commerce. It began in 1970 with only two departments: Accounting and Management. It now includes six departments, such as Finance and International Business. Beyond academics, the university provides health services through its Medical Centre. This center offers 24-hour care with 30 doctors working in shifts.

Botanical Garden, Department of Botani, University of Dhaka.
Botanical Garden, Department of Botani, University of Dhaka.
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🖼️ Images & Media (7)
File:Curzon Hall old photo.jpg
Curzon Hall old photo.jpg
File:Sir Jadunath Sarkar, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Sir John Anderson , Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy, Sir A F Rahman.jpg
Sir Jadunath Sarkar, Sarat Chandra...
File:Dhaka University Central Library.jpg
Dhaka University Central Library.jpg
File:Botanical Garden, Department of Botani, University of Dhaka..jpg
Botanical Garden, Department of Botani,...
File:Institute of Statistical Research and Training (ISRT), University of Dhaka.jpg
Institute of Statistical Research and...
File:Students Adda - Teacher-Student Center - University of Dhaka - Dhaka 2015-05-31 2446.JPG
Students Adda - Teacher-Student Center -...
File:Dhaka University Central Student's Union (DUCSU) building, University of Dhaka (2).jpg
Dhaka University Central Student's Union...
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