Jahangirnagar University

Jahangirnagar University
জাহাঙ্গীরনগর বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়
Former name
 Jahangirnagar Muslim University ( 1970-1971)
Type Public
Established August 20, 1970 (formally launched in January 12, 1971)
Accreditation Association of Commonwealth Universities
Affiliation University Grants Commission (UGC)
Budget US$31.88 million
279.13 Crore BDT(৳) (2022)
Chancellor President Mohammed Shahabuddin
Vice-Chancellor Nurul Alam
Pro Vice-Chancellor Monzurul Huq
Academic staff
 836 (2019) professorial faculty
Administrative staff
 2,018 (2018)
Students 17,212 (2019)
Undergraduates 10,788 (2018)
Postgraduates 2,235 (2018)
1,962 (2018)
Location
Savar, Dhaka
,
Bangladesh

23.8825°N 90.2482°E / 23.8825; 90.2482
Campus Rural, 697.56 acres (2.8 km²)
Website www.juniv.edu

Jahangirnagar University (abbreviated as JU) is a public research university located in Savar, Dhaka in Bangladesh. It was established in 1970 by the Jahangirnagar Muslim University Ordinance of the Pakistani Government, which was amended after the independence of Bangladesh to form Jahangirnagar University.

Jahangirnagar University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various disciplines, including Arts, humanities, social science, natural science, business studies, and engineering. The university has produced many alumnus over the years.

The university has several research institutes, including the Institute of Business administration, the Institute of Information technology, and the Institute of Environmental science. It also has a number of research centers, such as the Center for Advanced Research in Humanities, the Center for Advanced Research in Biological Sciences, and the Center for Advanced Research in Social Sciences.

It is the fourth oldest generalized public university in Bangladesh. Also, it has fourth largest university campus in Bangladesh.

History

Jahangir

Jahangirnagar was the former name of Dhaka. The Mughal city of Dhaka was named Jahangirnagar (City of Jahangir) in honour of the erstwhile ruling Mughal Emperor Jahangir by Islam Khan in 1610.

Jahangirnagar University was established on 20 August 1970, but formally launched on 12 January 1971 under the Jahangirnagar Muslim University Ordinance, 1970 and this day is observed as University Day. Initially, it was named Jahangirnagar Muslim University, and the plan was to operate the university like Aligarh Muslim University. But after the independence of Bangladesh, its name changed to Jahangirnagar University under the Jahangirnagar University Act' 1973.

Its first vice-chancellor, Mafizuddin Ahmed (PhD in chemistry, Penn State) took up office on 24 September 1970. The first group of students, a total of 150, were enrolled in four departments: Economics, Geography, Mathematics, and Statistics. Its formal inauguration was delayed until 12 January 1971, when the university was launched by Rear Admiral S. M. Ahsan, the chancellor.

Jahangirnagar University Act of 1973

ACT NO. XXXIV OF 1973, an act to repeal the Jahangirnagar Muslim University Ordinance, 1970 and to provide for reconstitution and reorganisation of the Jahangirnagar Muslim University.

Location and campus

The Shaheed Minar of Jahangirnagar University is the tallest Shaheed Minar in Bangladesh
Winter birds at Jahangirnagar University
Central Mosque

The university stands on the west side of the Asian Highway, popularly known as the Dhaka-Aricha Road, and is 32 kilometres away from the capital. Spread over an area of 697.56 acres (2.8 km2), the campus surrounded by the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (BPATC) on the south, and the Savar Cantonment on the northeast, on the north of which is the National Monument (Jatiyo Smriti Soudho) and a large dairy farm on the east. JU is considered as the most beautiful university in Bangladesh. The topography of the land with its gentle rise and plains is pleasing to the eyes. The water features sprawled around the campus make an excellent habitat for the winter birds that flock in every year in the thousands and consequently, it is a site frequented by many bird watchers. On 19 January 2017, the university arranged a bird fair in its Zahir Rayhan auditorium. The Shahid Minar (martyrs' monument) of JU is the tallest in Bangladesh, 71 feet high and made of ceramic bricks on a base 52 feet in circumference. The height signifies the war of independence fought in 1971 and the circumference refers to the language movement of 1952. It is designed by architect Robiul Hossain.

The university is an autonomous body managed by an executive council known as 'The Syndicate'. Its statutes need ratification by the Senate of the university, which meets at least once a year to do the same. The Senate passes the annual budget of the university, reviews its academic matters, and elects a panel of three nominees for the position of its vice-chancellor once every four years. the selection and appointment are made by the president of Bangladesh, who is the chancellor of the university. The chancellor also appoints the pro-vice-chancellor and the treasurer of the university.

List of vice-chancellors

The first vice chancellor, Mafizuddin Ahmed, was appointed in 1970.

Name Duration
Mafizuddin Ahmed (1970–1972)
Syed Ali Ahsan (1972–1975)
Muhammad Enamul Haq (1975–1976)
Zillur Rahman Siddiqui (1976–1984)
Mohammad Noman (1988)
Kazi Saleh Ahmed (1988–1993)
Amirul Islam Chowdhury (1993–1994)
Alauddin Ahammad (1998–1999)
Abdul Bayes (1999–2001)
Jasim Uddin (2001–2004)
Khondokar Mustahidur Rahman (d. 2021) (2004–2007)
Muhammad Muniruzzaman (2009)
Shariff Enamul Kabir (2010–2012)
M. Anwar Hossain (2012–2014)
M A Matin (23 January 2014 – 2 March 2014)
Farzana Islam (2014–2022)
Md Nurul Alam (2022–present)

Academics

Jahangirnagar University is the only university in Bangladesh which preserves about 50% of the total seats for female students.

Selim Al-Din Muktomoncho
Butterfly Park
Administrative Building

Faculties

There are 36 departments under six faculties.

Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Department of Physics

Dean: Farid Ahmed

Faculty of Social Sciences

Dean: Bashir Ahmed

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Dean: Md. Mozammel Hoque

Department of Drama and Dramatics
New Arts Building

Faculty of Biological Sciences

Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering

Dean: Md. Nuhu Alam

Faculty of Business Studies

Faculty of Business Studies

Dean: Nilanjan Kumar Saha

Faculty of Law

Dean: Tapos Kumar Das

Institutes

There are four institutes for specialised research and training:

  • Institute of Business Administration (E Unit) Jahangirnagar University (IBA-JU) started as the university's Department of Business Administration (DBA) in 1991. This institute is the first in Bangladesh to offer an undergraduate degree in business. It offers a four-year course of study leading to a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree, and an eighteen-month post-graduate Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. Since May 2012, there is a Weekend MBA programme for working professionals. As of October 2015, the institute admits 50 students every year to its undergraduate programme. IBA-JU offers finance, marketing, and human resource management as majors. IBA-JU has seven student organisations such as Infusion-The Cultural Club of IBA-JU, Communic, IBA-JU Business Club, IBA-JU Social Welfare Club, Envision:IBA-JU Photography Club, IBA-JU Sports Club and IBA-JU Debating Club.
  • Institute of Information Technology(A Unit) was established in 2009.
  • Bangabandhu Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture(C Unit)
  • Institute of Remote Sensing and GIS provides postgraduate degrees.
Wazed Miah Science Research Centre
Fish Hatchery and Research Center

Student life

With sixteen residential halls (and new six are ready to inaugurate), Jahangirnagar University is mandated to provide residential accommodation to every student with separate halls for the female students. Each hall has its own administration system headed by a provost and is equipped with facilities such as playgrounds, rooms for indoor games, dining halls etc.

Halls/dorms

Halls for male students

Butterfly shaped Mir Mosharrof Hossain Hall

Halls for female students

Central Library

Established in 1985, the JU library is equipped with a huge collection of books. Located behind a monument of "Sangshaptak", the library is conveniently placed between the main academic buildings and the dormitories. The entire area has Wi-Fi coverage. There are more than 110,000 books, 14,000 hardbound journals, and 22,000 online journals in the library. The library can accommodate over 170 students at a time. There is a cyber centre on the premises. Airy with ample glass openings, the library is an elegant piece of architecture.

TSC

The teachers-student centre has the prime role in improving the relationship between the teachers and the students of the campus. It is a cultural hub for the university. Cultural groups usually perform drama and cultural programmes at Muktomoncho. Shaptam Chayamancha is a great attraction for students.

Zahir Raihan Auditorium

The "Zahir Raihan Auditorium", located in the TSC complex, is named after Zahir Raihan, a famous Bangladeshi novelist, writer and filmmaker. There is also a seminar hall for seminars, meetings and cultural programmers. The auditorium has 1500 seats, while the seminar hall can accommodate 250 persons. It is an auditorium fully equipped for drama, cultural activities, international conferences, and other similar events.

Swimming pool

Jahangirnagar University Swimming pool was only facility for swimming in the campus for students, now abandoned.

Gallery

  • Central Mosque at Jahangir Nagar University
    Central Mosque at Jahangir Nagar University

Monuments

  • Shaheed Minar
    Shaheed Minar
  • Amar Ekushey
    Amar Ekushey
  • Sangshaptak
    Sangshaptak

Grafitti wall

Notable people

Alumni

Faculty

Awards

Jasim Uddin Ahmad FRSC (London) was awarded Ekushey Padak for his significant contribution in education in 2006.

See also