Jahangirnagar University


Jahangirnagar University is a public university in Bangladesh, based in Savar Upazila, Dhaka. It is one of the top and only fully residential University in Bangladesh.
The university was established in 1970 by the Jahangirnagar Muslim University Ordinance of the government of Pakistan. Its first vice-chancellor, Mafizuddin Ahmed 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.
It operated as a project until 1973, when the 'Jahangirnagar Muslim University Act' was amended as the 'Jahangirnagar University Act'.
In 2014, the university had 16,781 students, 755 teachers, and 1,430 other employees. It has been ranked 3rd several times in national public university rankings.

History

Jahangirnagar University was 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.

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 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, the campus surrounded by the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre on the south, and the Savar Cantonment on the northeast, on the north of which is the National Monument and a large dairy farm on the east. 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 of JU is the tallest Shahid Minar in Bangladesh of 71 feet in height and made of ceramic bricks on a basement of 52 feet circumferences. 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.
NameDuration
Mafizuddin Ahmed
Syed Ali Ahsan
Muhammad Enamul Haq
Zillur Rahman Siddiqui
Mohammad Noman
Kazi Saleh Ahmed
Amirul Islam Chowdhury
Alauddin Ahmed
Abdul Bayes
Jasim Uddin
Khondokar Mustahidur Rahman
Muhammad Muniruzzaman
Shariff Enamul Kabir
M. Anwar Hossain
Dr. Farzana Islam

Academics

Faculties

There are 34 departments under six faculties:
Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Science
Faculty of Biological Science
Faculty of Social Science
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Faculty of Business Studies
Faculty of Law
There are four institutes for specialised research and training:

Wazed Miah Science Research Center

Wazed Miah Science Research Center was established on 30 May 2009. Its director is Dr. Md. Khabir Uddin. Since then, it has been operating its activities temporarily in the 2nd floor of Zahir Raihan Auditorium, Jahangirnagar University. A six storied building is under construction and is expected to be completed in a few months time. The research centre has fully air-conditioned laboratories having sophisticated modern instrumental facilities. Its foremost purpose is to enhance research amenities of science faculties.
WMSRC has received a grant of Tk 450.00 lakh under Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project, Academic Innovation Fund Window-3, administered by the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh. The title of the subproject is “Procurement of a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer for Wazed Miah Science Research Center: Research Capacity Enhancement for Faculty and Postgraduate Students in Physical and Biological Sciences”, Complete Proposal No. JU 2347. The 400Mz NMR spectrometer has already been procured and is expected to be commissioned in May 2015.

Fish Hatchery and Research Center

Cultural & Skill Development Organisation

Jahangirnagar University is culturally vibrant university with number of cultural and skill development organisations run by the students and teachers, including:
News And Media Society of Jahangirnagar University:
With sixteen residential halls, 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

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.
Obtaining and cancelling a library membership involves a fair number of steps. The library administration plans to extend the library buildings and make the whole system computerised, to make it easier to lend books. The library's design used to be more spacious than it currently is. But the authority did not complete its entire structure. This results in students facing problems when using the library, especially since the university is residential.

Medical centre

Jahangirnagar University has its own medical centre for students, teachers and other staff members. The centre provides 24-hour service and is supervised by the chief medical officers with a staff of qualified doctors. Despite bearing all expenses related to treatment for students, it only provides health-related advice to staff members.
Jahangirnagar University maintains the medical centre established in mid-1972. The centre used to be located in Al Beruni. It was moved to its present location later on. Presently, 30 medicine companies supply their products. A new medical centre building is being built following a long student movement.

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 programmes. 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.
The university has a gymnasium, a well-equipped swimming pool, an amphitheatre, and a central cafeteria. Adequate bus services between the campus and Dhaka city are provided to the students, teachers, and other employees of the university.

Notable people

Alumni