University of Barishal

University of Barishal (Bengali: বরিশাল বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়, Boriśhāl Biśbôbidyālôẏ; also known as Barishal University or simply BU) is a public university located in Barisal, a divisional city in southern Bangladesh.^[2] It is the country's 33rd public university.

The university was established in 2011 and began academic activities at undergraduate level in six departments under four faculties on 24 January 2012. The university offers degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The university houses 25 academic departments under six faculties, where 24 departments are currently providing postgraduate degrees. Every year almost 1,500 students are admitted to undergraduate programs in the university. The university started its academic activities at the temporary campus at Barisal Zilla School and then shifted to its permanent campus. The permanent suburban campus of 50 acres of the university is located in Barisal Sadar Upazila beside Dhaka-Patuakhali Highway on the bank of Kirtankhola river.

Location

The university is situated in the district of Barisal under Barisal Division. It is located at Karnakathi on the eastern bank of the Kirtonkhola river beside the Barisal-Patuakhali highway about 2 kilometers from the center of Barisal City. The university campus is spread over 50 acres of land.

History

Demand for a university in the area was first made in 1960 before the independence of Bangladesh. In 1973, then-Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared he wished to establish a university in Barisal during a rally held in the city. President Ziaur Rahman made a similar statement concerning establishing a university in Barisal on 23 November 1978, at a rally in Barisal Circuit House. In 1990s, former president Abdur Rahman Biswas also made a statement for the establishment of the university. In 2001, the 'Barisal University of Science and Technology Act, 2001' was passed by Parliament.^[3] In 2006, 'Shaheed Ziaur Rahman University Barisal Act, 2006' was passed. By passing this Act the 'Barisal Science and Technology University Act, 2001' was repealed.^[4]

After three decades, following strong demand from the people of Barisal, the proposal was passed in ECNEC on 20 November 2008, by then Caretaker Government. The law of the University of Barishal has been amended and passed by the National Assembly of Bangladesh on 16 June 2010. On 22 February 2011, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the construction of a building of the university. The university officially started functioning from the first day of July 2011 in a temporary campus at Barisal Zilla School. Educational activities were inaugurated by Minister for Education Nurul Islam Nahid on 24 January 2012, in the temporary campus of the university. President Zillur Rahman and Md. Harunor Rashid Khan, from University of Dhaka adorned the chairs of the Founder Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor respectively.

The construction of the main campus started in 2012 which is located at Karnakathi on the eastern bank of the Kirtankhola river in Barisal Sadar Upazila. Tk. 900  million was sanctioned to construct the university on 50 acres of land, including 12 acres of private and 38 acres public land.

In academic year 2011–2012 around 400 students were enrolled in six inaugural departments - English, Management, Marketing, Economics and Mathematics.^[2][5]

Campus

The university campus covers an area of 50 acres, and is landscaped around the Kirtankhola river with field areas and plants making the campus a natural arboretum. Facilities include academic buildings, administration building, auditorium, library, computer centre, workshop, research laboratories, halls of residence, teachers' quarter, mosque etc. The university has inside its boundaries a bank, a canteen and a large auditorium.^[6]

Transportation

The university runs its own regular bus service to and from the city to facilitate frequent commuting of the students residing there. Friday and Saturday are weekly holidays. The university own single and doubled-decker buses as well as microbuses to facilitate transport of students, staff and faculty members.

Medical Center

The University Medical Center is equipped for primary care but serious cases are referred to a Medical college hospital (Sher -E -Bangla Medical College Hospital) which is about 4 kilometres away.

Sports and entertainment

The university provides facilities for football, cricket, volleyball, table tennis etc. The students play tennis, badminton and other games as well. The students arrange debate, cultural show etc. The annual sports events are arranged at University Playground.

Library

The library has more than 20,000 books and hundreds of journals and periodicals in its collection. Approximately 150 students can use these facilities at a time.^[6]

Halls of residence

There are four dormitories for students.

Boy's halls

Girl's halls

Administration

According to the laws of University of Barishal, the university is mainly governed by two bodies; the Syndicate and the Academic Council, both chaired by vice chancellor. The position of the chancellor is chaired by the President of Bangladesh.^[7] Currently former treasurer Mohammad Badruzzaman Bhuiyan has been appointed as acting vice chancellor after Md. Sadequl Arefin's term has ended in 2023. Founder chancellor and vice chancellor were President Zillur Rahman and Md. Harunor Rashid Khan.

Vice chancellor

Academics

Academic activities of the university began with undergraduate classes for the 2011–12 academic year on 24 January 2012. The university initially started with four faculties (Arts, Science, Social Sciences and Business Studies) and six departments: Mathematics, Management Studies, Marketing, Economics, Sociology, and English. The university currently has 25 departments in 6 faculties.^[10] Both undergraduate and graduate degrees are provided from all the departments. The total number of undergraduate enrollment in all departments for 2023–24 academic year was 1570.The medium of instruction is English, which is the official medium of examination in effect in all departments of the university except in the department of Bangla. Bangla is occasionally followed while teaching.

References

1. ^ "Barisal University started". Protom Alo. 2022-02-21. Archived from the original on 28 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
2. ^ "bn:যেমন হবে বরিশাল বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়" [Barisal University] (in Bengali). The Daily Ittefaq. 15 June 2011. Archived 18 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
3. ^ "বরিশাল বিজ্ঞান ও প্রযুক্তি বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় আইন, ২০০১" (in Bengali). bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd. Archived 21 June 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
4. ^ "বরিশাল বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় আইন, ২০০৬" (in Bengali). bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd. Archived 11 February 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
5. ^ "Barisal University started". Prothom Alo. 25 January 2012. Archived 28 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
6. ^ "University of Barisal". bu.ac.bd. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
7. ^ "bn:বাংলাদেশ জাতীয় তথ্য বাতায়ন – গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ সরকার" (in Bengali). Retrieved 16 June 2015.
8. ^ "bn:এবার পদত্যাগ করলেন বরিশাল বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের উপাচার্য" (in Bengali). The Business Standard. 2024-08-20. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
9. ^ "BU VC, pro-VC, treasurer removed". The Daily Star. 2025-05-14. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
10. ^ "University of Barisal". bu.ac.bd. Retrieved 2024-06-15.

External links

• Official website