Islamic University, Bangladesh

Islamic University, Bangladesh (legally: Islamic University) (Bengali: ইসলামী বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়, বাংলাদেশ; Arabic: الجامعة الإسلامية بنغلاديش), commonly referred to as Islamic University, Kushtia (abbreviated as IU), is a public PhD granting research university in Kushtia-Jhenaidah, Bangladesh and the largest seat of higher education in the southwestern part of the country. It is financed by the Government of Bangladesh through University Grants Commission, Bangladesh. On 22 November 1979, the foundation of the Islamic University was set up in Kushtia, and it is operated under the Islamic University Act of 1980. Islamic University began operations on 28 June 1986. It holds the distinction of being the seventh oldest educational institution in the nation, serving as Bangladesh's inaugural university post-independence from Pakistan (formerly West Pakistan) in 1971. It offers undergraduate, graduate, M Phil and PhD degrees. History On 1 December 1976, then government announced the establishment of the Islamic University to promote a coordinated approach to Islamic education and general education in the country. Islamic University, Kushtia was founded on 22 November 1979 at Shantidanga-Dulalpur (Kushtia-Jhenidah) by then President of Bangladesh General Ziaur Rahman, based on the recommendation of ‘Islamic University Planning Committee’ on 7 January 1977 headed by M. A. Bari including seven other members. The Islamic University Act was passed in the National Assembly of Bangladesh on 27 December 1980. The objective of establishing Islamic University is "to provide for instruction in theology and other fields of Islamic Studies and comparative jurisprudence and such other branches of learning at Graduate and Postgraduate level as the University may think fit and make provision for research including Post-Doctorate research and training for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge". On 1 January 1981, the then Government of Ziaur Rahman appointed A. N. M Momtaz Uddin Choudhury as the first vice-chancellor and the university became operational that year. As construction of several important buildings began, a presidential decree was issued on 15 May 1982 to shift the university from Shantidanga-Dulalpur (Kushtia-Jhenaidah) to Boardbazar, Gazipur on an area of 50 acres. The construction of an academic building, two residential halls and other necessary infrastructures were completed. Initially two faculties (Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences) with four departments (Al-Quran and Islamic Studies, Dawah and Islamic Studies, Accounting and Information System, Management) were established and 300 students were enrolled in the session of 1985–86. In 1987, two more departments (Economics, Law) were established. On 28 December 1988, while the infrastructure development and academic activities were in full swing, the university was again shifted to Shantidanga-Dulalpur (Kushtia-Jhenidah). In 1991, five more departments — Bengali, English, Arabic, Islamic History, and Public Administration — were established. In 1992, one more departments (Al Hadith and Islamic Studies) were established. In 1995, three other departments — of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and Computer Science and Engineering— were established. In 1998, three other departments — Information and Communication Technology, Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, and Applied Nutrition and Food Technology — were established. In 2007, two more departments Mathematics, and Al-Fiqh and Legal Studies— were established. In 2009, two more departments Finance and Banking, and Statistics— were established. In 2015, three more departments — Folklore Studies, Political Science, and Marketing— were opened. In 2017, 8 more departments— Law and Land Management, Development Studies, Social Welfare, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacy, Environmental Science & Geography, Human Resources Management, Tourism and Hospitality Management — were established. In 2019, the department of Fine Arts was added to the Faculty of Arts. In 2021, the department of Mass Communication & Journalism was added to the Faculty of Social Science. In 2022, the department of Physical Education and Sports Science was added to the Faculty of Science. In 2025, the department of Comparative Tafsir, As-Sirah An-Nabawiyyah were added to the Faculty of Theology & Islamic Studies. Currently, there are 41 departments under 9 faculties i. e. Faculty of Theology & Islamic Studies, Faculty of Islamic & Comparative Religions, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Business Administration, Faculty of Sciences, Faculty of Engineering & Technology, and Faculty of Biological Sciences. Administration The chancellor is the ceremonial head of the university who appoints the vice-chancellor. The position is held by the incumbent President of Bangladesh, the Head of State of Bangladesh. The vice-chancellor is the executive head of the university. List of vice-chancellors A. N. M Momtaz Uddin (9 February 1979 to 27 December 1988) Muhammad Sirazul Islam (28 December 1988 – 17 June 1991) Muhammad Abdul Hamid (18 June 1991 – 21 March 1995) Muhammad Enam-Ul Haque (9 May 1995 – 2 September 1997) Qaisuddin (3 September 1997 – 19 October 2000) Muhammad Lutfar Rahman (20 October 2000 – 3 November 2001) Muhammad Mustafizur Rahman (10 December 2001 – 2 April 2004) M. Rafiqul Islam (3 April 2004 – 10 July 2006) Foyez Muhammad Sirazul Haque (10 August 2006 – 8 March 2009) M. Alauddin (9 March 2009 – 27 December 2012) Abdul Hakim Sarkar (27 December 2012 – 30 June 2016) Md. Harun-Ur-Rashid Askari (21 August 2016 – 20 August 2020) Shaikh Abdus Salam (30 September 2020 – 10 August 2024). Nakib Muhammad Nasrullah (23 September 2024 – 14 May 2026). Professor A K M Motinur Rahman (15 May 2026 – Present ) List of pro vice-chancellors Kamal Uddin (3 March 2009 – January 2013) M. Shahinoor Rahman (20 February 2013 – 19 February 2017) M. Shahinoor Rahman (23 February 2017 – 22 February 2021) Mahbubur Rahman (30 June 2021 – 10 August 2024) M. Yeaqub Ali (2 December 2024 – Present) Notable persons Faculty A. N. M Momtaz Uddin Choudhury, first Vice Chancellor and project director of Islamic University, Bangladesh Maimul Ahsan Khan scholar of jurisprudence and comparative law and former professor of IU Khandaker Abdullah Jahangir, Islamic scholar and former professor of IU Abubakar Muhammad Zakaria, media personality, professor, writer Abul Ahsan Chowdhury, writer, researcher and former professor, Department of Bengali, IU Foyez Muhammad Sirazul Haque, academic and ex-vice chancellor, IU Harun-Ur-Rashid Askari, Bengali-English writer, fictionist, academic, media personality and the 12th vice chancellor, IU M. Alauddin, academic, chemist and ex-vice chancellor, IU Shamsuzzaman Khan, ex-director general of Bangla Academy and Bangabandhu Chair Professor, IU A B M Shawkat Ali, writer, physicist and ex-assistant professor of the Department of CSE, IU Mohammad Yusuf Siddiq, historian, epigraphist, researcher, professor and author Alumni Md. Shahjahan Alam Shaju, Bangladeshi politician and former member of parliament, general secretary of Swadhinata Shikshak Parishad Mohammad Ali Moni, clinical bioinformatics scientist. Shihab Shaheen, film director, producer and screenwriter. Tapan Bagchi, writer, folklore researcher Fahima Khatun, cricketer on the Bangladesh women's national cricket team. Mehedi Hasan Royal, forward for the Bangladesh national football team. Mohammad Shamsuddin, Bangladeshi sprinter, 2004 Summer Olympics. Sohrab Uddin, Bangladesh Nationalist Party member of parliament. Academics Faculties and departments At present the university offers academic programs through its 41 departments under 9 faculties and one self-contained Institute of Islamic Education and Research (IIER). The government-approved recent organogram of the university sets out to operate 59 departments and 3 self-contained Institutes. The faculty-wise distribution of departments is as follows: Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies Degree awarded: BTIS (Hons), MTIS, MPhil & PhD. There are Four departments under this faculty and the medium of instructions are Arabic, English & Bengali based on subjects, which are: Faculty of Islam and Comparative Religion Degree awarded: BICR (Hons), MICR, MPhil & PhD. There are Four departments under this faculty and the medium of instructions are Arabic, English & Bengali based on subjects, which are: Faculty of Engineering and Technology Islamic University offers various Engineering Programs in different branches of engineering sciences in Undergraduate (Bachelor of Science in engineering; B.Sc. Engg.) and Graduate level (Master of Science in engineering; M.Sc. Engg). Degree Awarded: B.Sc (Engg), M.Sc (Engg/M.Engg), M.Phil & PhD. There are five departments including applied/engineering sciences under this faculty and the medium of instruction & examination is English, which are: Faculty of Biological Sciences Degree Awarded: B.Pharm, M.Pharm., B.Sc (Hons.), M.Sc & PhD. There are three departments including applied/biological sciences under this faculty and the medium of instruction & examination is English, which are: Faculty of Sciences Degree Awarded: B.Sc (Hons.), M.Sc, M.Phil & PhD. There are four departments including physical/mathematical sciences under this faculty and the medium of instruction & examination is English, which are: Faculty of Business Administration Degree Awarded: BBA, MBA, M.Phil & PhD. There are six departments under this faculty and the medium of instruction & examination is English, which are: Faculty of Arts Degree Awarded: B.A (Hons), M.A, M.Phil & PhD. There are five departments under this faculty and the medium of instructions are English, Bengali & Arabic based on each department individually, which are: Faculty of Social Sciences Degree Awarded: B.S.S (Hons), M.S.S, M.Phil & PhD. There are seven departments under this faculty and the medium of instructions are English based on each department, which are: Faculty of Law Degree Awarded: LLB, LLM, M.Phil & PhD. There are three departments under this faculty and the medium of instructions are English, Bengali & Arabic based on each department individually . Academic buildings There are academic buildings in IU to operate academic activities of 41 departments, which are: Institutes Presently, IU has one institute, Institute of Islamic Education and Research (IIER). B.Ed., M.Ed., Diploma, Diploma in Library and Information Science, Junior Diploma in Chinese Language programs are conducted by this institute. The IIER of the Islamic University conducts research, publishes journals, and awards various degrees and certificates. The institute has an IIER Research Journal Publication. Journals are usually published from here in Bengali, English, and Arabic languages. Also under this institute are the Teachers Training Institute, Translation and Publication Bureau, Institute of Middle Eastern Studies and Muslim World Language Education, and IU School and College. Various courses and degrees are awarded under these institutions. Convocations Only four convocations have been organized in the history of the Islamic University Kushtia. The first convocation was held on 27 April 1993, the second on 5 December 1999, the third on 28 March 2002 and the fourth on 7 January 2018. In the last convocation in 2018, about 9,500 undergraduate, MPhil and PhD degree holders received their original certificates. Collaboration and MoU Enrollment Undergraduate (Bachelor's) Before starting every academic session, applications for admission into undergraduate studies are asked by IU authority and prepares detailed prospectus on the admission process including qualifications criteria i.e. cumulative grade points average of Secondary level (S.S.C or equivalent to Grade-10), Higher Secondary level (H.S.C or equivalent to Grade-12), Diploma, A level, O level etc. The prospectus also include units’ distribution on different subjects under different faculties, seat capacity, examinations fee and particular date to be held the examinations. The Undergraduate admission test is one of the competitive examinations in Bangladesh. After completion of twelve years of studies or higher secondary level (H.S.C or equivalent to Grade-12) education, a student can submit her or his application for undergraduate admission if he/she fulfills the minimum requirements. There are 8 units (A to H) for admission test; each unit has its unique questions patterns .i.e. applicants are required to answer questions on physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, English etc. based on the unit's subjects type to be admitted under Faculty of Applied Science and Technology. For the faculty of Business Administrations, applicants are required to answer questions on business studies, accounting, general knowledge, and mathematics. For the Faculty of Law and Shariah, applicants are required to answer questions on English, Bengali, and general knowledge. For the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, applicants are required to answer questions on English, Bengali, and general Knowledge. For the Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, applicants are required to answer questions on Arabic, Al-Quran, Al-Hadith, Dawah & Islamic studies, Al-Fiqh, Islamic history, English, Bengali, and general knowledge. Graduate (Master's) The Islamic University Kushtia offers Master's or postgraduate programs in various faculties and departments. The university's Master's programs usually include courses of one or two years duration and bachelor's degree holders can be admitted through an admission test. These programs include Master of Science (M.Sc.), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm.), Master of Theology and Islamic Studies (MTIS), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Social Science (MSS), Master of Law (LL.M) and Master of Education (M.Ed.). The admission and curriculum of each program are conducted as per the university's rules. To be admitted to the Master's program, one usually has to pass a written examination and/or an oral interview organized by the university's Central Admission Committee and acquire the necessary qualifications. However, in addition to the regular Master's courses, a Professional Master's course is also conducted here, which is locally called an evening master's degree. This degree is completed by conducting classes on specific days of the week in almost every department, especially on holidays. Graduate research (M.Phil or Ph.D) Before starting every academic session, applications for admission into postgraduate studies i.e. M.Phil. or Ph.D. are asked by IU authority and prepares details prospectus on the admission process including qualifications criteria i.e. cumulative grade points average of Secondary level (S.S.C or equivalent to Grade-10), Higher Secondary level (H.S.C or equivalent to Grade-12), Diploma, A level, O level, percentage of marks in the bachelor studies, and number of publications or research papers etc. Graduate diploma IU offers a 1-year diploma in Library and Information Science and a 1-year Junior Diploma in Chinese Language under Institute of Islamic Education and Research (IIRR). This diploma course is mainly conducted under the Islamic Education and Research Institute of IU. Every year, several hundred students complete the diploma course from the Islamic University Kushtia. Notable among the topics on which courses are being offered are: Magazines, journals and research bulletins Journal of Islamic University (IU Journal ) Journal of the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology Journal of the Faculty of Business Administration Islamic University Studies Swapno literary magazine "Mukta Bangla" literary magazine Innovations and achievements 17 teachers from different faculties of IU have been ranked among world's best scientists ( Researchers) in the AD Scientific index published in October 2021. The Intelligent Smart and Versatile Home Security System was designed by Niaz Mustakim, an M.Sc. student of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) Department. It can be used for everyday tasks like opening and closing doors, switching lights and air-conditioning on and off, as well as warning of dangers such as gas leaks and fire. A robot was invented by ASM Shamim Hasan, an M.Sc. student of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) Department. The device is capable of collecting information from spaces which are usually out of the reach of humans. IU is four times champions in football, two times in basketball and fourteen times in volleyball at the Bangladesh inter-universities sports competition. Moreover, some IU students played in the Asian games and Olympic games for the Bangladesh National Team and acquired prizes at that competition. Evening primrose (a special species of sunflower, a flower of winter-prone country) is cultivated first time in the climate of Bangladesh by the researchers of the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (BTGE). After trying for almost a year and a half under the leadership of Jahangir Alam, the researchers have been able to cultivate this flower in the country's climate through tissue culture. The other members of the research team is Anwarul Haque Swapon, Mostafa Shakil, Jubayer Hussain, Sadrul Hasan Chowdhury, Zahurul Islam, Zulkar Nain and others. Facilities Libraries The University Library, housed in a separate four-storey building, is one of the biggest in Bangladesh. It is named 'Khademul Haramain Badshah Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Central Library '. There are thousands of books and volumes, including bound volumes of periodicals. In addition, It subscribes to hundred of foreign journals. It has an advanced level E-Library Teachers, students and researchers are able to read all journals, books research papers and articles, by using the E-Library facilities. Computer Centre Islamic University Computer Centre was established in order to accelerating research facilities for faculty, staff and students. Present Director of the Computer Centre is Paresh Chandra Barman. The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) CELL is to deliver technology services to support the Teaching, Learning, Research and Administrative goals of the university, managed by the Computer Centre. Transportation The university runs its own regular bus services to and from the Kushtia and Jhenidah district towns. Although, it has a total of 47 Bus to ensure transportation facilities of the students, teacher officers and support staff residing inside and outside of the campus, but it is not adequate. In addition, VC, Pro-VC and Treasurer use university Car for their transportation facilities. 16 university's own bus (one double-decker bus for students) 31 hired buses (two double-decker buses for students) 2 university's own ambulance 4 university's own minibus Health services Health services are provided by a medical center at the campus. The medical center is situated near the Mir Mosharraf Hossain Academic Building and Mofiz Lake. The medical center offers free medical service and free pathological examinations to students, teachers and staffs of the university and also family members of the teachers and staffs. The Centre provides service round the clock, seven days a week, with 11 doctors working in different shifts. The centre also has dental unit, eye unit, x-ray department and two ambulances. The centre has in its premises arrangement for 05 bed accommodation so that students suffering from such contagious diseases as chickenpox or mumps may be taken care of in isolation. Cafeteria There is a central cafeteria, situated within the central auditorium's south side. Moreover, every faculty building, library, residential halls have cafeterias on the campus. University School & College Islamic University has a 'Laboratory School & College' of secondary level and higher secondary level education inside the campus for children. The school & college also receives general students from outside of the campus. Student life Student body The university has about 16,000 regular students. There are eight residential halls for students, including four of 2000 seats for male and three of 1500 seats for female students. This capacity is not enough and students usually live in two adjacent cities, Kushtia and Jheniadah. Halls of residence The university has twelve residential halls for students, seven for males and five for females. They are: Islamic University Theatre Islamic University Theatre (IUT) was established in 1991 by students. On 21 October 2021, IU theatre celebrated its 30th birth anniversary. Every now and then drama is staged at the Student Teacher Cultural Centre. International Student Affairs & Admission Cell (ISAC) IU also welcomes foreign students every year for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate research programs MPhil, PhD, enrollment process is conducted by International Student Affairs & Admission Cell (ISAC) at IU. Students can be admitted at IU from SAARC countries, South Asian Countries Middle East countries specially from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Somalia, Cambodia, Afghanistan and Indonesia. Sports IU has two large playgrounds, one is for cricket and another for football. These two are used as venue of annual athletics competition of the university as well as cricket, football, and hockey competitions. Moreover, these two venues are very popular for inter-university football and cricket competition. Students can access the facility all year round. IU has tennis court beside the gymnasium building. It also has a gymnasium cum indoor stadium near the halls of residence where students can do gymnastics and play basketball, badminton during leisure, and this gymnasium is used almost every year for inter-university basketball, badminton competition. Also this university has won the inter-university football competition five times into Bangladesh. Tamanna Khatun student of IU, who won a gold medal in the Youth World Hockey Championship held in South Africa in 2006. Mohammad Shamsuddin competed in the 100 meters at the 2004 Athens Olympics and Abdullah al hil Kafi, a famous athlete, who represented Bangladesh in South Korean Sports in 2003. Fahima Khatun and Mehedi Hasan Royal are national woman cricket and man football team member. Ranking International ranking In Edition 2021 according to Webometrics university ranking website, Islamic University, Bangladesh ranked 4218th out of 30,000 universities worldwide. In 2019-20 session Islamic University was ranked 9321th position into worldwide 13,800 universities by unirank.org website. Another side the edurank.org website ranks the Islamic University, Bangladesh 6209th position out of 16,954 universities. Russian university ranking website unipage.net ranks Islamic University, Bangladesh 4355th position out of 28,000 universities worldwide in 2020. National ranking In 2021 by Webometrics university ranking website, Islamic University, Bangladesh came 25th out of Bangladeshi public-private universities. According to unirank.org website Islamic University placed 42nd among Bangladeshi universities. Russian university ranking website unipage.net ranks Islamic University, 16th position out of 128 Bangladesh universities in 2020. The edurank.org website ranks the Islamic University, Bangladesh 23rd position among 129 universities of Bangladesh. Incidents Mysterious Death of Sajid Abdullah In July 2025, the body of Sajid Abdullah, a student of the Al-Quran and Islamic Studies department, was found in a pond adjacent to Shah Azizur Rahman Hall. The incident sparked widespread protests from students, who alleged negligence by the university administration and demanded a transparent investigation.[1] 2023 Ragging incident In February 2023, a first-year student, Fulpori Khatun, was subjected to severe physical and psychological abuse by a group of senior students at the Desh Ratna Sheikh Hasina Hall. The perpetrators were identified as leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL). The incident, which involved physical torture, forced stripping, and video recording of the victim, sparked nationwide condemnation and protests from academics and human rights organizations. Following a writ petition, the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh intervened, ordering an independent investigation. The court termed the incident "alarming" and directed the university administration to ensure campus safety. Based on the judicial inquiry and university probe, five students—including the BCL unit vice-president Sanjida Chowdhury Antora—were permanently expelled from the university in August 2023. The case is cited as a significant legal precedent regarding anti-ragging enforcement in Bangladeshi higher education. 2014 Student deaths and protests at IU 2014 IUB student death and protests refers to the student demonstrations and bus arson incidents that took place at the Islamic University, Kushtia campus following the death of a student named Tawhidur Rahman Titu in a bus accident on campus. This incident became one of the most widely discussed campus-based events in the university's history.On 30 November 2014, following Titu's death from being run over by a bus inside the campus, approximately 30 buses were set on fire and 8–10 buses were vandalized by protesting students.In response, the Islamic University was declared closed indefinitely, and remained shut for more than four months.Among the universities in Bangladesh, this became one of the longest closures due to a campus accident.At that time, the incident became a widely discussed and influential event across the country. Photo gallery See also List of Islamic educational institutions References External links Media related to Islamic University, Bangladesh at Wikimedia Commons IU Official website Islamic University Reporters Unity, Kushtia Archived 25 September 2021 at the Wayback Machine