Rajshahi – The Rajshahi University is the highest seat of learning in the northern region of Bangladesh. Over last glorious 6 decades, a large number of students and teachers from this university have displayed their ingenuity and intellectual potentiality in respective fields throughout the world with fame and acclaim.The Rajshahi University is entering its 65th year on July 6, 2017 Thursday. The University was launched on July 6, 1953. Since then the institution has been rendering an admirable service in the field of higher education, research work and disseminating knowledge in accommodating about twenty-five thousand students.
The Foundation of the varsity was an outcome of the demand and series of movements of the people of all strata of the city.
A reputed lawyer and landlord of Natore, Madar Bux, and the member of the East Pakistan Legislative Assembly, Abdul Hamid, a prominent educationist and Sheikh Ansar Ali, a retired judge led the movements at that time.
In the wake of consecutive movements, the Rajshahi University Act 1953 (East Bengal Act XV of 1953) was passed by the East Pakistan provincial Assembly on March 31, 1953.
On July 6, Prof. Itrat Hossain Juberi, a noted educationist and the Principal of the then Rajshahi Govt College was appointed the founder Vice Chancellor of the university and it started functioning in 1954.
Though the university was established in 1953, actually its normal academic activities started in 1954. Initially, six academic disciplines- Bengali, English, History, Philosophy, Economics, and Law were introduced. Simultaneously a discipline on education (BT) was opened but failed to continue a few years later.
At the initial stage, 12-degree colleges and 8 intermediate colleges were affiliated to this university. It started its academic activities with only 161 students, 5 of whom were girls and a total of 20 teachers.
Since its inception six disciplines- Bengali, English, History, Law, Philosophy, and Economics were introduced.
At that time academic and administrative activities were held at different building including Fullar Hostel of Rajshahi, College, Historical Bara kuthi, B.B. Hindu academy, the house of Mitra Mahashoy, and 18th centuries Dutch Trading house.
The varsity moved to its own campus from 1961 to 1964 after the construction of academic, administrative and residential buidings.
According to Colombo plan, Australian architect G. Swani Thomas in association-With John A. Ziamanek designed the infrastructure of the university comprising about 303.80 hectres of land including Narikelbaria Agriculture unit.
The problem of accommodation was solved in 1961 when the university was shifted to its own campus at the “evergreen” Motihar.
The first Science Building was the first academic building and the only tin-shed Motihar hall were the structures that the university started with at its present site, administrative office sources said in the past 64 years history of the university over 169 thousand students obtained their graduation and post graduation degrees. More than 1621 scholars across the country have been awarded with M.Phil and PhD degrees from here.
It has now 57 academic departments under nine faculties, 6 higher research institutes and 17 residential halls and a dormitory for MPhil and PhD fellows.
Above 25,000 students are studying here and about 1,250 teachers are imparting educationto them.
RU has held nine convocations so far. RUCSU (Rajshahi University Central Students Union) elections were held 15 times.
Accommodation crisis is the main problem in the campus as only about eleven thousand seats are available in 17 halls against 25000 students at now. Apart from acute accommodation crisis, session jam, lack of modern facilities in the transport, Medicare, and computer as well as well organized Science laboratory and books in the central library are the major obstacles for students and teachers due to budget deficit and financial crisis.
Prof. ANM Jahangir Kabir, a senior teacher of Management Information System (MIS) Department said Congenial atmosphere of study and research is very supportive, to eliminate session jam and improve the standard of education and research of a varsity. So the university should be take some steps to improve the standard of administration and academic activities.
Sohanur Rahman Turzo , Chayan Chaki and Ponkti Deb students of Law faculty demanded holding of RUCSU election soon. – RU Correspondent
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