Islamic University Bangladesh (IU): At a Glance
Islamic University Bangladesh (IU), majestically nestled in the serene and tranquil landscape of Shantidanga–Dulalpur of the Kushtia-Jhenidah district, is a premier public research university. Established in 1979 through the visionary initiative of President Ziaur Rahman and formally inaugurated in 1986, IU was founded with a singular mission to integrate Islamic education and values with modern sciences and technology.
Over the decades, IU has evolved into a vibrant academic hub with 9 faculties, 36 departments, and nearly 20,000 students, making it one of the largest universities in the South-western part of Bangladesh.
Chronological History & Milestones:
Early Proposals (1920–1949): Establishment
-1920 – First proposal made by Maulana Moniruzzaman Islamabadi
-1935 – Proposal by Maulana Shawkat Ali
-1941–1949 – Several committees were formed to establish an Islamic university in Bengal.
Formal Establishment (1963–1980)
-1963 – Formation of Islamic Arabic University Commission
-1976, 1 December: The Government of Bangladesh announced the establishment of Islamic University to promote higher education combining Islamic values with modern education.
-1977, 27 January: The Islamic University Planning Committee was formed headed by Professor Dr. M. A. Bari to prepare the University's framework and implementation plan.
-1977 (31 March -8 April): The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Conference held in Saudi Arabia proposed the establishment of Islamic Universities in the Muslim countries.
-1977, 20 October: Professor Dr. M. A. Bari Commission’s submission of report to establish a complete Islamic University.
-1979, 9 February: Following OIC’s proposal, the government of Bangladesh appointed Professor A. N. M Momtaz Uddin Choudhury as the Project Director for establishing Islamic University Bangladesh at Shantidanga–Dulalpur.
-22 Nov 1979 (Official Establishment) – The foundation stone was laid at Shantidanga-Dulalpur, Kushtia–Jhenaidah by the then President of Bangladesh and military General, Ziaur Rahman.
-1980-Birth of the University: The Islamic University Act was enacted by the National Parliament of Bangladesh on 27 December 1980, providing the university’s legal and administrative framework.
Motto
-To foster the harmonious integration of Islamic education and values with modern disciplines, namely science and technology, law, social sciences, business, engineering, and other contemporary disciplines.
-To evolve into a globally recognized world-class institution through excellence in higher education, research, teaching, innovation, and leadership.
Administrative & Academic Journey starts (1981–1992)
-1981, 1st January –The Government of Bangladesh appointed Professor A. N. M Momtaz Uddin Choudhury as the first Vice-chancellor of the university and administrative activities were formally commenced.
-1982 Temporary Campus Relocation
On 16 October 1982, a presidential decree relocated the university from Shantidanga–Dulalpur (Kushtia–Jhenaidah) to Boardbazar, Gazipur, Dhaka on a 50-acre site. It also suspended the ongoing infrastructure construction activities.
-1983, 21 July: President Hossain Mohammad Ershad inaugurated Gazipur Boardbazar Campus for second time.
-1985 – 1986 First Student Admission
The university admitted its first batch of undergraduate students in the 1985–1986 academic session, beginning with 300 students and 8 teachers across 4 departments under 2 faculties.
1986 – Academic Activities Begin
28 June: Teaching starts with two faculties and four departments, marking the beginning of the University's academic journey.
1987 –1988 Session: Academic Expansion
Departments of Economics and Law were introduced.
1989, 3 January: The cabinet decided to postpone all academic activities from 14 December 1989 under the academic session 1989-1990 (due to shifting of the Campus).
1990 – Return to Permanent Campus
1990, 24 February: The government issued an order to shift IU campus from Gazipur to Kushtia.
1992, 1 November: The University returns to its permanent campus from Kushtia to Shantidanga–Dulalpur.
1990–1992 – New Academic Disciplines Introduced
-1990-1991 Academic Session: In 1991, five departments, namely Bengali, English, Arabic, Islamic History, and Politics and Public Administration were launched. Later, the name of Politics and Public Administration changes to Public Administration.
-1991-1992 Academic Session: In 1992, Al Hadith and Islamic Studies department was established.
1994: Approval of Science Faculty
1995-96 – Engineering Education Begins
-Departments of Electronics and Applied Physics and Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology were launched in 1995-95 academic session. Later, Electronics and Applied Physics takes its new names respectively Applied Physics, Electronics, and Communication Engineering on 12 December 2006 and Electronical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) on 22 August 2017.
-Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology changes to Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering in August 2016.
1997-98: The introduction of Four-Year Honours degree was decided by the university.
1998 –99 Session: Introduction of Science and Technology disciplines
ICT, Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, and Applied Nutrition and Food Technology were introduced.
2000–2006 – Huge Infrastructure Growth
Academic buildings, laboratories, residential halls, library facilities, and postgraduate programmes continue to expand.
2003-2004: Further Academic Growth
Departments of Al-Fiqh and Mathematics were launched during 2003-2004 academic session. Later, Al-Fiqh department changes to new name as Al-Fiqh and Legal Studies on 10 August 2017 and Al-Fiqh and Law on 26 May 2025 respectively.
2006-2007: The introduction of International Grading System.
2010–2014: Research and Digital Development
Research, ICT facilities, quality assurance, and academic collaborations receive renewed emphasis.
Expansion of Business and Social Sciences
Finance and Banking (2009-2010), Marketing (2015-2016), Statistics (Session 2009-2010), Folklore Studies (2015-2016), and Political Science (2015-2016) had begun academic activities.
2017 - 2018 Session– Largest Academic Expansion
Eight new departments were introduced, including Pharmacy, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Science and Geography, Development Studies, Human Resource Management, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Social Welfare, and Law and Land Management.
2019 – Creative Arts
Department of Fine Arts begins its academic journey during the academic session 2019-2020.
2020-2021 – Media & Sports Science Education
Departments of Communication and Multimedia Journalism and Physical Education and Sports Science had been introduced from the session 2020-2021.
2023–2024 – Research and Internationalization
The University strengthens research culture, digital governance, innovation, and international academic cooperation across countries and global institutions while improving campus facilities.
2026 – Celebrating Five Decades of Excellence
Islamic University proudly enters its Golden Jubilee era as one of Bangladesh’s foremost public universities, distinguished by the state-of-the-art research, IT facilities, international collaboration, vibrant campus life, and an enduring commitment to excellence in education, research, innovation, and community service.
Institute
Institute of Islamic Education and Research (IIER)
The Institute of Islamic Education and Research (IIER) at Islamic University Bangladesh, Kushtia, is Bangladesh’s first government-established institute in November 1980, dedicated to advancing Islamic education, multidisciplinary research, and scholarly publication, integrating Islamic perspectives with modern science and technology.
Faculties and Departments
IU offers varied programs under 9 faculties with 36 departments. Currently, some upcoming departments are underway to be launched soon. Each faculty consists of several departments.
Names of the Departments under each Faculty
1. Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies
-Department of Al-Quran and Islamic Studies
-Department of Al-Hadith and Islamic Studies
-Department of Comparative Taf’seer (Upcoming)
-Department of As Seerah An-Nabawiyyah (Upcoming)
2. Faculty of Islamic & Comparative Religion
-Department of Da’wah & Islamic Studies
-Department of Comparative Religion (Upcoming)
-Department of Muslim Philosophy (Upcoming)
-Department of Aqidah and Ideology (Upcoming)
3. Faculty of Arts
-Department of Arabic Language and Literature
-Department of Bangla
-Department of English
-Department of Islamic History and Culture
-Department of Fine Arts
4. Faculty of Social Sciences
-Department of Economics
-Department of Public Administration
-Department of Political Science
-Department of Development Studies
-Department of Folklore Studies
-Department of Social Welfare
-Department of Communication and Multimedia Journalism
5. Faculty of Law
-Department of Law
-Department of Al-Fiqh & Law
-Department of Law and Land Administration
6. Faculty of Business Administration
-Department of Accounting and Information Systems
-Department of Management
-Department of Finance and Banking
-Department of Marketing
-Department of Human Resource Management
-Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management
7. Faculty of Sciences
-Department of Mathematics
-Department of Statistics & Data Science
-Department of Environmental Science & Geography
8. Faculty of Engineering & Technology
-Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE)
-Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (ACCE)
-Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE)
-Department of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
-Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME)
9. Faculty of Biological Sciences
-Department of Applied Nutrition and Food Technology (ANFT)
-Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (BTGE)
-Department of Pharmacy (PHAR)
-Department of Physical Education & Sports Science
Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC)
Purpose: Ensures academic quality, curriculum development, and compliance with UGC standards and accreditation procedures.
Activities:
-Conducting self-assessment of departments and institutes.
-Implementing quality benchmarks for teaching, research, and administration.
-Preparing & publishing reports for accreditation and continuous improvement.
Accreditation
IU is accredited under the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, which oversees quality assurance and compliance according to the international standards and benchmarks. Now, the university is working to pursue its further academic accreditation under Bangladesh Accreditation Council (BAC).