Lesson 1/34 min
Jahangirnagar University
Key facts
- Established in 1970; formal start on 12 January 1971; University Day is 12 January
- Inaugurated by the Governor of East Pakistan and chancellor, Rear Admiral S. M. Ahsan
- Originally Jahangirnagar Muslim University; renamed Jahangirnagar University in 1973 (Jahangirnagar is the old name of Dhaka)
- The country's only fully residential university; also known as the ‘cultural capital’ and a ‘sanctuary of migratory birds’
- Location: 32 km from Dhaka, west of the Dhaka–Aricha highway, Pathalia union of Savar upazila; area about 697.56 acres
- North: National Martyrs' Memorial; north-east: Savar Cantonment; south: Public Administration Training Centre; east: dairy farm
- First Vice-Chancellor Mafizuddin Ahmed; the poet Syed Ali Ahsan became VC in 1972
- Four founding departments (Economics, Geography, Mathematics, Statistics); first batch 150 students; classes began on 4 January 1971 (session 1970–71)
- Departments first started in Bangladesh here: Anthropology, Business Administration, Archaeology
- The country's first woman Vice-Chancellor, Farzana Islam; the pioneer of drama and dramatic theory, Selim Al Deen
Watch out: The book gives the founding year, 1970, and the start date, 12 January 1971, separately. In exams the day is 12 January and the founding year is 1970.
Sculptures and architecture at JU
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Tallest Shaheed Minar | Bangladesh's tallest; in front of the new Arts building; architect Rabiul Husain; 52 ft wide and 71 ft high; inaugurated by former VC Khandaker Mostahidur Rahman |
| Symbolism of the tallest Shaheed Minar | 8 steps = 1947, 1952, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1971; of the three pillars, one stands for Bangla language, literature and culture, the others for land and people and for independence and sovereignty |
| Sangshaptak | In front of the library; a Liberation War memorial showing a freedom fighter who lost a leg and an arm yet raises his weapon; architect Hamiduzzaman Khan; built 26 March 1990; inaugurated by VC Kazi Saleh Ahmed; 15 ft high |
| Amar Ekushey | A Language Movement memorial; architect Jahanara Parveen; inaugurated by Kazi Saleh Ahmed; 34 ft high; between the Social Sciences faculty and the central cafeteria |
Memory trick: JU's three works: the tallest Shaheed Minar (Rabiul Husain), Sangshaptak (Hamiduzzaman), Amar Ekushey (Jahanara Parveen).
Check yourself
Which is the country's only fully residential university, and when is its day?
At a glance
- 1
JU was established in 1970; the formal start and University Day is 12 January (1971).
- 2
JU is the only fully residential university; about 697.56 acres; at Savar.
- 3
Originally Jahangirnagar Muslim University; renamed in 1973.
- 4
Bangladesh's tallest Shaheed Minar (71 ft) is at JU; architect Rabiul Husain.
- 5
Sangshaptak is by Hamiduzzaman Khan; Amar Ekushey by Jahanara Parveen.