Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU) (Bengali: বঙ্গবন্ধু শেখ মুজিবুর রহমান বিজ্ঞান ও প্রযুক্তি বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়) is a public university located in Gopalganj, Bangladesh. It was established in 2011 and named after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.[1] Every year, around 1,505 students enroll in undergraduate programs.
History
Plans for the creation of the university began in 1999. Awami League government took the plan to set up 12 science and technology universities in 12 large districts lacking universities. In the first phase, six development project proposals were prepared. Among the six, BSMRSTU was one of the tops. On 15 November 1999, M. Khairul Alam Khan, professor of Department of Applied Physics and Electronics Engineering of Rajshahi University was appointed project director and sent to Gopalganj.
The project director completed the work of university selection, land acquisition (about 55 acres) and land-preparation work. On 8 July 2001, the BSMRSTU Act was enacted. On 13 July, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally commenced the foundation. On 14 July, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recommended that Khan become vice-chancellor. The recommendation was approved by the president on 19 July.
In the 2001 election the four-party alliance government of Jamaat-BNP came rose to power and closed the project on 15 April 2002. Khan returned to his previous institution. Seven employees were simply discharged.
Awami League won the ninth parliamentary elections held on 29 December 2008. In November 2009, the project was revived. On 5 January 2010, Hasina reappointed Khan as project director. On 14 December 2010, he was appointed vice-chancellor for a four-year term. On 2 February 2015. Khondakar Md Nasiruddin, professor of Biotechnology Department of Bangladesh Agricultural University was appointed as the new vice-chancellor by President Abdul Hamid.[2]
BSMRSTU enrolls undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students. Applicants must pass the competitive admission test. Tests are arranged by each faculty under the authority of the admission council. The university enrolls 1505 undergraduates in every year.[6]
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj
BSMRSTU has three campuses.
Administrative Building of BSMRSTUSir Achrja Jagadish Chandra Bose Academic Building
The main campus is situated in Gobra. The Faculty of Agriculture used to be taught in Sheikh Hasina Agriculture Institute which is located in Kusli, Tungipara. The third campus was Sheikh Hasina Institute of ICT and is in Shibchar, Madaripur that used to host the Faculty of Engineering,s Department : CSE, EEE, ACCE, FAE and Civil. Later both Faculty of Agriculture and Engineering were shifted to the main campus.[7] The main campus consists of five halls for students,[8] the central library,[9] an academic building, and an administrative building.[10]
Library
Ekushee February Library Center is the central library.[9] At present it is two-storied (four-storied building) 1100 sq.m. In the northern part of the campus it is located with beautiful design. It was inaugurated on 21 February 2014. Its construction cost is 2 crore 46 lakh 74 thousand taka. It has a collection of books, journals and newspapers. The library is open during academic hours (Generally from 9:00 A.M to 8:00 P.M)
Residential student halls
Campus hosts five residential halls, each of which has five-stories with a capacity of 250 students. The halls are:
