University of Rajshahi

রাজশাহী বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় or Rajshahi University (Bengali: রাজশাহী বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় Raajshaahi Bish-shobid-daloy) is a public university located in Rajshahi, a city in north-western Bangladesh. University of Rajshahi was established in 1953, the second university to be established in what was then East Pakistan.

The university's 58 departments are organized into nine faculties. Rajshahi University is located in a 753 acres (3 km²) campus in Motihar, 3 kilometres (2 mi) from the Rajshahi city center. With 25,000 students and close to 1000 academic staff, it is one of the largest universities in Bangladesh. In addition to hosting programs in the Engineering, arts, sciences, agriculture, social sciences, business studies and medical sciences, the university houses a number of institutes of higher studies. This is the premier university in Bangladesh to have online subscription of world-renowned journals.

History

The first proposal to establish a university came in 1917, when Calcutta University created the Sadler Commission to assess the university system in Bengal. However, the recommendations of the report had no immediate consequences.

Rajshahi

Rajshahi (Bengali: রাজশাহী; historically Rampur Boalia; nicknamed "Silk City") is a metropolitan city in Bangladesh and a major urban and industrial centre of North Bengal. It is the administrative seat of Rajshahi District and Rajshahi Division. Located on the north bank of the Padma River, near the Bangladesh-India border; the city has a population of 448,087 as of the 2011 census,with about 878,000 living within metrolopolitan area. The city surrounded by the elevated terrain of the Barind Tract.

Modern Rajshahi lies in the ancient region of Pundravardhana. The foundation of the city dates to 1634, according to epigraphic records at the mausoleum of Sufi saint Hazrat Shah Makhdum. The area hosted a Dutch settlement in the 18th century. The Rajshahi municipality was constituted during the British Raj in 1876. It was a divisional capital of the Bengal Presidency.

Rajshahi is a prominent commercial hub. The city is home to the Varendra Research Museum. The University of Rajshahi is the second oldest and one of the largest public universities in the country. The Rajshahi Agricultural Development Bank and the North Bengal branch of the Bangladesh Bank are based in the city. There is an "Assistant High Commissioner of India" in this city. It is served by the Shah Makhdum Airport, and is connected via road and rail to Dhaka, Khulna and the Port of Mongla.