Bogura: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved the establishment of two academic departments at Bogura University of Science and Technology (BUST).
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the approval was communicated via a letter from the Inspection and Monitoring Branch of the UGC, signed by Dr. Md. Mohibul Ahsan, Additional Director of the Public University Management Department of the UGC. The newly approved departments, Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and Automobile Engineering, will be part of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology.
Despite the approval, students will not be admitted in the current academic year due to the absence of budget allocation and manpower recruitment approval. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Kudrat-e-Jahan stated that the university had initially applied for the launch of five departments, but only two received approval. He emphasized that infrastructure development, recruitment of teachers and officials, and administrative preparations are essential before academic activities can commence. However, no budget allocation or manpower recruitment approval has been received so far.
Regarding the establishment of a permanent campus, the Vice-Chancellor mentioned that the UGC has inspected several privately owned land sites in different areas of Bogura district, but a final location has yet to be selected. The university has proposed acquiring 300 acres of land for its permanent campus.
The Bogura Science and Technology University Act was passed in the National Parliament on July 15, 2001, but due to prolonged administrative and structural complexities, the university's activities remained dormant for years. On May 10, 2023, the Secondary and Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Education issued a notification to implement the law. Subsequently, on June 3, 2023, Professor Dr. Md. Qudrat-e-Jahan was appointed as the first Vice-Chancellor of BUST, and he assumed office on June 4. Since then, administrative and academic preparations at the university have gained momentum.
Although the long-cherished dream of establishing a science and technology university in Bogura has finally materialized after more than two decades, university authorities indicated that it will take additional time to launch full-fledged academic programmes.