Jahangirnagar University at 56: Celebrating legacy and inspiration
JU began modestly with four departments, 150 students, and 21 teachers. Today, it has six faculties, thirty-four departments, four institutes, and 12,379 students
As Jahangirnagar University marks its 56th anniversary, the campus is alive with celebration and anticipation. This morning, officials and staff gathered at the "Mrit Mancha" in front of the old Arts Building, a site steeped in decades of learning and activism.
At 10am, the national flag and the university flag were raised together, a symbolic gesture honouring both the institution's legacy and the aspirations of generations of students and teachers.
Throughout the day, the university hosted a vibrant array of events, from a procession and performances of classical music to spirited football and handball matches between current students and alumni. Cultural programmes across the campus celebrate JU's enduring role as a hub of intellect and creativity.
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The day culminated in an evening programme organised by the Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu), a moment to honour the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to the future – a future where the university continues to inspire knowledge, culture, and courage.
Founded in 1970, Jahangirnagar University is the nation's only fully residential public university, long celebrated as a centre of learning, culture, and natural beauty. Originally named Jahangirnagar Muslim University, it was formally inaugurated on 12 January 1971 by the then Governor of East Pakistan, Rear Admiral SM Ahsan. Following independence, the 1973 Jahangirnagar University Act renamed the institution, with Professor Mofiz Uddin Ahmed serving as its first vice chancellor.
JU began modestly with four departments, 150 students, and 21 teachers. Today, it has six faculties, thirty-four departments, four institutes, and 12,379 students housed in eleven male and ten female halls. With 712 teachers, 353 officers, and nearly 1,500 support staff, the university functions as a thriving residential academic community.
Spread across 697 acres, the campus is also a living museum. The country's tallest Shaheed Minar, the Liberation War sculpture "Sangsaptak", the Language Movement memorial "Amar Ekushey", the Selim Al Deen Open-Air Theatre, and "Odommo 24", the first memorial to the July 2024 mass uprising, embody decades of history, struggle, and cultural achievement. Once a sanctuary for migratory birds and vibrant greenery, the campus continues to inspire through its combination of natural beauty and educational excellence.
Academically, JU continues to shine globally, with seven teachers listed among the world's top 2% of researchers. Its students and faculty have also historically been at the forefront of national movements, from the Liberation War to pro-democracy uprisings and social justice campaigns, reinforcing the university's place not only as a centre of learning but as a bastion of civic courage.
