At its 89th Academic Council meeting, Comilla University (CoU) recommended several major academic and structural changes, including reducing total student seats, adding 18 new departments to the organogram, establishing four new institutes, and introducing PhD programmes in 12 departments.

Professor Dr Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Registrar (in additional charge), confirmed the decisions on Sunday (14 September). According to the proposals, lab-based departments will have 40 seats each, while non-lab-based departments will have 50 seats each, in line with University Grants Commission (UGC) recommendations to ensure quality education.

The proposed new departments span multiple faculties. Under the Faculty of Science: Environmental Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering. Under the Faculty of Social Sciences: Sociology, Population Science, and International Relations. Under the Faculty of Arts and Humanities: Islamic Studies & Culture, History, and Philosophy. The Faculty of Business will include Tourism & Hospitality Management, Business Informatics, International Business, and Logistics & Merchandising. The Faculty of Engineering will have Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. The Faculty of Law will include Criminology.

In addition, the Academic Council recommended establishing four institutes: Institute of Modern Languages, Institute of Education & Research, Comilla University Advanced Research Centre, and Centre for Academic Quality Enhancement. The organisational structure for each institute has been outlined, including positions for directors, professors, administrative staff, and office support.

The council also proposed introducing PhD programmes in 12 departments, each requiring a minimum of 26 faculty members.

Commenting on the recommendations, Registrar Professor Dr Anwar Hossain said, “These proposals were made during the meeting. Inclusion in the organogram does not automatically create a department; it only reserves approval. The University Grants Commission will make the final decision once a formal application is submitted.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Haidar Ali added, “Many decisions have been made, but it is too early to provide full details. We will be able to share specifics once the regulations are approved.”