The School of Business and Entrepreneurship of Independent University, Bangladesh has launched a BBA major in Supply Chain Management through its Department of General Management.

The introduction of the major reflects the university’s response to recent global supply chain disruptions, which have created significant challenges across industries and highlighted the need for professionals with specialised training in the field.

The programme is designed to give students structured exposure to global supply chain strategies, sourcing and procurement, logistics, inventory management, risk analysis, technology, sustainability and supplier relations.

It will also help students identify weak links in supply chains and improve organisational performance, the university said.

Professor Dr Md Mamun Habib, head of the Department of General Management and a global expert in supply chain management, said the new major reflects growing global demand for supply chain expertise.

“Recent disruptions in fuel, food, resources and financial systems caused by regional conflicts and the Covid-19 pandemic have highlighted the central role of supply chains and logistics across industries. This programme is designed to prepare graduates to respond to such challenges with practical and analytical skills,” he said.

The four-year major requires a minimum of 130 credits for graduation.

Students will complete courses across foundation, core, major, minor and internship components. Key subjects include Demand Planning and Inventory Management, Managing Global Supply Chains, Sourcing and Procurement, Total Quality Management, and Strategic Supply Chain Management.

A range of elective courses, including Enterprise Resource Planning, Project Management and Lean Six Sigma, will also be available.

Professor Dr Raisul Awal Mahmood, acting dean of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, said the introduction of the major marks a strategic step in expanding the school’s academic portfolio.

“Supply chain management is now a core function in modern business. By introducing this major at the undergraduate level, the School of Business and Entrepreneurship is aligning its programmes with emerging industry needs while strengthening its focus on applied, industry-relevant education,” he said.

Admission to the programme will follow standard undergraduate criteria, including a combined GPA of 7.0 in SSC and HSC examinations, with additional provisions for O-Level, A-Level, International Baccalaureate and equivalent qualifications.

Applicants with strong SAT, TOEFL or IELTS scores may be considered for exemption from the admission test.

Independent University, Bangladesh Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Daniel W Lund said the BBA in Supply Chain Management reflects positive and practical progress in business education in Bangladesh.

“Leading business schools around the world are placing greater emphasis on integrated, highly practical, cross-functional knowledge that is rooted in cutting-edge research and global best practices. Supply Chain Management sits at the intersection of operations, logistics, data-driven decision-making and strategy,” he said.

“The new programme will help ensure that our graduates have the knowledge needed for navigating increasingly interconnected local, regional and global markets,” he added.

The university received approval from the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh on 8 April to offer the major.

Students will be able to apply for the programme from the Autumn 2026 semester, for which the admission process will begin in the first week of July.

Independent University, Bangladesh Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr M Tamim said classroom knowledge alone is not enough in a world increasingly shaped by systemic shocks in areas such as energy, food and logistics.

“Students need to understand how real systems behave under stress. This programme places strong emphasis on practical learning, so graduates can analyse disruptions, make informed decisions and respond effectively in complex, uncertain environments,” he said.

With the launch, Independent University, Bangladesh has become one of a small number of universities in the country offering a specialised major in Supply Chain Management at the undergraduate level.

The university has been offering a similar concentration in its MBA and EMBA programmes for the last two years.