Rajshahi University (RU), the country’s second-largest university, is celebrating its 74th founding anniversary today. Over the past 73 years, the institution has built a strong reputation for academic excellence, earning recognition both in Bangladesh and abroad.

The university began its journey on 6 July 1953 with only 161 students. Since then, it has grown from a small institution into one of the country’s leading centres of higher education.

Rajshahi University, also known for the legacy of the martyred teacher Dr Shamsuzzoha, has a rich and proud history. The roots of higher education in the region date back to 1873, when Rajshahi College was established during the British period. Although postgraduate and law courses were introduced there, those programmes were later discontinued, increasing the demand for a university in Rajshahi.

Around 1947, a movement began to establish a university in the city, inspired by the recommendations of the Sadler Commission. On 15 November 1950, a 64-member committee of prominent local citizens was formed to push the campaign forward. During the movement, 15 student leaders were imprisoned while demanding a university. A delegation of students and local people was later sent to Dhaka, and continued public pressure eventually convinced the provincial legislature to prioritise the proposal. Prominent lawyer Madar Bakhsh, a member of the East Bengal Legislative Assembly, also played a key role in the campaign.

The Rajshahi University Act was finally passed by the Provincial Assembly on 31 March 1953. Working alongside the university’s first Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr Itrat Hossain Zuberi, Madar Bakhsh helped prepare the university’s organisational framework. Academic activities initially began at Rajshahi College before the university moved to its permanent campus.

Today, the university covers about 303.8 hectares and has nearly 1,100 teachers and around 2,000 administrative officers and staff. It is home to almost 38,000 students, including international students, with women making up nearly half of the student population.

Rajshahi University now has 59 academic departments under 12 faculties. Its facilities have expanded significantly over the years, with 12 academic buildings, 11 residential halls for male students, six for female students, and an international dormitory for researchers and overseas students.

Throughout its history, the university has produced many distinguished graduates who have made important contributions at home and abroad. Among them are linguist and scholar Dr Muhammad Shahidullah, novelist Hasan Azizul Haque, writer Selina Hossain, historian Abdul Karim, political thinker and critic Badruddin Umar, film director Giasuddin Selim, playwrights Moloy Bhowmik and Masum Reza, and cricketer Al-Amin Hossain.