Over the past decade and a half, many teachers at the University of Dhaka have been more focused on politics, business, and securing positions in public and private institutions than on academic responsibilities. As a result, the university has fallen behind in research, student-teacher relationships have deteriorated, and the overall quality of education has declined. This has been reflected in various international rankings. Although the university once earned a strong global reputation, it has never made it to the list of top-ranked universities in the world. Since the 2024 mass uprising, there has been growing hope in different quarters that this situation might change.
However, many feel that not much has changed at the University of Dhaka following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. A section of teachers remains preoccupied with political or personal affairs, while students are engaged in various protests and movements. The administration has taken no visible steps to address these issues. While there has been no effective action to improve academic standards, the university administration has been notably active in pursuing infrastructure projects. Recently, the government approved a record BDT 28.4 billion development project for the university. The project received approval in the first meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for the current fiscal year. Under the project, six academic buildings, nine dormitories for students, nine buildings for house tutors, and seven additional residential and administrative buildings are to be constructed. This is the largest project ever approved for the University of Dhaka.
The interim government’s approval of such a large development project for the university has already sparked mixed reactions. Many teachers and students from other public universities have expressed frustration, claiming they have been left out. There are also concerns that the tendering and other activities tied to these development projects could further disrupt the university’s academic environment. Those involved say the interim government and the University of Dhaka administration have started following the same path previously taken by Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government. They argue that simply constructing new buildings, without focusing on improving research and academic methods, will not enhance the quality of education.
Professor Dr. Md Abdus Salam of the Institute of Education and Research at the University of Dhaka believes that instead of focusing on infrastructure projects, more emphasis should have been placed on expanding research opportunities and improving the teaching-learning system to enhance the quality of education. He said, “This large-scale project of the university doesn’t seem likely to contribute much to improving educational standards. Because what matters most for raising the quality of education is expanding research facilities and modernizing the teaching-learning approach. This project doesn’t include any initiatives that will improve teaching methods, increase research opportunities, or encourage teachers to engage in research.”
He added, “After the uprising, we had hoped the administration would be sincere about improving the quality of education. That they would take effective steps and adopt proper plans. But in the past year, we haven’t seen any such initiative, which is deeply disappointing.”
The University of Dhaka was established on July 1, 1921. At the time of its founding, the university followed the Oxford model of education. For that reason, it was once called the “Oxford of the East.” Over time, the university was expected to improve both in academic quality and international recognition. But the reality has been the opposite. According to various international rankings, Dhaka University has failed to advance in education and research in line with global institutions. Even within Asia, it has not secured any significant position.
In the Times Higher Education Rankings 2025, the University of Dhaka was placed between 1001 and 1200 globally, and between 401 and 500 in Asia. It failed to secure the top position even among universities in Bangladesh. The university’s position dropped compared to previous years, falling from the 801–1000 range in 2024 and the 601–800 range in 2023.
The quality of education at the University of Dhaka has long been under criticism, especially during the Awami League’s rule, when irregularities in teacher recruitment, campus violence, and the so-called guestroom culture plagued the institution. Nearly a year has passed since the fall of that government, but students and observers say no effective steps have been taken to improve academic standards at the university. A review of its activities over the past year shows that much of the focus was on organizing seminars and conferences and undertaking infrastructure-based development. While the university administration has spoken about giving importance to research, there has been no visible effort in that regard.
For the 2025–26 fiscal year, the university proposed a BDT 10.35 billion budget, of which only BDT 215.7 million—or just 2.08 percent—was allocated for research. Many faculty members have expressed disappointment over this.
Mahmudul Hasan, a third-year undergraduate student from one of the departments under the Faculty of Business Studies, told Bonik Barta that most of their faculty members are politically influential. He said, “For the past 15 years, pro-Awami League teachers have been more focused on politics, personal businesses, and grabbing posts in public and private institutions than on taking classes. They were rarely available for lectures or other academic needs. Now, many of those teachers have either gone into hiding or are keeping a low profile, while anti-Awami teachers have become involved in politics and business. The teaching style and academic quality have stayed the same. As students, we continue to feel deceived.”
The “Further Development of the University of Dhaka” project, approved at the latest ECNEC meeting, is scheduled to be completed by June 2030. The project will be implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the University of Dhaka. According to ECNEC sources, the project includes the construction of 41 multi-story buildings and other related infrastructure. Additionally, public toilets, service lines, a drainage system, and 256 waste bins will be built under the project.
The plan includes demolishing the tin-shed structures of Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Huq Hall and constructing two extension buildings of 12 and 8 stories. At Masterda Surja Sen Hall, the northern section will be replaced with an 11-story extension building. The Shaheed Ataur Rahman Khan Khadim Building and the cafeteria inside the premises of Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah Hall will be demolished to make way for 15-story and 6-story buildings. At Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, the tin-shed and one-story main building will be replaced with 12-story and 6-story buildings. The current bungalows of Dr. Qudrat-e-Khuda Hostel will be demolished and replaced with three buildings of 10, 8, and 5 stories.
For female students, the Shahnewaz Hostel will be demolished and replaced with a 15-story dormitory. Two buildings of 10 and 6 stories will be constructed by demolishing the house tutor’s quarters and garage inside Shamsun Nahar Hall. The existing Staff Quarters ‘B’ and ‘D’ at the Leather Engineering and Technology Institute will be replaced with two dormitories of 11 and 8 stories. A 10-story extension building will be constructed inside the Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall, replacing the provost’s bungalow, house tutor’s quarters, and the three-story Sikder Monowara Building. Each dormitory will also include an 11-story teacher’s quarter with 20 apartments for resident faculty members.
As part of residential facilities for faculty, the current provost bungalows of Masterda Surja Sen Hall and Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall will be demolished to construct a two-story bungalow for a Pro-Vice Chancellor. A 15-story residential building with a total of 112 flats will be constructed by demolishing buildings no. 12 and 13 in the South Fuller Road residential area. Additionally, a six-story staff building and a four-story mosque complex (Masjidul Jamia Complex) will be built.
Despite being a large-scale and fully government-funded project, no funds have been allocated for improving the quality of education. However, an analysis of Times Higher Education rankings from 2016 to 2025 shows that Dhaka University’s teaching quality has declined compared to 2016. In that year, the university scored 21.7 points in the “Teaching” category, which dropped to 20.1 points in 2025.
A former professor at the University of Dhaka told Bonik Barta that while infrastructural development is necessary, the key to improving education lies in expanding research facilities and creating an environment that supports research. “Unfortunately, universities in our country don’t give enough importance to research. Even though large sums are spent on infrastructure, only a small portion is allocated for research. If we want to improve the quality of education, we must prioritize this sector,” he said.
According to project documents, 16 percent of the total allocation will be spent on academic buildings, nearly 40 percent will go toward residential buildings, and 17 percent will be used for other constructions.
However, infrastructural upgrades were a fundamental need for the university, said Professor Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Dhaka. “Many of our buildings are very old. Overall, the infrastructure falls far behind the standards of a modern university. So, this project will help meet some of those basic needs. But we still require funding for other areas as well,” she said.
She added, “A student-friendly environment requires a clean and well-planned campus. A healthy and pleasant atmosphere improves students’ focus and confidence. Infrastructural development also supports academic progress. A better environment directly contributes to better learning. Going forward, we’ll also seek allocations for education and research. Through discussions and dialogue, we can explore how to increase funding for research. If the UGC increases its investment in education and research, we’ll be able to give more importance to those areas too.”
Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud expressed satisfaction over the approval of the “Further Development of the University of Dhaka” project. Following the ECNEC meeting, the former DU professor said, “As a former student and faculty member of Dhaka University, I feel proud to have approved a BDT 28.4 billion project. It’s a major undertaking during my tenure. Once completed, the university will have a comprehensive infrastructure. There’s no scope to acquire new land. So the plan is to demolish old buildings and replace or expand them.”