Explore Rajshahi University’s rise as Bangladesh’s top research institution—with award-winning faculty, historic colonial architecture, cultural monuments, and expansive student housing on its lush 753-acre Motihar campus.
Founded in 1953, the University of Rajshahi (RU)—often called Rajshahi University—is the largest and most prestigious institution in northern Bangladesh. Set on a scenic 753-acre campus near the Padma River, RU blends robust academic output with rich colonial architecture, cultural landmarks, and dynamic student life.
A Legacy in History & Architecture
- Founding: Established by the East Pakistan Provincial Assembly in March 1953 and officially opened in July, RU relocated to Motihar in 1961, transforming colonial structures into its foundational administrative buildings.
- Colonial Landmarks:
- Motihar Kuthi (1781) — a restored Dutch East India Company residence now housing ROTC cadets.
- Boro Kuthi — an 18th-century Indo-Saracenic building by the Padma River, originally for silk and indigo; served as RU’s first administration center, now preserved as cultural heritage.
- Modern & Monumental Structures:
- Senate House — a modern, 206-room air-conditioned complex used for academic and cultural events.
- Shabash Bangladesh Sculpture — a prominent war memorial by Nitun Kundu, with lines from Sukanta Bhattacharya engraved beneath.
- Golden Jubilee Tower — erected in 2003 beside the main gate to commemorate RU’s 50th anniversary.
- Shaheed Minar — honoring 21 February Language Movement martyrs, surrounded by murals by Murtaza Bashir.
- Varendra Research Museum (1910) — the oldest museum in Bangladesh, integrated into RU in the 1960s. Featuring regional archaeology, sculptures, inscriptions, and tribal heritage galleries.
- Shahid Smriti Sangrahasala — Bangladesh’s first memorial for the Liberation War, located on campus.
- Zuberi Bhaban Guest House — early campus building hosting social and political gatherings, with guest facilities and recreational amenities.
Research Excellence & Global Recognition
- Leading National Output: In Nature Index 2025, RU became the #1 university in Bangladesh, ranking second overall including research institutes and 2,734th globally. Notably, it topped national rankings in Chemistry and second in Health Sciences.
- Scopus Publications: RU ranked second among Bangladeshi universities in Scopus-indexed output (2021: 721; 2020: 470).
- Top Researchers: In 2022, 97 RU faculty featured in the AD Scientific Index “world’s best researchers,” led by Professor Ali Akbar (Applied Mathematics), Yamin Hossain (Fisheries), Mahbubur Rahman (Botany), Ashique Mosaddique (Pharmacy), and Khaled Hossain (Biochemistry).
- Research Areas: RU excels in Agriculture, Environmental Science, Physics, Engineering, Material Science, Medicine, and Genetics.
International Collaboration
RU researchers actively collaborate with institutions in the USA, China, Germany, Malaysia, and India. Their work spans climate change, materials science, genetics, public health, and fisheries.
Leading Academics at Rajshahi University
Top Scientists (Based on AD Scientific Index & Scopus)
| Name | Field | Department | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prof. Ali Akbar | Applied Mathematics | Math | Top-ranked RU researcher |
| Dr. Yamin Hossain | Aquaculture & Fisheries | Fisheries | Global citations for freshwater biodiversity |
| Prof. Mahbubur Rahman | Botany | Botany | Published extensively on plant taxonomy |
| Dr. Ashique Mosaddique | Pharmaceutical Sciences | Pharmacy | Research in pharmacogenomics and drug design |
| Dr. Khaled Hossain | Biochemistry & Molecular Bio | Biochemistry | Work on metabolic disorders and diagnostics |
| Dr. Enamul Haque | Chemistry | Chemistry | Publications on green and inorganic chemistry |
| Prof. Zakir Hossain | Education & Policy Studies | Education Research Institute | Expertise in curriculum development |
More than 95 faculty members were featured in global scientific databases like Clarivate and AD Scientific Index (2022–2024).
Infrastructure & Innovation
Academic & Research Facilities
- Senate Building: Modern, 206-room complex for seminars, exams, and cultural events.
- Science Labs: State-of-the-art labs in Chemistry, Physics, Pharmacy, and Molecular Biology.
- ICT Centre: Provides digital learning tools, research computing, and university-wide internet.
- Research Centres:
- Institute of Biological Sciences (IBSc)
- Institute of Environmental Sciences
- Renewable Energy Research Centre
- Institute of Bangladesh Studies (IBS)
Innovation & Development
- Multiple HEQEP-funded labs and projects through UGC
- Collaborations with international agencies such as DAAD, JICA, and EU Erasmus+
- Launch of interdisciplinary initiatives in climate adaptation, crop improvement, and bioinformatics
Student Housing & Campus Life
Residential Halls
- 18 residential halls (11 male, 6 female, 1 international)
- Named after national leaders like Sher-e-Bangla, Shaheed Zia, Begum Rokeya
- Provide subsidized meals and campus security
⚽ Sports & Recreation
- 30,000-seat stadium, two gymnasiums, tennis and squash courts
- Central Cultural Centre hosts festivals, theatre, and debate contests
- Annual events: Pohela Boishakh, Saraswati Puja, Victory Day, and Language Martyrs Day
The University of Rajshahi stands tall as a beacon of research excellence, heritage conservation, and academic innovation. With its globally ranked faculty, rich history, and commitment to inclusive education, RU is not only a leading academic institution in Bangladesh but also a cultural and scientific epicenter for South Asia.