Explore the groundbreaking research contributions of the University of Dhaka and meet its top scientists in biotechnology, policy, AI, and environmental science. Ranked #1 in Bangladesh for academic research output.
As the oldest and most prestigious university in Bangladesh, the University of Dhaka (DU) has long served as a hub of academic excellence, innovation, and nation-building. Founded in 1921 pursuant to the Dacca University Act of 1920 by the Indian Legislative Council, it is designed after British universities, particularly the University of Oxford. Today, it stands at the forefront of global research, consistently ranking among the top institutions in South Asia for scholarly publications, scientific contributions, and international collaborations.
Dhaka University’s E-Library is linked with 35 prestigious foreign libraries and publishing organizations. Educators, learners, and scholars may access all journals, books, research papers, and articles from these prominent libraries, including those of Dhaka University, Oxford University, and Cambridge University, using the E-Library capabilities.
In this article, we take a deep dive into the research strengths of the University of Dhaka, explore its most influential scholars, and examine the university’s global research footprint based on publication databases, citation indexes, and scientific rankings.
📈 University of Dhaka’s Research Contributions: A Global Overview
The University of Dhaka has demonstrated exceptional growth in research output, particularly over the past decade. According to data from Scopus, Web of Science, and Elsevier, DU tops all Bangladeshi universities in academic publishing across multiple disciplines.
🔹 Key Research Metrics
- ✅ 1,592 Scopus-indexed publications in 2024 alone
- ✅ Ranked #1 among Bangladeshi universities in research productivity (2020–2024)
- ✅ Featured in the Stanford/Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientists List (2024)
- ✅ Primary domains: Social Sciences, Biotechnology, Engineering, Environmental Science, Medicine, Computer Science
🔹 International Collaboration
- DU maintains robust academic partnerships with institutions in USA, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Japan, and the EU.
- Research collaborations have led to co-authored publications in high-impact journals and the launch of joint projects in climate change, sustainable agriculture, public health, and artificial intelligence.
Sources: [Scopus], [Web of Science], ScientificBangladesh.com, [DU Research Office]
🌟 Top Researchers at the University of Dhaka (2024 Rankings)
DU boasts a growing list of world-class scholars, many of whom have been recognized globally for their contributions in science, policy, and academia.
🧬 1. Professor Zeba Islam Seraj – Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Expert in plant biotechnology and genomics
- Led groundbreaking research on salt-tolerant rice varieties, enhancing crop resilience in coastal Bangladesh
- Awarded multiple international grants and published in leading journals like Nature Plants and The Plant Cell
🧪 2. Dr. Haseena Khan – Geneticist, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Co-led the genome sequencing of jute and hilsa
- Winner of the Independence Day Award, the highest civilian honor in Bangladesh
- Contributions to agricultural sustainability and food security
💻 3. Dr. Md Anwar Hossain – Department of Chemistry
- H-index: 40+, Citations: 5,500+
- Specialist in green chemistry, photocatalysis, and materials science
- Regular contributor to Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering and ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
🌿 4. Prof. Khondkar Siddique-e-Rabbani – Founder, Biomedical Physics and Technology
- Developer of the Focused Impedance Method (FIM) for non-invasive diagnostics
- Gold Medalist from Bangladesh Academy of Sciences
- His lab has contributed to low-cost medical technologies and health tech innovation
🌍 5. Prof. Tasneem Arefa Siddiqui – Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU)
- Policy architect of the Overseas Employment and Migration Act 2013
- Global expert in migration, labor policy, and forced displacement
- Research cited by UNHCR, IOM, and the World Bank
🧑🎓 Other Highly Ranked Scientists (Ad Scientific Index 2024)
| Name | Department | Field | Global Rank (Top 2%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Kazi Matin Ahmed | Mathematics | Applied Mathematics | ✅ |
| Dr. Samina Luthfa | Sociology | Gender, Environment, Justice | ✅ |
| Dr. Md. Abdul Mottaleb | Soil, Water & Environment | Climate Science | ✅ |
| Dr. Md. Abu Reza | Zoology | Biodiversity, Marine Ecology | ✅ |
Sources: Ad Scientific Index, [Research.com], [DU Faculty Profiles]
🏛️ Research Strengths by Discipline
🔬 Natural Sciences & Biotechnology
- Salt and drought-tolerant rice, jute genomics
- Nanotechnology, catalysis, and bioinformatics
- Molecular plant–pathogen interactions
🏥 Health & Medical Sciences
- Low-cost medical imaging and diagnostics
- Public health, epidemiology, and antimicrobial resistance
🌍 Social Sciences & Policy
- Migration, labor law, climate policy
- Gender justice, political ecology, and urban sociology
💡 Engineering & ICT
- Renewable energy, robotics, AI in agriculture
- Quantum physics, remote sensing, and data science
🌐 DU’s Global Research Network
The University of Dhaka has co-authored research with institutions such as:
- Harvard University (Public health and epidemiology)
- University of Tokyo (Materials science, environment)
- University of Sydney (Climate migration)
- University of Oxford (Social policy and education)
- King Saud University (Green chemistry, nanotechnology)
Joint publications have appeared in Nature Communications, PLOS ONE, Elsevier Journals, and SpringerLink.
📚 DU’s Vision for the Future
In 2025 and beyond, DU aims to:
- Launch a University Research Foundation to streamline interdisciplinary innovation
- Increase participation in Horizon Europe, NSF, and Asian Development Bank-funded projects
- Invest in green labs, AI-driven agriculture, and digital public health platforms
- Encourage open-access publishing and citizen science engagement
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