University of Dhaka

The University of Dhaka, also known as Dhaka University or DU, is a public research university located in the capital city of Bangladesh, Dhaka. Established in 1921, it serves as the oldest institution of higher learning in the country and provides a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across numerous faculties including arts, sciences, engineering, business, law, and medicine. The university’s core mission centers on teaching, research, and community service, aiming to contribute to national development through the dissemination of knowledge and the cultivation of skilled graduates. Its academic activities extend to both domestic students and international scholars who participate in exchange programs and collaborative research initiatives.

As the premier public university in Bangladesh, the University of Dhaka holds a distinguished position within the national higher education landscape, often recognized for its historical significance and role in shaping the country’s intellectual and cultural life. The institution comprises multiple faculties, institutes, and research centers that support specialized studies and foster interdisciplinary work, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence and innovation. Notable attributes include its longstanding tradition of student activism, its contributions to literature and science, and its alumni network that includes prominent leaders, scholars, and professionals across various sectors. Structurally, the university operates as an autonomous entity under the Ministry of Education, receiving funding and oversight from the Government of Bangladesh while maintaining self-governance over academic and administrative affairs. It does not have a parent company or subsidiary structure, functioning instead as a standalone public university funded by state appropriations and supplemented by research grants and private donations. The 2015 incident in which the university’s website was defaced by a hacker group identifying as Cyber 71 highlighted vulnerabilities in its digital infrastructure, prompting a temporary shutdown and a police investigation that underscored the growing importance of cybersecurity measures for educational institutions. This event, while disruptive, did not alter the university’s fundamental role as a leading center of learning and research in Bangladesh.