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Brac University

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BRAC University, (Bengali: ব্র্যাক ইউনিভার্সিটি, also known as BRACU) is a private research university located in Merul Badda, Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was established in 2001 as a branch of Sir Fazle Hasan Abed's BRAC under the Private University Act 1992.[4]

BRAC University
ব্র্যাক ইউনিভার্সিটি
Logo of Brac University
Other name
BracU
MottoInspiring Excellence[1]
TypePrivate research university
Established2001; 23 years ago (2001)
FounderFazle Hasan Abed
Accreditation
AffiliationUniversity Grants Commission (UGC)
ChancellorPresident Mohammed Shahabuddin
Vice-ChancellorSyed Ferhat Anwar[2]
Academic staff
649
Students16,375 (2023)
Undergraduates10,029
Postgraduates1171
Address
Kha 224 Bir Uttam Rafiqul Islam Avenue, Merul Badda
,
Dhaka
,
1212
,
Bangladesh

23°46′24″N 90°25′29″E / 23.7732°N 90.4246°E / 23.7732; 90.4246
CampusUrban, 5 acres (2.0 ha) (city campus)[3]
LanguageEnglish
Colours   
Blue, Black, Gray
Websitewww.bracu.ac.bd

History

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Sir Fazle Hasan Abed founded BRAC University in 2001, under the Private University Act.[5] The university was formally inaugurated by the President of Bangladesh and the Chancellor of BRAC University, Shahabuddin Ahmed, at Osmani Memorial Hall, Dhaka, on June 16, 2001.[6] The university began with just three departments and around 80 students in 2001 at Mohakhali, Dhaka.[7][8] The university is based on the American liberal arts college model. It held its first Convocation in January 2006. As the university grew, it increased the number of programs and introduced master's degrees.[9] The development of a library with high academic standards was important to Sir Abed. The Ayesha Abed Library was digitized shortly after its inception.[10] The university had 11,200 students in 20 schools, departments, and institutes in 2020.[citation needed] In 2023, Brac University authorities have proposed to change its name to "Sir Fazle Hasan Abed University", and "Abed University" for short.[11] But University Grants Commission declined it.[12] Now, BRAC University has a permanent city campus in Merul Badda, Dhaka.[13][14]

Campus

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Permanent Campus

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BRAC University has a permanent city campus in Merul Badda, Dhaka, a campus designed by WOHA Designs Pte Ltd., an architectural firm based in Singapore.[15] Construction of this facility began in 2017. The university building has 14 floors and a total area of 157,935 sq. meters. The facilities include an auditorium with 700 seats, a multipurpose hall with 1850 seats, classrooms, labs, design studios, lecture theaters, an IT data center, UPS, CCTVs, a cafeteria, an e-library, a parking lot, recreation facilities, and a rooftop playground.[16] The new campus is 2017 LafargeHolcim Asia Pacific- Bronze Winner awarded by LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction. Until November 2023, the educational programs were conducted at the temporary campus of Mohakhali, but from now on, all the activities will be conducted at the permanent campus of Merul Badda.[17][18]

Residential Campus

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Inside the BRAC University residential campus (Tarc)

The Residential Campus at Savar was founded in 2003 and substantially expanded in 2012.[19] Students spend a semester on the Residential Campus, where they take specific courses and fulfill community tasks during the week. Residential Semester is mandatory for every student.[20] On Fridays and Saturdays, they visit orphanages, nursing homes, and landmark sites.

Resources and facilities

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  • Ayesha Abed Library[21]
  • Counseling Unit at RS[22]
  • Courseware Moodle
  • Fabrication Lab[23]
  • MSDN Academic Alliance

Organization and administration

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Leadership and management

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The current structure was established in 2011.[24] The President of Bangladesh is BRAC University's Chancellor. The board of trustees is the highest policy-making body of BRAC University.[25] It has 12 members, one of them being the Vice-Chancellor. Chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, the Syndicate supervises the academic and administrative functions of the university.[25] The Academic Council, also chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, makes education policy recommendations and reviews curricula and academic progress.[25]

Administration

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The university administration is led by the Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar, and the Heads of academic units.[26]

Vice Chancellors

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Year of Joining Expiration of Tenure of Office Name
2001 2010 Jamilur Reza Choudhury
2010 2014 Ainun Nishat
2014 2018 Syed Saad Andaleeb
2019 2023[27] Vincent Chang
2023 2024 Syed Mahfuzul Aziz (Acting)
2024 present Syed Ferhat Anwar

Academics

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Diverse academic units serve the mission of BRAC University. Departments have degree-granting programs, schools support strategic initiatives, institutes are autonomous research entities, and centers are project-based entities.

 
University founder Sir Fazle Hasan Abed delivering speech at the 11th Convocation

Schools

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  • BRAC Business School
  • School of Data and Sciences
  • BSRM School of Engineering
  • School of Law
  • School of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • School of Pharmacy
  • James P Grant School of Public Health
  • School of Architecture and Design
  • School of General Education

Institutes

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  • BRAC Institute of Languages
  • BRAC Institute of Educational Development
  • BRAC Institute of Governance and Development

Departments

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  • Department of Architecture
  • Department of Computer Science and Engineering
  • Department of Computer Science
  • Department of Economics and Social Sciences (School of Humanities and Social Sciences)
  • Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Department of Electrical and Communication Engineering
  • Department of English and Humanities (School of Humanities and Social Sciences)
  • Department of Anthropology
  • Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
  • Department of Pharmacy
  • Department of Bachelor of Business Administration

Centres

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  • Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research
  • Centre for Emotional Intelligence and Innovation
  • Centre for Entrepreneurship Development
  • Centre for Inclusive Architecture and Urbanism
  • Centre for Peace and Justice
  • Professional Development Centre
  • Centre for Mathematical Sciences
  • Centre for Life Sciences

Financial aid

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BRAC University was founded to support financially disadvantaged students. One of the early donors was the BRAC Ford scholarship program. The university has developed several scholarship programs for national and international students. The Open Society Foundation and the Open Society University Network have supported student activities and education.

Student life

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The Office of Student Life (OSL) was created in 2019. OSL supervises the Department of Career Services, Alumni Affairs, and Clubs & Societies.

Many of the private university students of Bangladesh live with their parents during their university life. However, BRAC University has a mandatory residential semester at their Savar residential campus.

Student achievements

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On 14 November 2021, Brac University team became the first Bangladeshi team to become champion at Cambridge Intervarsity debate tournament.[28]

Notable people

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Faculty

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Controversies

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Main article: 2024 Bangladesh textbook tearing controversy

Asif Mahtab, a part-time teacher of BRAC University[35] held a teacher's conference in January 2024 following the continuation of the textbook controversy in Bangladesh, demonstrated anti-transgenderism by tearing the pages of the seventh grade textbook.[36] In response to this protest, BRAC University authorities fired Asif Mahtab.[37] When the incident went viral on social media, many criticized BRAC and called for a boycott of all BRAC-related products and services.[38]

A group of people and some students of BRAC University staged a protest in response to the dismissal of teacher Asif Mahtab and calling for clarification of BRAC University's position on transitioning.[39] In the protest rally, they announced a boycott of all BRAC-related products, services and university classes. In addition, the Islami Andolan Bangladesh called for a boycott of Aarong and BRAC university as part of the anti-transition protest.[40][41]

References

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  1. ^ "Message from the Vice Chancellor". Brac University. Archived from the original on 20 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Dr Syed Ferhat Anwar appointed as Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University". The Daily Star. 11 September 2024.
  3. ^ "BRAC University New Campus | Brac University". 7 January 2019. Archived from the original on 4 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Message from the Founder and Chairperson Emeritus". 5 December 2017. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019.
  5. ^ "Südasien-Institut. Universität Heidelberg". Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  6. ^ "BRAC University Inaugurated | BRAC University". 12 October 2014. Archived from the original on 30 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Brac University Annual Report 2009" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  8. ^ BRAC (1998). Brac University Project Proposal and Application, Submitted to: Education Ministry and University Grants Commission. p. 8.
  9. ^ BRAC (1998). Brac University Project Proposal and Application, Submitted to: Education Ministry and University Grants Commission. p. 10.
  10. ^ BRAC (1998). Brac University Project Proposal and Application, Submitted to: Education Ministry and University Grants Commission. pp. 9, 10.
  11. ^ "Brac University proposes to change its name to 'Sir Fazle Hasan Abed University'". 11 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Brac University proposes changing name to Abed University". 11 July 2023.
  13. ^ "BRAC University opens its new campus in Merul Badda".
  14. ^ "BRAC University showcases new campus synergy of knowledge creation and environmental sustainability". 7 March 2024.
  15. ^ "VIDEO-BRACU NEW CAMPUS - YouTube". www.youtube.com. 3 January 2019. Archived from the original on 26 July 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  16. ^ "New Campus". 7 January 2019. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  17. ^ "Floating University in Bangladesh". www.holcimfoundation.org. Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  18. ^ "BRAC University's move to Merul Badda: Students reflect on Mohakhali memories". 23 November 2023.
  19. ^ "Residential Campus". 9 October 2013. Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  20. ^ "Learning through friendship, laughter and tears". December 2019.
  21. ^ "Welcome to BRACU Ayesha Abed Library | BRACU Ayesha Abed Library". library.bracu.ac.bd. Archived from the original on 24 November 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  22. ^ "Counseling Service at Residential Semester of BRACU". Dhaka Tribune. 5 April 2017. Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  23. ^ "Fabrication laboratory opens at BRACU". The Independent. Dhaka. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  24. ^ "Annual Report 2011" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  25. ^ a b c "Organization and Administration". Brac University. 9 October 2013. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  26. ^ "Administration". 9 October 2013. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  27. ^ "BRACU VC bids farewell as tenure ends". The Daily Star. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  28. ^ "BRAC University team wins Cambridge Intervarsity debate tournament". The Business Standard. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  29. ^ "Professor Ainun Nishat". BRAC University. 18 November 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  30. ^ "Professor Jamilur Reza Choudhury, PhD was the first Vice Chancellor of BRAC University". BRAC University Website. 19 April 2015.
  31. ^ "Brac University hosts post-budget discussion". Dhaka Tribune. 4 June 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  32. ^ "Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Ph.D." BRAC University. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  33. ^ "Prof Vincent Chang new VC of Bracu". The Daily Star. 14 February 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  34. ^ "Prof Vincent Chang joins BRAC University as vice-chancellor". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  35. ^ "Controversy over inclusion of 'transgender' chapter". bangladeshpost.net.
  36. ^ Sakib, Sadman (24 January 2024). "Two pages ripped, an entire nation torn apart". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024.
  37. ^ "BRAC Univ teacher Asif terminated". www.newagebd.net. 21 April 2024.
  38. ^ "Aarong responds to criticism". Somoy News. 1 April 2024.
  39. ^ "Brac University won't renew contract with Asif Mahtab". Prothom Alo. 29 January 2024.
  40. ^ "Inclusion of transgender rights chapter in Bangladesh school textbooks sparks debate". Benar News.
  41. ^ "Outrage at Mahtab's Dismissal: Students close B..."
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