Rabindra Univ starts academic activities Tuesday

Rabindra University, the first university named after the Nobel laureate poet, is set to launch its academic activities Tuesday.

The country decided to establish it eight years ago, whlile celebrating Tagore's 150th birthday.

"The start of classes in the three departments set up so far is to mark the launching of our academic activities in the university on Tuesday," the university’s vice chancellor of Bishwajit Ghosh told BSS.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina announced to set up Rabindra University at the Osmani Memorial auditorium in Dhaka city on the occasion of birth anniversary of Bishwakabi Rabindranath Tagore. Following the announcement, the premier laid the foundation stone of Rabindra University on 25 Baishakh, the month of Bangla calendar, in 1422.

"We have completed all procedures for recruiting manpower including teachers and employees. At the initial stage, the authorities enrolled students at the three departments," the vice chancellor said.

More departments will be opened at the university in phases, he added.

An act titled 'Rabindra University Bangladesh' was enacted at the Jatiya Sangsad on 26 July 2016. After passing the law, the process of setting up of the university got a faster pace.

On 11 June  2017, Bishwajit Ghosh, a teacher of arts faculty of Dhaka University, was appointed vice chancellor of the iniversity.

The university authorities have recruited necessary manpower including teachers and employees to run academic and administrative activities.

Academic activities including classes will be held at Shahjadpur Women's Degree College, Bangabandhu Women's Degree College and Maulana Saifuddin Ahiya Degree College as Rabindra University do not have its own infrastructure.

With efforts of local member of parliament Hasibur Rahman Swapan, the university authorities signed three agreements with three colleges to continue academic and administrative activities until its own infrastructures are built.

Written tests for enrolment of 115 students at three departments -- Rabindra Studies, Cultural Heritage and Bangladesh Studies and Economics were held on 15 February this year. After the written tests, the authorities held viva voce on 24 and 25 March and 97 students were enrolled on 5 April this year.