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Islamic University, Kushtia: From Establishment to Present-Day Progress

Islamic University, Kushtia, holds a historic and distinctive position in the history of higher education in Bangladesh. Its journey began with the vision of establishing a specialized center of higher education that would integrate Islamic education with modern knowledge and science.

On December 1, 1976, the government announced the establishment of Islamic University. On January 27, 1977, a seven-member Planning Committee was formed under the leadership of Professor M. A. Bari. Subsequently, on November 22, 1979, the then President of Bangladesh, Ziaur Rahman, laid the foundation stone of the university at Shantidanga-Dulalpur, located between Kushtia and Jhenaidah. In 1980, the Islamic University Act was enacted, providing the institution with a legal foundation. In 1982, by a presidential order, a decision was made to relocate the university from its original site at Shantidanga-Dulalpur to Board Bazar in Gazipur.

The university commenced its academic activities in the 1985–86 academic session with only 300 students and 8 teachers, comprising 4 departments under 2 faculties. Formal academic activities began on June 28, 1986. Following several administrative changes, the university was permanently relocated to its present campus between Kushtia and Jhenaidah on November 1, 1992. Under the relevant law, Islamic University is the first university established in independent Bangladesh.

Today, Islamic University has developed into one of the largest centers of higher education in the southwestern region of Bangladesh, occupying a green campus of approximately 175 acres. According to the university's published information, it currently has 36 departments, 8 faculties, and 8 residential halls. More than 20,000 students are currently studying at the university, while a large number of teachers, officers, and employees are engaged in its academic and administrative operations.

The university's academic and residential environment is enriched by facilities including the Central Library, administrative and academic buildings, research laboratories, auditoriums, the Central Mosque, medical facilities, transportation services, ICT infrastructure, residential halls, and various cultural and social amenities. At the same time, construction is underway on five 10-storey residential halls, along with a total of nine 10-storey buildings, as part of ongoing efforts to address the accommodation needs of students.

Islamic University also plays an important role in higher education and research. MPhil and PhD research programs are being conducted in various departments. According to the university's previous statistics, a total of 464 PhD and 666 MPhil degrees had been awarded up to June 2019.

As a specialized institute of the university, the Institute of Islamic Education and Research (IIER) conducts educational, research, and training activities. In addition, various centers and cells are actively engaged in research, quality enhancement, ICT, international collaboration, and publication-related activities.

At present, the university's administrative structure includes the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Treasurer, Registrar, Proctor, Deans, Departmental Chairpersons, and other academic and administrative authorities. According to the latest information available as of July 2026, Professor Dr. A. K. M. Matinur Rahman is serving as the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Md. Emtaaz Hossain as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, and Professor Dr. Md. Idris Ali as the Treasurer.

For its former students, various platforms and associations have been established both centrally and across most departments of the university. At present, the Islamic University Alumni Association serves as the largest platform for the university's alumni. Its current President is Mohammad Nazmul Haque Saeedi, and its General Secretary is Mohammad Abdul Hai.