Islamic University, Bangladesh: Detailed Guide
About Islamic University, Bangladesh
Islamic University, Bangladesh (IU), also known as Islamic University, Kushtia, is a public PhD-granting research university located in Kushtia, Bangladesh. Founded in 1979 and formally opened in 1986, it is the largest seat of higher education in the southwest of the country. IU is unique for its programs in Theology alongside Engineering, Science, Arts, Social Sciences, Business, Biological Sciences, and Law. It is financed by the Government of Bangladesh through the University Grants Commission.
History of IU
Islamic University was planned in 1976 and formally founded in 1979 at Shantidanga-Dulalpur, Kushtia-Jhenidah, by President Ziaur Rahman. Its initial aim was to integrate Islamic and general education. The Islamic University Act was passed in 1980. Initially, it operated with two faculties and four departments with 300 students. The university shifted to Gazipur in 1982, returned to Kushtia in 1988, and has expanded greatly since then. By 2025, it has 38 departments across 9 faculties and several institutes, including the pioneering Institute of Islamic Education and Research.
Faculties and Departments
IU has 9 faculties with 38 departments. The Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies offers courses in Al-Quran, Dawah, Al-Hadith, and Comparative Tafsir. Other faculties include Engineering and Technology, Biological Sciences, Sciences, Business Administration, Arts, Social Sciences, Law, and Islamic and Comparative Religion. Degrees range from Bachelor's to PhD, taught in English, Arabic, and Bengali depending on the department.
Campus and Facilities
The campus features multiple academic buildings, including ten-story under-construction facilities, libraries, research institutes, halls of residence, cafeterias, and dedicated transportation with over 40 buses. It has a central library named 'Khademul Haramain Badshah Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Central Library' with thousands of books, journals, and an advanced E-Library. Each department and residential hall also has its own library facilities.
Student Life
IU has over 16,000 students. It offers eight halls of residence (five for males, three for females), health services with a 24/7 medical center, a central cafeteria, and regular bus service to Kushtia and Jhenaidah. Sports facilities include football and cricket grounds, a gymnasium, tennis courts, and venues for basketball and badminton. The university also has cultural groups such as the Islamic University Theatre.
Research and Innovations
IU has an established reputation for research with PhD programs and dedicated facilities such as the ICE Innovation Lab. It publishes journals like the Journal of Islamic University and department-specific research bulletins. Faculty members have been recognized in global scientist rankings, and students have designed innovative security systems and robots.
Admissions
Undergraduate admissions are competitive with unit-based entry tests covering subjects relevant to the chosen faculty. Graduate, MPhil, and PhD admissions require interviews and/or written tests. The university also runs diploma programs in Library Science and Chinese Language through the Institute of Islamic Education and Research and welcomes international students via its dedicated International Student Affairs & Admission Cell.
Rankings and Partnerships
IU is ranked in the 4000s globally by QS and other agencies. It maintains partnerships and MoUs with universities in the USA, Japan, Australia, Turkey, India, and more, promoting academic exchange and research collaboration.