Message from the Chairman

Department of Political Science

The Department of Political Science is one of the oldest departments of the University of Dhaka. In 1921 the University of Dhaka commenced its academic programme with twelve departments. The Department of Economics and Politics was one of those. In 1938 the Department of Political Science and the Department of Economics became independent departments.

The Department of Political Science offers Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSS) Honours, Master of Social Sciences (MSS), Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes. In each academic year more than two hundred students are enrolled in its BSS Honours programme while a fairly good number of students get admitted in M Phil and PhD programmes. Moreover, the Department also runs Master in Governance Studies (MGS) programme for graduates and professionals. The Department publishes a journal, organizes lectures, discussions and special seminars on domestic, regional and international issues of importance. Since its inception the Department has been maintaining an engaging academic atmosphere for both students and faculties to enhance their knowledge and analytical skills. The Department is deeply committed to maintain this in future.

The Department of Political Science has made enormous contributions in the history of Bangladesh. Its students and faculties wholeheartedly participated in critical events in the democratic struggle from Language Movement to Six Points Movement to Mass Uprising to Liberation War. In independent Bangladesh it has continued to make its mark. The Department has always constructively engaged with political parties in nation building and state building initiatives through quality research, policy drafting and presence in the media. In addition, it has a record of excellence in students pursuing extracurricular activities such as sports, debates, cultural programmes, little magazine publication and voluntary work.

Struggle for Independence and Liberation War

The students of the Department of Political Science have actively participated in the creation of Bangladesh through the twenty-four years-long struggle for independence and heroic liberation war. One of the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement Abul Barkat was a student of this department. Abdur Razzaq and Saifuddin Ahmed Manik, two other pupils of this Department, were organizers of movements against the military rule and the education commission in 1962, and 11-point student movement in 1969. Many students of this Department have actively participated in the liberation war. Obaidul Quader, R.A.M. Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury, Md. Shamsul Haq, M. Humayun Kabir, K. M Khalequzzaman and Shahjahan Kabir are few among the notable freedom fighters. Major (retd) Hafizuddin Ahemed, a student of this Department, was awarded Bir Bikrom for his gallant contribution in the independence war. Two young students of this Department, Syed Nazmul Haq and Nizamuddin Azad sacrificed their lives in the liberation war.

Achievements at State and Government Levels

Many students of this Department have a glorious presence at various levels of the state and government. A good number of former students have acquired constitutional posts such as Vice-president, Prime Minister, Minister, MP, Chief Justice, Attorney General and the Chairman of Public Service Commission. A large number of former students have also served in important posts such as secretary, ambassador and Inspector General of Police.

A former student of this department Barriester Moudud Ahmed has served as Vice-president, Prime Minister and Minister at various times. Among other previous students who have performed ministerial duties are Mizanur Rahman Shelley, Abdur Razzaq, Abdul Jalil, A. K. Faezul Haq, Major (rtd) Hafizuddin Ahemed (Bir Bikram), Barrister Nazmul Huda, Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf and Shah M. Abul Hussain (State Minister). Obaidul Kader, the Minister of Road Transport and Bridges and Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, the Minister of Industries were the students of this Department.

Three former students and a teacher of the Department of Political Science have served as advisers of the Caretaker Government on different occasions. They are Professor Dr. Najma Chowdhury, Barrister Mainul Hosein and M. Hafizuddin Khan.

Former Chief Justice Mustafa Kamal and Justice S.M.Nurul Huda Jaigirdar were students of this Department. Late Attorney General Advocate MahbubeyAlam was also a student of this Department.

An accomplished teacher of the Political Science Department Professor Dr. Mostafa Chowdhury has served as the Chairman of Public Service Commission. Former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Asif Ali was a teacher of the Department of Political Science.

Professor Tasneem Siddiqui, a serving teacher of this Department, has led three important policy processes of three governments of Bangladesh. These are National Strategy of International Labour Migration in 2001, Overseas Employment Policy, 2006 and the National Strategy on Climate Change and Disaster Induced Internal Displacement in Bangladesh 2020.

A good number of former students of this Department have served as secretaries under different governments. They are Nurul Hossain Khan, M. Mokammal Haq, Md. Hasinur Rahman, Syed Margub Morshed, Khaja Abdur Rahman, Suhel Ahmed Chowdhury, Karar Mahmudul Hasan, Mir Shahabuddin Mohammad, A.T.M. Ataur Rahman, Ilyas Ahmed, Sheikh Md. Wahiduzzaman, Mizanur Rahman, Mahbubur Rahman, Md. Abdul Hakim Mandal, Badrul Alam Tarafdar and A.K.M. Abdul Awal Mazumder.

Humayun Kabir (The UN and USA), S. M. Rashed Chowdhury (Japan), Sirajul Islam (Japan), Ruhul Amin (Japan) and Kamal Uddin (Malaysia) are few among the former students who have served as ambassadors.

Former Police Inspector General of Bangladesh Police, Solaiman Ali Chowdhury and Md. Khuda Box Chowdhury were students of this department.

Education

The state has appointed three eminent teachers of this department as National Professors. They are Professor Abdur Razzaq, Professor Sardar Fazlul Karim and Professor Dr. Talukder Maniruzzaman.

A number of teachers of the Department were appointed as Vice-Chancellors of different universities. They are Professor Dr. Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury (University of Dhaka; also served as Minister of Education), Professor Dr. Emajuddin Ahmed (University of Dhaka), Professor Dr. R. I. Chowdhury (University of Chittagong), Professor Dr. Aftab Ahmed (National University of Bangladesh) and Professor Dr. Harun-or-Rashid (National University of Bangladesh).

Besides, the former students of this Department have served as faculties in various universities abroad. Notable among them are Professor Dr. Zillur Rahman Khan (University of Wisconsin, USA), Professor Dr. Rounaq Jahan (Columbia University, USA), Professor Dr. Syed Serajul Islam (Lakehead University, Canada) and Professor Dr. Ahrar Ahmed (Black Hills State University, USA).

Literature and Sports

Many former students have made commendable contributions in different sectors including literature and sports. Such three respected names in the world of literature are Burhanuddin Khan Jahangir, Ahmed Sofa and Shahidul Zahir.

Two cherished stars of the Bangladeshi film industry, Ashraf Uddin Ahmed (Ujjal) and Masum Parvez (Rubel), were also students of this department.

The former captain of National Cricket Team Raqibul Hasan and former member of National Football Team Shafiqul Islam Manik were proud students of the department.