History of the Institute

The Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology (ILET), University of Dhaka, was officially established on 20 June 2011 through the merger of the former Bangladesh College of Leather Technology—previously under the Directorate of Technical Education, Ministry of Education, Government of Bangladesh—with the University of Dhaka. This integration included the transfer of all assets, funds, properties, rights, and personnel. Since then, ILET has been functioning as an integral part of the University of Dhaka.

The institute boasts a rich and proud history, originating as the East Bengal Tanning Institute, officially inaugurated on 15 August 1947 by the Ministry of Industry to support the development of the tanning industry. It began operations on 10 June 1949, with academic activities commencing in 1952 following infrastructure development. Over the years, it underwent several transformations, including a renaming to Pakistan Leather Technology. In 1967, it was placed under the Ministry of Education and brought under the administrative control of the Board of Technical Education to enhance academic services.

Following the independence of Bangladesh, the institute was renamed the Bangladesh College of Leather Technology, offering diploma, certificate, and artisan-level education until 1979, when a B.Sc. Engineering program in Leather Technology was introduced under the University of Dhaka. Finally, on 20 June 2011, the college was formally incorporated into the University of Dhaka as the Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology, with all its resources and manpower, marking a new chapter in its academic journey.

Administration and Management of ILET

The ILET is run by the seventeenth statutes under President's order of 1973 and its budget is a part of the university budget. The Vice-Chancellor is the chief executive of the Institute. The Director is the administrative head of the Institute. Administration and Management of the Institute are vested in the following bodies, subject to the approval of their actions by the Syndicate and or Academic Council of the University, as the case may be:

1. The Board of Governors (BoG), of which the Vice-Chancellor is the Chairman;
2. The Selection Board for Professorships and Associate Professorships of which the Vice-Chancellor is the Chairman;
3. The Selection Board for teaching Posts other than Professorships and Associate Professorships of which the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) is the Chairman;
4. The Selection Board for appointments to non-teaching posts not below the rank of Section Officers of which the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) is the Chairman;
5. The Coordination and Development (C&D) Committee, of which the Director is the Chairman;
6. The Academic Committee, of which the Director is the Chairman.

At present, the programs are offered by the Institute are as follows with the latest curriculum based on the need for modern tanneries and leather products industries:

1. B. Sc. in Leather Engineering (4 years; 8 semesters)
2. B. Sc. in Leather Products (4 years; 8 semesters)
3. B. Sc. in Footwear Engineering (4 years; 8 semesters)
4. M. Sc. in Leather Engineering (1.5 years; 3 semesters)
5. M.Sc. in Footwear Engineering (1.5 years; 3 semesters)
6. M.Sc. in Leather Products Engineering (1.5 years; 3 semesters)

The Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology (ILET) is dedicated to developing skilled human resources for the leather, leather products, and footwear industries. As part of its commitment to practical education, ILET offers undergraduate students industrial training opportunities, allowing them to work closely with companies and apply theoretical knowledge to real-world contexts. In their final year, students undertake project work, report writing, and presentations, while master’s students engage in intensive research and thesis writing. The institute strives to offer the highest quality of education and training, enabling every student to fully realize their potential and achieve their professional goals.

ILET is supported by a diverse and interdisciplinary team of faculty members with strong research backgrounds. Their areas of expertise span across tannery effluent treatment, leather processing technologies, materials science, environmental and medicinal chemistry, organometallic and synthetic organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, nanotechnology in leather engineering, cleaner technologies, product design and development, circular economy, sustainability, supply chain risk management, Industry 4.0, and foot comfort.

In addition to academic programs, the institute actively engages in outreach activities to deliver industry-scale solutions beyond the University of Dhaka. ILET also provides expert consultancy for pre- and post-implementation assessments of projects, programs, and policies related to the leather, leather products, and footwear sectors.