Bangladesh Agricultural University

Infobox_University
name =Bangladesh Agricultural University
native_name =
latin_name =


motto =
established =1961
type =Public University
endowment =
staff =
faculty =6
president =
principal =
rector =
chancellor =
vice_chancellor =Professor Dr. Md Moshraff Hossain Miah
dean =
head_label =
head =
students =15,580
undergrad =12,028
postgrad =3,508
doctoral =44
city =Mymensingh
district =Dhaka
country =Bangladesh
campus =Rural, 4.84 km²
free_label =
free =
colors =
colours =Blue and Gold
mascot =
nickname =BAU
affiliations =
website =http://bau.edu.bd/

Bangladesh Agricultural University ( _bn. বাংলাদেশ কৃষি বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় "Bangladesh Krishi Bishshobiddalôe") or BAU was established as the only university of its kind in Bangladesh in 1961. The scheme for the establishment of BAU was finalized on 8 June 1961 and its ordinance was promulgated on 18 August 1961. With the appointment of its first Vice-Chancellor, [cite web|last=Bangladesh Agricultural University|title=An appointment with VC|url=http://www.bau-mymensingh.org/Files/vc.htm |accessdate=2007-06-24] the university formally came into existence on 2 September 1961 and started functioning with the College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science at Mymensingh as its nucleus. Currently the university has 6 faculties and 43 departments covering all aspects of agricultural education and research.

Location

The University campus, with an area of 4.85 km², is located in scenic rural surroundings on the western bank of the old Brahmaputra River, 3 km south of the district town of Mymensingh and 120 km north from Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. The campus is made up of a series of academic, administrative and residential buildings and a number of experimental farms, gardens and other related facilities. Besides, two national research institutes, namely, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) [cite web|last=Banglapedia|title=Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture|url=http://banglapedia.search.rg/HT/B_0199.htm|accessdate=2007-06-24] and Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI)) [cite web|last=Banglapedia|title=Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute|url=http://www.bangladesh.gov.bd/mofl/fri/fritop.htm|accessdate=2007-06-24] are housed in this campus.

War of Liberation

During the days of war of liberation in 1971, the teachers, students, officers and employees of the University responding to the call of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had put up a strong resistance against all conspiracies, massacres and genocide launched by the Pakistani Army and its henchmen. In a spontaneous assemblage of teachers, students and employees held at the guest house premises in the morning of 26 March 1971, all raised their voice in favour of joining the war of liberation and the then-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Q.M.F. Rahim had declared there instantaneously : "From now on this University will be named as "Swadhin Bangladesh Krishi Bishwabidyalaya" (The Independent Bangladesh Agricultural University)". A large number of teachers, students, officers and employees of BAU had joined the great war of liberation and the University lost its 18 valiant heroes, who sacrificed their lives for the cause of liberating the motherland. They had no doubt left us forever, but spiritually these immortal martyrs are still with us and will remain alive in the days to come. The martyrs include one teacher, eleven students and six employees of BAU. Three halls of students' residence have been named after three valiant freedom fighters who laid their lives in the war of liberation. These halls of residence are : Shahid Shamsul Huq Hall, Shahid Nazmul Ahsan Hall and Shahid Jamal Hossain Hall.

Here is a list of the martyrs of the Liberation War of Bangladesh in the year 1971 from this university.

tatus

Faculty and Departments

*"Faculty of Veterinary Science"
**Department of Anatomy and Histology
**Department of Physiology
**Department of Pharmacology
**Department of Parasitology
**Department of Pathology
**Department of Medicine
**Department of Surgery and Obstetrics
**Department of Microbiology and Hygiene

*"Faculty of Agriculture"
**Department of Agronomy
**Department of Soil Science
**Department of Entomology
**Department of Horticulture
**Department of Plant Pathology
**Department of Crop Botany
**Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding
**Department of Agricultural Extension Education
**Department of Agricultural Chemistry
**Department of Biochemistry
**Department of Physics
**Department of Chemistry
**Department of Languages
**Department of Agroforestry
**Department of Biotechnology
**Department of Environmental Science

*"Faculty of Animal Husbandry"
**Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics
**Department of Animal Science
**Department of Animal Nutrition
**Department of Poultry Science
**Department of Dairy Science

*"Faculty of Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology"
**Department of Agricultural Economics
**Department of Agricultural Finance
**Department of Agricultural Statistics
**Department of Co-operation and Marketing
**Department of Rural Sociology

*"Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology"
**Department of Farm Structure
**Department of Farm Power and Machinery
**Department of Irrigation and Water Management
**Department of Food Technology and Rural Industries
**Department of Computer Science and Mathematics

*"Faculty of Fisheries"
**Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics
**Department of Aquaculture
**Department of Fisheries Management
**Department of Fisheries Technology

Institutes

*Graduate Training Institute (GTI)

Library

BAU central library has a collection of over 1,84,942 volumes and 2,000 periodicals. No. of current journals 151. Also the library possess copy of all M.S and PhD theses. By using the university library card, students and teachers can lend books from the library. Besides the central library, the Faculty of Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology has its own library which contains reference books and journals in the field of Agricultural Economics.

Admissions

*"Undergratuate program"Undergraduate admissions in BAU is very competitive. After completion of HSC (Higher Secondary School Certificate) education, a student can submit his/her application for undergraduate admission if he/she fulfills the minimum requirements. A candidate is eligible to apply for admission into Level 1, Semester 1 of undergraduate studies as offered by six faculties of BAU for the year 2007 must have passed SSC (Science group) or equivalent examination in 2003 or 2004 and HSC (Science group) or equivalent examination in 2005 or 2006 with a total of 6.5 GPA excluding the 4th subject, and with at least 3 GPA in both SSC and HSC examinations excluding the fourth subject. Besides, he/she must have Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and English as combination of subjects at HSC level and has to obtain minimum 2.0 grade point in each of the above subjects in the HSC final examination.As of 2007, the general distribution of seats for admission into Level 1, Semester 1 of the undergraduate courses as offered by six faculties BAU will be as follows:
*Faculty of Veterinary Science: 100
*Faculty of Agriculture: 250
*Faculty of Animal Husbandry: 80
*Faculty of Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology: 60
*Faculty of Agricultural Engineering & Technology (B.Sc. Agri. Engg. 60 + B.Sc. Food Engg. 30): 90
*Faculty of Fisheries: 70
*Reserved seats for tribal/non-tribal candidates from Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT): 3
*Tribal candidates from other districts outside CHT region: 3
*Progeny of freedom fighters: 33

*"M.S/PhD program"M.S. and PhD programs are available in the following departments of the corresponding faculties.
*Faculty of Veterinary Science : Anatomy & Histology, Microbiology & Hygiene, Parasitology, Medicine, Pathology, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Surgery & Obstetrics.
*Faculty of Agriculture : Agronomy, Soil Science, Crop Botany, Plant Pathology, Horticulture, Entomology, Agricultural Extension Education, Agricultural Chemistry, Biochemistry, Genetics & Plant Breeding, Physics, Chemistry, Languages, Agroforestry, Biotechnology and Environmental Science.
*Faculty of Animal Husbandry : Animal Breeding & Genetics, Animal Nutrition, Animal Science, Poultry Science, and Dairy Science.
*Faculty of Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology : Agricultural Economics, Cooperation & Marketing, Agricultural Finance, Agricultural Statistics, and Rural Sociology.
*Faculty of Agricultural Engineering & Technology : Irrigation & Water Management, Farm Power & Machinery, Farm Structure, Food Technology & Rural Industries and Computer Science & Mathematics.
*Faculty of Fisheries : Fisheries Biology & Genetics, Aquaculture, Fisheries Management, and Fisheries Technology.Please check the official BAU homepage for further information.
*"Admission of foreign students"In the case of foreign nationals, applicants must have completed twelve years of schooling and passed courses equivalent to HSC (science group) of Bangladesh with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology and obtained equivalent GPA as set out in subtitle. An applicant has to produce certified academic transcript showing that he/she has studied and passed courses equivalent to HSC (science group) of Bangladesh having Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and English in his/her curricula. The applicant must apply through respective Missions/Embassies/High Commissions and get the application processed through the Ministry of Education, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. On verification of the academic transcripts by the Dean of Faculty concerned, the applicant may be recommended for admission. The candidate shall have to produce a certificate of proficiency in English language. Each candidate shall have to submit an authorized health certificate to the effect that he/she is not suffering from any communicable/contagious diseases or such disorders, mental or physical, that may impede his/her curricular activities at this university. In addition, all other rules and procedures of admission, applicable for national candidates, shall also be applicable to foreign students

Training program

*BAU is currently offering a course on Information and Communication Technology at Postgraduate Level. The Ministry of Science and Information & Communication Technology of Government of Bangladesh has sponsored the programme. A one year duration course with a total 36 credits has to be completed by a student to obtain a certificate of Postgraduate Diploma in Information and Communication Technology (PGD-in-ICT). Any graduate having no third class/division at any academic level can apply to this course.
*A new course "Foundation training for University Teachers" is currently being operated by BAU to train newly recruited teachers (Lecturers and Assistant Professors) of 11 public universities of the country. The course spans 8 weeks of intensive training and now got approved by the UGC (University Grants Commission).
*Bangladesh Agricultural University Extension Centre (BAUEC) operates agricultural extension and village development activities in 22 villages of Mymensingh sadar through 45 associations. Besides, vegetable cultivation schemes are going on in 40 Primary Schools, High Schools, Madrasas and Orphanages under Mymensingh Sadar, Trishal, Gouripur and Phulpur upazilla. As many as 8,103 farmers have so far attended the programs attended by BAUEC.

Research

BAU conducts two main streams of research, namely, the degree research and the project research, the former being supervised by the teachers for postgraduate students at both M.S. and PhD levels while the problem-solving research projects are conducted with sponsorship accorded either by the University or the external funding agencies. The Committee for Advanced Studies and Research (C.A.S.R) is responsible for coordinating both streams of research. However, for proper coordination and management of research projects, BAU Research System (BAURES) was established in 1984. Since its establishment, BAURES has successfully completed 322 research projects and has, at present, 112 ongoing projects. The ongoing research projects are funded by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Department for International Development (DfID) of UK, Norwegian Agency for International Development (NORAD), International Foundation for Science (IFS) etc.

Publications

Journal of the Bangladesh Agricultural University (ISSN 1810-3030) is a half-yearly journal published in June and December on behalf of the Bangladesh Agricultural University Research System (BAURES). Original research papers, review articles and short communications are accepted on the basis of their quality and national/international context.

Physical infrastructure

* 2 administrative buildings
* 6 faculty complexes
* 11 halls
* a two-storied central library
* a modern auditorium ( Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Auditorium-2000 sitting facility)
* a conference hall
* a gymnasium
* a stadium
* a sports complex
* a health center (free Medicare service for students, university staff and their families)
* a project complex
* 657 units of residential facilities for teachers, officers and employees

Halls of residence (Students’ dormitories)

List of boys' halls

*Isha Khan Hall
*Shahjalal Hall
*Shaheed Shamsul Haque Hall
*Shaheed Nazmul Ahsan Hall
*Ashraful Haque Hall
*Shaheed Jamal Hossain Hall
*Hossain Shaheed Shuhrawardy Hall
*Fazlul Haque Hall
*Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hall

List of girls' halls

*Sultana Razia Hall
*Taposhi Rabeya Hall

Transportation

Only 2.5-3hr by bus from Dhaka, the capital. Inter-city trains may take around 4hr. Both the bus terminal and the train station are within 2 and 3 km distance, respectively from BAU campus. This university has own transportation buses which operate in the morning and evening for the students who live off campus. Usually, the residents of this city do not live in the university accommodation. The buses cover through the major roads and areas, especially, town hall, Zilla School corner, Notun Bazar, Rail station, Patgodam, Shombhugunj bridge, Keotkhali, and then pass through front of the halls of the university. Sometimes, it also cover Jubli Ghat and Kali Bari road. Students have to buy bus monthly pass, and the fair is quite handy. On the other hand, there are some students who usually like to use rickshaw as it is very cheap and most enjoyable vehicle in Bangladesh.

Bilateral collaborations

The USAID through a contract with the Texas A&M University provided this University necessary supports in the form of advisory services, fellowships, equipment, etc. in its initial phase (1961-70). Development supports were available through two separate IDA Credit Agreements signed between the Government and the World Bank in 1964 and 1966. Over the years the University received research supports from a number of international sources, which included USAID, IDA, IDRC, UNICEF, Ford Foundation, ILO, DANIDA, CIDA, IAEA and so on.

Currently, the University receives funding support from DFID, IRRI, CIRDAP [http://www.cirdap.org.sg/] , IMI [http://www.imi.plc.uk/] , DANIDA, IAEA, European Union, USDA, IFS, GEF and the Ghent University through bi and multilateral research project. Very recently, the university signed five new memoranda of understanding (MOU) with the Texas A&M University, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey [http://www2.stockton.edu/stockton.html] , Florida A&M, and Brooklyn College and Research Foundation of the City University of New York and the Ghent University of Belgium. Besides, the university has linkage programs with a number of national organizations like RDA, BPATC and various NARS organizations in the fields of research, training and extension.

References

* [http://www.bau.edu.bd/Files/BauresPub/baurespubli.htm List of Publications on official BAU website]
* [http://www.bau.edu.bd/Files/admissioninfo.htm BAU Admission Test Results]
* [http://www.bau.edu.bd/Files/baunews.htm BAU latest news]

External links

* [http://www.bau.edu.bd Official BAU Website]
* [http://www.bina.gov.bd Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture]
* [http://www.fri.gov.bd/index.php?module=content&action=default&cntid=1607&mid=-1&lan= Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute]
* [http://www.ugc.gov.bd University Grants Commission of Bangladesh]