UGC gives preliminary approval to six departments at Thakurgaon University

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has given preliminary approval for opening six departments at Thakurgaon University, subject to eight conditions, as the newly established public university prepares to begin academic activities.

The university authorities had initially proposed 15 departments under seven faculties, but a concerned UGC committee approved six departments after scrutinising the proposal.

The development was confirmed to BSS on Saturday by Thakurgaon University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Israfil, who said the university authorities were pleased with the preliminary approval.

The decision was conveyed in a letter signed by Dr Md Mahibul Ahsan, additional director of the UGC’s Public University Management Division, on Thursday.

The approved departments are Artificial Intelligence and Data Science under the Faculty of Engineering and Technology; Agriculture under the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences; Multimedia and Creative Technology under the Faculty of Arts and Humanities; Accounting under the Faculty of Business Studies; Environmental Science under the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences; and Public Health under the Faculty of Life Sciences.

Under the conditions, the university must submit house-rent agreements and building plans, academic layouts of three buildings and a no-objection certificate from the municipality for running the university.

It has also been asked to make the three rented buildings suitable for academic activities as soon as possible and inform the UGC accordingly.

Before launching the approved programmes, the university must submit course curricula and ensure the availability of necessary laboratories, library facilities and other academic infrastructure.

The UGC has also asked the university authorities to provide details of the required manpower, including teachers, officers and employees, needed to commence academic activities.

Authentic documents relating to 80 acres of clear land acquired in the university’s name must also be submitted.

Professor Israfil said the university was working towards admitting students in the 2026-27 academic session.

“We are working with a target of admitting students in the 2026-27 academic session,” he said.
He said the university had already joined the integrated admission test system and that a cluster admission test centre would be set up at the university in Thakurgaon for the first time.

“We expect the event to create a festive atmosphere in Thakurgaon,” he added.
According to university sources, administrative activities are currently being conducted from a rented building, while academic activities will also initially begin in rented premises.

The government has approved 8.55 acres of land for the university’s permanent campus.
Work is currently underway to prepare a feasibility study, master plan and project proposal for development of the permanent campus.