Rabindra University Campus Approved with Environmental Clearance: Planning Adviser Reveals Conditions

Key Conditions for Establishing Rabindra University’s Permanent Campus

Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud emphasized that there are specific prerequisites to be met before the permanent campus of Rabindra University can be established in the Chalan Beel area. He highlighted that the university authorities must obtain environmental clearance from the Department of Environment, as mandated by existing regulations. This step is crucial to ensure compliance with legal and ecological standards.

He further stated that no exceptions will be made for this project, reinforcing the importance of adhering strictly to the rules. The government recently approved the establishment of the permanent campus of Rabindra University in Shahjadpur upazila, Sirajganj district, with an estimated cost of Tk 519.15 crore. However, the decision has raised concerns among environmentalists who fear that the construction could disrupt the natural water flow in the Chalan Beel region.

Project Overview and Implementation Plan

According to official documents, the "Establishment of Rabindra University, Bangladesh" project will be carried out between May 2025 and April 2029 under the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education. The project will be jointly executed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the authorities of Rabindra University.

The Planning Adviser also mentioned that the new campus will be developed in a manner similar to Biswa Bharati, a renowned educational institution associated with the legacy of poet Rabindranath Tagore. The primary goal of the project is to build modern infrastructure that supports technology-based teaching and research, while also promoting Rabindra studies, scientific thinking, and creativity.

Once completed, the university is expected to provide world-class academic opportunities. Currently, Rabindra University operates from three local colleges in Shahjadpur, but the temporary agreements with these institutions have expired. College authorities have refused to extend the arrangement, leading to a severe shortage of classrooms, offices, and accommodation facilities.

Location and Development Plans

The proposed permanent campus will be constructed on 100 acres of khas land at Buripothajia mouza in Shahjadpur, which was part of the poet Rabindranath Tagore's former zamindari estate. The process of land allocation is currently underway at the Ministry of Land.

At present, the university runs academic activities across five departments under four faculties, serving around 2,500 students. Under the first phase of the new project, 10 departments will be established, with long-term plans to expand to 40 departments and three institutes, accommodating approximately 7,000 students.

The project will involve the construction of academic and residential buildings, land development, electrification, and the procurement of furniture, computers, and research equipment. Officials noted that the initiative aligns with the government's 8th Five-Year Plan, which emphasizes improving the quality of tertiary education and research, with a special focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.