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Prof Syed Humayun Akhter PhD

Message from the Vice-Chancellor

Professor Syed Humayun Akhter PhD

Bangladesh Open University (BOU) is a place of hope, a place that inspires imagination, a place that nurtures creativity, and a hub of innovative ideas. We are delighted to welcome you to Bangladesh Open University where your energy and excitement enrich our vibrant educational life. Whether you are beginning or continuing your educational journey with us, we look forward to learning, exploring, and growing together. We appreciate your decision to invest in your academic journey with BOU.

Bangladesh Open University is the only open and distance learning institution in the country. The university was established in 1992 with a view to supporting governments’ educational polices, both short and long-run, by offering flexible and affordable educational opportunities to disadvantaged people who are unable to attend traditional academic institutions/universities for various socio-economic problems. BOU provide educational opportunities to students at pre-University levels through open schooling and offer a wide range of higher education programs including diploma, bachelor’s, master’s, MPhil and PhD degrees through open and distance learning (ODL), without any age restrictions. BOU is committed to spread action-oriented, mass-oriented and lifelong education to the doorstep of its stakeholders through its countrywide academic network.

The university utilizes a blended learning approach, combining self-study materials, face-to-face tutorials, e-learning centres, multimedia resources, and online platforms to deliver education to its students. This approach allows individuals from diverse backgrounds and locations to access quality education at their own pace and convenience.

BOU caters to a diverse student population, including working professionals, individuals with family responsibilities, and those residing in remote areas with limited access to traditional educational institutions. The university’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility has made it a popular choice among professional and adult learners and individuals in home and abroad seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge while balancing other commitments.

With its mission to promote lifelong learning and bridge the educational gap, Bangladesh Open University has been playing a significant role in expanding educational opportunities in the country and expatriate Bangladeshi. Its innovative approach to open and distance learning has not only empowering individuals but also contributed to the socio-economic development of Bangladesh by equipping students with the necessary skills and qualifications for better employment prospects.

BOU is a place where students are equipped with knowledge, skills and values that resonate with the demands of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT)-driven Fourth Industrial Revolution thus ensuring that our graduates are well prepared to meet and overcome the challenges of their time. Our mission and vision is to provide our students with a holistic education. In practical terms, this means that besides equipping our students with excellent academic skills and competencies, BOU will make you a person of distinction to make your contribution to society.

We wish you much success in the years ahead and hope together we will make a change for the better future of the country and ourselves.

Professor Dr. Nasim Banu

Professor Dr. Nasim Banu

Prof. Nasim Banu , hails from Rupganj, Narayanganj, is a Professor in the Department of Public Administration at Islamic University; Kushtia, presently she is the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University (BOU) since 19 February 2021. She was also had the additional charge of Vice Chancellor on 24 March at the end of tenure of former VC which continued up to 29 June 2021. Before joining BOU she was founder Dean and Chairman of Faculty of Social Sciences and Department of Development Studies respectively; Convener, Eve Teasing Prevention and Protection Committee at Islamic University, and being senior most female teacher she also organized the first female hall at Islamic University.

Prof. Banu did her BSS Honors and MSS degree in Public Administration in the year of 1982 and 1983 respectively from the University of Dhaka. She was awarded a certificate on Commonwealth Youth Program from Asia Center, Chandigarh, India under Commonwealth Secretariate through distance training course, 1985-86. She also did her second Masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) in 1991 from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). She earned PhD degree in 2010 for her thesis on Monitoring and Evaluation of system Bangladesh Public Project Management. Prof. Banu started her teaching career in 1990 at Islamic University, Kushtia with wide range of research experience in the field of Social Sciences and since then she has been passionate for learning and continued to diversify her knowledge in multi-disciplinary field. She is attached with Jahangirnagar University, Islamic University, Pabna Science & Technology University, University of Barishal and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science & Technology University, Gupalganj as an expert member of teacher’s selection board.

Prof. Banu contributed her writing to Banglapedia and Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration. She has been associated with different journals and periodicals as editor reviewer and advisory member. She has published over 30 research articles, 01 book and 05 chapters in different books published by reputed publishers of home and abroad. She attended more than 12 International Conferences in home and abroad as resource person. She also organized International Conferences on “Sustainability and Sustainable Development” and “Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujibur Rahman & His Legacy”.

Prof. Banu is a life member of Bangladesh Institute of Planners; Bangladesh Public Administration Association; Network of Asia Pacific Schools and Institute of Public Administration and Governance (NAPSPAG), elected vice-president of Women Architects Engineers Planners Association and was the vice-president of Bangabandhu Parishad of Islamic University. She has travelled to India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Turkey, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, and United Kingdom for various academic purpose.

Professor Mahbuba Nasreen, PhD

Message from the Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic)

Professor Dr. Mahbuba Nasreen

It is my distinct privilege to be a part of the prestigious Bangladesh Open University (BOU) family in my capacity as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic). Bangladesh Open University is dedicated to a noble vision — ensuring access to education for all through open and distance learning while striving for excellence in higher education. Our overarching aim is to cultivate a knowledge-based society through the pursuit of educational excellence.

Bangladesh Open University stands as a unique institution within our nation, offering a wide spectrum of educational opportunities. This encompasses ICT-based open and distance learning, as well as face-to-face education. The university is guided by an inclusive and intersectional approach, ensuring that no one is left behind. Our mission is to provide open and lifelong quality education, meticulously tailored to meet the diverse needs of students, irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, (dis)ability, or other distinctions. Many of our students have faced challenges that interrupted their educational journeys at various junctures. The authority of Bangladesh Open University, faculties, administrative units of different schools, divisions, regions, and sub-regions serve the students with guidance, academic support, and assistance to help them advance in both academic and professional realms. The goal is to empower learners not only academically but also professionally.

The educational network of Bangladesh Open University encompasses a wide expanse, comprising twelve regional centers, eighty sub-regional centers, and an impressive 1,812 operational study centers (as of 2023). Furthermore, approximately 1,545 study centers are currently in the process of securing approval to commence their academic initiatives.

Access to education is a constitutional right of every citizen in Bangladesh. Nevertheless, numerous individuals are compelled to discontinue their educational journey due to various social and economic challenges they confront. Bangladesh Open University (BOU) stands as a beacon of support, dedicated to quenching their thirst for knowledge. BOU employs an outcome-focused, ICT-driven, open, distance, and modular curriculum, extending a welcoming hand to dropouts and professionals from all walks of life, allowing them to rejoin the educational sphere on their terms. Its reach extends from the heart of the nation to its far-flung and previously inaccessible regions.

Moreover, in recent years, BOU has witnessed a growing enrollment of remittance earners residing in the Middle East and even European countries, enabling them to fulfill their educational aspirations through distance learning. A well-equipped E-learning Centre, a repository of open educational resources, a robust learning management system, E-books, social media engagement via Facebook, micro SD card-based learning materials, web radio, and web television are among the advanced technologies harnessed by BOU to disseminate knowledge to learners.

At Bangladesh Open University, a deep commitment exists to equipping students with the knowledge and skills essential for their success. The belief is that education should be a beacon of opportunity for every corner of our society. Together, we are working towards a brighter future for Bangladesh through the provision of accessible, high-quality education. Therefore, in line with the visionary ideals of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, BOU ardently believes that “investing in education is the best path to a just society.”

Professor Mostafa Azad Kamal

Message from the Treasurer

Professor Mostafa Azad Kamal

Welcome to the Bangladesh Open University!

Founded in 1992, Bangladesh Open University (BOU) has been the leader in providing education through ODL mode in the country. It caters education among the citizens of the country living at home and abroad irrespective of their age, gender, ethnicity, geographical location, physical ability, and socio-economic status through its 64+ formal and 19+ nonformal programs. The university has a country-wide network through its 12 Regional Centers (RCs), 80 Sub-Regional Centers (SRCs), and 1550+ study centers. Under the auspicious of 6 (six) academic schools, the academic programs are being delivered through different study centers. The academic and administrative activities are supported by 11 dedicated administrative divisions.

Bangladesh Open University is the symbol of experiential and lifelong learning that is essential for fostering the Smart Bangladesh vision of the country. Since its establishment, the university has been working toward creating a just and equitable society by bringing the people back into education who anyhow remained outside the orbit of education.

As a mega university, BOU reached every corner of the country and ensured the access of millions of citizens to our educational programs in the last three decades of its journey. Our vision is to reach every citizen of the country living at home and abroad who desires to enhance their knowledge and skills at their own pace. We hope our innovative drives are adding huge value to the government’s Smart Bangladesh Vision, government’s missions for meeting SDG 2030 targets, and dream for being a rich country by 2041. Our commitment for empowering the citizens will continue to grow and create 4IR ready workforce in the country.

I do believe that you will explore more about the tradition, beauty, academic rigors, and importance of this great university through this website. Hope together we will make a vibrant learning community where all citizens can be part of and be benefited from. We will never allow people to stop learning doesn’t matter where they are, or what is their status, when they desire to learn. Our collective efforts will certainly help us achieve the Sonar Bangla that our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman dreamt for!

Joy Bangla. Joy Bangabandhu.
Long Live Bangladesh Open University! Long Live Bangladesh!

About Bangladesh Open University

Historial Outline

The need for an open university in Bangladesh was felt long ago. The history of distance education in Bangladesh dates back to 1956 when the Education Directorate was assigned with the responsibility for distribution of 200 radio receivers to educational institutions. This led to the creation of an Audio-Visual Cell, which was upgraded to the Audio-Visual Education Centre in 1962. No further progress in distance education was made till 1971.

After Independence, Bangladesh faced the challenge of meeting the educational needs of mass people. To meet this challenge the necessity for a new mode of education was widely felt. As a sequel to that feeling, the School Broadcasting Pilot Project was launched in 1978. The project was transformed into National Institute of Educational Media and Technology (NIEMT) in 1983.

NIEMT was later replaced by the Bangladesh Institute of Distance Education (BIDE) in 1985. Apart from producing audio-visual materials, BIDE offered the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) program in distance mode. The success of BIDE encouraged policymakers to take up a major plan for establishing an open university. The plan became a reality in October 1992 when the Bangladesh Open University Act 1992 was passed in the Parliament.

BOU at a Glance

BOU Established	October 21, 1992
Type	Public University
Chancellor	Mohammed Shahabuddin Honorable President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Vice-Chancellor	Professor Dr. Syed Humayun Akhter
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration)	Professor Dr. Nasim Banu
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic)	Professor Dr. Mahbuba Nasreen
Treasurer	Professor Mostafa Azad Kamal
Total Students (Formal Programs)	6,37,513 (Cumulative)
Location	Board Bazar, Gazipur, Bangladesh
Area	35 Acres
Academic Schools	6
Administrative Divisions	11
Total Academic Programs	86 (Formal Programs: 67; Non-Formal Programs: 19)
Regional Centers	12
Sub Regional Centers	80
Study Centers	1545
Teachers (Full-time)	147
Teachers/Tutors (Adjunct)	25,145

Communicate With International Organization/Universities

 Commonwealth of Learning (COL)

 Commonwealth Educational Media Center for Asia (CEMCA)

 International Council of Open & Distance Learning (ICDE)

 The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

 Asia Association of Open University (AAOU)

 Commonwealth Open Schooling Association (COMOSA)

 National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)

MOU Between Bangladesh Open University and Other Institutions

 MOU Between BOU and International Institutions

 MOU Between BOU and National Institutions

Formal Programs

Open School

Name of the Program
Secondary School Certificate (SSC)
Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS)
Bachelor of Business Administration(BBA), Bangla Medium
Master of Business Administration(MBA), Bangla Medium
Master in Criminology and Criminal Justice (MCCJ)
Master of Disaster Management (MDM)
Master of Development Studies (MDS)

School of Business

Name of the Program
Post-Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)
Certificate in Management (CIM)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Commonwealth Executive MBA/MPA
Master of Business Administration (Evening)
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)

School of Social Science, Humanities & Languages

Name of the Program
Master of Arts (MA)/Master of Social Science (MSS) (Pre.)
Master of Arts (MA)/Master of Social Science (MSS) (Final)
LLB (Honours)
Certificate in Arabic Language Proficiency (CALP)
Bachelor of Arts /Bachelor of Social Science (Honours)
Bachelor of Arts (BA)/Bachelor of Social Science (BSS)
Bachelor of English Language Teaching (BELT)
Certificate in English Language Proficiency (CELP)

Non-Formal Programs

School of Education

Name of the Program
Environmental Education
Maternity and Child Care