Background

The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) was founded by philanthropist Kazi Shahid Ahmed as a private university.  The idea of the University was initiated at a public colloquium, in February of 2002, attended by leading academics, cultural figures, and entrepreneurs. The University was established with the objective of benefitting the higher education sector of Bangladesh by creating a competent workforce and informed citizens who are of service to the community, country, and the world. In this spirit, he created a place of learning where well-rounded students would be fully steeped in the values of their own heritage yet trained to face the modern global workplace.

The government of Bangladesh approved the establishment of ULAB in November 2003 under Private University Act (PUA)-1992 (now replaced by PUA-2010). The university was formally inaugurated on October 1, 2004. The honorable President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh is the Chancellor of ULAB.

The Board of Trustees (BOT) is the apex body that provides the overall policy guidelines and approves the annual budget of the University. The administration of the University is overseen by the Syndicate.

The Vice-Chancellor (VC) is appointed by the Chancellor upon the recommendation of the BOT for a period of four years. The VC acts as the chief executive and academic officer who runs the university with the support of the statutory bodies and operates under the provision of the Statutes prepared within the framework of PUA 2010. He or she is the chair of Syndicate, Academic Council, and normally of any other committees of which he or she is a member and presides over proceedings (except on formal occasions, such as Convocation, when the Chancellor presides).

The VC is assisted in his academic and administrative responsibilities by normally a Pro-Vice-Chancellor (PVC), who is appointed by the Chancellor. The Registrar supervises the administrative offices, collaborates with the offices of admissions and Controller of Examination, and maintains liaison with the Ministry of Education, University Grants Commission (UGC), and other relevant authorities.

The University, under its Charter, is authorized to impart lessons and confer undergraduate and graduate degrees in all branches of arts, business, social sciences, and sciences; provides training through workshops, and conducts research in partnership with the relevant bodies.

ULAB incorporates the values of Liberal Arts and Sustainability into its curricula through its General Education Department. ULAB is a research-intensive University with multiple research opportunities for its faculty members and students made available through various Centers and Institutes*.

The University is a not-for-profit institution and derives its income primarily from student fees, research grants, and contracts.

Find out more about ULAB today and our strategic vision.