Comilla University
Comilla University a place of impeccably beautiful natural environment, is located at Salmanpur and Rajarkhola areas of Lalmai Mouza of Bijoypur Union of Sadar Dakshin Upazila and about 9.8 km south-west of Comilla city. It is not far from the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. This red hill University has a campus of about 250 acres and launched its journey on May 26, 2006 as the 26th public university in the country. The first vice chancellor of the university was Professor. Golam Mawla who served from July 26, 2006 to July 30, 2006.
Since its inception, this highest educational institution in the Middle East of the country has become the heart of knowledge in various activities. Besides Comilla University there are several traditional, educational and archeological establishments like Shalban Vihara, Itakhola Mura, Mainamati Museum, Bangladesh Rural Development Academy (BARD), Comilla Cadet College, Pottery Village. These establishment and institutions have also enriched the surroundings of the university.
Historical Background The historical background of Comilla University was written about a thousand years ago although the age of the university is only 16 years. In the 7th century AD, the Chandra dynasty king Bhavadev established a prosperous ancient town about 500 miles named Shalban Vihara or Ananda Vihara in the heart of the Samatat kingdom on Lalmai-Mainamati area. Scholars of that time called this monasteries as one of the most important centers of learning in Asia. People from all over the world used to come here to seek knowledge. The famous Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang came to Shalban Bihara in 637 AD and saw four thousand monks and 35 monasteries in the Mainamati region which he mentioned in his book. He also described the people of Samatat (Present Comilla) as educationists.
Considering of all this, in the sixties the movement for the establishment of a university in the Comilla region was intensified. Due to the historical background and improved communication system, there was a strong demand for the establishment of a university in Comilla district within the Chittagong division. In response to this demand, the then government made preparations to establish Comilla University as the third university in East Pakistan in 1964. But in the absence of President Ayub Khan, while presiding over the cabinet meeting on 12 December 1973, Pakistan's Speaker Fazlul Quader Chowdhury directed the Union Education Minister ATM Mostafa to take necessary steps to set up the university in Chittagong.
The decision to set up the university in Fatehpur Union of Chittagong's Hathazari Police Station was finalized on the recommendation of the local selection commission at a meeting of the National Economic Council in Islamabad on July 18-19, 1974, chaired by Acting President Fazlul Quader Chowdhury. After this incident, the movement to establish a university in Comilla intensified. Several initiatives were taken to establish Comilla University after the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent state in 1971, but it did not see the light of day before 2006.
There was a project has been taken to establish Comilla University On July 1, 2004. The foundation stone of the university was laid on February 8, 2006 and The Comilla University Act was passed in Parliament on 7 May of the same year. The university started its academic activities with 300 students and 15 teachers in 7 functional departments on 28 May 2006.
At present there are a total of 19 departments under 6 faculties (Faculty of Science, 'Arts and Humanities', Social Science, Bussiness Studies, Engineering and Law in Comilla University including Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Chemistry, Pharmacy, English, Bengal, Economics, Public Administration, Anthropology, Mass Communication & Journalism, Archaeology, Management Studies, Accounting & Information Systems (AIS), Marketing, Finance and Banking, Computer Science & Engineering (CSE), Information & Communication Technology (ICT), Law.
The university has a separate Research Cell for research sector and an 'Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) for institutional quality improvement and training. Journals and literary magazines are being published regularly from different departments. The students of the university have also shown success in robotics in recent times.
The central library of the university has a diverse collection of books, journals and audiovisuals as well as separate computer zone and E-Library.
There is a medical center at Comilla University. Ambulances are available for emergency use. The medical center also launched telemedicine service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Comilla University has always been praised for its sports and diverse cultural activities. All these activities are contributing to the peace of mind of the students. The students of the university have also left their mark on the national and international level. Various activities including Natta-utsab, Nabanna Utsab, Cultural Fest, Debate Competition, concert etc. are organized at different times of the year.
There are many mentionable organizations in Comilla University including Prativartan (cultural organisation), Anupras Kanthacharcha Kendra, band- Platform, Abhayranya Comilla University (Environmental organisation), Comilla University Debating Society, IT Society, Bandhu (Blood donating organisation), Udichi, Entrepreneurship and Leadership Development Club-ELDC, Comilla University Journalists Association (CoUJA) and Comilla University Press Club (CoUPC).
There are several special places and establishments throughout Comilla University. Among them, Bangabandhu Moral, Muktamancha, Forest of Arden, Lalon Pahar, Babui Chattar, Kathal Tola, Baishakhi Chattar, Krishnachura Road, Sunset Valley, Shaheed Minar, VC-Tong, Central field, Central Mosque etc. are mentionable.
The first convocation of Comilla University (CoU) was held on 27 January 2020. President Abdul Hamid, the Chancellor of the university attended there while Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal delivered the convocation speech. 2888 graduates attended there. Comilla University has already expanded its campus by about 200 acres under the ongoing further development project, though it started its journey with only 50 acres of land. Under the project, large scale development activities have been started. The main activities for the implementation of the project of BDT 1655.50 crore of Comilla University are- Land Acquisition (200.22 acres), Land Development (100 acres), Construction of Academic Building, 2nd Administrative Building, Construction of Student Hall, construction of dormitory building, staff residential buildings, school building, Teacher-Student Center (TSC), sports complex, development of family recreation area, excavation of lake etc. Bangladesh Army has been given the responsibility to implement the project. [Ali Morshed Kazem]
