North South University

Private university in Dhaka, Bangladesh

North South University

নর্থ সাউথ বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়

Crest of North South University

Motto| Seek Knowledge
Type| Private, Research
Established| 1992; 33 years ago (1992)
Accreditation|

* IEB
* IAB
* PCB
* Bar Council
* ACBSP
* AACSB

Affiliation| University Grants Commission (UGC)
Chancellor| President Mohammed Shahabuddin
Vice-Chancellor| Abdul Hannan Chowdhury

Academic staff

| 1291 (2017)

Administrative staff

| 544 (2017)
Students| 26,000 (2020)[citation needed]
Undergraduates| 17,517 (2017)[1]
Postgraduates| 2,508 (2017)
Address|

Bashundhara

Dhaka

1229

Bangladesh

23°48′55″N 90°25′32″E﻿ / ﻿23.815222°N 90.425657°E﻿ / 23.815222; 90.425657
Campus| Urban, 5.5 acres (2.2 ha)
Language| English
Colors|
Navy Blue, White and Dodger Blue
Website| northsouth.edu

North South University (Bengali: নর্থ সাউথ বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়, also known as NSU) is a private research university in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was established in 1992 under the Private University Act, 1992 by the then Foundation for Promotion of Education and Research (FPER), a charitable, non-profit, non-commercial and non-political organization. The FPER later was renamed as the NSU Foundation and is presently called The North South Foundation for Education and Research.[2]

The university is ranked among the top universities in Bangladesh.[3][4] Its business school is the first Bangladeshi university to receive American accreditation from the ACBSP in 2015.[5]

## Campus

[edit]

North South University campus

The university's campus is located in Bashundhara Residential Area in Dhaka. It is one of the largest private universities in Bangladesh in terms of student population. The foundation of the campus was laid on 30 January 2003 by Begum Khaleda Zia, then prime minister of Bangladesh.[6] Classes started in the permanent (current) campus from 9 June 2009.[7]

North South University's upper plaza

The campus can serve up to 12,000 students with amenities and facilities. It contains six buildings with three basements on seven acres of land having 1,250,000 square feet of floor space.[8]

### Library

[edit]

The NSU library has over 70,000 square feet (6,500 m2) floor area on the southeastern side of the campus. It is the first fully automated university library in Bangladesh using its own library management software.[9][10] which supports RFID system, web-based online circulation system, full-text e-books and online journal article repository services. The library can accommodate over 1,200 students at a time in its reading rooms. On average 2,000 students use the library every day.

As of August 2014, the library holds 49,500 books, 50,000 online books, 6,000 bound journals (foreign and local), magazines, 1,890 CD-ROM databases, books, 226 DVDs and videos, 159 audio-cassettes, and other resources.[11]

## Administration

[edit]

There is a separate admin building dedicated to administration activities.

### List of vice-chancellors

[edit]

* Muslehuddin Ahmad
* Hafiz Siddiqi (3 January 2003—2010)[12][13]
* Amin U. Sarkar (June 2013—August 2015)[14]
* Atique Islam (2016 — August 2024)
* Abdul Hannan Chowdhury (12 September 2024 — present)[15]

## Academic departments

[edit]

The university's departments are organized into four schools.

SAC and Admin Building

Bridge between SAC and NAC

### School of Business and Economics (SBE)

[edit]

The School of Business and Economics (SBE) at North South University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).[16] It is the first Business school in Bangladesh to receive American accreditation.[5] SBE of NSU secured the Global Rank of 401–450 in Business and Management Studies in the QS World University Rankings 2020.[17] The School of Business and Economics (SBE) consists of four departments.

* Department of Accounting & Finance
* Department of Economics
* Department of Management
* Department of Marketing & International Business

### School of Engineering & Physical Sciences (SEPS)

[edit]

The School of Engineering & Physical Sciences (SEPS) intends to be a center of excellence in innovation and technological entrepreneurship by building a knowledge and skill-based learning environment for students in the field of engineering, architecture and physical sciences with adequate technical competency, social responsibility, communication skill and ethical standard. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has three majors in undergraduate programs.

* Department of Architecture
* Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
* Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering [18]
* Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering (BSCSE) [19]
* Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (BSEEE)[20]
* Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering (BSETE) [21]

### School of Humanities & Social Sciences (SHSS)

[edit]

* Department of English & Modern Languages
* Department of Law
* Department of History & Philosophy
* Department of Political Science & Sociology

### School of Health & Life Sciences (SHLS)

[edit]

* Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology
* Department of Environmental Science and Management
* Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
* Department of Public Health

## Institutes

[edit]

NSU has several institutes and centers.

In front of Central Library

### Institute of Development, Environment and Strategic Studies (IDESS)

[edit]

The Institute of Development, Environment and Strategic Studies (IDESS) is a research center.[22]

### NSU Global Health Institute (NGHI)

[edit]

The NSU Global Health Institute (NGHI) at NSU was established NGHI for the discovery and competency development of human welfare aiming to build strengthen the emerging field of global health response and leadership.[23]

### NSU Genome Research Institute (NGRI)

[edit]

The NSU Genome Research Institute (NGRI) at NSU was established on 14 May 2017, for the discovery and competency development of human welfare aiming to build and strengthen the emerging field of genomic research field leadership, which is the first genomic research institute in Bangladesh [24]

### Confucius Institute

[edit]

The Confucius Institute at NSU was established in February 2006, the only language institute in Bangladesh which offers Chinese-language only education.[25]

### Student Counselling Center (SCC)

[edit]

The North South University-Student Counseling Center (NSU-SCC) is a support system for the students of the university and addresses their emotional well-being. It serves as a primary mental health care unit, and as such it offers taking therapy and advice for further referrals. It has no jurisdiction over the academic and administrative affairs of the university.[26]

### Career and Placement Center (CPC)

[edit]

The Career and Placement Center (CPC) is a comprehensive career management support platform for NSU students.[27]

### Center for Infrastructure Research and Services (CIRS)

[edit]

Center for Infrastructure Research and Services (CIRS, NSU) can offer access to the university's state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and facilities to companies of all sizes for a wide range of testing and analysis services. The services which it offers reflect the breadth and depth of the university's research capabilities, from independent testing services to collaborative prototype generation. The center has expert technicians, servicemen, and staff under the direct supervision of faculty members to carry out the tests and analyses. CIRS undertakes research, testing, and consultation work in the field of engineering, construction management, and environmental issues as required by private, government, or autonomous bodies.[28]

### NSU Center for Business Research (NSU CBR)

[edit]

There was a strong need at the NSU business research community for a platform focusing on building, storing, investigating, analyzing, and learning through research activities on business and economic phenomena in Bangladesh and the world. Based on these overarching needs, a new Center for Business Research was established.[29]

### Economics Research Platform (NSU ERP)

[edit]

This platform was established with the intention of facilitating economic research and policy analysis. It currently holds seminars, workshops and conferences.[30]

## Publications

[edit]

The university publishes a journal called Panini.[31]

## Rankings

[edit]

University rankings

Global – Overall
QS World[32]| 851-900 (2024)
THE World[33]| 601-800 (2023)
Global – Business and economics
QS Business[34]| 351-400 (2021)
QS Economics[35]| 451-500 (2024)
Global – Science and engineering
QS Engineering & Tech.[36]| 551 (2020)
THE Engineering[37]| 301-400 (2023)
Regional – Overall
QS Asia[38]| =155 (2025)

In the latest World University Rankings 2023 published by Times Higher Education, NSU ranked joint top among all universities in Bangladesh.[39] In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, NSU achieved a ranking of 851-900 globally.[40] In the same year, they ranked 191st among all Asian universities.[41] Furthermore, they ranked 351-400 and 451-500 in the QS subject rankings for "Business and Management Studies" and "Economics and Econometrics" respectively.[42] In addition to which, they also ranked in the 651-700 band for "Computer and Information Systems".[42]

Moreover, they ranked 301–500 in the "Graduate Employability Ranking 2020"[43] published by the higher education information service provider Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), which indicates how well students from a university can gain a foothold in the global job market.

## Gallery

[edit]

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

## Notable people

[edit]

### Faculty

[edit]

* Syed Alamgir, businessman[44]
* Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Professor and Vice-Chancellor of North South University and Chairman of Grameen Bank.
* Justice Abdul Wahhab Miah, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and former acting Chief Justice of Bangladesh.
* Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Interim Government of Bangladesh.
* Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, Academic and Vice-Chancellor of the Jahangirnagar University.
* Salehuddin Ahmed, professor, economist and Finance Advisor to the Interim Government of Bangladesh[45]
* Cynthia Mckinney, former US congresswoman and presidential candidate.[46]

### Alumni

[edit]

* Mohammad Ponir Hossain, photographer and journalist[47]
* Elita Karim, vocalist and journalist[48]
* Tasneem Khalil, journalist[49]
* Mashiat Rahman, actress[50]
* Aydha Mehnaz, fashion and media manager[51]
* Samia Said, actress and model[52]
* Kusum Sikder, actress and director[53]
* Nusrat Imrose Tisha, actress and producer[54]
* Topu, musician and singer-songwriter[55]
* Zara Jabeen Mahbub, businesswoman and politician[56]
* Mostafa Monwar, actor[57]
* Sabila Nur, actress[58]
* Shoumya Joyti, actor[59]
* Hussain Elius, entrepreneur and co-founder of Pathao[60]

## Controversies

[edit]

* The University Grants Commission investigated NSU in 2012, 2016, and 2019. Each probe found rampant corruption and administrative irregularities.[61] Because the UGC found that some members of the board of trustees were "involved in anti-state activities, sponsorship of militancy, corruption and arbitrariness", President Abdul Hamid reconstituted the board in August 2022, dismissing seven members and adding three new ones.[62]
* Former students involved in militancy: In 2016, some former students of NSU and faculty members were found to have links with militant activities.[63] Some of them were involved in violent armed assaults.[64][65] Later, investigators found printed materials published by militant groups in a library.[63] UGC suggested measures to curb the involvement by student attendance tracking, online monitoring by guardians and student participation in social activities.[66]
* In 2021 some of the trustees allegedly used the university and misused power,[67] they allegedly raised their sitting allowance to up to 10 times the approved rate and got themselves luxury cars[68] at the expense of the students.[69][70]
* In 20 August 2024, The Supreme Court of Bangladesh ruled that its trustee board was illegal and formed a new board of trustees.[71][72]

## See also

[edit]

* List of universities in Bangladesh
* Universities in Bangladesh

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Annual Report 2017". University Grants Commission.
2. ^ "NSU: A BRIEF HISTORY". North South University. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
3. ^ "NSU celebrates global university ranking result". The Business Standard. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
4. ^ "DU, NSU ranked as top Bangladeshi universities in THE rankings". New Age. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
5. ^ a b "NSU receives ACBSP Certificate". Daily Sun (Press release). 22 June 2016.
6. ^ "New Campus Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony". North South University. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
7. ^ "NSU commences classes at the new campus". North South University. Archived from the original on 27 May 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
8. ^ "NSU holds Fall 2009 orientation Ceremony at its own campus". North South University. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
9. ^ "Use of ICT in Libraries: An Empirical Study of Selected Libraries in Bangladesh". Archived from the original on 13 July 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
10. ^ "Library Automation in Bangladesh: The Dhaka University Library Experiences". Retrieved 7 March 2010.
11. ^ NSU Library. "Library At a glance". North South University. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
12. ^ "Dr Siddiqi, NSU vice-chancellor". The Daily Star. 3 January 2003. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
13. ^ "In a Nutshell". The Daily Star. 2 August 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
14. ^ https://www.aamu.edu/academics/colleges/business-public-affairs/about-college/deans-office-staff.html Amin U. Sarkar
15. ^ "নর্থ সাউথ ইউনিভার্সিটির নতুন উপাচার্য হিসেবে নিয়োগ পেলেন অধ্যাপক আবদুল হান্নান". The Daily Star Bangla (in Bengali). 12 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
16. ^ "North South University". Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
17. ^ "NSU only PVT university in Bangladesh ranked by subject in QS Ranking 2020". The Daily Star. 26 July 2020.
18. ^ "Electrical and Computer Engineering". North South University.
19. ^ "Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering". North South University.
20. ^ "Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering". North South University.
21. ^ "ETE Course Module".
22. ^ "IDESS". North South University.
23. ^ "NSU Global Health Institute (NGHI): About Us". North South University.
24. ^ "NSU Genome Research Institute (NGRI)".
25. ^ "Confucius Institute in Bangladesh cements relations". China Daily. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
26. ^ "Student Counseling Center | North South University".
27. ^ "Career & Placement Center (CPC)".
28. ^ "CIRS".
29. ^ "NSU Center for Business Research".
30. ^ "Economics Research Platform". www.northsouth.edu. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
31. ^ "Panini: NSU Studies in Language & Literature". North South University. Archived from the original on 9 June 2010. Retrieved 21 January 2009.
32. ^ "QS World University Rankings 2024". Quacquerelli Symonds. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
33. ^ "THE World University Rankings 2023". Times Higher Education. 4 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
34. ^ "QS University Rankings 2021". Quacquarelli Symonds. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
35. ^ "NSU ranked in QS Subject 2024 for three subject categories". The Daily Star. 18 April 2024.
36. ^ "QS University Rankings 2021". Quacquarelli Symonds. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
37. ^ "THE World University Rankings 2023 by Subject: Engineering". Times Higher Education. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
38. ^ "QS Asia University Rankings 2025 – Overall". Top Universities. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
39. ^ "NSU celebrates global university ranking result". The Business Standard. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
40. ^ "North South University". Top Universities. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
41. ^ "QS Asia University Rankings 2024 - Overall". Top Universities. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
42. ^ a b "NSU ranked in QS Subject 2024 for three subject categories". The Daily Star. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
43. ^ "Graduate Employability Rankings 2020". 23 May 2024.
44. ^ "Syed Alamgir made new MD of Akij group Ventures". The Business Standard. 2 March 2021.
45. ^ "Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed". nbr.gov.bd. Archived from the original on 13 January 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
46. ^ "Cynthia McKinney, PhD | North South University". www.northsouth.edu. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
47. ^ "Reuters' Ponir Hossain discusses his Pulitzer Prize-winning photos". Dhaka Tribune.
48. ^ "21 Anniversary Supplement". The Daily Star. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
49. ^ "The Torture of Tasneem Khalil". Human Rights Watch. 13 February 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
50. ^ Shazu, Shah Alam (21 October 2011). "Lucky Strikes". The Daily Star.
51. ^ "Meet the Bangladeshi building a legacy in French luxury fashion". The Business Standard. 27 June 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
52. ^ Shazu, Shah Alam (13 September 2012). "Crowning glory". The Daily Star.
53. ^ এক দশক পেরিয়ে কুসুম সিকদার. banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 13 March 2012.
54. ^ "Happy birthday, Tisha". Daily Sun. 19 February 2018.
55. ^ Hassan, Mainul (20 April 2008). "Topu talks about his songs, Yaatri and going solo". The Daily Star.
56. ^ "Zara Jabeen Mahbub: A banker with passion". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
57. ^ Shahnewaz, Sadi Mohammad (5 April 2019). "'More people should have the opportunity to watch Live from Dhaka'". The Daily Star. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
58. ^ "I wasn't kicked out of BRAC or NSU : Sabila Nur". The Daily Star. 21 March 2023. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
59. ^ আলম, মনজুরুল (30 April 2023). "কোনজন সৌম্য আর কে দিব্য?". Prothomalo (in Bengali). Retrieved 4 July 2025.
60. ^ "Innovator Under 35: Q & A With Hussain M Elius - Future Startup". 18 January 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
61. ^ Salman, Md Solamain (7 December 2019). "North South University dips in corruption". Daily Sun.
62. ^ Alamgir, Mohiuddin (24 August 2024). "Row among trustees spells trouble for NSU". The Daily Star.
63. ^ a b "Govt alert about goings-on in North South University, says Nahid". bdnews24.com. 10 July 2016.
64. ^ "Bangladesh Says It Now Knows Who's Killing the Bloggers". The New York Times. 8 June 2016.
65. ^ "Terrorism: UGC team visits Dhaka's North South University". bdnews24.com. 14 July 2016.
66. ^ "NSU students under surveillance". Dhaka Tribune. 15 July 2016. Archived from the original on 26 August 2017.
67. ^ "Two ex-NSU trustees get conditional bail from HC". 10 November 2022.
68. ^ "Eight former and current NSU trustees prosecuted for 'embezzlement' over luxury cars". bdnews24.com.
69. ^ Alamgir, Mohiuddin; Khan, Mahbubur Rahman (6 July 2022). "North South University Scams: When trust takes a back seat". The Daily Star.
70. ^ "Expensive cars of NSU trustees discussed by Appellate Division". The Business Standard. 17 August 2021.
71. ^ "নর্থ সাউথের ট্রাস্টি বোর্ড অবৈধ: হাইকোর্ট". Daily Jugantor (in Bengali). 20 August 2024.
72. ^ "নর্থ সাউথের পুনর্গঠিত বোর্ড অব ট্রাস্টিজ অবৈধ ঘোষণা". Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 20 August 2024. Archived from the original on 20 August 2024.

## Further reading

[edit]

* "North South University to hold 'Cybernauts 2016'". The Daily Star. 11 July 2016.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Media related to North South University at Wikimedia Commons

* v
* t
* e

Private universities in Bangladesh

Barisal Division|

* Global University Bangladesh
* University of Global Village

Chittagong Division|

* Britannia University
* BGC Trust University Bangladesh
* East Delta University
* International Islamic University, Chittagong
* Premier University, Chittagong
* Southern University, Bangladesh
* University of Science and Technology Chittagong
* Port City International University
* Feni University

Dhaka Division|

* Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology
* American International University-Bangladesh
* Asian University of Bangladesh
* Asa University Bangladesh
* Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology
* Bangladesh Islami University
* Bangladesh University
* Bangladesh University of Business and Technology
* BRAC University
* Bangladesh University of Health Sciences
* Central Women's University
* City University, Bangladesh
* Daffodil International University
* Darul Ihsan University
* Dhaka International University
* Canadian University of Bangladesh
* Eastern University
* East West University
* Fareast International University
* Gono University
* Green University of Bangladesh
* Grameen University
* Hamdard University Bangladesh
* IBAIS University
* Independent University, Bangladesh
* Institute of Science and Technology
* International University of Business Agriculture and Technology
* Manarat International University
* Millennium University
* Northern University, Bangladesh
* North South University
* Notre Dame University Bangladesh
* People's University of Bangladesh
* Presidency University
* Primeasia University
* Prime University
* Queens University
* Royal University of Dhaka
* Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology
* Southeast University
* Stamford University
* State University of Bangladesh
* Tagore University of Creative Arts
* United International University
* University of Asia Pacific
* University of Development Alternative
* University of Information Technology and Sciences
* University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
* University of South Asia
* Uttara University
* Victoria University of Bangladesh
* World University of Bangladesh

Khulna Division|

* First Capital University Of Bangladesh
* North Western University
* Northern University

Mymensingh Division|

* Brahmaputra International University

Rajshahi Division|

* Bangladesh Army University of Engineering & Technology
* Exim Bank Agricultural University Bangladesh
* North Bengal International University
* Khwaja Yunus Ali University
* Rajshahi Science & Technology University
* Varendra University

Rangpur Division|

* Teesta University

Sylhet Division|

* Leading University
* Metropolitan University, Sylhet
* North East University Bangladesh
* Sylhet International University

* v
* t
* e

ACM ICPC Dhaka Site Contests

Host Institution|

* ACM ICPC Asia Regional Dhaka Site Events

North South University|

* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2013
* 2015

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology|

* 2001
* 2002
* 2003

East West University|

* 2007

Daffodil International University|

* 2012
* 2018
* 2024

Bangladesh University of Business and Technology|

* 2014
* 2021

University of Asia Pacific|

* 2016
* 2017

* v
* t
* e

International Conference on Computer and Information Technology

* 1997 - DU (as NCCIS)
* 1998 - BUET
* 1999 - SUST
* 2000 - NSU
* 2001 - DU
* 2002 - EWU
* 2003 - JU
* 2004 - BRAC U
* 2005 - IUT
* 2006 - IUB
* 2007 - UIU
* 2008 - KUET
* 2009 - IUB & MIST
* 2010 - AUST
* 2011 - AIUB
* 2012 - CU
* 2013 - KU
* 2014 - DIU
* 2015 - MIST
* 2016 - NSU
* 2017 - UAP
* 2018 - UIU
* 2019 - SEU
* 2020 - AUST
* 2021 - NSU

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* United States

Other|

* Yale LUX

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template