DU press publishes only 188 books in 104 years 

Over the past 104 years, Dhaka University (DU) Press published only 188 books, an average of fewer than two books per year, due to bureaucratic tangles, rigid approval processes, and a chronic shortage of resources.

The press, which primarily focuses on research-based publications, faces significant structural and operational challenges that have hindered its productivity.

On Monday, Prof Tariq Manzoor, the Acting Director of Dhaka University Press, confirmed the number to The Daily Observer and said between 2021 and 2024 alone, the press published just four new books and reprinted seven older ones.
Since its first publication in 1957-a book by Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah-the press has released 118 English and 70 Bangla books. Despite its century-long legacy, its output remains far below the scale of comparable institutions.

Prof Manzoor pointed to a rigid bureaucratic process that slows down the publication cycle. "A high-level committee meticulously reviews each manuscript before sending it to expert evaluators.

This extensive process makes our publishing timeline significantly longer than that of commercial publishers," he explained.

He also dismissed comparisons to private publishing houses, arguing that Dhaka University Press operates more like Bangla Academy, with a strict focus on research-oriented books. He clarified that fiction, poetry, plays, and children's books do not fit within the press's mandate.

Beyond bureaucratic delays, the press struggles with declining readership, outdated infrastructure, and severe resource shortages. Professor Manzoor noted that the institution lacks essential equipment, including photocopy machines, and faces a shortage of skilled manpower.

Additionally, he described the honorarium for the director's role as "embarrassingly low," making it difficult to attract and retain competent leadership.

To modernise operations, Professor Manzoor proposed digitising older publications and launching a dedicated website to showcase available books. However, he admitted that the press lacks the manpower to implement such initiatives promptly.

He also outlined an ambitious plan to renovate an old bungalow near TSC into a multi-functional publishing centre, complete with a bookstore, a café, and spaces for literary discussions. But, this project hinges on approval from the university's master plan, further slowing its progress.

Despite these challenges, Professor Manzoor hoped increased academic research within the university could improve the press's output. However, he made it clear that the existing publishing guidelines would not be relaxed, even though some steps could be taken to shorten the manuscript evaluation process.