Dhaka University (DU), one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in Bangladesh, is undergoing the largest infrastructural transformation in its 103-year history, with a grand master plan worth TK 2,841.86 crore, aiming to establish itself as the country’s premier center for academic excellence.
The “Further Development of the University of Dhaka” masterplan aims to reshape the university into a modern, integrated academic town, prioritizing green spaces, walkability, efficient infrastructure, and a vibrant student experience.
Spread across 305.21 acres, the university’s historic campus is preparing for a massive overhaul, confirmed DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan in an exclusive interview with The Daily Observer.
He stated, “The university has received a special allocation of nearly TK 2,841 crore from the government for the proposed development project.”
However, Mohammad Zabed Alam Mridha, Director of Planning and Development at DU, confirmed the exact figure is TK 2 thousand 841 crore 86 lakh (TK 28.4186 billion).
“We’ve successfully completed 9 of the 11 procedural steps needed for approval, with only two remaining,” Niaz Ahmad Khan stated.
He further noted that receiving final endorsement from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) would be a significant milestone.
“If implemented, this masterplan could propel Dhaka University to unprecedented heights within the next decade. To make this vision a reality, we are working around the clock and have engaged with every level of government administration,” DU VC added.
Masterplan Overview
Currently, the university comprises 989 buildings. According to the new masterplan, 583 will be demolished to construct 92 new buildings over three major phases. The total project cost is estimated at TK 2,841 crore 86 lakh, with a projected completion year of 2030. The masterplan is undergoing final revisions after recommendations from the Bangladesh Planning Commission, and will be implemented upon approval by ECNEC (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council).
DU's physical infrastructure spans a total of 305.21 acres, combining both its main campus and multiple off-campus sites. The central campus itself occupies 276.28 acres, serving as the primary academic, residential, and administrative hub. Beyond this core, the university maintains an additional 27.93 acres across several strategically located satellite campuses.
Among these, the New Market Campus covers 7.71 acres and accommodates key academic and residential facilities. The Azimpur Campus, measuring 1.60 acres, primarily serves female students and includes staff housing. The Dhanmondi Campus, though relatively small at 0.13 acres, is designated for future student accommodation.
The Green Road Campus spans 6.12 acres and is set to include academic buildings, a DU Green Supermarket, and residential blocks for both students and tutors. The Hazaribagh Campus, covering 12.37 acres, houses the Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology along with associated residential facilities. Additionally, the university extends its presence to the coastline with a one-acre research center located at Kobita Chattar in Cox’s Bazar, dedicated to marine biology and environmental studies.
Phase-1: Flagship Projects
The first phase of the Dhaka University masterplan focuses on essential infrastructure enhancements aimed at transforming the academic and residential environment. One of the central developments includes the construction of a new four-story Central Mosque Complex replacing Masjidul Jamia, which will be built with financial support from either the Government of Bangladesh or the Government of Turkey, depending on which commits first.
As part of a major academic upgrade, the existing Central Library will be demolished to make way for a state-of-the-art facility designed to accommodate up to 4,000 students. The new library will feature two interconnected blocks, one 12 stories tall and the other 6 stories.
Residential accommodation will also see a significant overhaul. A total of nine new residential buildings will be introduced, five for female students and four for male students. Among these, Shahnewaz Hostel will be completely replaced with a new 15-story hall exclusively for women, while the other halls will undergo structural expansion to increase capacity.
To improve student facilities, public toilets will be constructed near Jagannath Hall and the Physical Education Centre. In addition, the central playground will be converted into a modern stadium to support athletic development and student recreation.
To address long-standing waterlogging issues and improve campus hygiene, the university will expand its drainage system to a total length of 24,820 meters. In parallel, new sanitation facilities will be installed at strategic locations, along with the introduction of a modern waste management system featuring designated waste bins to maintain cleanliness and support public health across the campus.
Campus Architecture and Design Philosophy
The development envisions a semi-grid academic core integrating the Arts, Science, and Business faculties with interconnected walkways, gardens, and collaborative outdoor spaces. The Central Library and Administrative Buildings will serve as the heart of this academic hub. Residential halls will be organized in clusters within 5–10 minutes walking distance of classrooms to boost attendance and engagement.
Environmental sustainability is prioritized through lakes, tree cover, and green spaces forming natural cooling systems. Gymnasiums and fields will support sports and cultural events.
Residential Halls
As part of the university’s extensive infrastructure plan, significant upgrades and expansions are planned for both female and male residential halls to accommodate the growing student population.
For female students, Shahnewaz Hostel will be completely demolished and replaced with a new 15-story residential building capable of housing one thousand female students. Shamsun Nahar Hall will be expanded with the construction of two new blocks, one 10-story and the other 6-story, creating accommodation for an additional 600 female students. At the Leather Engineering Institute, a brand-new 10-story hall will be constructed to accommodate 500 female students. Similarly, the Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall will be expanded to add capacity for another 500 female students. Each of these female halls will include an 11-story House Tutor Quarter, comprising 20 flats to ensure adequate residential arrangements for faculty supervisors.
For male students, Saheed Sergeant Zahurul Haq Hall will be expanded with two new blocks to house 1,300 students. Masterda Surja Sen Hall will see the addition of an 11-story building designed for 1,100 students. Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah Hall will undergo a major three-block expansion, with the tallest structure reaching up to 15 stories.
Additionally, Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall and Dr. Qudrat-e-Khuda Hostel will receive new blocks with capacities for 1,000 and 500 students respectively. Like the female halls, each of these male residences will feature an 11-story House Tutor Quarter containing 20 flats, ensuring consistent support and supervision within the residential facilities.
Faculty and Administrative Infrastructure
A range of major academic and residential facilities at DU will undergo transformation under the masterplan. The Faculty of Business Studies will see its existing one-story building replaced by the Bir Uttam Shaheed Khaja Nizamuddin Bhuiyan MBA Tower, a modern multi-story academic facility designed to meet the growing demands of business education.
The Institute of Statistical Research and Training (ISRT) building will be demolished and replaced with a 10-story academic tower, which will also be shared with the Department of Pharmacy. In the Department of Botany, a new three-story academic facility will be constructed to support expanded teaching and research activities.
At the Faculty of Fine Arts, six outdated structures, including the Crafts, Sculpture, Graphics, Ceramics, Art History buildings, and the Theoretical Teachers’ Lounge—will be torn down to make way for a consolidated five-story complex equipped with modern amenities.
A new Press cum Academic Building is also part of the development, replacing the existing Press Building and the adjacent tin-shed Nilkhet Police Outpost. This complex will consist of two towers, an 11-story and a 5-story block, built on 12- and 6-story foundations respectively.
In terms of faculty accommodation, the plan includes a new 15-story Teachers’ Quarters with 112 residential flats to be built in place of building number 12 and 13 at South Fuller Road. Additionally, the bungalows for provosts of Surja Sen Hall and Muhsin Hall located in the alley past Sir P J Hartog International Hall will be replaced with newly designed two-story bungalows, ensuring comfortable and upgraded living arrangements for senior university officials.
Public and Support Infrastructure
To enhance student services and administrative efficiency, the masterplan includes several public and support infrastructure upgrades across the Dhaka University campus.
A new Dr. Murtaza Medical Center will be constructed by demolishing the existing fourth-class staff quarters in the Shivbari area. This facility aims to provide improved healthcare services for students, faculty, and staff.
The existing Masjidul Jamia will be upgraded into a four-story mosque complex, offering expanded space for religious activities and community gatherings. Meanwhile, the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DCSU) building will be replaced by a modern 12-story multipurpose facility, designed to support student governance, events, and other co-curricular activities.
The university’s administrative facilities will also be significantly improved, with the construction of two new blocks, one 20 stories high and another 4 stories, offering more space and functionality for university operations.
In the realm of athletics and recreation, a comprehensive sports complex is planned. This includes a 2,040 square meter gallery, a 10,900 square meter playground, 2,900 square meters of designated bus parking, and a 4,032 square meter combined director’s office and dormitory for student-athletes, providing world-class support for physical education and competitive sports.
Phase-2: Renovation Drive
With a TK 151 crore allocation from the Government of Bangladesh, 173 existing buildings will be renovated to meet modern academic and administrative needs.
Phase-3: Underground Tunnel & Connectivity
A pivotal innovation in Phase-3 is a pedestrian tunnel stretching from Mohsin Hall to Nilkhet and Palashi, designed to reduce traffic congestion and enhance student mobility.
Although detailed information about Phase-1 has been made available, university authorities are not willing to disclose specifics about Phase-2 and Phase-3 as some of the associated tasks are still pending.
Satellite Campuses and Facilities
DU's satellite campuses play a vital role in supporting its academic, residential, and administrative infrastructure across the city.
The New Market Campus is home to the Institute of Social Welfare and Research and includes key female residential facilities such as the Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall and the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall. A proposal to rename Shahnewaz Hostel as ‘Joy Bangla Hall’ sparked controversy and is currently under reconsideration following student objections.
The Hazaribagh Campus houses the Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology, along with the Shahid Athlete Sultana Kamal Hostel, a mosque, and quarters for teachers and administrative staff, forming a self-contained academic and residential environment.
The Azimpur Campus primarily serves female students by providing dedicated residential space. It also includes employee quarters and the Baitun Nur Jame Masjid, ensuring both spiritual and daily living needs are met.
At the Green Road Campus, the university provides additional student housing and academic facilities. This campus also features the DU Green Super Market, serving as a convenient hub for daily essentials and student supplies.
The Dhanmondi Campus was originally designated for studio apartments to accommodate bachelor faculty members. However, the plan has since been revised, and the site will now be used to expand student accommodation facilities in response to growing demand.
Cox’s Bazar Research Center (1 acre), located in the coastal area of Kobita Chattar, adjacent to the beachside walkway from Laboni Point in Cox’s Bazar, symbolizes DU's academic expansion into marine biology and environmental research.
Connectivity and Student Life
Transportation between campuses will be facilitated through university shuttles and rickshaw access. The layout ensures morning walks to class, midday study breaks, and evening activities at the TSC all fall within walkable distances.
Implementation and Procurement
Mohammad Zabed Alam Mridha stated that the project is currently under evaluation by the PEC (Project Evaluation Committee). The committee has provided a set of rectifications, which are being promptly addressed. Once these requirements are fulfilled, the project will be submitted to ECNEC (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council) for final approval.
Construction is expected to begin this year following ECNEC's probable approval by July. The plan includes significant procurement of furniture, equipment, and consultancy services across academic, residential, and public spaces.
Miscellaneous
Notably, new residential hall with the capacity to accommodate 1,500 female students is being constructed with financial support from the Government of China, marking a significant international collaboration in the project.
The long-delayed renovation of the historic Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), once part of a government-led initiative, will now be carried out independently by the university administration. Meanwhile, the heritage-rich Curzon Hall will undergo carefully planned upgrades that adhere to strict archaeological preservation guidelines, ensuring that its historical integrity remains intact. DU is also set to receive a large grant soon from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Dhaka University (DU) is advancing on multiple fronts, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence, infrastructure development, and student welfare. DU will lead two international research projects worth nearly TK 100 crore, funded by Japan’s Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Focused on flood resilience and water purification, the five-year projects—selected under JST's SATREPS program—will commence in 2026, with DU scientists heading the Bangladesh segments of both initiatives.
On the infrastructure side, the university will begin road repairs between the Arts Building and Lecture Theatre on Thursday. The 565-foot stretch will be reconstructed with RCC pavement at a cost of Tk. 28.35 lakh, and all vehicular movement on this road will be restricted until May 23. Additionally, a 675-foot road near Zia Hall is scheduled for renovation in June, with a budget of Tk. 31 lakh. Both projects are being funded through DU’s own resources.
In parallel, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) is set to launch a comprehensive drainage upgrade in the DU area to address long-standing waterlogging problems ahead of the monsoon season. Coordinating with university authorities and engineers, the initiative aims to ensure efficient water drainage and safeguard key residential halls and academic facilities from seasonal flooding.
This extensive redevelopment plan signals a transformative era for Dhaka University, one rooted in heritage, driven by innovation, and designed to nurture holistic academic excellence. Once implemented, it will redefine the experience of learning, living, and leading at Bangladesh’s premier educational institution.
