HSTU opens new horizons with infrastructure upgrades and research

Infrastructure development, expanded research and student-friendly initiatives are opening new opportunities at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) in Dinajpur, known as northern Bangladesh’s leading seat of learning. Following the change in the political landscape after August 5, Professor Dr Md Emn Haque took office as the university’s eighth vice-chancellor on October 23, 2024. Since taking charge, he has been working with the university administration to implement development initiatives and plans.

On November 22, 2025, the university held its second convocation with elaborate celebrations after a gap of nearly 15 years. It was a memorable and proud day in the university’s history. More than 8,000 students received undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD degrees at the ceremony.

In a major step towards infrastructure and academic development, the seventh meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) in the 2025-26 financial year approved a Tk 576 crore 96 lakh development project. It is the largest development allocation in the university’s history.

The project includes plans to build internal reinforced cement concrete roads, install surface drainage, deep tube wells, internal water supply lines and a 500 kVA substation, and carry out land development, tree planting and other infrastructure work. Meanwhile, the University Grants Commission (UGC) approved a Tk 131 crore 97 lakh budget for the university for 2025-26.

Alongside infrastructure development, the university administration has increased funding for research. Its research budget for 2025-26 stands at about Tk 3 crore 10 lakh, around Tk 30 lakh more than the previous financial year’s Tk 2 crore 80 lakh.

According to the university’s Institute of Research and Training (IRT), 123 individual research projects have been approved for 2025-26. Work also continues on 13 joint research projects from 2024-25 and four projects from 2023-24.

The university administration says the increased research budget will expand opportunities for innovative research in the faculties of agriculture, engineering, computer science, business studies, fisheries and veterinary science. This research could make important contributions to agricultural production, food security, technological innovation and public health in the country. The university has also introduced PhD fellowships to encourage students to pursue research.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Emn Haque said: “Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University is one of the country’s leading science and technology universities. I hope that, if adequate facilities can be ensured, HSTU will lead the country in the days ahead. I want to present this university to the people of the country as a distinctive university.”

Those associated with the university hope that implementing ongoing development projects, increasing investment in research and expanding academic facilities will make HSTU one of northern Bangladesh’s key centres for higher education and research.