Annual Report 2023

Submitted to
College Education Development Project (CEDP)
Secondary and Higher Education Division, Ministry of Education
Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
National University

Rajshahi College

Rajshahi 6000, Bangladesh

The message of Principal

As a developing country, Bangladesh has achieved progress in education, at least in enrollment to institutions and taking degrees. The number of graduates is increasing promptly; however, the quality of learning, the sole aspect of the sustainable development goals (SDG), is not yet achieved. Rajshahi College, like other institutions in the country, is trying to ensure the quality of its graduates and facing the challenges of common hurdles- inadequate classroom space, lack of trained and skilled teachers, and insufficient technological assistance.

We are fortunate to be selected for the Integrated Development Goal and received some significant projects from the College Education Development Project (CEDP). Our classrooms, student rooms, laboratories, and libraries are renovated with modern tiles and furniture, decorated with smart-board and multi-media projectors, and reformed with round tables and revolving chairs to fit them for student-centered learning. Uninterrupted channel of internet connectivity through Wi-Fi is provided to the students. Simultaneously, CEDP helps to make computer training possible for all the students of this college by establishing a large-scale computer lab on our campus. The computer training conducted by Rajshahi College for the student is free of cost. CEDP arranges various kinds of training for the teachers and the non-teaching staff. These initiatives of the project change the college environment, and the students enjoy learning in a favorable setting of education.

I express my gratitude to the government and the project operating team for their great help in enhancing the learning quality of Rajshahi College. I am also thankful to the IGD subproject team, for whose labor these works are the reality.

Table of Content

1. The message of Principal 2-2
2. Chapter 1 : Introduction 4-13
3. Chapter 2 : Institutional and Academic Overview 14-22
4. Chapter 3 : Highlights the Year, 2023 23-28
5. Chapter 4 : Teachers’ Development 29-33
6. Chapter 5 : Budget and Finance 34-37
7. Chapter 6 : Summery and Conclusion 38-39
8. Photo Gallery 40-48

Chapter 1 : Introduction

1.0 Rajshahi College in Brief

1.1 Geographical Location

Rajshahi College coordinates the Latitude 24°21′52′′ North and the Longitude 88°35′41′′ East.

1.2 History and Academic Background

1.3 Principals of the College

The first principal of the college, Mr. Haragobinda Sen, the Headmaster of Rajshahi Zilla School, served the institution for five years (1873-1878). After the up-gradation of the college, F T Dowding joined the post in 1879. Besides, many eminent educators ornamented the chair. Professor Md. Abdul Khaleque, a renowned professor of Economics, is the running principal.

1.4 Buildings and Other Institutions on College Premises

The college had no building at the beginning of the college. The administrative building, the first building of the college, was constructed in 1884 by the effort of the leaders of the Rajshahi Association. The two-storied red-colored structure, situated at the heart of the town, was designed by a skilled British engineer, erected at taka 67,700.00, and styled itself as one of the iconic examples of British Indian colonial architecture.

Rajshahi College Administration Building

PN Hostel, the first students’ asylum on the college campus, was established in 1894 by the Rajshahi Association. Roy Bahadur Kumudini Kanta Bandhopadhyay, a principal of the college (1897-1919, 1920-1924), took the initiative to improve the condition of this hostel. In 1902, another students’ hostel (Hamanta Kumari Hostel) was erected with the financial aid of Hemanta Kumari, the Rani of Puthia. Besides these structures, the Fuller Hostel, Biology Building, Chemistry Building, Physics Building, and former Muslim Hostel are the important buildings of the colonial era. Whereas the Library cum Auditorium building and Arts building are comparatively new and were erected in the 1950s. While the Science building was constructed in the 1990s. In continuation, the teachers’ dormitory and quarters, the Principal’s residence, another science and arts building, and a separate building for the Department of English were erected.

Beershrestha Nur Mohammad Hostel (one of the Muslim Hostels)

The gallery building on the west bank of the pond was built in 1888. It was the main building of Rajshahi Madrasah, subsequently converted into the Gallery, constructed with the financial aid of Haji Muhammad Mohsin, an eminent charitable personality. The building was named after him and is known as the Haji Muhammad Mohsin Building. The Muslim Fuller Hostel, another iconic structure, was constructed in 1909.

Gallery building erected by the financial aid of Haji Muhammad Mohsin (former Madrasa building)

Fuller Building (former Muslim Fuller Hostel)

Principal’s residence, a two-storied British model structure, was built on the bank of the Padma River. Many renowned academicians lived in this building. The present principal is also residing here. Two three-storied residential buildings were constructed for the teachers (to the east of the principal’s residence).

In 1884, the Rajshahi Madrasah building was built on the college premises. The madrasah was shifted elsewhere in 1930, and the same year, the Fuller Hostel, was built in 1909 and was handed over to the college. The Basanta Kumar Agricultural Institution was established in 1936 under the Rajshahi College administration with the financial assistance of Basanta Kumar Roy of Dhigapathia. The institution was closed in 1952, and its building transfored to a hostel. In 1904, Moharani Hemanta Kumari Sanskrit College, a free Sanskrit learning institution, was established under the administration of Rajshahi College and subsequently merged therein.

1.5 Library and Laboratories

1.5.1 Library

Rajshahi College has the distinction of its Library containing both classics and recent editions of books, journals, and periodicals, and is acclaimed internationally as a reliable source of information available in print media.

Rajshahi College Central Library

Rare book section of Rajshahi College Library

1.5.2 Laboratories

There are eight well-equipped Laboratories for carrying out scientific experiments and research. These are belonging to the departments of Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Psychology, Mathematics, Stattistics and Geography & environment.

Chemistry laboratory

1.6 Publications and Informatics

The college publishes journals, magazines, and periodicals regularly. There are three peerreviewed journals of the college, the Bangla Sahittiki (Bangla), the Journal of Social Science (Bi-lingual), and the Rajshahi College Journal (Bi-lingual). This institution, probably the only government College, dares to manage all the data digitally and consequently become the pioneer of this field. It sets its server station along with LAN and Broadband Leased Line connections.

Rajshahi College ICT Lab

1.7 Student Enrollment

Rajshahi College started its journey on 1st April 1873 with six students and reached an admirable position by overcoming all uncertainty and obstacles within a few years. In 1878, the number of enrolments crossed the century. Subsequently, the numbers increased rapidly. In 1900, 1910, and 1920, the number of students in this college was 200, 400 800 respectively. The trend continued, and the number reached the thousand in 1924. The students were solely from the Hindu community. There was only one Muslim student at the college in 1873, and five years later, the number remained the same, only one. However, the scenario changed gradually, and the figure rose to 156 and 215 in 1916 and 1924, respectively. Subsequently, the number of Muslim students increased in college. After 1947, eventually, it exceeded the Hindus.

By the 1930s, the number of students in this college reached about a thousand. Still, there was no scope for education for females. In 1931, the glorious year, in which the college started taking girl students. In 1970, the college had 1,840 students, of whom about 300 were girls. The college vastly expanded after the independence of Bangladesh, and in 1990, the number of students was 4,732, of whom 1,352 were girls. The enrolment increased to about 8,000 in 2000 and 25,000 in 2012. Now the number of students enrolled in Rajshahi College is 22,381 (without HSC students).

The college offers 23 honors and 21 Masters’ courses with 229 teachers, of which 63 are female. The college has a rich library on the campus containing rare books, gazettes, encyclopedias, manuscripts, and ancient Puthis. The number of collections in this library is 3,71,603.

1.8 Role in Language Movement and Liberation War

Rajshahi College teachers and students had an immemorable contribution to the moment crucial for the political and social life of the nation. They participated in the Language Movement immediately after the killing of students in Dhaka on 21 February 1952. They built ‘the first martyr monument’ dedicated to the Language Movement. The present monument to the Language Movement was built in the afternoon on 23 February 1952.

The students of Rajshahi College had an active role in subsequent movements. They took part in the student movements of 1962 and 1969. Similarly, they had an active role in the Liberation War of 1971. Many students and teachers of this college joined and fought in the glorious event of the history of our country. Rajshahi College teachers and students had an immemorable contribution to the moment crucial for the political and social life of the nation. They participated in the Language Movement immediately after the killing of students in Dhaka on 21 February 1952. They built ‘the first martyr monument’ dedicated to the Language Movement. The present monument to the Language Movement was built in the afternoon on 23 February 1952.

The ‘First Martyr Monument’ in Rajshahi College Campus

The students of Rajshahi College had an active role in subsequent movements. They took part in the student movements of 1962 and 1969. Similarly, they had an active role in the Liberation War of 1971. Many students and teachers of this college joined and fought in the glorious event of the history of our country. It is to be noted that at least 6 students of the College (Rajshahi College) sacrificed their fives in the liberation war.

1.9 Notable Past Academics

1.10 Current Faculties

Presently the institution is being run by 22 Professors, 57 Associate Professors, 80 Assistant Professors, and 82 Lecturers. A list of present faculty is to be available in the link.

1.11 Notable Alumni

1.12 Notes on Achievements

Rajshahi College is the best educational institution in Bangladesh. It stood first in college ranking (four times consecutively) in the country (at college-level ranking conducted by the Ministry of Education, Bangladesh). However, it placed itself in second position in 2023. In addition, the college stood first (four times consecutively) among the post-graduate colleges in Bangladesh affiliated with the National University.

The college is dedicated to improving and ensuring quality education. Students’ performance in various examinations, of the University and Board, exhibits success and testifies to the quality of the institution.

Chapter 2

Institutional and Academic Overview of the College

2.1 Governance and Teaching Structure

There are a Principal, a Vice Principal, 20 Professors, 57 Associate Professors, 80 Assistant Professors, 83 Lecturers, and 8 Demonstrators posts in the teaching structure of the college. There are 55 office staff (including a post of Librarian) for running the office of the college smoothly. The department-wise lists (number of posts and working employees) of the teaching staff and office staff are given below.

Table 2.1: Department-wise Teaching Staff

N.B. The number of working teachers does not correspond to the number of posts. Some departments have attached teachers, and some teachers are in-situ in the previous posts after getting promotions. Therefore, the number of posts and the working teachers are not the same in the table.

Table 2.2: Other Staff

2.2 List of Departments and others Academic Programs

There are 23 departments in this college. In the academic year 2022-23, a total no of 22368 students were admitted in Honours and Master’s level (Honours 13666 and Masters 7492). Besides this, 1210 students were also admitted to Degree (Pass) courses and 1063 were admitted in the Master’s Part 1. Department-wise enrollment of the students is given below:

Table 2.3: Number of Students Enrolled in Honors & Masters Courses

Table 2.4: Number of Student Enrolled in Degree Courses

Table 2.5: Department-wise Teacher-Student Ratio

2.3 Key Academic Statistics

The result of this college at different levels is satisfactory. In Degree (Pass Course) the pass rate is 52 %, in Honours 92 %, in Masters (Pre) 76 %, and in Masters (Final) 96 %. The overall pass rate is 79 %. The Male-Female Student Ratio of this College is 52:48 and the Teacher-Student Ratio is 1:97. The number of Male and Female Stipend and Scholarship Receiving Students is shown in the following tables.

Table 2.6: Number of Stipend Receiving HSC Students, 2023

Table 2.7: Number of stipend Receiving Bachelor and Master’s Students, 2023

2.4 Infrastructure and Facility Profile of the College

There are about twenty-one thousand students studying in this college. The institution has the following Infrastructure and Facility Profile:

1) Number of Hostels

Student Dormitories: The number of dormitories is 11 of which 9 for male and 2 for female. Seats for residing in these dormitories are 1286 [Male: {Muslim Hostel 590 (Bachelor & Master’s 458; HSC 132); Hindu Hostel 53}, and Female 643].

Teachers’ Dormitories: There are two teachers’ dormitories in the campus. Male and female teachers can avail these rental asylums. The dormitories allowed the family members of their residence.

2) Computer Lab

The College has three computer labs, well-furnished with desktop computers. Besides this, there are distinct labs in the departments, for example, Physics and Mathematics have their computer labs.

3) Science lab

There are eight science departments in Rajshahi College, and they have separate laboratories for practical of their scientific experiments. In this year, CEDP provides scientific equipment and instruments to these laboratories, especially to the laboratories of Physics, Chemistry, Botany and Zoology that improve their facilities. In addition, the project refurbishes chemistry lab’s floor with tiles.

Chemistry Lab

4) Auditorium

The college has a central auditorium. It is a large convention hall well-furnished with a digital sound system and central air conditioning.

Rajshahi College Auditorium

5) Academic Facilities:

Rajshahi College Library

6) Common Room

There are two central common rooms for the students, one for males and another for females.

Besides, there are 11 common rooms for the students in the hostels (8 in the boy’s and 2 in the girl’s hostels).

7) Teachers’ Room

There is a central teacher’s room, the staff council’s room, in the administration building. Beside, twenty-three departments have their teachers’ rooms for the teaching staff of respective departments.

8) Girls’ Common Room:

There is a common room for girls at the first floor of administrative building.

9) Toilet:

In the college campus, there are 139 toilets in the campus, seventy-five for male, and sixty-four for the female.

10)  Internet Access Facilities

All teachers and students avail Internet facilities through Wi-Fi and LAN connection. However, LAN is only limited to the selected persons who are engaged in the special works.

11)  Digital Teaching Facilities in Classrooms

All the classrooms have digital facilities. The teachers are conducting classes using multimedia projectors and Smart Boards. All the classrooms have Wi-Fi facilities. However, LAN connections are limited. It is to be mentioned that CEDP provides 87 multimedia projectors and 21 Smartboards. It enhances college’s digital ability through networking connectivity and providing BdREN connection.

Sessions are conducted by using smartboard

We have multimedia projectors in the classrooms

12) Availability of Wi-Fi/Hotspots

All the teachers, administrators, and students avail internet facility.

13) Motor Vehicle

Bus:The College has a bus, and that is the only vehicle of the college. Seven buses, however, run for the students’ transportation. These all are rental.

Rental buses are being used for student tranportation

Microbus: Rajshahi College has no micro-bus or other vehicle to serve the principal, or to meet the emergency.

14) Health care, mental health center, and Café

There is a health center in the campus. A physician (MBBS) gives primary treatment, and an assistant helps him. RC also provides mental health to the students by maintaining mental health center in the campus. A professional Psycho-social counselor gives service for the students. Beside these, there is a Café for students’ refreshment.

Chapter 3

Highlighting the Year, 2022-2023

3. Key Achievements of the College

Chapter 4

Teacher Development

4.1 Overview of Teaching Force of the College

Both Male and Female Teachers are teaching in the college. A total number of 39
teachers have Ph.D. Degrees. In the college, there are 244 posts in the college, and at present 229 teachers are posted therein. Besides, there are two posts of the Librarian and Assistant Librarian, and both of them are filled up. However, 16 teaching posts are still vacant. The following table gives an overview of the college’s teaching force:

Table 4.1: Working Teachers by subject, Gender and Educational Qualification

Table 4.2: Number of Post at a Glance

4.2 Teacher Professional Development Programs

1. Office Management Procurement Training for teachers:IGD sub-project of the College (CEDP) arranges office management and procurement training for the teachers. 59 teachers attended the training that improved their ability of using technology.



Teachers’ In-House Training on Office management and Procedure

2. ICT Training for Staff:To enhance the quality of the digital office IGD sub-project of the College (CEDP) provided ICT training for the staff, and 60 office staff attended therein. Obviously there is an immense impact on their service in the college.



In-House Training on Basic ICT for the Staff

ICT Training for teachers (In-house): In the last fiscal year, a series of in-house trainings on ICT were conducted by the college ICT lab to enhance technological competence of the teachers and students. 90 teachers participated in the training course. On the other hand, about two thousand students took ICT training.

Departmental Seminars: 8 departments arranged seminars using virtual platform, while 11 conducted it physically. The scholars from abroad participated in these seminars and enriched our intelligentsia. Students participated and enjoyed the discourse.

4.1.1 Highlights of Teacher Development Activities of the Year

Writings in international research journal: 07 teachers contributed research articles to the international research journal published by the college authority and universities and teaching institution of other counties. Rajshahi College publishes three international journals. These are: 1) Journal of Rajshahi College (ISSN: 2959-8702) Journal of Social Science (ISSN: 2518-5896), 3), and Bangla Sahittiki (ISSN: 22271635). All the journals are published in the year 2023 (Journal of Rajshahi College, Vol. 1, Nos. 1&2; Journal of Social Science, Vol. 4, No. 1; Bangla Sahittiki Vol. 7).

Online Classes & International Webinars: During the COVID-19 period teachers showed their expertise in conducting online classes and participating in international webinars. They even arranged the webinar, and the international scholars participated therein.

Chapter 5

Budget and Finance

5.1 Summary of Annual Budget and Expenditures

Descriptions of total allocation & expenditure of the fiscal year 2021-22 are given below:

Table 5.1: Allocation & expenditure of the College, 2021-22

5.2 Summary of Annual Revenues

The students give tuition and admission fees in the fiscal year 2022-23. The following table exhibits statistics’:

Table 5.2: Fees Collected from Degree pass and Honors students, 2015-2016 to 20192020

Table 5.3: Fees Collected from Preliminary pass and Masters Students, 2017-2018 & 2018-2019

Table 5.4: Fees Collected from HSC Students, 2017-2018 & 2018-2019

Chapter 6

Summary and Conclusion

The annual report, 2023, a comprehensive exploration of Rajshahi College, affords a rich tapestry of insights into the institution’s governance, academic landscape, achievements, faculty development, and financial contours. This culmination serves as an academic reflection, amalgamating the diverse threads woven throughout the narrative to present a holistic perspective on Rajshahi College.

After a brief statement of the college’s establishment in chapter 1 of the report, Chapter 2 meticulously outlines the governance and teaching structure of the college, delineating the hierarchical positions and staffing distribution. A quantitative breakdown of teaching and office staff provides a snapshot of the Institution’s scale and underscores the intricate balance maintained for effective academic administration. This chapter serves as the foundational framework upon which the subsequent academic and financial aspects of the college.

The academic overview presented in Chapter 3 accentuates the achievements of the academic year 2022-2023. Beyond the statistical enumeration of enrollments and pass rates, the chapter delves into the qualitative dimensions of student performance and departmental accomplishments. The analysis of non-cognitive factors, technological integration, and infrastructure development portrays RC as an evolving educational entity attuned to contemporary needs. The emphasis on student activities, co-curricular engagement, and societal contributions underscores the institution’s commitment to holistic education.

Chapter 4 provides a nuanced exploration of teacher development programs, offering insights into the composition and professional growth of the faculty. It underscores college’s commitment to academic excellence through initiatives to skill enhancement of service providers. RC trains up the teachers on office management and the staffs on ICT. In addition, RC provides computers (laptops & desktops), and tries continuous professional development that recognizes the pivotal role of its educators in shaping the learning environment.

The financial narrative in Chapter 5 unveils the fiscal architecture governing Rajshahi College. The transparent exposition of budgetary allocations, expenditures, and revenue streams reflects a sound fiscal management ethos. The meticulous categorization of financial assets and expenditures provides stakeholders with a lucid understanding of the economic underpinnings supporting the college’s academic endeavors.

In synthesis, Rajshahi College emerges as an educational crucible where governance, academia, and finance converge to foster an environment of scholastic eminence. The institution’s commitment to academic diversity, technological integration, faculty development, and fiscal prudence positions it as a formidable bastion of learning. As the college traverses its odyssey, these foundational pillars not only uphold its current stature but also fortify its resilience and adaptability in the ever-evolving landscape of higher education.

The exploration of Rajshahi College across the report unravels a narrative that extends beyond statistics and financial figures. It reveals an institution pulsating with intellectual vibrancy, pedagogical fortitude, and a commitment to societal engagement. As Rajshahi College charts its course into the future, the chapters presented here lay the groundwork for an ongoing saga of academics.

Looking ahead, Rajshahi College stands at the precipice of continued growth and evolution. In 2023, it achieved clear progress in every sphere- in governance, academic and intellectual improvements, enhancement of the quality of education, improvement of teachers and staff skills, and preserving the campus environment. The delineated achievements and initiatives serve as stepping stones for future aspirations. Academic excellence, technological innovation, and financial sustainability remain paramount. As a dynamic entity, RC should leverage its accomplishments as catalysts for future advancements, ensuring its enduring legacy as a beacon of intellectual prowess and educational leadership.