Photo: Collected

By Ridwan Ahmed

CHITTAGONG UNIVERSITY, Aug 18, 2026 (BSS) - Two major projects worth around Tk 727 crore have been proposed under the 50-year master plan of the Chittagong University (CU) to enhance its academic, residential, infrastructural and research capacities.

Of the two, the Tk 678.14 crore project titled "Chittagong University Academic and Infrastructure Development and Research Capacity Enhancement Project" is currently under consideration by the Ministry of Education. The other, a Tk 49.34 crore project titled "Establishment of Teacher-Students Complex (TSC) at Chittagong University," is now with the National Planning Commission.

Acting Director of the university's Planning and Development Office Md. Altaf-ul-Alam came up with the development.

A review of the proposed Annual Development Programme (ADP) document for fiscal year (FY) 2026-27, published by the Planning and Development Office at the university's 36th Senate session held on August 8, showed that the total proposed cost of the two projects is Tk 727 crore 48 lakh 21 thousand.

Under the proposed Tk 678 crore 14 lakh 54 thousand project titled "Chittagong University Academic and Infrastructure Development and Research Capacity Enhancement Project," targets have been set to develop academic buildings, research infrastructure, residential facilities and basic infrastructure on the campus.

New academic buildings account for much of the project's largest expenditures. A proposed around Tk 137.55 crore has been estimated for construction of the Second Faculty of Science Building and Faculty of Engineering Building. The same amount, around Tk 137.55 crore has been proposed for the Second Faculty of Social Sciences Building. Around Tk 83.57 crore has been proposed for construction of the Second Faculty of Business Administration Building.

Besides, around Tk 91.42 crore has been proposed for construction of a ten-storey residential hall for female students, around Tk 36.55 crore for a ten-storey administrative (annex) and Senate building and around Tk 8.98 crore for a five-storey residential building for female hall provosts and house tutors. In addition, around Tk 2.85 crore has been earmarked for the upward expansion of Masterda Surya Sen Hall by two floors.

There is also significant investment to enhance research capacity. A nine-storey Center for Excellence building has been proposed at a cost of around Tk 49.30 crore, while a five-storey Center for Scientific and Advanced Biological Research building has been proposed at a cost of around Tk 15.63 crore.

Besides, Tk 12 crore has been proposed for purchasing laboratory equipment and Tk 10 crore for procuring chemicals. Another around Tk 2.38 crore has been estimated for construction of an animal house for the Faculty of Biological Sciences.

Alongside academic buildings, the project also includes basic campus infrastructure. A proposed Tk 16.51 crore has been earmarked for construction and widening of internal roads, around Tk 21.65 crore for installation of electrical substations, around Tk 2.28 crore for laying water supply lines, around Tk 1.30 crore for installation of gas pipelines and around Tk 2.25 crore for construction of underground water reservoirs. The remaining funds have been allocated for STP, natural water conservation system and other utility infrastructure.

However, the Tk 678.14 crore project has not yet reached the implementation stage. 

Acting Director of the Planning and Development Office Md. Altaf-ul-Alam said, "The 'Chittagong University Academic and Infrastructure Development and Research Capacity Enhancement Project' is currently under consideration by the Ministry of Education."

Meanwhile, the estimated cost of the 'Chittagong University Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) Establishment Project' is around Tk 49.34 crore. 

The project aims to ensure necessary facilities for teachers, students and researchers, as well as an environment for study and research, publication, cultural and co-curricular activities among others.

The largest expenditure under the project is the construction of the TSC. A four-storey building on a five-storey foundation has been proposed at a cost of around Tk 46.86 crore. The remaining around Tk 2.48 crore has been estimated for consultancy, books-magazines, furniture, office equipment, publicity and advertisings and other operational expenses.

According to sources at CU's Planning and Development Office, the TSC project was initially proposed by Chittagong University and sent to the University Grants Commission (UGC). Following UGC approval, it was sent to the Education Ministry. After receiving approval from the ministry, the project is now with the National Planning Commission. Once approved by the Planning Commission, the project will go through the National Economic Council (ECNEC). Government budget allocation for the project will be possible only after ECNEC approval.

The plans for the two projects, worth nearly Tk 727 crore, present a broad picture of the Chittagong University's future infrastructural transformation. New faculty buildings, residential halls, research centers and utility infrastructure on one hand, and a TSC on the other, could significantly transform the university's campus infrastructure.

Regarding the projects, CU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan said, "I am hopeful that the two project proposals (DPP) will be approved soon, and I seek the kind consideration of the concerned authorities in this regard. The implementation of these two projects will largely remove the infrastructural, academic and research-related constraints of Chittagong University."

Not only that, the university administration is also sending several more project proposals worth around Tk 3,000 crore to the UGC with the aim of developing the Chittagong University into a fully residential campus, the Vice-Chancellor said.

He said, "With the aim of developing the Chittagong University into a fully residential university, several project proposals involving an estimated allocation of around Tk 3,000 crore will be sent to the UGC very soon."

The projects include construction of five residential halls for male students and five for female students, each 10 storeys, one hall for foreign students and PhD-MPhil researchers, four 10-storey academic buildings, a Blue Economy Research Center, a central museum building and a second library building.

They also include construction of a stadium and swimming pool, an advanced research laboratory for Chemistry Department, an Advanced Research Center for Mathematics, a Modern Language Building and a building for the Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Institute, including genome sequencing and referral center facilities.

In addition, a proposal has been made for construction of a modern 50-bed hospital on the CU campus. The proposals also include a day-care center, several multi-storey office buildings, a teachers' dormitory, walkways with solar lighting, a food court and a wet market.