At Bangladesh University, courses are taught by experienced local and international faculty. Alongside full-time teachers, industry professionals join as associate faculty, adding practical insights. Global partner universities also send visiting faculty, creating an intercultural learning environment enriched further by international students.
Departments
Dean of the faculty
Dr. Md. Tajul Islam
Professor and Head
With warm greetings and sincere regards, I welcome you to the Faculty of Business Administration. In today’s competitive global landscape, leadership requires more than just strategy; it requires character and a sense of duty toward the community. Our faculty is proud to be a breeding ground for future leaders and entrepreneurs who drive the economic heart of Bangladesh. We take a humble yet determined approach to business education, blending modern global practices with our unique local context. Our goal is to mentor students to become ethical professionals who can navigate the complexities of the corporate world while maintaining a steadfast commitment to integrity and national growth.
Achievements
- Conducted and led numerous national and international research projects on poverty, development economics, disaster management and trade liberalisation in Bangladesh in collaboration with institutions such as the World Bank, UNDP, CPD and the Government of Bangladesh.
- Prepared Development Project Proposals and research-based policy recommendations contributing to higher education reform and poverty alleviation strategies in Bangladesh.
- Completed an extensive Input–Output Study of Bangladesh which contributed to methodological and practical discussions in economic planning and national accounts.
- Published numerous scholarly articles, research papers and monographs in national and international journals including The Jahangirnagar Economic Review, The Bangladesh Development Studies and CPD–SACEPS Monograph Series.
- Co-authored several influential research works on foreign aid, economic development, and resource mobilisation in Bangladesh published in the book From Aid Dependence to Self-Reliance edited by Rehman Sobhan.
- Conducted important policy studies for the Government of Bangladesh including the evaluation of development programmes in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region and national planning initiatives.
- Completed doctoral research at Moscow State University focusing on macroeconomic growth models and development planning for developing countries.
- Translated and contributed to academic literature on economic development including the Bengali translation of East Bengal: Features of Economic Development (1947–1971).
Affiliation
- Department of Economics, Bangladesh University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Economics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh
- Bangladesh Economic Association
- Bangladesh College and University Teachers’ Association
- Bangladesh University Teachers’ Federation
- American Economic Association, USA (Former Member)
- Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) – Research Collaboration
- World Bank and UNDP – Research and Development Project Collaboration
Experience
Dr. Md. Tajul Islam is a distinguished economist, academic, and higher education administrator with extensive experience in economics education, academic leadership, university administration, and higher education policy. He has served as Professor and Head of the Department of Economics at Bangladesh University since 2018. Prior to joining Bangladesh University, he served as a Professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at Jahangirnagar University, where he contributed to teaching, research, academic administration, and institutional development over several decades.
Academic Experience
Dr. Tajul Islam has had a distinguished academic career spanning more than four decades. He served as Professor in the Department of Economics at Jahangirnagar University from 1994 to 2011, following his service as Associate Professor and Assistant Professor from 1981 to 1994. Since 2018, he has been serving as Professor and Head of the Department of Economics at Bangladesh University, contributing to teaching, academic planning, departmental development, and institutional leadership.
Professional Practice
Alongside his academic career, Dr. Tajul Islam has held a range of significant administrative and policy-making positions in the higher education sector. He served as Pro-Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University from 2000 to 2002, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Chairman of the Department of Economics, and Chairman of the Higher Studies Committee. He has also served as a member of the Senate, Syndicate, and Academic Council of Jahangirnagar University.
At Bangladesh University, he has undertaken several senior administrative responsibilities, including serving as Head of the Department of Economics, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, and a member of the Syndicate and Academic Council. His leadership has contributed to academic governance, institutional development, and the advancement of higher education.
Professional Development
Dr. Tajul Islam was appointed as a Member of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh from 2007 to 2011 by the President of Bangladesh. During his tenure, he played an important role in the development and implementation of higher education quality enhancement initiatives. He served as Convener for the preparation of the Development Project Proposal (DPP) for the Higher Education Quality Enhancement Project (HEQEP), participated in financial negotiations with the World Bank, and served as Team Leader for preparing the Operations Manual for the Academic Innovation Fund (AIF).
He also prepared proposal-writing materials and conducted training programs for university teachers across Bangladesh. His professional responsibilities further included participation in the Government of Bangladesh–World Bank Financial Negotiation Team concerning HEQEP financing.
His professional engagements have included administrative visits and exchange programs in Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Indonesia, including visits sponsored by the World Bank. He also led delegations from Jahangirnagar University to the University of New South Wales, University of Sydney, and University of Canberra in Australia, and University Putra Malaysia. These visits focused on exchanging experiences in university administration, academic affairs, research, and financial management, as well as developing institutional collaboration and academic exchange programs.
Dr. Tajul Islam has also been actively involved in professional and academic organizations. He is a Life Member of the Bangladesh Economic Association and previously served as its Vice President and Assistant Secretary. He has also held leadership and executive responsibilities in the Bangladesh College & University Teachers’ Association, Jahangirnagar University Teachers’ Association, and Bangladesh University Teachers’ Federation. He was formerly a member of the American Economic Association.
Special Honour
In recognition of his academic and leadership credentials, Dr. Tajul Islam was elected to the three-member panel of Vice-Chancellor nominees by the Senate of Jahangirnagar University in 2000. He was subsequently appointed as Pro-Vice Chancellor of the university, marking a significant milestone in his academic leadership career.
