Feeding Minds, Feeding Nations -- SAU’s Vision for a Sustainable Future

Prof. M Zahidul Haque

Prof. M Zahidul Haque

Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), Dhaka Celebrating University Day on September 11, 2025: A Legacy of Learning, Innovation, and Nation-Building.

Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), nestled in the heart of Dhaka, marks its University Day 2025 with pride and purpose. As a beacon of agricultural education and research, SAU continues to shape Bangladesh’s journey toward food security, sustainability, and scientific excellence.

Founding and Historical Legacy

Established on December 11, 1938, by visionary leader Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Huq, the then Chief Minister of Bengal, SAU began as the Bengal Agricultural Institute (BAI). Its founding mission was clear: to combat famine and uplift agricultural productivity in Bengal. Over the decades, the institution evolved—becoming the East Pakistan Agricultural Institute (1947), then the Bangladesh Agricultural Institute (1971), and finally attaining full university status in 2001 through a parliamentary act.

Milestones and Academic Expansion

As Bangladesh’s 17th public university, SAU spans 86 acres in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. It offers a robust academic portfolio across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs, nurturing future leaders in agriculture, agribusiness, veterinary sciences, and marine biology. Its faculties now include: 

• Faculty of Agriculture

• Faculty of Agribusiness Management

• Faculty of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine

• Faculty of Fisheries, Aquaculture & Marine Science

Community and Student Life

With over 5,000 students and 350+ faculty members—half of whom hold PhDs—SAU fosters a dynamic academic environment. The campus buzzes with student clubs, safe housing, and collaborative research. SAU alumni have gone on to serve in key roles across government, industry, and international organizations.

Present Leadership and Vision

At the helm of this esteemed institution is Prof. Dr. Md. Abdul Latif, the current Vice Chancellor of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University. A distinguished academic and visionary leader, Dr. Latif brings decades of experience, integrity, and innovation to SAU’s mission. Under his guidance, the university continues to thrive as a center of excellence, embracing modern agricultural challenges with wisdom and resolve. His leadership is marked by a deep commitment to student empowerment, research advancement, and global collaboration.

This year, SAU celebrates 24 years as a university and 87 years of academic heritage. SAU remains committed to advancing agricultural science through innovation, sustainability, and global partnerships. With a focus on climate resilience, smart farming, and food systems, the university is poised to lead Bangladesh into a future of agricultural prosperity.

(Prof. M Zahidul Haque is an Alumnus of SAU and currently an ‘Adjunct Faculty’ in Agricultural Journalism discipline at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka)