University of Dhaka
Member profile
The University of Dhaka (UD) was established under the Govt. of India Act. XVIII of 1920 as a unitary, teaching and residential University with a constitution similar in many respects to those of the then contemporary English University. UD was the first-ever University in Bangladesh; it began with 192 students and three faculties on July 1st, 1921. There were 12 departments: Sanskrit and Bengali, English, Education, History, Arabic and Islamic Studies, Persian and Urdu, Philosophy, Economics and Politics, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Law. At present, approximately 30,000 students are enrolled in this university and are taught by almost 1300 teachers. Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), established in 1946 during the British colonial rule, is the top medical college in Bangladesh.
Main activities
UD is the only multi-disciplinary university in Bangladesh to have been listed in AsiaWeek's listing of top 100 Universities in Asia. Two-thirds of the present faculty possesses degrees from universities in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. Many of them achieved international reputation for their scholarly works. Many also have the experience of teaching in well-known institutions of higher learning abroad. University of Dhaka, the oldest post-graduate institution of the country, has conferred certificates upon more than 1.6 million graduates. Dhaka Medical College has played a pioneering role in the development of medical science, health care delivery and in nation building activities. DMCH boasts of a highly reputed array of intellectuals and academics. Its students are extremely talented with an intense affinity for gathering knowledge to attain excellence and deep sense of commitment to serve the nation.
Links to the health workforce crisis
Health workers are the bridge between policy makers and the service recipients. Even if a country does have a sound health policy, required services cannot be provided to the care seeking people unless this workforce is motivated to do so. Health workers can make a difference in health service delivery if they are properly trained and motivated. Currently, UD has a project under consideration that aims to examine the performance of health workers of SriLanka, Bangladesh and Kerala to make a difference in access to health services. Funding for the project is needed still.
Call for knowledge information:
Alliance Members are invited to submit any relevant knowledge products such as documents, reports, tools, multimedia, links to specific project web sites by sending an email to ghwa@who.int. The Alliance Secretariat will publish relevant products on the Member's page.
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