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Institute
The Institute of Bangladesh Studies (hereafter, IBS) was established by the Rajshahi University Act, 1973, as an advanced centre for inter-disciplinary study and research on various aspects of Bangladesh society, life and culture. It is the only national centre of its kind for teaching and research that undertakes scientific studies in the fields of humanities, social sciences, business studies, law and non-experimental science offering programs for M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees.

History of IBS

The Institute of Bangladesh Studies was established on the 25th of September 1973, under an Act of the Bangladesh Parliament no. XXVI of 1973, described as the Rajshahi University Act, 1973. The IBS is a constituent institute of the Rajshahi University with a separate Board of Governors. It is administered within the broad framework of policies, rules and regulations of the University. It started functioning with the formation of the Institute, first of its kind in the country, has been entrusted with a role not only of providing facilities for pursuing advance research degrees like M.Phil. and Ph.D. but also of developing an integrated approach to Bangladesh Studies. Moreover, the establishment of the IBS has stimulated impressive research activities by its own faculty members on the one hand and the seconded teachers of the University attached to the Institute on the other.

Background of IBS

With the emergence of Bangladesh imminent nation-building process necessitated exploration of the country's heritage as well as the development of its economy. This required systematic and comprehensive research on  life, society, culture and resources of Bangladesh in in order to promote our understanding of the land and its people. With this background the IBS was founded with the aim of catering to the country's special needs by producing an advanced cadre of broad based specialists to provide leadership in the academic and developmental fields. Therefore, the academic programs of IBS are set out to increase the number of creative and competent research personnel through training and education in Bangladesh-oriented multi-disciplinary subjects; to increase availability of research material on the history, economy, society and culture of Bangladesh; and work for an effective understanding of the chronology, interaction and projection of indigenous variables, facts or events relating to Bangladesh Studies.

Objectives of IBS:

Below is reproduced an extract from the Statute of the Institute specifying its aims and objects:

• To promote, and provide facilities for, advanced studies and research on the history, geography, economics, politics, sociology, anthropology, law, language, literature and linguistics, philosophy, art, archaeology, music, and culture of Bangladesh and such other subjects as are significantly related to the life and society of Bangladesh leading to the M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees.
• To undertake research projects in cooperation with public or private organizations as and when necessary under mutual agreements.
• To place at the disposal of society the results of the researches conducted at the Institute for fruitful utilization in planning and development schemes;
• To cooperate with other departments of the University of Rajshahi in research activities relevant to Bangladesh Studies;
• To popularize Bangladesh Studies in and outside the country through seminars, conferences and publications;
• To perform such other functions as will facilitate attainment of the objects of the Institute.