

The Department of History & Philosophy (DHP), part of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS), was established on 1st January 2015. Since its inception, the department has been providing General Education (GED) courses to undergraduate students across North South University (NSU), promoting knowledge in history and philosophy while fostering ethical and moral values.
The department’s historical studies emphasize national culture and heritage, the emergence of Bangladesh, world history, and civilization, while its philosophy cluster focuses on business ethics, visionary thinking, and aspects of human psychology. DHP faculty are actively engaged in teaching and research, contributing to knowledge creation in their respective fields. Several full-time foreign faculty members have served the department, enriching its academic environment.
The department is currently chaired by Professor Dr. Mahbubur Rahman, former Chair of the Department of Political Science and Sociology at North South University.
The Department of History and Philosophy aspires to be the Centre of Excellence based on historical and philosophical knowledge and research activities within Bangladesh and across South Asia.
Current course offerings:
In Summer 2025, the DHP is offering eleven (11) courses in 172 sections run by 17 full-time and 31 part-time faculty members. Major courses currently offered by the department are as follows:
For further information, contact this number 01736494614 of the Department of History & Philosophy.

1. Dr. A.K.M. Shahnawaz [ASz]
Ph.D. Jadavpur University, India
Professor, Jahangirnagar University

2. Dr. Shamim F. Karim [SFK]
Ph.D. Agra University, India
M.Sc. University of Strathclyde, UK
Supernumerary Professor, University of Dhaka

3. Dr. Abul Hossain Ahmed Bhuiyan [AHB]
Ph.D. Central Queensland University, Australia
M.A. Queen’s University at Kingston, Canada
Professor, Bangladesh Open University

4. Dr. Mostofa Nazmul Mansur [MtN4]
Ph.D. University of Calgary, Canada
M.A. Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
Professor, Jahangirnagar University

5. Dr. Jasim Uddin [JsU]
Ph.D. New South Wales, Australia
Professor, University of Dhaka

6. Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan [Krl]
Ph.D. of Cardiff University, UK
M.A. Safia University, Bulgaria
Professor, Jahangirnagar University

7. Dr. Md. Munir Hossain Talukder [MnT]
Ph.D. National University of Singapore, Singapore
M.A. Linkoping University, Sweden
Professor, Jahangirnagar University

8. Dr. Md. Lutfor Rahman [LfR]
Ph.D. University of Chittagong, Bangladesh
M.A. McMaster University, Canada
Professor, Jagannath University

9. Dr. Mohammad Mozahidul Islam [Mzd]
Ph.D. University of New South Wales, Australia
M.A. University of Tsukuba, Japan
Professor, Jahangirnagar University

10. Dr. A. K. M. Rezaul Karim [ARK3]
Ph.D. Kanazawa University, Japan
Professor, University of Dhaka

11. Dr. Taiabur Rahman [TRh]
Ph.D. City University of Hong Kong
M.Phil. University of Bergen, Norway
Professor, University of Dhaka

12. Dr. S. M. Ali Reza [SAR3]
Ph.D. Osaka University, Japan
LLM. Tohoku University, Japan
Professor, University of Dhaka

13. Dr. Ashit Boran Paul [ABP1]
Ph.D. Deccan Post Graduate & Research University, India
Professor, Jahangirnagar University

14. Dr. Kazi Maruful Islam [KFI]
Ph.D. University of Bonn, Germany
M.A. University of Bergen, Norway
Professor, University of Dhaka

15. Dr. Abul Kalam Azad [Klm]
Ph.D. University of Aix-Marseille III, France
M.A. Dalhousie University, Canada
Professor, Jahangirnagar University

16. Prof. Md. Zakir Hossain [ZkH1]
M.A. Linkoping University, Sweden
Professor, Jahangirnagar University

17. Dr. Md. Humayun Kabir [HyK1]
Ph.D. Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
Professor, University of Dhaka

18. Dr. Md. Masood Imran [MDI1]
Ph.D. Hiroshima University, Japan
Professor, Jahangirnagar University

19. Dr. Md. Manzoor Elahee [MmEe]
Ph.D. University of Sofia, Bulgaria
M.A. University of Sofia, Bulgaria
Professor, Jahangirnagar University

20. Dr. Most. Aeysha Sultana [MAS1]
Ph.D. Flinders University, Australia
Professor, University of Dhaka

21. Dr. Mohammad Golam Rabbani [MGRn]
Ph.D. Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
Professor, Janangirnagar University

22. Dr. Ahmed Jamal Anwar [AJA]
Ph.D. University of Dhaka
M.A. Dalhousie University, Canada
Professor (Retd.), University of Dhaka

23. Dr. A H M Zehadul Karim [HzK]
Ph.D. & M.A. Syracuse University, USA
Professor (Retd.), University of Rajshahi

24. Dr. Tofail Ahmed [TfA]
Ph.D. & M.Sc. University of Wales, UK
Professor [Retd.], University of Chittagong

25. Dr. Md. Reazul Haque [RHU]
Ph.D. Flinders University of South Australia, Australia
M.A. ISS the Netherlands, Netherland
Professor, University of Dhaka

26. Dr. Md. Faruk Shah [Fkh]
Ph.D. University of Auckland, New Zealand
Professor, University of Dhaka

27. Dr. Akib Ul Huque [Abq1]
Ph.D. University Manchester, UK
Associate Professor, University of Dhaka

28. Dr. Abdus Samad [AbS3]
Ph.D. University of Delhi, India
Associate Professor, Jagannath University

29. Major Gen. Dr. Md. Sarwar Hossain [SwH1]
Ph.D. University of Dhaka
M.A. Osmania University, India
Adjunct Associate Professor, DHP

30. Dr. M. Saiful Islam [MSIa]
Ph.D. National University of Singapore, Singapore
M.Phil. Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Associate Professor, University of Dhaka

31. Mr. Aynul Islam [Aym]
M.A. Antwerp University, Belgium
PGD. UMass Amherst, USA
Associate Professor, University of Dhaka

32. Dr. M. Atique Rahman [AqR1]
Ph.D. Ghent University, Belgium
M.Law. University of Turin, Italy
Associate Professor, University of Dhaka

33. Mr. Mohammad Abul Kawser [MAKs]
M.Phil. University of Oslo, Norway
Associate Professor, University of Dhaka

34. Dr. Kazi A.S.M. Nurul Huda [KIS]
Ph.D. University of Oklahoma, USA
M.A. University of Oklahoma, USA
Associate Professor, University of Dhaka

35. Dr. H M Saidur Rahaman [HSR]
Ph.D. University of Leuven, Belgium
Associate Professor, Jagannath University

36. Dr. Mollika Roy [MRo]
Ph.D. Monash University, Malaysia
Associate Professor, University of Dhaka

37. Dr. Syed Moynul Alam Nizar [SYN]
Ph.D. The University of Canterbury, New Zealand
M.Sc. & B.A. The University of Manchester, UK
Associate Professor, Jahangirnagar University

38. Dr. Naima Nigar [NMG]
Ph.D. University of Nottingham, UK
M.Sc. University College London (UCL), UK
Assistant Professor, University of Dhaka

39. Mr. M. Ashique Rahman [MAR2]
M.A. Boston University, USA
Research Fellow, BIISS

40. Barrister Kazi Tamrin Rashed [KTR]
Bar-at-Law, Lincoln’s Inn, UK
P.G.D.L. City University, UK
LLB. University of London, UK
Adjunct Lecturer, DHP

41. Barrister Ridma Khan [Rdn]
LLM. UCL & Queen Mary University of London, UK
Adjunct Lecturer, DHP


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Seminar on “Remembering Eqbal Ahmad: Revolution and Counterrevolution in the Age of Late Colonialism” by Dr. Salimullah Khan, Professor, NSU, on 14 July 2025

Seminar on “জুলাই গণঅভ্যুত্থানঃ কাজী নজরুলের উত্তরাধিকার” on 02 July 2025. Guest Speakers Professor Salimullah Khan, DHP, NSU, and Poet Abdul Hai Shikder, Editor, Daily Jugantor. Session Chair of the seminar Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor, NSU.

Day-long Conference on “Ambassador Sirajul Islam's Vision of Empowering Bangladesh: Leadership, Unity and Growth, Diplomacy and Governance for the Country's Transformation” on 19 April 2025

Seminar on “What if Socrates had Constitutional Rights?” by Mr. Nafiz Ahmed, Lecturer of Law, NSU, on 06 March 2025

Seminar on “ভাষা আন্দোলন ও বাংলাদেশের অভ্যুদয়: স্মৃতিকথা ও আত্মজীবনীর আলোকে” by Poet Abdul Hye Sikder, Editor, Daily Jugantor, on 19 February 2025

Seminar on “Visa Politics: During Post Partition and Present Day” by Mr. Mohammad Afzalur Rahman, Lecturer, DHP, NSU, on 06 February 2025

Special Program Honoring Professor Mahmud Shah Qureshi, jointly organized by the Department of History & Philosophy (DHP) and NSU Central Library on 29 January 2025

Seminar on “বিজয় ’৭১: আমাদের গৌরব গাঁথা” by Professor Afsan Chowdhury and Major General (Retd.) Dr. Md. Sarwar Hossain on 24 December 2024

A day-long program on “Mental Health in the Workplace” on 20 October 2024
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE IN HISTORY AND GLOBAL STUDIES (HGS)
The DHP is planning to offer this program from 2026
Master of Arts in History and Asian Studies (MAHAS)
List of items to be discussed at the Faculty meeting
Overview of the Program:
The Program will lead to the receiving of Masters of Arts (MA) Degree by the students. It offers three components: a distinctive focus on Bangladesh and South Asia, a broader Asian perspective (South East and Far East), and a chance to specialize in either history or develop skills in regional area studies. Courses would draw on the insights offered by disciplines such as History, Political Science, Philosophy, and Environmental Studies and apply them in Bangladesh and Asian contexts. Secondly, students would be able to interact and exchange ideas with some of the leading South, Southeast, and East Asian specialists within the larger framework of the History and Asian Studies Program. Thirdly, in order to understand the complex and often contradictory social and cultural realities, students would acquire the necessary knowledge in bridging successful Asian experiences in the regional context.
Academic Calendar:
The program will maintain the following academic calendar:
|
Semester |
Duration |
|
Spring |
January to May |
|
Fall |
July to December |
Program Modules/Courses:
The MAHAS Program will offer a wide range of courses from different aspects of History and Asian Studies with a particular focus on South Asian studies. There are two formats of the program. Students who will qualify for format-1 must take mandatory six core courses and four elective courses out of eight offered courses (subjective to availability). Those who will not qualify for Format-1 must take six core courses and six elective courses out of eight offered courses.
MAHAS Program Plan: Format 1 with Thesis
|
Year/ Semester |
1st Year |
|||
|
1st Semester |
Core Course 03 credits |
Core Course 03 credits |
Core Course 03 credits |
Elective-1 03 credits |
|
2nd Semester |
Core Course 03 credits |
Core Course 03 credits |
Core Course 03 credits |
Elective-2 03 credits |
|
Year/ Semester |
2nd Year |
|||
|
3rd Semester |
Elective-3 03 credits |
Elective-4 03 credits |
Master’s Dissertation Writing (Prerequisite: HAS506) 06 Credits |
|
MAHAS Program Plan: Format 2 without Thesis
|
Year/ Semester |
1st Year |
||||
|
1st Semester |
Core Course 03 credits |
Core Course 03 credits |
Core Course 03 credits |
Elective-1 03 credits |
|
|
2nd Semester |
Core Course 03 credits |
Core Course 03 credits |
Core Course 03 credits |
Elective-2 03 credits |
|
|
Year/ Semester |
2nd Year |
||||
|
3rd Semester |
Elective-3 03 credits |
Elective-4 03 credits |
Elective-5 03 credits |
Elective-6 03 credits |
|
List of Courses:
|
Core Courses
|
||
|
Course Code |
Course Title |
Credits |
|
HAS501 |
Pre-Modern History of South Asia |
3 Credits |
|
HAS502 |
History of Modern South Asia |
3 Credits |
|
HAS503 |
Contemporary East Asia |
3 Credits |
|
HAS504 |
Urbanization in Modern Asia |
3 Credits |
|
HAS505 |
History of Independent Bangladesh |
3 Credits |
|
HAS506 |
Historiography and Research Methodology |
3 Credits |
|
Elective Courses (Any three) |
||
|
HAS507 |
Heritage, Museology & Archival Studies |
3 Credits |
|
HAS508 |
Economic History of Asia |
3 Credits |
|
HAS509 |
History of the Middle East |
3 Credits |
|
HAS510 |
Gender in Asian History |
3 Credits |
|
HAS511 |
History of Science & Technology |
3 Credits |
|
HAS512 |
Modern China, Japan, and Malaysia |
3 Credits |
|
HAS513 |
Traditions in Asian Philosophy |
3 Credits |
|
HAS514 |
Development in South Asia |
3 Credits |
|
HAS515 |
Master’s Dissertation |
6 Credits |
Target Groups:
Entry Requirements and How to Apply:
Students are required to fulfill the following conditions in order to be admitted to the degree program in History and Asian Studies:
Selection criteria/additional info:
Selection of students is based on previous academic achievements and the following criteria:
Tuition and Financial Assistance:
Tuition and other program expenditures will be based on existing North South University’s graduate tuition structure. Financial assistance will be available for meritorious and deserving students.
Career Prospects:
Graduates of the program will have not just historical and contemporary knowledge of the region as a whole, but also the crucial transnational and cross-cultural competencies that are required for working as part of a team in international organizations that are expanding their work with and inside Asia. Graduates will find positions not only in academic institutes, government agencies, Asia related organizations, foreign embassies, or diplomatic missions but also in consultancy firms, media houses, and the tourism industry. Those planning to pursue a career in academia through Ph.D. research can also benefit from the structure and courses of the program.
Welcome to the Department of History and Philosophy (DHP) at North South University. At
DHP, we go beyond teaching history and philosophy; we inspire curiosity, critical thinking,
and a lifelong love of learning. We encourage our students to ask profound questions: Why
do societies change? How do ideas shape the world? What responsibilities do we hold as
individuals and communities? Exploring these questions helps connect the past with the
present and equips students to face the challenges of tomorrow with purpose.
We currently offer the Master of Arts in History and Asian Studies (MAHAS), which
provides advanced regional and global perspectives, preparing graduates for careers in
academia, government, diplomacy, NGOs, media, and international organizations. Looking
ahead, we are excited to launch the Bachelor of Social Science (BSS) in History and
Global Studies, designed to foster global awareness, analytical depth, and strong ethical
foundations.
Alongside these programs, our GED courses, including Emergence of Bangladesh, Business
Ethics, World History & Civilizations, Philosophy, and Psychology, equip all NSU students
with essential knowledge that complements their main studies and nurtures well-rounded
intellectual development.
The heart of DHP lies in its faculty, scholars trained at internationally recognized institutions
who bring passion, expertise, and mentorship into the classroom. Beyond coursework, our
vibrant community of seminars, workshops, and dialogues links knowledge to real-world
issues and nurtures both intellectual and personal growth.
At DHP, education is not just preparation for a career, it is preparation for a meaningful life.
We strive to cultivate graduates who think clearly, act responsibly, and contribute positively
to society. I invite you to join us in this journey of discovery, where your ideas can take flight
and your potential can be realized.
Dr. Mahbubur Rahman
Professor & Chair DHP
Program Officer
Room # NAC 1047
Department of History and Philosophy
North South University
Bashundhara R/A, Block # B, Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh
Telephone: +880 2 55668200. EXT 6366