Jahangirnagar University is one of the prominent and old universities at Bangladesh. It’s also the one and only residential university in the country. Jahangirnagar University began its journey at a time when the country was going through a political upheaval that ultimately led to the birth of our nation – Bangladesh. This university was established as a residential university in 1970 under the Jahangirnagar Muslim University Ordinance, 1970. Later, it was renamed Jahangirnagar University in 1973. Its first Vice-Chancellor took up office on September 24, 1970. The first batch of students, a total of 150, was enrolled in the first year Bachelor (Honors) classes in four departments: Economics, Geography, Mathematics and Statistics. However, classes started on January 4, 1971.In 2008 the university had a total of 7,000 students, 672 teachers, 206 staffs and 1,200 other employees.

The insignia of the University has a Shapla, the national flower, with three petals standing erect on its stem. It is bordered on all four sides by four strips of traditional alpana design of the same size and pattern. The name of the University written in Bangla characters hangs below in semicircle like a wreath of flowers. Designed by Kalam Mahmud, the insignia is rooted deep in our folk culture and is reminiscent of our struggle for independence which gave the Shapla its status as national flower. The three petals in the flower may be taken to symbolize learning, truth and progress and the firm stem, which holds the petals fast and erect, may by taken to symbolize the determination with which these goals are pursued.

The university stands on the Asian Highway, popularly known as the Dhaka-Aricha Road, and is only 32 kilometers away from the capital city. Spread over a land area of 697.56 acres the campus lies between the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (BPATC) and the Savar Cantonment, on the north of which is the National Monument. The topography of the land, with its gentle rise and plains, is soothing to the eye. The bodies of water sprawling around the campus make an excellent habitat for the winter birds that flock there every year by the thousands, making bird-watching a favorite pastime for many visitors, students and staff. 

There are number of Lakes all around the campus. Every year guest birds arrive at the JU lakes from comparatively cooler regions of the world including Siberia, Kashmir, Himachal province of India and locally from Sylhet. More than two and a half thousand birds including Sarali, Khanjna, porchard, Jalpipi, Chamot thuti, and ducks were found in the lakes, most of which came in November and will stay till the middle of March. Every year held here bird fair, organized by university and other bird watcher organization.

Transports [luxurious counter service] are available from motizil, shahbag, farmgate, shymoli, college gate and gabtali [around 30 to 50 tk].