The Bangladesh University of Textiles is the sole public university in Bangladesh dedicated to textile education. Located in Tejgaon, Dhaka, it offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in various textile engineering disciplines. Established on 22 December 2010, Bangladesh University of Textiles evolved from a weaving school founded in 1921 during British colonial rule. The university plays a pivotal role in advancing textile education and research, contributing significantly to the country’s thriving ready-made garment industry.
The origins of Bangladesh University of Textiles trace back to 1921 when the British colonial administration established the British Weaving School in Narinda, Dhaka to provide artisan-level training in textile manufacturing. In 1935, it was renamed the East Bengal Textile Institute, offering diploma courses in textile technology. Following the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, the institute was renamed the Bangladesh Textile Institute. In 1978, it introduced a four-year bachelor’s degree program in textile technology in affiliation with the University of Dhaka and was rebranded as the College of Textile Engineering and Technology.
In 2010, the government of Bangladesh passed the Bangladesh Textile University Act, upgrading the college to a full-fledged university. The act was made effective on 22 December 2010, and the institution was officially inaugurated as Bangladesh University of Textiles on 15 March 2011 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh University of Textiles is situated on an 11.57-acre urban campus in Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka. The campus includes academic and administrative buildings, workshops, and laboratories, providing a conducive environment for textile education and research.
The university has established nine affiliated textile engineering colleges across Bangladesh, each offering bachelor’s degree programs in textile engineering. These colleges operate under the academic supervision of Bangladesh University of Textiles, with funding provided through a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Textiles and Jute. Bangladesh University of Textiles has been instrumental in shaping the textile education landscape in Bangladesh, producing skilled professionals who contribute to the growth and development of the country’s textile and garment industry.
Bangladesh University of Textiles envisions becoming a centre of excellence for higher education, research, and development in the field of textile science and engineering. The university aims to modernize and update its curriculum by adopting outcome-based education, enhancing quality research to develop diversified and value-added textile and jute products, and expanding facilities to train faculty members and staff. Additionally, Bangladesh University of Textiles seeks to establish a Student Service Centre to provide necessary services and counselling for students. Building academia-industry linkages to cater to the needs and demands of the textile industry is a key objective. The university strives to produce quality and skilled graduates with moral and ethical values to meet the demands of the textile and jute industry of Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh University of Textiles boasts an impressive employment record for its graduates. Approximately 600 textile engineers graduate annually, and the employment rate for these graduates is reported to be nearly 100%. This high placement rate underscores the strong demand for textile engineering professionals in Bangladesh’s thriving textile and garment industry. However, a study conducted in 2025 revealed that while 71% of graduates enter the private sector, 25% of them pursue careers outside the textile industry. This trend indicates a diversification in career paths among graduates, with many opting for roles in multinational corporations, government positions, entrepreneurship, or even opportunities abroad.