Barisal University (BU) has taken a significant step by increasing the number of seats by 50 for the 2023-24 academic year, bringing the total to 1,570 seats.

The decision was reached during the 42nd meeting of the university's Academic Council and the 82nd meeting of the Syndicate. Professor Dr. Md. Badruzzaman Bhuiyan, the Vice-Chancellor (routine duty) of BU, confirmed this development on Friday (March 1).

To accommodate more students, the additional seats have been distributed across various departments. Specifically, 20 seats have been added to the Philosophy department, 10 to the History department, 10 to the Biochemistry and Biotechnology department, and 10 to the Statistics department.

In the 2023-24 academic year, the Philosophy department will now admit 50 students instead of 30, while the History department will admit 50 students instead of 40. Similarly, the Biochemistry and Biotechnology department will admit 40 students instead of 30, and the Statistics department will admit 40 students instead of 30.

This increase in seats follows a trend of gradual expansion in recent years. Starting with 620 seats in its inaugural academic year of 2011-12, BU has steadily grown and now offers a total of 1,570 seats for the 2023-24 academic year. This upward trajectory includes increments of 50 seats in the 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 academic years.

Currently, Barisal University boasts 25 departments under six faculties, marking significant growth since its inception.