The Department of Political Science at the Rajshahi University has more than fifty years’ glorious and affluent history of teaching and research. With the leadership of renowned Professor Badaruddin Umar, the department began its journey on September 25, 1963. In 2013, the department celebrated its Golden Jubilee. At different stages of its growth and development, it had homed intellectuals like Professor Badruddin Umar, Professor Talukdar Maniruzzaman, Professor A.N. Shamsul Haque, Professor Golam Morshed, Professor Abul Fazal Huq, Professor Muhammad Ayeshuddin, Professor Golam Kabir, Professor Habiba Zaman, Professor Shamsur Rahman, Professor Sayefullah Bhuyan, Professor Motiur Rahman who had conducted path breaking and influential research on important issues about politics and policy. The present teaching faculties (16 fulltime, 02 part-time) are seriously committed to innovative teaching and research work.

Currently the department accommodates about 610 students, among them 480 in under-graduate, 120 in Masters, 10 in M.Phil and Ph.D programs. Besides, the department offers evening masters program for the professionals coming from different disciplines. It also has collaboration with Open University and provides the necessary teaching staff and logistics for Open University Masters Program in Political Science.

The courses of the department incorporate a creditable range of areas in politics. Students here, study how power and authority pervade almost every aspect of our lives – from the state to the courtroom, class room, work place, community and the family. We believe Politics is not only about power and authority and how these are exercised but also it is about holding power accountable, exercising democratic rights and about active citizenship. It attempts to change the world for the better life. Our curriculum is annually reviewed to keep it updated, addressing national and international issues on politics and development.

The department is fully equipped and adorned with necessary digital facilities like a computer laboratory, overhead projectors and e-resources for students and the faculties. The seminar library, enriched with reference and text books and rare collections, provides an excellent environment for the students to study and research. On a regular basis, the department holds workshops on teaching-learning, innovative courses, ICT application and seminars on important and recent national and International issues. On 15 October 2015, The Department of Political Science was shifted from its formerly location Shahidullah Arts Building to Syed Ismail Hossain Siraji Building, level-03, Eastern part having almost the required facilities.

In sports and other co- curricular activities, The Department of Political Science has occupied a leading position within the university. Football, cricket, badminton players of the department have brought the glory of University Championship to the department for several times. Often, our students represent the Rajshahi University in inter-university tournaments and cultural competitions. Students are also showing their talents in indoor games and community activities.

The department is proud of having thousands of alumni among which a good number of them are well placed in nationally and internationally as successful bureaucrats and other civil servants, professors, researchers, bankers, entrepreneurs, journalists, civil society leaders and even politicians who have excelled themselves as mayors and ministers.

The university is located in the educational city of Rajshahi, a small peaceful setting, enriched with natural beauty. A famous River, the Padma (part of Ganges), runs by the city. The green beauty of the wide university campus adjacent to the Padma River provides a perfect environment for education and research.