The Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology was established in 2001. Before being established as a Department it was under a project. Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain, Professor of the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka was made the Project Director on December 01, 1999. After that Professor Dr. Haseena Khan, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology was made the first chairperson of the Department on January 24, 2000.
The Department was initially located in the 1st floor (East side) of the Science Workshop in Curzon Hall area. The Department has recently moved to the fifth floor of the newly constructed Science Complex Building. The mission of this Department is to excel in providing higher education in the field of Genetics and Biotechnology keeping in view the challenge of the twenty first century. This Department currently offers four years B.S. (Honours) and one year M. S. program. Our academic programs attract among the very best students of Bangladesh. Over the past few years this Department proved itself as one of the best Departments in the University. The practical and research laboratories of the Department are equipped with modern equipments for carrying out practical classes and research program related to different areas of genetic engineering and biotechnology. All the laboratories are still in the process of acquiring more technological support.
The Department has a seminar library with a good number of text, reference books and journals which support the curricula of this Department. We have established a computer laboratory with broad band internet facility. This online facility is certainly benefiting the students to know the latest developments of the genetic engineering technologies and other related matters. The faculty members and the students of this Department maintain a very friendly relationship and committed to maintain a cooperative and supportive environment.
List of the previous chairman:
1. Professor Dr. Haseena Khan (Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology was made the first chairperson of the Department) from 24-01-2001 to 09-08-2005.
2. Dr. Md. Anwarul Azim Akhand from 10-08-2005 to 09-08-2008.
3. Dr. Jesmin from 10-08-2008 to 28-08-2009.
