Short Bio of the Vice-Chancellor
Dr. Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan assumed office as the Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University on 17 March 2026. He has 3 decades of teaching experience in the Department of Islamic History and Culture at the University of Dhaka. Before joining Bangladesh Open University, he was Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Dhaka. He also served as Chairman of both the Department of Islamic History and Culture and the Department of Sanskrit in the same university. Additionally, he held key administrative positions, including Provost of Sir P. J. Hartog International Hall and Acting Proctor of the University of Dhaka.
Professor Khan completed his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees from the Department of Islamic History and Culture at the University of Dhaka. His primary research focus is the political evolution of the modern Muslim world, with particular emphasis on South Asia, especially the political development of Bangladesh. He has published more than 35 research articles in national and international academic journals. He has authored and edited 15 books, among which notable works include History of Bangladesh 1972–2014 (in Bangali), The Nobilty of Nawabi Bengal: Politics, Society and Culture (in Bengli); History of Mughal India; The Ottoman Sultanate: Politics, Society and Culture (in Bengli); and The University of Dhaka: A Century of Achievements in Education and Research (in Benglai), He is a regular contributor to national newspapers and periodicals, and he frequently appears on television talk shows discussing history, heritage, education, and contemporary national and global politics.
Dr. Khan served as the General Secretary of the Bangladesh Itihas Parishad from 2011 to 2016 and is currently the editor of its research journal, Itihas. He also served as editor of the Kala Onushad Patriak and The Arts Faculty Journal, published by the Faculty of Arts, University of Dhaka. Additionally, he is serving his second term as the elected General Secretary of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh and is the Managing Editor of Banglapedia, a National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh.
Professor Khan is currently a member of the Senate of the University of Dhaka, a Syndicate Member of Southeast University, and a member of the National Curriculum and Coordination Committee under the Ministry of Education, People’s Republic of Bangladesh. He is also the convener of the UNESCO Memory of the World National Committee and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Bangladesh National Museum. Additionally, he is involved with many national and international academic and research institutions.
Professor Khan has visited several countries. These include Spain, Singapore, South Korea, Turkey, Iran, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. He has actively participated in various seminars and symposiums worldwide.
