Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University has entered its 21st year after completing two decades. The university’s foundation stone was laid on March 1, 2005 and it was formally inaugurated on May 25, 2006 by then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Her name was inscribed on both the foundation stone and the inauguration plaque. However, following subsequent changes to the university’s layout and boundaries the historic foundation stone fell outside the main campus.
According to university sources, the institution initially spanned around 15.5 acres of land. At the time, plans were drawn up to construct the university’s main gate beside the foundation stone. Later, the location of the gate was shifted toward the centre of the campus.
The road beside the foundation stone was subsequently closed, and Shiulimala Hall was constructed on the site. Although the university’s land was later expanded toward the east and south, the plot on the western side adjacent to the foundation stone was never acquired. As a result the foundation stone remained outside the university’s boundary.
Md Hafizur Rahman, director of the Planning, Development and Works Office, said, "Since the university had limited land at the time of its inception, constructing the main gate beside the foundation stone would have placed it on one side of the campus. Considering the convenience of everyone the gate was later constructed at a central location. Although land was acquired in phases later on, the plot beside the foundation stone was left out.”
Not only the foundation stone, but the historic banyan tree beside it also currently lies outside the university's boundary. According to local lore Kazi Nazrul Islam used to sit under this banyan tree and play the flute during his adolescence while staying in Trishal. As the spot is deeply associated with memories of Nazrul, it is known to locals as ‘Nazrul Bottola’.
Professor Dr. Mohammad Imdadul Huda, dean of the Faculty of Arts, said, "There used to be a road next to the foundation stone. Later the road was closed to build Shiulimala Hall. When the boundary wall was constructed later, the foundation stone remained outside. If the land can be acquired, there are plans to bring the area adjacent to the foundation stone within the university’s boundary.”
Professor Dr. Md Mizanur Rahman former acting registrar of the university, said "The land acquisition process is currently ongoing. If the land is successfully acquired, the foundation stone will be brought inside the campus."
University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md Mosharraf Hossain said "The foundation stone is currently outside the campus premises. There are plans to bring both the historic foundation stone and the Nazrul-associated banyan tree within the campus boundary. The university administration is actively working toward this goal."
Teachers, students and officials of the university expressed hope that the historic foundation stone and ‘Nazrul Bottola’ will soon be incorporated into the main campus through land acquisition followed by proper conservation initiatives.
