ciu-business-school – CHITTAGONG INDEPENDENT UNIVERSITY

About CIUBS

CIU Business School:

Welcome to CIU Business School!

CIU Business School (CIUBS) at Chittagong Independent University (CIU) envisions becoming a “Center of Excellence” in business education and research in Asia. We strive to aid sustainable development by empowering our graduates through holistic and inventive education and conducting regionally relevant and contextual research. Our curriculum is delicately designed to instill the ever-changing graduate attributes in our students to progress their careers globally while making a momentous social impact through entrepreneurship and innovation.

History:

CIUBS started its journey in 1999 under the then Independent University Bangladesh (IUB), Chattogram Campus. The erstwhile Chattogram Campus of IUB received its approval from the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh as a full-fledged university on February 6, 2013, under the name of Chittagong Independent University (CIU). Since its inception, CIUBS has been continually evolving as a trusted partner of the community, industry, and other stakeholders in materializing their 21st-century roadmaps.

Resources:

CIUBS has amassed a highly qualified team of faculty members, whose academic background and work experience span almost every continent of the globe, showing its commitment towards the stakeholders. Our faculty members are highly dedicated and selected for their academic excellence, research ability, and industry experience.

Features:

The majority of our faculty members are employed full-time, having received education and training from top institutions at home and abroad. We have faculty members with Ph.D. degrees in every major functional area of business education, such as accounting, finance, economics, human resource management (HRM), general management, and marketing.
Faculty members publish their research in leading peer-reviewed journals, participate in international conferences, and serve on the editorial boards of various national and international journals regularly.
The most updated curriculum is in line with industry demands to foster learning experiences in the areas of communication, ethical reasoning, analytical skills, use of information technology, multicultural diversity, and reflective thinking.
An ideal faculty-to-student ratio of 1:25 is maintained to ensure high-quality teaching and learning.
Extensive use of case methods and group projects leading to presentations to familiarize the students with the real-world scenario and improve their decision-making, teamwork, and leadership skills;
Continuous focus on workshops, seminars, and training sessions by renowned academics and practitioners from home and abroad;
Wide range of extracurricular activities, regular industry visits, unique Live-in-Field Experience (LFE), corporate talks, cross-border tours, and internships for practical learning, networking, and getting exposure to real-time challenges before jumping into the real world.

Collaborations:

Affiliations

CIUBS is in continuous pursuit to establish collaborations with reputed international universities, institutions, agencies, professional bodies, and research institutions. The collaborations with the following institutions have been established under the auspices of CIUBS, which encompass student and faculty exchanges, joint research, joint certification programs, seminars, conferences, etc., for mutual benefit:

National Board of Revenue (NBR), Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh;
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA);
Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi, India (IIM Ranchi);
Rennes School of Business (RSB), Rennes, France;
Seoul National University Asia Center (SNUC), Korea;
LankaBangla Securities Limited;
USAID Feed the Future;
Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB);
City Alo, City Bank Limited;
BRAC Bank PLC.
Life Member:
Association of Management Development Institutions in South Asia (AMDISA).
Extracurricular Activities:
Opportunities for global learning occur 24/7 here at CIUBS, both inside and outside the classroom. CIUBS has several student clubs, namely “Business Students’ Society (BSS),” “CIU HRM Society,” “Independent Marketing Club,” “Intrinsic Finance Club,” “CIU Accounting Club,” etc., which organize round-the-year co-curricular events and help the students develop their skills and enhance practical knowledge.
Alumni Network:
The CIUBS has been producing the best business and social leaders for Chittagong and the rest of the country. The graduates of this school not only excel in the industry but are also pursuing specialized programs and Ph.D. degrees in leading universities of the world. As the school has a pool of well-established alumni in the corporate world, the fresh graduates of the school enjoy tremendous support during their transition from university to the industry, concerning internship placement, employment, references, and career guidance.

Vision, Mission & Values

Vision:

To emerge as a “Center of Excellence” in business education and research in Asia.

Mission Statements:

To develop ethical, innovative, and responsible leaders;
To advance knowledge through relevant and contextual research;
To integrate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in all aspects of teaching, learning, and research.
To foster the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in line with The Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0);
To engage with the community, alumni, industry, and all other stakeholders.

Values:

Integrity.
Innovation;
Diversity.
Empathy.
Continuous Improvement;
Sustainability.
Global Outlook.

Dean's Message

Welcome to CIU Business School!

CIU Business School (CIUBS) started its journey in 2013 and, within a short span of time, has established itself as the premier seat for business education and learning in the port city. It offers an updated and industry-oriented curriculum for the business leaders of tomorrow, thereby contributing to the development and prosperity of the nation. The school is committed to ensuring excellence in teaching and research.

CIUBS has the highest number of faculty members with PhD degrees in their relevant fields and actively promotes the professional development of the faculty members who are on track to obtain higher degrees. The faculty members of this school are actively engaged in research and have published numerous articles in national and international peer-reviewed journals.

It recognizes the need to explore new areas of learning and updates its curriculum accordingly to best suit the changes. Keeping this in mind, the Department of International Business has been established recently, thereby recognizing the interconnected nature of modern business transactions. CIUBS is also exploring the feasibility of introducing new subject areas into its BA and MBA curricula in the near future.

The school maintains close links with the captains of industry and regularly hosts guest lecturers for a selected number of courses. It has already established academic and research collaborations with several industrial entities and academic institutions at home and abroad. CIUBS also holds a Corporate Talk Series, where visionaries from the corporate world share their insight and experience with the students.

CIUBS believes in fostering open communication amongst the stakeholders and therefore welcomes queries from prospective students and their guardians. The Office of the Dean stands ready to help in any way possible.

Prof. Dr. Syed Manzur Quader
Dean
CIU Business School
Chittagong Independent University

CIUBS Honor Board

Departments under CIUBS

Integrated Supply Chain Management (ISCM) with USAID & BAFFA

SCHOOL

CIU Business School

Integrated Supply Chain Management (ISCM) with USAID & BAFFA

Women Entrepreneurship with City Alo

SCHOOL

CIU Business School

Women Entrepreneurship with City Alo

Dual-Degree Program with RSB

SCHOOL

CIU Business School

Dual-Degree Program with RSB

The Corporate Talk: A Signature Platform for Corporate-Academia Collaboration

With the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, in the face of a rapidly changing global scenario or to respond to the looming economic meltdown, corporate houses continually look for executives possessing leadership attributes that can help them to cope with the pervasiveness of the changes.

About C-Suite

“C-suite” encapsulates the upper echelons within a company who are responsible for making corporate decisions, managing overall operations, and setting the company’s strategic direction. Hence, it is imperative that the students of business school be acquainted with the roles and responsibilities of the chief officers in an organizational setup. With this end in view, CIU Business School at CIU has initiated a series titled “Connecting with C-Suite,” where the C-level executives of different sectors are invited to share their momentous thoughts and experiences, which we believe would be greatly beneficial for our students.

1st Episode

Organized by CIU Business School, the 1st episode of the “Connecting with C-Suite” series was held on February 6, 2023, at CIU Auditorium.

Nagad’s Chief Business Officer, Mr. Sheikh Aminur Rahman, delivered a talk on “Fintech—The Future Money System and Unlocking the Door of Fintech Careers” in this session. In the event, CIUBS Dean Prof. Dr. Syed Manzur Quader gave the opening remarks while Prof. Dr. MM Nurul Absar, Head of the HRM Dept., passed the concluding remarks. It was attended by a large number of participants,, including business students, faculty members, management staff, and the sales team of Nagad Ltd.

2nd Episode

The 2nd episode of the “Connecting with C-Suite” series was held on June 18, 2023, at CIU Auditorium. Mr. Tanvir Shahriar Rimon, CEO of Rancon Real Estate & Sea Fishing Division, delivered a talk on “Driving Changes on the Top: How CEOs Foster Environmental Sustainability.” It was moderated by Prof. Dr. Syed Manzur Quader, dean of the CIU Business School. A large number of participants, including faculty members, management staff, and students, attended the event.

3rd Episode

The 3rd episode of the series was held on November 27, 2024, at the CIU Auditorium. Titled “Career Prospects & Challenges in the Logistics Sector of Bangladesh,” the episode was graced by the veteran logistics professional, Captain Kamrul Islam Mazumder, Director & Chief Operating Officer of Summit Alliance Port Limited, as the key speaker. Having shared his long-standing experiences, the key speaker urged the students to prepare themselves to take over the helm of future Bangladesh and captain it from the front.

4th Episode

The 4th episode of the series was held on May 28, 2025, at the CIU Auditorium. Titled “The Corporate Banker’s Playbook: Climbing the Ladder in Finance,” the episode was attended by Mr. Omar Sharif, Head of Chattogram Banking, HSBC, as the key speaker.

About Corporate Internship & Soft Skills Lab

We are committed to providing our students with the tools they need to excel in their careers. As part of the BBA program, the final-year students, especially the internship students, need to opt in to a course titled “Employability Skills”. Initiated by CIU Business School, this is a unique and practical course crafted to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills, ensuring our students are well-prepared for the challenges they may face during their transition from academia to their professional careers.

What Sets This Course Apart

Interpersonal Communication: Hands-on activities that sharpen communication skills essential for the workplace;

Evaluation and Feedback: Practical exercises in giving and receiving feedback to foster continuous improvement;

Leadership Style: Experiential learning to help students discover and refine their leadership abilities;

Emotional Intelligence: Techniques for managing emotions in professional settings, enhancing <br>decision-making and relationships;

Interview Skills: Mock interviews with real-time feedback to boost confidence and performance;

Email Writing: Practical lessons in crafting professional emails, critical for effective communication;

Networking: Opportunities to build and leverage professional connections through guided sessions;

Negotiation: Simulated negotiations to develop strategic thinking and bargaining skills;

Corporate Etiquette: Real-world scenarios to instill professional conduct in corporate environments;

Storytelling for Business: Techniques to use storytelling as a powerful tool in business communication;

Stress Management: Strategies for managing stress effectively, especially in high-pressure situations;

Team Building: Interactive exercises that mirror the dynamics of working within a team.

About CIUBS Research Seminar

CIU Business School has initiated a new series titled “CIUBS Research Seminar” with the objectives of promoting scholarly works and encouraging young researchers to delve into the new propositions. In the academic realm, it is said that “Either you publish or you perish.” The very objective of a university lies in the advancement of knowledge alongside the dissemination and preservation of knowledge. Hence, it is crucial that the university takes proper steps to put in place a research culture from within, whereof the faculty members may feel self-motivated to engage in research and publications.

1st Episode

Organized by CIU Business School, the 1st episode of the “Connecting with C-Suite” series was held on February 6, 2023, at CIU Auditorium.

2nd Episode

3rd Episode

4th Episode

About LFE

The LFE is a unique course offered by CIU under which the students gain firsthand knowledge about the society, industry, and economy as a whole of Bangladesh. All the students studying at CIU have to participate in a mandatory three-credit course called Live-in-Field Experience (LFE). The idea is to impress the young minds with the socio-economic realities of Bangladesh.

Objectives

It is imperative that the future leaders of our society know how the great majority of our people live and earn, and how the industries operate, create employment opportunities, and add value. These will make them think of ways to solve the problems and thereby open up opportunities for further social and economic development.

Venue

The summer LFE normally takes place at the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), Kotbari, Cumilla, and the winter LFE is held at FIVDB, Khadimnagar, Sylhet. The program is managed and conducted by a group of faculty members who individually have more than 10 years of experience with the course.

Industrial Tour

CIU Business School has been endeavoring to develop ethical, innovative, and responsible leaders in all functional areas of business. The students should be fully able to understand the core business concepts and principles in order to implement them in reality. And these goals cannot be achieved until the students spend time in an industrial setting. Keeping this view in mind, the business students are sent to the offices or factories of different enterprises in every academic session, where they gain firsthand knowledge. about various operational and management practices of the same.

Objectives

To foster the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the young minds;
To provide an insight into the working environment in reality;
To impart the best practices of the industry to the students;
To stimulate the academia-industry collaborations;
To bridge the gap between classroom training and practical learning;
To allow the students to ask questions regarding their area of interest;
To provide the students with an opportunity to observe their future area of work, such as management.

Glimpses

Visit to HSBC

Visit to KDS Accessories Ltd.

Visit to Chittagong Stock Exchange Limited

Visit to BSRM Mirsarai Plant

Visit to Pacific Jeans Ltd.

Visit to Divine Intimates Ltd.

Visit to KEPZ

Visit to PHP Automobiles LTD.

Visit to KAFCO

Visit to Summit Alliance Port Ltd.

Visit to AK Khan Penfabric Co. Ltd.

Meet our Alumni

The CIUBS has been producing the best business and social leaders for Chittagong and the rest of the country. The graduate of this School not only excels in the industry but are also pursuing specialized programs and Ph.D. Degrees in leading universities of the world. As the School has a pool of well-established alumni in the corporate world, the fresh graduates of the School enjoy tremendous support during their transition from university to the industry concerning internship placement, employment, reference, and career guidance.

Alumni Voices

“The CIU MBA program is an ideal blend of theoretical knowledge as well as exposure to real time business practices and therefor I believe for the fresh students it gives a soft landing to business world and for the professionals it provides enriched perspectives both in business acumen as well subject matter expertise. The Course content are designed in a way that not only helps one to become a successful business professional but also caters to those who want to become entrepreneurs. I personally found this program to be really enlightening and impactful in my professional career”.

"Graduating from Chittagong Independent University in 2014 was the stepping stone to my journey of success. As a Senior Manager at LankaBangla Securities ltd. today, I am grateful for the strong foundation I got from there. My university experience was more than just classes and books. I made great friends that I still keep in touch with. We help and care for each other even now. The professors were not just teachers, but mentors who guided me towards the right path. They helped me find the right direction and gave me valuable advice. Their hard work and knowledge helped me succeed in my career. Looking back, I am grateful for the opportunities Independent University provided me. The knowledge, friendships, and guidance have been instrumental in helping me climb the corporate ladder. Here's to the university that shaped my journey and the people who walked alongside me!"

"In order to achieve your dream, one must simply keep moving forward to turn it into a reality. In this journey towards achieving your dream, one of the best ways to prepare yourself is to gain knowledge from the best minds. Truly, I got to learn from one of the best professors of Bangladesh while doing my MBA at CIU Business School. Undoubtedly, they have one of the best faculty pools in Chattogram. The great minds in CIU have really developed me further as an entrepreneur today."

“Chittagong Independent University gave me the proudest flashback of memories from a decade back. I have learned all the necessary business knowledge and practical skills like case studies, presentations, and field knowledge. What I am today is all because of CIU. To anyone who is confused about where to put their future lead, I would definitely suggest you choose CIU."

“There were a few choices I took in life that I’m totally proud of and getting admitted to Chittagong Independent University was one of them. I had the privilege to earn invaluable knowledge and academic skills in this very institute with the help of the finest faculty members in Chittagong. CIU is marked as the place of the best memories I ever had with friends. All my current and future successes will have the name CIU in them."

"CIU holds a special place in my life, having bestowed upon me cherished memories and invaluable experiences. The guidance and mentorship provided by the exceptional faculties continue to significantly influence my professional endeavors and academic pursuits to this day. Reflecting on my journey, I count myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from the finest educators in the city. Engaging in various activities such as classes, competitions, events, and travel, alongside participation in the LFE, has played an instrumental role in refining my skills and instilling in me the confidence needed to progress in life with dignity."

"I'm really privileged to have been a part of CIU Business School. I've learned all professional aptitudes from this school, which have put me on a fast track in my career. The School has all the facilities that a student needs, positive use of which can enable a student to reach his goals. Cheers!"

“I had to move to Chattogram due to a familial reason soon after finishing my graduation at North South University, Dhaka. While planning for my MBA here at Chattogram, I delved into an array of options, and I was convinced that CIU was the best fit for me. The faculty members at CIU were simply amazing, prudent, and knowledgeable. Featured by an excellent academic atmosphere, I gathered a vast amount of knowledge while having a lot of fun therein.”

"CIU has been my root of success and growth ever since I started my academic journey back in 2016. Always having fascination towards extracurricular activities, got me entailed into clubbing activities throughout my undergrad life. I was a member of the executive bodies of several clubs including DoSA (Division of Student Affairs), CIU Business Student’s Society, Intrinsic Finance Club, CIU Cultural Club, and many more. The constant support from my faculty members, friends, seniors, juniors, and the entire CIU community molded me into the person that I have become today."

“I'm a proud student of Bachelor of Business Administration from Chittagong “I'm a proud student of Bachelor of Business Administration from Chittagong Independent University. It was a wonderful experience for me at CIU for the time and knowledge I've accumulated. Currently, I'm in charge of corporate sales at Asian Paints Ltd. for the last 2 years, and I've been able to implement all the knowledge and theories I've gained throughout my educational life through my clubbing and academic experience."

"It was one of my greatest decisions that I made to pursue my postgraduate degree from CIU Business School at CIU. Inspirational teaching along with a congenial atmosphere has enabled our inner creativity and confidence, which helps us grow in our careers. Overwhelmed with the teaching method, guidance from the respected faculty members with exceptional flair has made me believe that I can and I can do it. I am really glad and honored to be a part of this institution. Thanks, CIU Business School! "

"I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Faculty Members of CIU Business School, whose teachings, encouragement, and support during my undergraduate study at CIU were instrumental in shaping my academic foundation and preparing me for higher studies abroad "

"My MBA journey at CIU has been truly enriching where I had the privilege of acquiring knowledge, forming meaningful connections, and broadening my horizons. The dedicated Faculty of CIU and its vibrant academic environment significantly contributed to my personal and intellectual growth as well as prepared me to face the real-world challenges with confidence. I am proud to be an alumna of CIU Business School."

"My journey at CIU sculpted me into a visionary. Its nurturing embrace shaped my aspirations, and objectives. Grateful for the serene campus, acquaintances and professors' wisdom of CIU Business School. As an alumnus, I carry the tranquility within, guiding my path with grace and humility. Perpetually connected to my alma mater, a haven of peace and growth.”

“One of the main reasons for me to attend Chittagong Independent University was because of my cousins who were the alumni from IUB days, and they always had great things to talk about it. So, it sort of became like a legacy to attend one of the best Business Schools in all private Universities in Chittagong with such distinguished faculty. I am extremely proud and feel great privilege to have been taught by this brilliant, extremely discerning faculty members of CIU Business School.”

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Curricula Overview

CHITTAGONG INDEPENDENT UNIVERSITY

CHITTAGONG INDEPENDENT UNIVERSITY

CHITTAGONG INDEPENDENT UNIVERSITY

CIU Business School:

History:

Resources:

Features:

Collaborations:

Affiliations

Life Member:

Extracurricular Activities:

Alumni Network:

Vision:

Mission Statements:

Values:

CIUBS Honor Board

Professor Dr. Mir Mohammed Nurul Absar

Professor Dr. Mohammad Nayeem Abdullah

Professor Dr. Syed Manzur Quader

SCHOOL

Integrated Supply Chain Management (ISCM) with USAID & BAFFA

SCHOOL

Women Entrepreneurship with City Alo

SCHOOL

Dual-Degree Program with RSB

Objectives

Mr. Mohammad Rasel Eusoofi

Ms. Ummay Salma

Mr. Mohammad Rasel Eusoofi