The National University of Bangladesh (NU) was established by an Act of Parliament and is currently functioning under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 

The NU is an autonomous public university and is not affiliated with any government or private entity. It has its own administration, faculty, and students' unions. The NU is a pioneer in providing affordable education to students from all classes and social backgrounds. It has been playing a significant role in providing higher education opportunities for the students from rural and semirural backgrounds. It has been trying to make higher education more accessible for all students by providing opportunities for learning online as well as on campus.