Daffodil International University

What Daffodil International University does

Daffodil International University (DIU) is a private university in Bangladesh founded in 2002 and headquartered at Daffodil Smart City in Birulia, Savar, Dhaka. It is the higher education arm of the Daffodil Group conglomerate and operates 38 academic programs across 6 faculties (Science & IT, Engineering, Humanities & Social Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, Agriculture, and Business), with both undergraduate and postgraduate pathways. The university has 10,000+ employees and over 55,000 alumni across 19 countries, and is positioned as Bangladesh's top-ranked private university in multiple global indices including THE Sustainability Impact Rankings 2026 (87th globally) and QS Asia University Rankings 2025 (280th in Asia, Very High Research-Intensive status).

DIU's technology footprint centers on an 'AI-Native University' strategy, with named proprietary systems including AI Professors, AI Proctors, StudentsHub (student management), Perfect HR, and an Embedded System Research Center that built a Smart Biogas Plant (20-30 kWh/day) at the main campus. The institution maintains 700+ international academic partnerships and active research collaborations with Microsoft, IEEE, WHO, Google, and AWS. It is currently hosting the IAUP Semi-Annual Conference 2026 in Dhaka.

DIU's revenue model is tuition-driven (subscription/recurring) across its 38 programs, augmented by fees from wholly-owned subsidiaries including Daffodil Computers Limited (hardware/tech), Daffodil Institute of Languages (DIL), and Daffodil Institute of Social Sciences (DISS). Customer acquisition combines direct campus-based admissions, an online self-serve admission portal, international student recruitment through partnerships, and a community-led referral motion powered by its 55,000+ alumni network. A scholarship program covering up to 100% of tuition across 25+ categories supports enrollment volume but creates revenue variability. Specific tuition pricing is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Daffodil International University

Legal name

Daffodil International University

Website

https://daffodilvarsity.edu.bd

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Daffodil International University is a private Bangladeshi university founded in 2002, part of the Daffodil Group, offering 38 programs across 6 faculties to domestic and international students. It generates revenue through tuition, operates as Bangladesh's #1 ranked private university globally, and is transitioning to an AI-Native University model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

akta.pro primary industry

International & Global Research Universities (Multi-Campus/International Footprint) (EDAHABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA), STEM-Focused Research Universities (Engineering & Applied Sciences) (EDAHABAB)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Postgraduate degree programs
• University scholarship programs
• Academic research services

Headquarters

HQ city

Savar (Birulia)

HQ country

Bangladesh

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: Revenue generated from undergraduate and postgraduate program tuition fees across 38 programs in 6 faculties. The university offers various scholarship tiers covering up to 100% tuition for top achievers and eligible students, with over 25 scholarship categories.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Daffodil International University is a private university in Bangladesh that delivers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs across 38 programs in 6 faculties. It offers scholarships covering up to 100% tuition across more than 25 categories, supports research and innovation through dedicated research centers, and runs AI-integrated learning and administration platforms. The university is positioned as an AI-Native institution, integrating artificial intelligence across teaching, assessment, and operations.

Product overview

Daffodil International University (DIU) is a private university in Bangladesh offering a comprehensive educational platform with 38 programs across 6 faculties. The core educational offerings include undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs designed around a technology-driven, learner-centric approach. The institution supplements its academic programs with scholarship opportunities (offering up to 100% tuition coverage), research and innovation services with global partnerships (Microsoft, IEEE, WHO, Google, AWS), and dedicated portals for parent engagement (DIU Parents Experience Portal) and news/media coverage (DIU Media Corner). The university positions itself as an AI-Native University, integrating artificial intelligence across teaching, learning, assessment, and administration to enhance student outcomes and operational efficiency.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Programs Undergraduate degree programs spanning multiple disciplines including Science and Information Technology, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Allied Health Sciences, designed to prepare students for global careers through technology-driven education.
• Postgraduate Programs Graduate-level degree programs including master's and doctoral degrees across various faculties, focusing on advanced research, specialized knowledge, and professional development for career advancement.
• Scholarship Programs Comprehensive scholarship program offering up to 100% tuition coverage for top achievers and eligible students, with more than 25 categories of scholarships and waivers to support diverse student needs.
• Research & Innovation Services University research ecosystem supporting peer-reviewed publications, patents, intellectual property filings, research centers, and PhD scholars with partnerships including Microsoft, IEEE, WHO, Google, and AWS.
• DIU Parents Experience Portal Online community platform providing parents and families with resources, announcements, student activity updates, safety information, hall accommodation details, payment portals, and support services.
• DIU Media Corner / News Portal Official university news portal featuring campus events, academic achievements, partnership announcements, and media coverage of DIU's activities and milestones.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4th in the World — SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KePei Education Group (China)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026High-level delegation visit from June 24 to July 4, 2026 to strengthen collaboration in education, skills development, innovation, and technology-driven learning. Focus areas include AI, Robotics, IoT, Renewable Energy, Smart Campus Management, and Industry-Oriented Education Systems.
• World AI Alliance (WAA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2026Collaboration for hosting AI Hackathon 2026. World AI Alliance will provide mentorship and incubation support to winning teams for transforming projects into startups. Prize pool of BDT 200,000.
• Văn Lang University (Vietnam)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2026Cooperation agreement signed during APAIE 2026 for student mobility and dual-degree pathways. Part of Vietnam's emerging destination for international academic engagement.
• FCoEE, Malaysia and Global PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 September 2025DIU joins hands with FCoEE Malaysia and global partners to launch DEFFUUZ Consortium for collaborative educational and research initiatives.
• Dutch Bangla Bank LimitedminorOthers · 7 December 2024Platinum sponsor for ICPC 2024 Asia Regional Dhaka Site, providing direct financial sponsorship for the programming competition.
• Adamson University (Philippines)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2024MoU signed during AUAP 17th General Conference for joint research, academic innovations, faculty and student exchange programs, virtual learning platforms, and scholarship opportunities.
• Bataan Peninsula State University (Philippines)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2024MoU signed for collaboration in joint research, new academic innovations, faculty and student exchange programs, virtual learning platforms, and scholarship opportunities.
• Our Lady of Fatima University (Philippines)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2024MoU signed for joint research, new academic innovations, faculty and student exchange programs, virtual learning platforms, and scholarship opportunities.
• Liceo de Cagayan University (Philippines)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2024MoU signed for collaboration in joint research, academic innovations, faculty and student exchange programs, virtual learning platforms, and scholarship opportunities.
• Vikrant University (India)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2024MoU signed during AUAP conference for joint research, academic innovations, faculty and student exchange programs, virtual learning platforms, and scholarship opportunities.
• IES University (India)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2024MoU signed during AUAP conference with additional visit on November 21 where both institutions agreed to jointly carry out various activities for education sector improvement.
• Mainz University of Applied Sciences (Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2024MoU signed for joint research, academic innovations, faculty and student exchange programs, virtual learning platforms, and scholarship opportunities.
• Washington University of Science and Technology (USA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2024Strategic MoU signed for academic collaboration including joint research, faculty and student exchange programs, and academic innovations.
• Danubius University (Romania)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2024MoU signed for joint research, academic innovations, faculty and student exchange programs, virtual learning platforms, and scholarship opportunities.
• University of Saint Joseph (Macau, China)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2024MoU signed for collaboration in joint research, academic innovations, faculty and student exchange programs, virtual learning platforms, and scholarship opportunities.
• World Health Organization (WHO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch and Innovation Partner as listed on DIU's official website partner logos section.
• NestleminorOthersResearch and Innovation Partner as listed on DIU's official website partner logos section.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB): ULAB is a private Bangladeshi university with liberal arts and social sciences programs, overlapping with DIU's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences for the same domestic student segments.
• Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB): IUB is a private Bangladeshi university with multi-disciplinary programs, active international partnerships, and a similar tuition-driven business model, competing directly with DIU for quality-conscious students.
• BRAC University: BRAC University is a top-ranked private research university in Bangladesh with multi-disciplinary programs, strong social enterprise orientation, and international accreditation footprint, directly comparable to DIU's positioning and scale.
• North South University: North South University is Bangladesh's leading private university and DIU's closest domestic peer, offering comparable undergraduate and postgraduate programs across multiple faculties with similar tuition-based revenue models and a focus on international partnerships.
• East West University: East West University is a leading Bangladeshi private university offering undergraduate and graduate programs with a strong research focus, serving the same domestic and international student market as DIU.
• University of Asia Pacific: University of Asia Pacific is a private university in Bangladesh offering programs across multiple disciplines, comparable in scale and target market to DIU's undergraduate offerings.
• Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST): AUST is a Bangladeshi private university with a strong STEM and engineering focus, competing with DIU's Faculty of Science and Information Technology for the same technical student pool.
• American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB): AIUB is a long-established private university in Bangladesh with similar engineering, business, and science programs, competing with DIU for the same domestic student base and offering comparable tuition-based degree pathways.

Regional players

• Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU): APU is a Malaysia-based private technology university offering STEM and computing programs with international student focus, serving as a relevant regional peer for DIU's internationalization trajectory and AI/technology positioning.

Broad incumbents

• University of Dhaka: University of Dhaka is Bangladesh's largest and oldest public university, the dominant incumbent in Bangladeshi higher education that sets the competitive ceiling for top private universities like DIU in terms of prestige and graduate outcomes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@DaffodilUniversity
• Pinterestpinterest.com/daffodilvarsity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Daffodil International University