The Department of Arabic is one of the founder departments of Nowgong College and was established in the year 1944 along with the foundation of the college itself. As far as the recorded history of the institution goes, the founding college authority had envisioned Arabic as an essential discipline from the very beginning.
          An advertisement was published in the Amrita Bazar Patrika on 1st November 1944, inviting applications for the post of a Professor qualified to teach both Arabic and Persian for the Intermediate College, Nowgong (Assam), with a monthly pay of Rs. 100. In response to this advertisement, Mr. A. Rauf Choudhury was appointed as the first teacher of Arabic in the same month.

Subsequently, Md. Asmat Ullah joined the department on 12th July 1951 and served with distinction until his superannuation. After his retirement, Mr. Akkas Ali Mullah was appointed on 1st May 1977 and served the department until 31st December 1981. Following this, Mr. Aynul Hoque was appointed and joined the department on 6th February 1982.
         Although the department initially offered courses up to the Pre-University level, in response to growing public demand, it introduced the Degree Major course in Arabic in 1987. Accordingly, Gauhati University granted affiliation for the programme. To meet the increasing academic requirements of the department, Md. Abdul Baten was appointed as a full-time teacher on 1st August 1994.
      With two permanent faculty members, the department functioned smoothly until the superannuation of Mr. Aynul Hoque on 31st January 2015. For nearly eight years thereafter, the department continued its academic activities with contractual faculty support. Finally, on 23rd September 2022, Dr. Amjad Hussain Laskar was appointed as a permanent faculty member. In 31st January 2025 Md. Abdul Baten was retired and thereafter the department continued its academic activities with contractual faculty support.
                The Department of Arabic has made significant academic and institutional progress. In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the department has successfully redesigned and implemented a comprehensive undergraduate syllabus, incorporating grammar, prose, poetry, history of Arabic literature, conversation practice, reading comprehension, writing skills, communication skills and dissertation components. Emphasis has been placed on skill-based learning, especially Arabic speaking, translation, and communicative competence.Continuous efforts are also being made to encourage students to pursue higher studies and competitive examinations, thereby enhancing their academic and career prospects.

Since its inception, the Department of Arabic has produced many distinguished scholars and personalities who have been serving with dedication in various government and non-government organizations, as well as contributing significantly to social, educational, and cultural platforms.

Future Vision of the Department

• Introduction of a Postgraduate (PG) Programme in Arabic, subject to approval by the concerned authorities.
• Development of the department into a research-oriented unit capable of producing PhD scholars in Arabic language and literature.
• Launch of a one-year Diploma / Certificate Course in Arabic Speaking and Translation Skills to enhance employability and meet contemporary market demands.
• Strengthening interdisciplinary and community-oriented learning, linking Arabic studies with history, culture, translation studies, and career-oriented skills.
• Encouraging faculty and students to engage in research publications, seminars, workshops, and academic collaborations at state, national, and international levels.
• Promoting the use of ICT tools and digital resources for effective teaching and learning.

The department remains committed to preserving the rich legacy of Arabic scholarship while adapting to modern academic requirements, with the ultimate goal of empowering students through quality education, research, and skill development.