Saifullah Khandker, a Bangladeshi professor living in Germany, took the initiative to establish a German University in Bangladesh. His initial plan entailed establishing the university in Sakhipur in Tangail District. It was established in 2013 in Gazipur, Gazipur District. Saifullah Khandaker was the founding chairperson of the university. In November 2016, the University Grants Commission said that certificates from the university would not be recognized due to the university having no vice-chancellor. Mesbahuddin Ahmed, the director of the university, was a leader of the Awami League backed blue panel of teachers at Dhaka University. Professor Dr. Md. Shams-Ud-Din was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University on 2 July 2018 by the President of Bangladesh Mohammad Abdul Hamid. The pro-Vice Chancellors of the university are Dr. Thomas M. Klapoetke, Dr. Marie-Louise Klotz, Dr. Leo Brunnberg, and Dr. Cornelius Froemmel.