BMU justifies cancellation of Prof ABM Abdullah’s lifetime emeritus appointment

Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) today said its syndicate terminated the lifetime appointment of Prof ABM Abdullah as emeritus professor to ensure legal compliance, administrative transparency, financial accountability, and institutional good governance.

The university issued a press statement in the evening amid widespread criticism over the decision. Earlier of the day, the hospital authorities at a press conference declined to given explanation over the issue.

The authorities of BMU have cancelled the lifetime appointment of Prof ABM Abdullah as emeritus professor and ordered him to return all salaries and allowances he had received while serving in the post.

The decision was announced in an office order signed by the university’s Registrar Prof Mostafa Kamal issued on June 24. According to the circular, the decision was taken following the 99th syndicate meeting held on June 13.

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BMU declines to explain Prof Abdullah's emeritus appointment cancellation

Prof Abdullah was personal doctor of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before her ouster following a student led people’s uprising in August 2024.

Prof Abdullah described the move as “unjust, irrational and baseless”.

“Those who made this decision have done something wrong. It is unjustified and there is no logic behind it,” he told The Daily Star on Thursday.

In a statement issued today, the university said the decision was not targeted at any individual but was taken after reviewing documents that raised multiple procedural, administrative, and financial concerns surrounding the appointment.

BMU said Prof Abdullah was first appointed emeritus professor in February 2022 for a three-year term, with a monthly honorarium of Tk 30,000, medical benefits, and limited administrative support.

The university said this arrangement was made in line with existing rules and involved limited financial liability.

However, in June 2024, six months before the expiry of his term, the syndicate amended the emeritus professor ordinance to introduce lifetime appointments and significantly expand financial and administrative benefits, it said.

Under the revised provision, Prof Abdullah was made a lifetime emeritus professor with benefits equivalent to the salary and allowances of a full professor at the time of retirement, alongside lifelong medical facilities and office support.

BMU claimed the proposal was placed outside the agenda during a budget session and approved in haste, creating a long-term recurring financial burden for the university.