Bangladesh Medical University revokes ABM Abdullah’s Emeritus professorship, orders return of salary

Bangladesh Medical University has revoked the lifetime appointment of renowned physician Prof. Dr. ABM Abdullah as Emeritus Professor, declaring the appointment procedurally illegal and ordering him to return all salary and benefits received under the post.

The decision was announced in an office order signed by Registrar Prof. Dr. Md. Mostafa Kamal on Wednesday.

According to the order, the university’s 92nd Syndicate budget meeting on June 20, 2024, amended the Emeritus Professor Appointment Ordinance following a proposal raised outside the meeting’s formal agenda. During the same meeting, Prof. Abdullah was granted a lifetime appointment as Emeritus Professor.

The university said both the amendment and the appointment were made in violation of established procedures and therefore could not be upheld.

Acting on a decision taken at the 99th Syndicate meeting on June 13, 2026, the university formally cancelled Prof. Abdullah’s lifetime appointment.

The order also directed the veteran physician to refund all salaries and allowances he had received as Emeritus Professor dating back to June 20, 2024, when the appointment took effect.

Prof. Abdullah strongly criticized the decision, calling it unprecedented and unjust.

“The university administration has acted unfairly. I have been wronged,” he told local media.

“There is no precedent anywhere in the world for stripping someone of such a prestigious honorary position in this manner,” he added.

The university did not indicate whether it would pursue legal measures if the refunded salary and benefits are not returned, nor did it disclose the total amount involved.

Prof. Abdullah is one of Bangladesh’s most prominent physicians and has served as the personal physician to several national leaders. His removal from the honorary academic post is likely to trigger debate within the country’s medical and academic communities.