ABM Abdullah’s lifetime emeritus professorship was ‘illegal’: BMU

The decision is taken by the BMU’s current syndicate

Despite backlash over the cancellation of medicine specialist Dr ABM Abdullah's appointment as a professor emeritus, Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) authorities have defended the decision.

Issuing a press statement on Saturday, the university said the decision was taken because the appointment was "illegal".

The lifetime emeritus professorship was cancelled in light of the current BMU syndicate's decision, it added.

Dr Abdullah was also the personal physician of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

The current university administration noticed in its review that the extra salary and allowances received over two years created a "long-term and recurring" financial liability for the university, the statement said.

Dr Abdullah has received more than Tk 1.45 million since that appointment, it added.

"For the two years after this appointment, he [Dr Abdullah] did not come to work regularly, teach, or even inform the university administration whether he is involved in any research or not,” the statement said.

“But he withdrew his salary and allowances regularly on a quarterly basis."

The BMU first announced the decision on Wednesday, asking the seasoned physician to return his salary and allowances received since June 2024.

In an immediate reaction, Dr Abdullah told bdnews24.com: "They cancelled my appointment out of revenge. This is a lifelong matter, they can't do this. They have shown the meanest mentality by demanding a refund of my salary."

The decision drew sharp criticism among different quarters, with condemnation pouring in on social media.

Meanwhile, the BMU argued that the decision was "not taken to target any specific individual".

“The decision was taken in line with the university's law and to ensure administrative transparency, financial accountability, and institutional good governance,” it said.