BSMMU to be renamed to Bangladesh Medical University

The Advisory Council has approved renaming Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) to Bangladesh Medical University, finalising the decision at a meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Thursday, March 13. 

A Cabinet Division notification confirmed that the draft "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025" received both in-principle and final approval, pending review by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division.  

Originally established in 1965 as the Institute of Postgraduate Medicine and Research (IPGMR)—widely known as PG Hospital—the institution was transformed into a full-fledged medical university in 1998 by the Awami League government and named after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib. 

Following the government’s fall in a mass uprising, public anger led to the removal of "Bangabandhu" from the university’s nameplate. On February 5, students replaced it with a banner reading "Bangladesh Medical University," sparking the formal name-change initiative.  

The council also approved renaming two other institutions. The "Sheikh Hasina Medical University, Khulna (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025" will see Sheikh Hasina Medical University, Khulna, become Khulna Medical University. 

Similarly, the "Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Medical University, Sylhet (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025" will rename Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Medical University, Sylhet, to Sylhet Medical University. Both drafts received in-principle and final approval, aligning with the broader push to simplify institutional titles.