Staff Reporter :
The National University of Bangladesh has officially changed the names of 57 government colleges and institutions across the country, removing references to members of the Sheikh family and prominent leaders of the ruling Awami League.
The revised list was published through an official gazette issued on Monday night.
The notification, signed by National University’s College Inspector Abdul Hai Siddique Sarkar, states that the name changes were made in accordance with a directive from the Ministry of Education dated May 28 and a Cabinet Division letter issued on February 9, 2025.
The renaming includes prominent institutions previously bearing the names of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, Sheikh Russell, and other Awami League figures. The revised names adopt a more neutral and location-based identity.
For example: Govt Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Women’s College, Bhola has been renamed Bhola Government Women’s College.
Govt Mujib College, Companiganj, Noakhali is now Companiganj Government College.
Govt Bangabandhu College, Pallabi, Dhaka has become Pallabi Government College.
Govt Sheikh Hasina Academy & Women’s College, Dasar, Madaripur has been renamed Dasar Government Women’s College.
Govt Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Women’s College, Mirpur, Dhaka is now Mirpur Government Women’s College.
Govt Sheikh Russell Degree College, Kotwali, Gopalganj is now Kalabari Government Degree College.
Govt Sheikh Hasina Model College, Kotwali, Gopalganj is now Dharabashail Government Model College.
The complete list reflects similar changes for institutions across Gopalganj, Noakhali, Gazipur, Madaripur, Khulna, Tangail, Bogura, Naogaon, Comilla, Chandpur, Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Bagerhat, Magura, Jessore, Faridpur, Mymensingh, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Rangpur, and Joypurhat, among others.
According to the notification, all colleges must immediately begin using the updated names in official documents, administrative records, letterheads, websites, and signage.
The National University has instructed its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) department to update the university’s website accordingly and to distribute the directive via email to the affected institutions.
University authorities confirmed that all administrative and academic procedures at the affected institutions must now reflect the newly assigned names.
The colleges have been urged to implement the changes without delay to ensure consistency across the higher education system.
This significant move is seen as part of a broader policy to depoliticize educational institutions by removing politically affiliated names and ensuring institutional neutrality.
