In a significant move, the names of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and members of the Sheikh family have been removed from the titles of 13 public universities in Bangladesh.

The change, formalised through an ordinance, was published in the official gazette on Thursday.

With the exception of three universities, all have been renamed to reflect the names of various regions or districts.

According to the gazette, the ordinance was formulated and issued by President Mohammed Shahabuddin, who exercised the powers granted to him under Article 93 (1) of the Constitution.

It adds that the name changes have been prompted by the need to revise university titles in order to better identify and position them, addressing confusion stemming from the use of similar names across multiple public institutions.

In response, the university law has been amended. With Parliament not in session, the decision was deemed "satisfactory" to issue an ordinance, granting the president the authority to take immediate action on the matter.

The list of renamed universities includes:

Netrokona's Sheikh Hasina University is now Netrokona University

Kishoreganj's Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman University is now Kishoreganj University

Naogaon's Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman University is now Naogaon University

Meherpur's Mujibnagar University is now Meherpur University

Gazipur's Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University is now Gazipur Agricultural University

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Shariatpur Agricultural University is now Shariatpur Agricultural University

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Digital University is now Bangladesh Digital University

Jamalpur's Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Science and Technology University is now Jamalpur Science and Technology University

Pirojpur's Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University is now Pirojpur Science and Technology University

Narayanganj's Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University is now Narayanganj Science and Technology University

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University in Gopalganj is now Gopalganj Science and Technology University

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University in Chittagong is now Maritime University Bangladesh

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University is now Aviation and Aerospace University Bangladesh

This decision follows a similar move in January, when the government changed the names of 14 medical colleges and hospitals, removing references to Bangabandhu and other members of the Sheikh family. As of now, there are 55 government universities in Bangladesh, including medical institutions.