Dhaka: The University Grants Commission (UGC) will provide mental health services to university students from November. UGC member Professor Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain confirmed the service will be provided in phases to 10,000 students across 22 universities.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the module on student mental health protection has already been finalized, as mentioned by Dr. Hossain during a workshop on ‘Training Material and Manual Development Framework’ held today. The two-day workshop, organized jointly by UGC and UNESCO, aimed to assess the social and mental needs of university students.
UGC Director of International Collaboration Department Jasmine Parveen chaired the session, and UGC member Professor Dr. Masuma Habib attended as the special guest. Prof Anwar Hossain noted that a special module is being prepared to address the mental health needs of students in both public and private universities, emphasizing that improving student mental health should be integrated into the institutional structure of universities. He suggested that candidates trained in mental health care could be prioritized in the recruitment of new teachers.
Prof Masuma Habib described the initiative as timely and praised UNESCO’s support. She highlighted that the program would help students build mental resilience, improve teacher-student relationships, and promote compassion and positive behavior. Additionally, she advocated for the appointment of psychiatrists at every university and the establishment of mental health clubs.
Prof Habib stressed that university teachers need training on student mental health protection, and parents should also participate in promoting mental well-being. UGC Director Jasmine Parveen mentioned that university officials, employees, and students will receive training on mental and social health protection.
UNESCO representative Raju Das noted that the module will foster students’ emotional intelligence, social skills, and life skills, encouraging conscious participation and pro-social behavior. The event also featured speeches from Associate Prof Syed Tanvir Rahman of Dhaka University’s Psychology department and Assistant Prof Md. Rafiuzzaman of Humanities department at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
The workshop was attended by student advisers, counselors, mental health experts, and representatives from 22 universities. The UGC and UNESCO have prepared a training manual under the Social and Mental Health Protection Project, which is designed to assess the social and mental needs of students, considering the experiences of July-August 2024.