Dhaka: Education Adviser Prof Dr. Chowdhury Rafiq-ul Abrar has urged the University Grants Commission (UGC) and universities across Bangladesh to take robust measures to protect the mental and social health of students. He emphasized this need during his address as the chief guest at a view exchange meeting on the ‘Social and Mental Health Protection Project’ held at a local hotel on Monday evening.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting was chaired by UGC Chairman Prof Dr S M A Fayez and attended by several dignitaries including UNESCO representative to Bangladesh Susan Vize and various UGC members. The event also saw participation from Alif Rudaba, Additional Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the education ministry, who attended as a special guest. Jesmin Parvin, UGC’s Director for the International Cooperation Division, delivered the welcome address.
In his speech, Dr Abrar highlighted that the UNESCO-supported project aims to aid students in overcoming trauma from the July movement. He stressed the importance of expanding these initiatives at a national level and implementing sustainable strategies in universities. He also underscored the necessity for close monitoring to assist students affected by the uprising, expressing optimism that such projects would alleviate their frustration.
UGC Chairman Prof Dr S M A Fayez acknowledged the significant social transformations facilitated by students during the July movement. He assured that UGC’s endeavors to help these students overcome their challenges would persist.
UNESCO’s Susan Vize noted the project’s vital role in aiding youth to manage trauma. She advocated for structural changes in Bangladesh’s universities and encouraged cooperation among stakeholders to protect young individuals. She addressed the difficulty of implementation over policy formulation in Bangladesh and vowed continued support for mental health initiatives.
The event also recognized 14 students with awards for their contributions through stories and video documentaries on mental health protection. Additionally, three books supporting the mental well-being of university communities were unveiled. The gathering included vice-chancellors, educators, students from various universities, and officials from the Ministry of Education, UGC, and UNESCO.
The Social and Mental Health Protection Project has so far provided mental health services to 10,000 students from 22 public and private universities nationwide, with 20,000 students educated on responsible social media use. This initiative aims to enhance mental health among university students following the July mass uprising.