Dhaka: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has shown strong interest in launching a new initiative aimed at improving the social and mental well-being of university students in Bangladesh. The proposal was discussed during a courtesy meeting between a five-member UNESCO delegation and University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof Dr. Mamun Ahmed, in Dhaka.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the delegation was led by UNESCO’s Country Representative to Bangladesh, Dr. Susan Vize, and included key officials from its education and mental health programs. During the meeting, UNESCO representatives highlighted the success of a previous joint initiative with the UGC that supported students’ mental health following the mass uprising in August 2024. Encouraged by its impact, UNESCO is now eager to expand its efforts through a new project.
Welcoming the move, UGC Chairman Dr. Mamun Ahmed said many university students in Bangladesh face significant mental stress due to various challenges. He noted that around 80 percent of students come from different regions of the country, often from financially strained families, making them more vulnerable to psychological pressure. He warned that without proper preventive measures and a clear understanding of the root causes, maintaining a peaceful academic environment could become difficult.
Both UNESCO and the UGC agreed to form a joint working committee to design and implement the proposed project. Under the earlier collaboration, nearly 10,000 students from 22 universities received direct mental health support, while an additional 20,000 students benefited through digital platforms.