National University VC prioritises mental health awareness for students

"There is no alternative to mental health awareness for students," said Professor Dr A S M Amanullah, Vice-Chancellor of the National University, at the closing ceremony of a four-day training programme titled "Core Trainer Training Programme for College Teachers on Mental Health Awareness."

The event, held at the Senate Hall of the Academic Building, was organised for principals, vice-principals, and teachers of colleges affiliated with the National University from Dhaka and surrounding districts.

In his speech, the Vice-Chancellor reflected, "The objective of mental health training is to eliminate students' mental struggles and to build a broad awareness of mental wellbeing. In light of the recent trauma following the anti-discrimination student movement across the country, this initiative is both timely and deeply significant."

He further noted, "The goal of this training is slightly different. We aim to prepare at least one core trainer in each affiliated college, who will later guide other teachers in nurturing mental health awareness at their respective institutions. In time, these teachers will in turn reach their students, ensuring the flame of mental wellbeing is passed from hand to hand."

Highlighting the wider vision, he said, "We are placing equal importance on the mental health of both students and teachers. It is our hope that the National University will lead a revolution in cultivating mental health consciousness across the nation's educational landscape."

Siddiq Zobair, Senior Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education, attended as Chief Guest. He emphasised, "The National University must be developed into a larger institution not merely by numbers, but by enhancing educational quality and producing human resources of international standard."

He added, "Teachers must play a pivotal role in increasing students' classroom attendance and attention. Through mental health awareness, teachers will be better prepared to support and inspire their students."

Among other distinguished speakers were Professor Kamal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury of the Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Dhaka, and Associate Professor Syed Tanvir Rahman of the Department of Psychology. Also present were Professor Dr Fakir Rafiqul Alam, Acting Dean of the Centre for Postgraduate Education, Training and Research of the National University, and Md Aminul Akhtar, Director and Secretary of the Vice-Chancellor's Office and Acting Registrar.

The event was overseen by Salma Parveen, Director of the Teacher Training Department of the National University.

Throughout the four-day programme, Professor Kamal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury served as Course Advisor, while Associate Professor Syed Tanvir Rahman served as Course Coordinator and Resource Person. Other resource persons included Lecturer Liza Akter from the Department of Clinical Psychology at the University of Dhaka, and Dr Faiza Ahmed, Senior Instructor at the Multidisciplinary Training Centre, who delivered lectures on various aspects of mental health.

A total of 56 teachers from affiliated colleges of Dhaka and surrounding districts participated in the training, held daily from 8:30am to 5:00pm from 23 April to 26 April 2025.

At the end of the ceremony, certificates were distributed among the trainees by the Chief Guest, Senior Secretary Siddiq Zobair, and Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A S M Amanullah.