National University (NU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. ASM Amanullah has announced fully-funded scholarships for students from SAARC nations with a special focus on Nepal. The initiative aims to boost higher education cooperation research and cultural exchange across South Asia.
The announcement came during an international conference on applied psychology in Kathmandu, Nepal, according to a press release issued Thursday by NU Public Relations Director (Acting) Taiyiba Tasneem Siraj.
Dr. Amanullah highlighted the critical need for mental health support following the July-August mass uprising in Bangladesh. "Many students suffered mental trauma. Dealing with this requires international cooperation, efficient counseling, and professional psychologists" he stated.
He pointed out a severe shortage of mental health professionals in Bangladesh, noting that only about 300 psychologists are currently practicing against an estimated demand of 30,000. To bridge this gap NU plans to introduce counseling services across its 2,500-plus affiliated colleges to support its four million students.
The Vice-Chancellor also emphasized ongoing efforts to forge global partnerships for joint research and academic exchange. NU has already signed several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with international institutions and plans to host an international mental health conference soon.
During the Kathmandu event—attended by SAARC Secretary General Golam Sarwar and Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Md. Shafiqur Rahman—Dr. Amanullah urged Nepalese institutions to utilize these new scholarship opportunities, expressing hope for stronger bilateral educational ties.
