The Fojo Media Institute at Linnaeus University, in collaboration with the Communication and Journalism Educators’ Network (CJEN) Bangladesh, has selected eight Bangladeshi journalism educators to participate in the AGILE Project, an EU-funded global initiative to strengthen journalism education.
Through the project, the selected mix of private and public universities will for the first time co-design and implement an extracurricular course titled Managing Stress and Trauma in Journalism, aimed at equipping journalism students with skills to manage the emotional and psychological challenges of reporting on crises, disasters, and human rights issues.
“Journalists in Bangladesh regularly work under intense pressure, yet mental health and emotional resilience are rarely addressed in journalism education. This initiative responds directly to that gap,” said Dr. Jude William Genilo, Chair of CJEN Bangladesh and Pro Vice Chancellor at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB).
Selected Educators and Universities
The following universities have been awarded AGILE Project grants to lead course implementation at their respective institutions during 2026–2027:
- Nadia Nahrin Rahman – Bangladesh University of Professionals
- Mahmudul Hasan – Comilla University
- Md. Abdul Kabil Khan – Daffodil International University
- Md. Aminul Islam – University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
- Mst. Nasrin Akter – American International University-Bangladesh
- Sara Monami Hossain – Khulna University
- Md. Minhaz Uddin – Jagannath University
- Shabnam Zannat – Stamford University Bangladesh
Participating universities will receive €5,000 over two years, along with access to teaching resources, expert guidance, and international learning opportunities. The grant will be disbursed in two installments making room for reiteration of the course after the first implementation. Ms. Sofie Gullberg Fojo AGILE project lead says:
“The method matters. Through co-design and genuine collaboration, we aim to ensure that universities take ownership of the course. Allowing space for continuous improvement during implementation will strengthen both the course content and the learning experience.”
The initiative positions Bangladesh as a key contributor to a 13-country global effort to integrate journalist well-being and trauma-informed practices into journalism education.
The AGILE project implemented between 2025-2028 and is co-funded by the European Union and implemented by a consortium led by Internews Europe and made up of ARTICLE 19, CFImedias, Fojo Media Institute and Thomson Media. Fojo Media Institute leads workstream 5: the future of journalism.
