A two-day workshop titled “AGILE: Managing Stress and Trauma” was successfully held on 4–5 April 2026 at Aristocrat Resort, Purbachal, Dhaka. The workshop brought together eight communication and journalism educators from across Bangladesh to co-design a course addressing stress and trauma in academic and professional contexts. Facilitated by Prof. Jude William Genilo and Ms. Jesmin Papri, the program aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of mental health challenges while equipping them with tools to integrate these insights into teaching and institutional practice.
The workshop opened with a welcome session and participant introductions, setting a collaborative tone for the sessions that followed. A key highlight of Day 1 was an introductory lecture on stress and trauma delivered by mental health practitioner Mahmuda from Living with Wellness. This session provided foundational knowledge on psychological well-being, particularly relevant for educators and media professionals operating in high-pressure environments. Participants also engaged with industry perspectives through a guest lecture by journalist Kawsar Soheli, who shared experiences on “Working under Extreme Stress,” followed by an interactive question-and-answer session. Adding an international dimension, Zelalem Tesfaye, journalist and lecturer from Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia, shared reflections on similar challenges in his context, encouraging cross-country learning and dialogue.
On Day 2, participants reflected on the previous day’s discussions and were introduced to a draft course outline developed during a prior co-design meeting in Sri Lanka. Facilitators also presented a budget template and guided participants in exploring how the course could be implemented within their respective universities. The workshop then moved into collaborative group work, where participants were divided into two teams to further develop course components. Each group presented their outputs, followed by feedback and discussion aimed at refining the proposed curriculum.
The event concluded with a synthesis of key insights and a discussion of next steps, including the adaptation and rollout of the co-designed course in participating institutions. The workshop brought together the following teachers from universities across Bangladesh:
- 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
These participants represented a diverse group of communication and journalism educators who contributed actively to the co-design and discussions throughout the workshop. The workshop marked an important step toward integrating mental health awareness into journalism and communication education in Bangladesh, reinforcing the role of educators in fostering resilience and well-being among students and professionals alike.
