A seminar on mental health and the "Renu Smriti Trust Scholarship Award Ceremony" was held at Rajshahi University today. Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, July 13, 2026 (BSS) - A seminar on mental health and the "Renu Smriti Trust Scholarship Award Ceremony" was held at Rajshahi University (RU) today.

The seminar, organized by the Department of Philosophy, took place at Momtazuddin Building.

Chaired by the department's Chairperson, Professor Ariful Islam, the seminar was attended by Vice-Chancellor Professor Faridul Islam as the chief guest. 

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Abdul Alim and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Mamunur Rashid were present as special guests.
 
Dr. Rakibuzzaman Chowdhury, a renowned psychiatrist and addiction specialist, spoke at the seminar as the resource person.

Optimum treatment and necessary healthcare facilities towards the mentally sick persons  are very vital to facilitate them for getting  back their normal life.

"Awareness about mental illness and acceptance of treatment are very low due to social stigma and superstition," he added.
 
He further added that psychosocial care of mentally sick and disaster affected people constitute a major challenge for the health and the social welfare systems of the country.

Taking advantage of the situation, he said, some quacks and opportunist groups have been working as money-makers by exploiting the patients.

In his remarks, VC Professor Faridul Islam mentioned that the quacks are pushing the patients to endangered conditions. Mental health needs to be brought under the surveillance system incorporating other non-communicable diseases.
 
During the event, the "Renu Smriti Trust Scholarship" was awarded to 4 students each from the 1st year of the Bachelor’s (Honors) program in the department. The Vice-Chancellor handed over cheques to the scholarship recipients.