The Fojo Media Institute at Linnaeus University, in collaboration with the Communication and Journalism Educators’ Network (CJEN) Bangladesh, has selected eight Bangladeshi universities to participate in the AGILE Project, an EU-funded global initiative to strengthen independent media worldwide.
Through the project, selected universities will co-design and implement an extracurricular course titled “Managing Stress and Trauma in Journalism”. This pioneering initiative, the first of its kind in Bangladesh, aims to equip journalism students with the knowledge and skills needed 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,” says Dr. Jude William Genilo, Chair of CJEN Bangladesh and Pro Vice Chancellor at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB).
Selected universities
The following Universities have been awarded AGILE Project grants to lead course implementation at their respective institutions during 2026–2027:
- Bangladesh University of Professionals
- Comilla University
- Daffodil International University
- University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
- American International University-Bangladesh
- Khulna University
- Jagannath University
- 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 said:
“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.”
AGILE is a global consortium (2025-2028) which aims to strengthen independent journalism globally, supported by the European Union. The consortium members are Internews Europe, Fojo Media Institute, CFI Développement Médias, Thomson Media and ARTICLE 19. Fojo Media Institute leads workstream 5: The future of journalism