The Government of Bangladesh has placed the highest importance on improving the quality of education and health services. In recent times, psychological problems and anti-social activities such as social unrest, violence, depression, drug addiction and suicide have been increasing. Moreover, fear of students, fallout, failure and behavioral problems are being identified as serious problems in education. Educational and counseling psychologists collectively play a significant role in the development of effective teaching processes and mental health in various educational institutions, hospitals, public and private institutions, to alleviate psychosocial problems. Educational Psychologists and Counselling Psychologists assist in the overall development and development of children and individuals based on psychological principles and research data.
For the purpose of providing psychological services to all levels of the society, from the beginning, the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology started as a stream of Psychology. The professional masters program begins with the assistance, direct training and supervision of East University, UK and Tower Hamlet. The University Grants Commission established a new department called "Educational and Counseling Psychology." Professor Dr. Shaheen Islam is the founder Chairperson of the department.
Official inauguration ceremony of the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology (DECP) was held at the department premise on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at 4 pm. The then Honourable Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka Professor A A M S Arefin Siddique graced the occassion as the chief guest and announced the inauguration of the DECP. ‘In this rapid changing socio-cultural context the need for professional psychological help for personal and social well-being is increasing tremendously. To meet this demand, we need adequate skilled and trained human resource in this area. Graduates from the newly established department of Educational and Counselling Psychology (DECP) can offer this support to the people in need’, said the Professor A A M S Arefin Siddique, in the inauguration ceremony.
Professor Dr. Md. Imdadul Haque, dean of the faculty of biological sciences chaired the occasion while Professor Shamim Firdous Karim and veteran Professor of Psychology Dr Anisur Rahman were presented as special guests. Professor Shaheen Islam, founder chairperson of the department presented keynote speech on the glory of the department acknowledging the contribution of the key figures and organizations in the development of the department. Mrs Mahjabeen Haque moderated the ceremony.
Professor Shaheen Islam said ‘our vision is to reach Psychology at the doorstep of the unreachable for personal and social well-being by building adequate human resource.’ Professor Imdadul Haque said despite numerous limitations the university is continuously trying to support in the development of professional courses in psychology. The university will take initiative to get accreditation from the Medical Council for the graduates of educational, counselling and clinical psychology for professional practice, he added.
It is to be noted that the department of Educational and Counselling psychology has started functioning fully in 2011 under the faculty of biological sciences of DU. The Department has active collaboration with Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane, Australia.