Jamia Millia Islamia took a significant step forward in student welfare on January 14. The university formally entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses, known as SPYM. This partnership marks a new chapter in campus mental health initiatives.
A Dedicated Cell for Mental Well-being
The agreement led to the immediate establishment of a Mental Health and Wellness Cell within the university. This move recognizes the critical importance of mental health support for students. It also follows the Supreme Court's directives from the Sukhdeb Saha Case, decided on July 25, 2025.
The new cell has a clear and comprehensive mandate. It will facilitate and implement the Students' Mental Health and Wellness Policy of 2025. Ensuring compliance with guidelines from the Education Ministry, the University Grants Commission, and the Supreme Court is a top priority.
Key Responsibilities of the Wellness Cell
The cell will engage with various government and non-government mental health programs. It will provide professional direction and supervision to different university departments and centers. Coordinating and overseeing all mental health activities on campus falls under its purview.
Officials plan to prepare an annual calendar of mental health events. They will also maintain detailed records of all activities conducted. This record-keeping will be done jointly with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell of the university.
Launching the Partnership
Professor Zubair Meenai, the Chairperson of the Mental Health and Wellness Cell, introduced the program. He explained that the seeds for this initiative were planted during a workshop at the Talimi Mela in 2025. That event sparked the idea for this crucial partnership.
The formal signing ceremony saw Professor Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi, the Registrar of Jamia Millia Islamia, and Dr. Rajesh Kumar, the Executive Director of SPYM, put their signatures on the document.
Vision and Need for the Initiative
Professor Rizvi emphasized that the MoU signing is just the beginning. He described it as the initiation of what promises to be an extremely constructive program. The Registrar highlighted the pressing need for such an initiative.
He pointed out that the university and its affiliated school serve thousands of students. The faculty and staff also require support, making comprehensive mental health services essential for the entire academic community.
Expertise Behind the Program
Dr. Rajesh Kumar introduced the expert members present for the occasion. The team includes Dr. Nimesh Desai, a renowned psychiatrist with specialized expertise in substance abuse. Gary Reid, who served as a technical officer for the World Health Organization on substance abuse matters, is also involved.
Another key member is K Narayan. He brings experience from previous roles with the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Goals of the Collaboration
This Memorandum of Understanding aims to explore, extend, and strengthen the functional relationship between Jamia Millia Islamia and SPYM. It establishes a formal collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
The partners will share knowledge, facilities, infrastructure, and research capabilities. All activities will proceed on mutually agreed terms, ensuring a balanced and productive partnership focused on student wellness.
