Seminar on Micronutrient Deficiencies Among Adolescent Girls Held at JUST
A seminar focusing on micronutrient deficiencies among adolescent girls in Bangladesh, their long-term health risks, interventions and policy implications was held at Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST).
The seminar titled “Micronutrient Deficiencies among Adolescent Girls in Bangladesh: Evidence, Interventions and Policy Implications” was held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday (August 11) at Professor Mohammad Sharif Hossain Gallery of JUST. The event was jointly organized by the Department of Nutrition and Food Technology and the JUST Research Cell.
JUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Earul Kabir attended the seminar as the chief guest. Professor Dr. Faruk Ahmed, Professor of Public Health at the School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Australia, delivered the keynote presentation.
In his presentation, Professor Dr. Faruk Ahmed highlighted the deficiencies of essential micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals, among adolescent girls in Bangladesh. He also discussed the long-term health risks associated with such deficiencies and emphasized the need for appropriate policies and practical interventions to address the issue.
In his speech, JUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Earul Kabir said Dr. Faruk Ahmed had demonstrated that internationally recognized research can be conducted even with limited resources. He stressed the importance of strengthening international collaboration to advance research.
He also emphasized that research findings should not remain confined to academic publications but should be utilized for public welfare and incorporated into government policymaking. He further highlighted the need to develop quality textbooks based on national nutrition and health data.
JUST Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Sheikh Mahmudul Hasan, speaking as a special guest, said protecting the physical and mental health of adolescent girls is not merely an individual concern; it is directly linked to the country’s social and economic development.
He noted that women account for around 51 percent of the country’s total population, while approximately 38 percent of women are of working age and contribute to both the workforce and family formation. Therefore, addressing malnutrition among this large population is essential, he said.
He also called for the research findings and recommendations presented at the seminar to be utilized in government policymaking.
JUST Treasurer Professor Dr. Mohammad Faruk Hasan and Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology Professor Dr. Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman also spoke as special guests.
Professor Dr. Shirin Nigar, Chairman of the Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, delivered the welcome remarks as the convener of the seminar. Professor Dr. Md. Minhaj Uddin Monir, Director of the JUST Research Cell, also addressed the event.
Deans of different faculties, chairmen of various departments, faculty members and students attended the seminar. Assistant Professor Fatema-Tuz-Zohra of the Department of Nutrition and Food Technology moderated the event.
//DigiBanglaTech/MNH/MSI//
