Nestled in the heart of Chattogram, at the Asian University for Women (AUW), a quiet revolution in student mental health is underway. The Goodlife Centre, a pioneering wellness initiative, represents a significant shift in how universities in South Asia approach student well-being. The concept for the centre emerged from AUW founder Kamal Ahmad, whose deep commitment to students' wellbeing led him to draw inspiration from successful wellness programmes at institutions like Yale University, USA.
Ahmad envisioned creating a comprehensive student wellness centre for Bangladesh — a space where mental health would not be stigmatised but celebrated as essential to student success.
Building a vision
To transform this vision into reality, Ahmad entrusted the project to Dr Syeda Fatema Alam, the Director of Mental Wellness at AUW. A medical doctor trained in psychiatry and public health, Dr Alam brought an exceptional understanding of the human mind, mental health, space, and architecture to the project.
Through extensive focus group discussions with students from diverse backgrounds, she carefully crafted a space that would meet the unique needs of young women from more than 15 countries across Asia.
"It is the epitome of AUW's commitment to students' wellbeing and flourishing," explains Dr Alam. "Here, we do not pathologise having mental health needs. Rather, we create an environment to nourish it. This approach recognises that mental wellness is not about treating illness but about creating conditions where students can thrive."
Her words reflect a philosophy that sets the Goodlife Center apart. While many universities in the region have counselling services, AUW has created a more comprehensive, holistic model that integrates mental health support with dedicated physical spaces for rest, creativity, social connection, and personal growth.
A space of many possibilities
Located at the heart of the university campus, Goodlife embodies its philosophy through thoughtful design. Soft couches and pillows, gentle lighting, reading nooks, a tea-and-book corner, group games, and an open rooftop for yoga, meditation, and stargazing all come together to create what students affectionately call their "little second home".
For many students living far from their families in an international environment, this warmth proves essential.
A first-year undergraduate from Nepal explains, "I usually come here with my friends on weekends. We really enjoy the book corner, and sometimes we take photos together. It's like a short break for us after a hard week."
Her experience illustrates how the centre has created a safe, intimate space where laughter, photos, and games can replace the pressures of academic life. Yet, the centre serves diverse needs beyond social connection.
Shahana Akter, a lab school student from Myanmar, regularly participates in the wellness programmes. "Being at the Goodlife Center is amazing for me," she says, highlighting how the centre integrates professional mental health support, including workshops, mindfulness sessions, and art therapy into the fabric of student life.
For others, the centre provides essential quiet space. A pre-undergraduate student from Afghanistan who comes to read shares: "I always come here to read a book, because the calm and cosy atmosphere changes my mood. I am more focused, and my mind feels like it's breathing fresh air."
Similarly, a day scholar notes the practical value of the nap room. "I'm able to take a rest in the nap room between my classes," she explains, highlighting how the centre serves both residential and commuting students.
More than a room
Perhaps, the most beloved feature remains hidden from immediate view: the open rooftop. Used for yoga and meditation, this space holds deeper meaning for many students.
A postgraduate student from Bangladesh reflects: "Although I cannot spend a lot of time here, the short time I am here is stress-free for me. The most beautiful part, in my opinion, is the book section and the nap zone, but more importantly, I like the rooftop the most because I can watch the sunset."
These testimonies reveal how Goodlife functions as a meeting point where different needs and experiences coexist. For some, it offers play and laughter. For others, silence and concentration. Some participate in structured mental health programmes, while others simply watch sunsets, breathe deeply, and find moments of stillness in busy days.
On a campus hosting students from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, and beyond, the centre plays a vital role in fostering belonging across cultural boundaries. It stands as one of the few spaces where students sit together without feeling culturally distant — sometimes reading books, sometimes playing games, sometimes sharing tea, and sometimes simply sharing silence.
A model for the region
Behind this welcoming space stands the Mental Wellness Center team, creating an atmosphere of safety and comfort through mental health awareness programmes, distress detection protocols, and specialised student support. The Goodlife Center functions not as an isolated amenity but as part of a comprehensive professional network for mental health that AUW values highly.
What distinguishes the centre is its integrated, holistic approach. While other universities in the region offer counselling services, it combines professional mental health support with dedicated physical spaces designed for multiple dimensions of wellness, like rest, creativity, social connection, mindfulness, and personal growth. This comprehensive model treats mental health not as a separate service to access in crisis but as an ongoing dimension of student life to be nurtured daily.
Inaugurated on October 10, 2024 (World Mental Health Day), the Center has now completed its first successful year of operation. The timing of its opening was deliberate, marking AUW's public commitment to mental health awareness and action.
Goodlife's integrated model, combining professional mental health support with dedicated spaces for rest, creativity, social connection, and holistic wellness, represents a new paradigm in the region's educational landscape.
The success of this comprehensive model offers important lessons for educational institutions across South Asia.
As Dr Alam emphasises, the key lies in creating environments that nourish rather than simply treating problems after they arise. This shift from reactive to proactive approaches could transform how universities throughout the region support student wellbeing. Having proven its value over the past year, AUW now invites other universities across South Asia to follow its lead in adopting this holistic approach to student mental health and wellbeing.
Ultimately, the Goodlife symbolises AUW's humanistic approach to education. The university recognises that academic success cannot exist without mental health and emotional balance. In making this recognition concrete through dedicated space, professional support, and a culture of wellness, AUW has created something essential for student flourishing, not merely a luxury, but a necessity for the next generation of leaders emerging from South Asia's most promising young women.
