NEWS
campusreview.com.au
Big,
healthy
network
Long list of unis teaming up for holistic
approach to wellbeing on campus.
T
wenty-five universities have joined forces to promote
physically and mentally healthy lifestyles for their staff
and students, under the new banner Australian Health
Promoting Universities Network. A further three universities have
made a commitment to join the conversation.
This initiative is based on similar programs already up and running
on campuses across the UK, the US and Canada. The idea is to share
best practice concepts to improve the health and wellbeing of more
than 1 million students and 100,000 staff members. This will be done
by increasing the availability of healthy and palatable food options on
campus, enacting student-led resources for improving mental health
and promoting safe and respectful relationships.
“Universities must be at the forefront of addressing major health
challenges, such as improving mental health and preventing
chronic disease,” said Universities Australia chair and the
vice-chancellor of Western Sydney University, Barney Glover.
“Health promoting universities are those that embed health
in our teaching, learning and research, and create supportive
environments in which our students and staff can flourish and
succeed. University graduates who are resilient, and value their
health and the health of others, contribute significantly to our
society and are role models for their communities.”
Joining WSU in the network are the following universities:
Australian Catholic University; Australian National University;
Curtin and Deakin universities; Federation University Australia; La
Trobe University; Macquarie University; Queensland University of
Technology; RMIT; Southern Cross University; Swinburne University;
University of Adelaide; University of Melbourne; University of New
England; University of New South Wales; University of Newcastle;
University of Notre Dame; University of Queensland; University
of South Australia; University of Sydney; University of Tasmania;
University of Technology Sydney; University of the Sunshine Coast;
and the University of Wollongong. The three that are interested in
joining the discussion are Edith Cowan and Monash universities and
the University of Western Australia.
The network intends to sign on to the Okanagan Charter originally
developed at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver,
Canada. This charter looks at the health gestalt of university staff and
students, promoting healthiness of mind and body in the individual
as part of their community. ■
Can unis ‘Uber-fy’ to survive?
Jobs analyst says