Every HEI must have a Students Services Centre (SSC) in charge of addressing and managing issues with stress and emotional resiliency.
Guidelines for promoting physical fitness, sports, student health, welfare, and psychological and emotional well-being at Indian higher education institutions (HEIs) have been released by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
According to UGC, the challenge is to develop institutionalized policies, practices, and standard operating procedures that can guarantee students’ complete protection from any threat or assault—physical, social, racist, cultural, or linguistic—that results in psychological distress.
These Are The Guidelines
SSC: Student Services Centre
Every HEI must have a Student Services Centre (SSC) in charge of addressing and managing issues with stress and emotional resilience.
The SSC must have the tools necessary to educate, evaluate, and direct students, such as qualified physical and mental health counselors, physical and mental health experts, and physical and psychological assessment tools. Depending on the situation, the SSC will provide counseling, guidance, and physical and mental health services in person, over the phone, through a helpline, or in group counseling sessions.
Physical fitness
To keep students physically and mentally healthy, HEIs must prioritize physical activity for all students. Physical activity for an hour a day has been shown to lower the risk of obesity, promote intelligence and happiness, and have a lower propensity for depression and other mood disorders. Indeed, staying fit gives one vigor, and the trick is to make exercise both necessary and enjoyable.
It is important to improve the NSS, NCC, and other opportunities for meaningful student engagement. Self-defense training programs should be regularly held at HEIs, especially for female students.
The bare necessities for the students should also be provided in the dorms. For the management and administration of physical activity programs, HEIs should have a dedicated sports officer, physical fitness trainer, or coach.
Physical activity participation and evaluation should be factored into the credit system for determining whether a student is promoted to the following semester. Weekly intramural sports competitions ought to be planned by the institutions. These weekly competitions should be made lucrative with prizes to encourage participation.
Sources – Odisha TV
