University deans of students and guild leaders have been urged to look beyond students’ academic performance and prioritise their welfare, mentorship and safety.

The call was made during the 10th Annual Deans of Students and 18th Guild Leaders’ Conference at Bishop Stuart University (BSU) in Mbarara.

The conference, held under the theme “Building Healthy Minds, Strong Leaders and Safe Campuses,” has brought together deans of students and guild leaders from universities across Uganda to share experiences and deliberate on issues affecting student welfare, leadership and safety.

Prof John Mugisha, the Vice Chancellor of Bishop Stuart University, urged members of the Uganda Deans of Students Forum to embrace a parental role in supporting students.

He said the responsibilities of university leaders should go beyond academic matters to include providing guidance, hope, moral support and mentorship to students.

Prof Mugisha said students require support to navigate the social and personal challenges associated with university life, regardless of their academic performance.

He urged university leaders to focus on nurturing students into responsible citizens by promoting positive transformation and moral development alongside academic achievement.

The conference also addressed campus safety, with calls for universities to strengthen mechanisms for preventing and responding to threats to students’ physical and psychological wellbeing.

Dr Privance Nakazibwe, Dean of the Faculty of Education at Ndejje University, said ensuring campus safety should be a shared responsibility involving university administrators, deans of students and guild leaders.

She identified sexual harassment, substance misuse, gender-based violence and bullying among the challenges requiring sustained intervention by university authorities and student leaders.

Dr Nakazibwe also called for stronger HIV prevention initiatives, emergency response systems and psychological support services to ensure students receive timely assistance when faced with physical or emotional challenges.

She said a safe university environment is essential for students to concentrate on their studies and develop into responsible leaders.

The annual conference provides a platform for university administrators and student leaders to exchange experiences and discuss strategies for improving student welfare, leadership and safety in Uganda’s institutions of higher learning.