Villa College actively engages in delivering a variety of outreach programs and initiatives aimed at promoting health and well-being within local communities, disadvantaged populations, and migrant workers. In 2023, Villa College collaborated with various organizations and hosted impactful events covering a wide range of health and well-being topics, including preventive health screenings, mental health awareness, nutrition, and aging. Key initiatives such as the Health Screening Programme, legal advocacy for migrant health, and mental health counseling sessions addressed critical health needs within the community. The college’s programs also extend to sports, exercise, family planning, and overall health education, creating a comprehensive approach to community wellness. Through these initiatives and partnerships, Villa College demonstrates its commitment to fostering a healthier, more inclusive community by ensuring accessible healthcare education and resources for all.
Through a diverse range of events in 2023, Villa College strengthened its commitment to community health and wellness. Below is a list of initiatives organized throughout the year:
Health Screening Programme: On December 12, 2023, the Faculty of Health Sciences at Villa College conducted a comprehensive Health Screening Programme, which provided vital health assessments to students, faculty, and staff. The event attracted over 126 participants who received essential services, including blood pressure checks, BMI calculations, and blood sugar testing.
Empowering Displaced Migrant Workers: Legal Advocacy and Healthcare Initiative: The "Volunteering for Displaced Migrant Rights" event, held on April 7, 2023, was an impactful initiative aimed at supporting the rights of displaced migrant workers in the local community. This outreach effort focused on providing migrant workers with essential legal forms and assistance to address their legal needs effectively in accessing healthcare services including health insurance. The similar event was conducted in collaboration with Transparency Maldives at the artificial beach on December 28, 2023, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Inauguration of VCare Counseling and Psychotherapy Centre: On 24th Dec 2023, a special mental health centre has been officially opened at Villa College today. The "VCare Counseling and Psychotherapy Centre" at Villa College is the first of its kind in the country to be opened by a higher education provider. The services of the center are open to the public and will be open on official working days from 9AM to 9PM.
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Migrant Day Festival 2023: Villa College Law Society, Faculty of Shariah and law in partnership with Public Interest Law Centre and Maldivian Red Crescent took part in the Migrants Day Festival 2023 organised by PILC on 23 December 2023.
“Café Talk” focused on Health and Well-being: On 18th Dec 2023, Villa College hosted a transformative “Café Talk” focused on health and well-being for its employees, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being. The session featured Mr. Ahmed Afaal, the highly esteemed Managing Director of ADK, who brought over 30 years of invaluable experience in healthcare management to the forefront. Mr. Afaal's presentation delved into the intricate relationship between staff well-being and organizational productivity, emphasizing the tangible impact on collective effectiveness through a meticulous analysis of sick leave data.
Health Screening and Health Information Counters at Open Day 2023: An Inspiring Day of Discovery and Opportunities: The Community Services and Wellness Initiatives offered during Villa College's Open Day 2023 held on 15th Dec 2023. The Health Screening and Reproductive Health Information Counter contributed significantly to SDG 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages. This counter offered free health screenings and reproductive health information, giving the community access to valuable health resources that may otherwise be inaccessible.
Preceptorship Workshop for Nurses:On 28th Nov 2023, the Preceptorship Workshop conducted by the Faculty of Health Sciences aimed to enhance the mentoring and leadership capabilities of participating nurses. By focusing on effective communication, assessment methods, and the preceptor’s role in promoting professional development, the workshop provided essential skills for guiding nursing students and recent graduates in clinical environments.
Open Day for Mental Health Awareness: On 10th Nov 2023, Psychology Association of Villa College participated in the Open Day for Mental Health Awareness organised by the Ministry of Youth held at Social Center. Among the NGO’s and private psychotherapy institutes/centers that participated, our Psychology Association stood out as the sole student body present at this significant event. This event was held to create awareness about mental health and guide people to get appropriate help during difficult times.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fair 2023: On 4th Nov 2023, students and staff of Villa College's Faculty of Engineering and Technology took center stage at the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fair, a remarkable event organized by the Scout students. This initiative showcased pioneering projects aligned with SDGs 7 and 9, emphasizing Clean Energy, Industry Innovation, and Infrastructure.
Blood Donation Drive: In celebration of Villa College's 16th Anniversary, we organized a Blood Donation Drive on the 16th of October 2023. Staff and students at Villa College volunteered in this event. This event was conducted in collaboration with the Maldives Blood Service and the numerous associations of Villa College.
Pink Ribbon Run-Walk: The Villa College Business Society (VCBS) participated in the annual Pink Ribbon Run-Walk hosted in collaboration with Bank of Maldives and Cancer Society of Maldives. The run was held on 14th October 2023 at 4PM, at Central Park, Hulhumale', with First Lady of the Maldives Fazna Ahmed gracing the event as one of the participants, along with children, youth and elderly people for a 2.5 km run/walk.
Eye Screen Day 2023: On 25th May 2023, the Chinese Language Centre of Villa in collaboration with Hulhumalé Hospital held an ‘Eye Screen Day’ for Villa College & Villa International High School staff at the Villa College QI campus. For this event, staff from Hulhumale’ Hospital alongside doctors and equipment from China, gave free eye consultations for more than 100 participants.
Debate Talk Series of 2023: Villa College's Psychology Association hosted its first Debate Talk Series of 2023 on 6th March 2023. The event was presided over by Dr. Maumoon Shareef, Consultant in Psychiatry at Hulhumale Hospital, and Dr. Ahmed Didi, Assistant Professor of CPS. The Debate Talk Series was organized by the Psychology Association of Villa College and initiated by the BPs batch of Jan2022. The topic for the first talk series was work-life balance and its significance from an individual and employer perspective.
School Exposure Trips to Villa College: We are excited to have students from M. Atoll Education Centre and from Sh.Funadhoo School visit us on their exposure trip where they took part in a career guidance session and a tour of our campus.
Risen Peer Empowerment Programme: The Psychology Association of Villa College recently inaugurated the Risen Peer Empowerment Programme in a special ceremony held at the Psychology Lab on 22nd January 2023. The programme aims to provide psychosocial support by training their peers to identify and address their mental health needs.
Intergenerational Engagement for Understanding Aging:On 27th Feb 2023 in alignment with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Villa College organized an engaging event as part of the Aging and Adult Development module assignment. This initiative required students to spend time with disadvantaged elderly individuals, interviewing them to better understand the aging process and its impact on cognitive health.
Community Health Service Workshop by Dhamaveshi:A session focusing on improving community health services and promoting better health practices at the community level.
Identification and Designing a Research Project:A workshop aimed at building research capacity among students, encouraging them to engage in evidence-based practices.
Guest Lecture on Cancer Care by the Cancer Society of Maldives: Delivered for BSc Nursing students, providing essential knowledge on cancer care and raising awareness about cancer prevention and treatment.
Guest Session on Interpretation of ECG for BSc Nursing Students: A specialized session aimed at enhancing students' understanding of electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation, an essential skill in patient care.
These activities underscore Villa College's commitment to delivering programs that support the health and well-being of the community, aligned with various aspects such as nutrition, family planning, mental health, aging well, and overall health education. Through these initiatives, Villa College also aims to extend support to disadvantaged groups, thereby ensuring an inclusive approach to healthcare education and outreach.