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The Australian National University Signs On As Healthy Campus Signatory

An aerial view of the ANU campus. Credit: Jamie Kidston/ANU

UniSport Australia is excited to announce that The Australian National University (ANU) has joined the global FISU Healthy Campus program, showcasing its drive to embed wellbeing and active living into the university experience.

ANU joined Healthy Campus in line with their 2025-2030 Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which sets out a vision for a connected and supportive campus community. With a strong emphasis on mental, physical, and social wellbeing, the university demonstrates its commitment to fostering an active, inclusive, and caring environment for all students. As one of Australia’s leading universities, the participation of ANU in Healthy Campus also underscores its role in shaping best-practice approaches to student wellbeing both nationally and internationally.

ANU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Joan Leach, reflected on the university’s decision to join Healthy Campus and what the initiative represents for them.

“ANU has joined Healthy Campus as part of our ongoing effort to ensure we provide a well-rounded university experience that meets the social, recreational, cultural, and intellectual needs of students. We’re excited that going through this certification process will allow us to understand how we currently support the health and wellbeing of our community, highlighting current work and newly introduced initiatives, while also acknowledging areas for improvement. One of the elements we value about Healthy Campus is that it requires an institution to continue to improve on the health and wellbeing work they are doing. ANU remains committed to continuous improvement and innovation for the benefit of our community, ensuring the health and wellbeing of our students and staff remains at the forefront of everything we do.”

UniSport Australia CEO Mark Sinderberry welcomed the announcement, saying “ANU joining Healthy Campus is a strong endorsement of the initiative, showcasing the university’s leadership in student wellbeing and commitment to fostering a healthy and engaged campus.”

By joining Healthy Campus, ANU becomes part of a global network of universities committed to advancing student health and wellbeing, creating opportunities to share knowledge, showcase best practice, and strengthen campus life. Their participation also reinforces Australia’s reputation as a nation that champions university sport, health, and the broader student experience, supporting environments where students can thrive both academically and personally.

Welcome to the Healthy Campus community, ANU!

The FISU Healthy Campus Program, developed in 2020 and endorsed by UNESCO and ISO, is a global certification initiative promoting health, wellbeing, and sustainability, helping universities embed supportive programs into all aspects of student and staff life while encouraging collaboration across campus communities. UniSport Australia partners with FISU to support its members in delivering Healthy Campus initiatives, providing tools, guidance, networks, and evidence-based resources that foster physical activity, mental health, nutrition, and a culture of wellbeing. With 19 Australian universities currently signed on, the program demonstrates global leadership and offers recognition for institutions advancing healthier, more sustainable, and connected campus communities.

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