Victoria University Strengthens Commitment To Campus Wellbeing as Newest Healthy Campus Signatory

UniSport Australia is thrilled to announce that Victoria University (VU) has joined the FISU Healthy Campus program, strengthening their continued commitment to supporting wellbeing and healthier lifestyles across the campus community.

Helping drive student health and wellbeing across campus is thrive*, VU’s award-winning wellbeing and engagement program designed to foster connection, active living, and a strong sense of belonging within the university community. The program brings together a wide range of accessible activities and initiatives that support students and staff to prioritise their physical, mental and social wellbeing. From social sport and movement sessions to creative workshops, volunteering opportunities and community events, thrive* encourages participation through inclusive, drop-in experiences that make it easy for the campus community to get involved.

By creating opportunities for connection, movement and personal growth, the initiative plays a key role in building a healthier and more vibrant campus culture, where students and staff feel supported and empowered to maintain positive wellbeing habits throughout their university journey. thrive* also received a Silver Medal at the 2025 QS Reimagine Education Awards, highlighting its innovative approach to embedding active living and wellbeing into student learning and campus life.

Director of the thrive* program, Ms Rohenna Young, spoke about how VU becoming a Healthy Campus signatory reflects the university’s commitment to a more coordinated and evidence-informed approach to health and wellbeing on campus. “Victoria University is proud to join the FISU Healthy Campus program, recognising that a healthy campus is fundamental to student success, wellbeing and a strong university community. We are excited to be participating in this global framework, as VU commits to this, and other initiatives, to create a more coordinated and evidence-based approach to wellbeing – bringing together active living, physical and mental health, social connection, creativity and inclusive environments to support students and staff academically, professionally and personally” she said.

Ms Young added that VU hopes to see positive outcomes that extend beyond individual wellbeing to strengthen the broader campus community, including creating more opportunities for students and staff to connect, be active, access support and feel a genuine sense of belonging at the university. She also highlighted how VU’s thrive* program plays an important role in this movement by activating these principles in everyday campus life. “Through regular, accessible activities and moments of connection, thrive* helps turn the vision of a healthy campus into lived experience – creating welcoming spaces where students and staff can pause, participate and build community together. In this way, thrive* complements the Healthy Campus framework by bringing wellbeing to life across our campuses in visible, engaging and meaningful ways” she explained.

UniSport Australia’s CEO Mark Sinderberry welcomed the announcement, saying “Victoria University joining Healthy Campus reflects their continued commitment to enhancing student wellbeing on campus. Building on their already strong foundation in fostering healthier university communities, their involvement will make a valuable contribution to the global Healthy Campus network.”

By becoming part of the Healthy Campus program, VU is reinforcing their focus on delivering best-practice approaches to student health and wellbeing. The initiative connects the university with a global community of institutions working together to promote healthier campus environments, exchange ideas and support positive outcomes for students and staff.

Welcome to the Healthy Campus Community, Victoria University!

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.