ANU Vice-Chancellor calls for measures to strengthen student support systems

ANU Vice-Chancellor calls for measures to strengthen student backing systems Published – August 20, 2026 12: 34 am IST – VIJAYAWADA.

Key points

• Ratna Shila Mani, who inaugurated the event, emphasised the need for institutions to adopt a comprehensive approach to student wellness.
• Mental health experts at the FDP focused on identifying student distress and strengthening backing mechanisms.
• The programme additionally emphasised the need for clear referral systems, wellness centres, peer-support networks and campus-wide mental health initiatives.
• The programme intends to strengthen student-support systems by equipping principals, deans, wardens and other academic administrators with practical strategies to promote student well-being, resilience and early intervention mechanisms.
• Lakshminarasimhan spoke on meaningful living, sustainable development and youth empowerment.

Vice-Chancellor of Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU) K. Gangadhara Rao on Wednesday highlighted the growing challenges faced by students due to academic pressure, changing social environments and personal circumstances, and underscored the responsibility of educational institutions to create supportive campus environment.

He was speaking at the inaugural of a two-day Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on "Sustainable Wellness: Building Resilient Minds" organised by Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE), under RUSA 2.0, at the ANU. The programme intends to strengthen student-support systems by equipping principals, deans, wardens and other academic administrators with practical strategies to promote student well-being, resilience and early intervention mechanisms.

APSCHE Vice-Chairperson K. Ratna Shila Mani, who inaugurated the event, emphasised the need for institutions to adopt a comprehensive approach to student wellness. APSCHE Vice-Chairman S. Vijaya Bhaskara Rao underlined the importance of family and community backing in building resilience among young residents. Secretary B. Tirupati Rao pressed preserving social cohesion and community values, noting that human development should be assessed through overall well-being and quality of life rather than economic progress alone.

Retired IAS officer P. Lakshminarasimhan spoke on meaningful living, sustainable development and youth empowerment. He encouraged educational institutions to foster creativity, adaptability, leadership and social responsibility through greater participation in activities such as NCC, NSS and other extracurricular programmes.

Mental health experts at the FDP focused on identifying student distress and strengthening backing mechanisms. Dr. T.V. Pavan Kumar of NRI Academy of Sciences discussed common causes of student distress, warning signs and the importance of timely intervention. Participants were advised that teachers, wardens and mentors should act as first responders by recognising behavioural changes and connecting students with professional backing when required.

In practice, the programme additionally emphasised the need for clear referral systems, wellness centres, peer-support networks and campus-wide mental health initiatives.

Taken together, the developments around ANU Vice-Chancellor calls for measures to strengthen student support systems point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.