UJ Departments collaborate to host Healthy Campus Exhibition

University of Johannesburg (UJ) departments recently held a unique exhibition on Friday, 31 March 2023 at the Soweto Campus that offered free health screenings to staff and students. The exhibition was part of UJ’s Healthy Campus Programme, which aims to promote healthy living in the workplace and places of learning.

Attendees were able to receive free health screenings, including blood pressure, glucose, height and body mass index (BMI) checks, HIV testing, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), STI screenings, COVID-19 vaccinations, and mental health and wellbeing education. The UJ Gymnasium staff and the UJ Confucius Institute also provided Baduanjin and High Intensity Integrated Training (HIIT) to attendees.

Participation of UJ departments in the exhibition

Several UJ departments participated in the exhibition, including the Centre for Ecological Intelligence, which showcased vegetables farmed and harvested on the Doornfontein and Auckland Park Kingsway campuses. The Centre for Student Health and Wellness invited external health services providers for screenings, while the academic Biokinetics clinic conducted BMI checks and made recommendations to attendees.

Baduanjin exercise by the UJ Confucius Institute at Soweto Campus during the Exhibition

The exhibition also included a 5km walk/run and a 500-meter disability challenge organised by the Centre for Psychological Services and Career Development (PsyCaD). More than 100 staff and students participated in the physical exercises and health screenings.

The seven cardinal pillars of UJ’s Healthy Campus Programme

The Healthy Campus Programme is based on seven cardinal pillars, including healthy campus management, physical activity and sport, nutrition, disease prevention, mental and social health, risk behavior, and environment, sustainability and social responsibility. The programme aims to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, and the seven pillars are guided by the SDGs.

UJ’s Healthy Campus Programme encourages a unified and integrated approach among academic and support departments, and exhibitions like these bring them together to amplify their functions. The health fair is a fundamental preventive healthcare measure using physical activity and sport, and upcoming exhibitions are planned for the Doornfontein Campus on 5 May, the Bunting Road Campus on 4 August, and the Auckland Park Kingsway Campus on 20 September 2023.

The exhibition was made possible by the Faculty of Health Sciences, Occupational Health & Safety, ER24, and the UJ Operations Department. The event was well-received by attendees and UJ Peer Education group participants, who hope to see many more exhibitions held on a regular basis to help students get the necessary help around the campuses.

Follow UJ Sport on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for daily updates.

Share this