Students Urged to Prioritise Mental Wellbeing for Academic Success

By Hattie Wright

KIU, Main Campus - On Thursday, October 8th, 2026, Kampala International University (KIU), in collaboration with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) through the Department of Applied Psychology, held a public lecture on mental health aimed at promoting students' wellbeing and academic success.

Held under the theme, "Positive Mental Health as a Driver of Academic Excellence," the lecture highlighted the critical role mental wellbeing plays in shaping students' academic performance, personal development, and overall quality of life. 

Mental health was described as the ability to establish and maintain healthy relationships, possess positive self-esteem, set and achieve goals, and demonstrate adaptive problem-solving skills.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Gabriel Peter Enamudu, Head of the Department of Applied Psychology, welcomed participants and emphasised that academic excellence is not solely determined by intellectual ability. He noted that a healthy mind is fundamental to achieving academic success and personal growth.

Dr. Stephen Ginyera, Acting Deputy Principal of CHSS, observed that learning extends beyond the classroom and described mental health as a topic of great relevance to both the university community and society at large.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Regina Ejemot Ndwadiaro, Deputy Vice Chancellor for the Directorate of Research, Innovations, Consultancy and Extensions, stated that academic excellence is a journey shaped by how individuals think, care for themselves, and act responsibly.

She stressed that excellence is both a personal and collective responsibility and introduced what she termed the "Excellence Equation," built on three pillars: mindset, wellbeing, and responsibility.

According to Prof. Ndwadiaro, mindset influences how individuals interpret challenges, abilities, feedback, and failure; wellbeing encompasses the psychological, social, and physical capacity that sustains learning; while responsibility refers to the choices, habits, and ownership that transform potential into performance.

She further noted that growth does not mean challenges disappear, but rather that difficulties become opportunities for learning instead of final judgments on one's abilities.

Christine Ainebyoona, Campus Administrator and Deputy University Secretary (Main Campus), encouraged students to actively participate in such educational engagements, noting that mental health remains a priority at KIU.

"We want to live and learn with people who are healthy. That is why we continue to value and promote mental health awareness at KIU," she said.

The guest speaker, Dr. Elizabeth Okello, underscored the strong connection between mental health and academic achievement. She explained that academic success is not solely dependent on intelligence or effort, but also on how individuals’ function, connect with others, adapt to challenges, recover from setbacks, and find meaning in their lives.

Engaging students in self-reflection, Dr. Okello challenged them to consider the habits, attitudes, choices, and motivations that drive their lives and academic pursuits. She urged them to identify areas that require strengthening in the way they think, relate with others, live, and recover from stress.

She also highlighted the growing mental health challenges facing young people, noting that many mental health conditions begin during adolescence and can significantly affect academic performance if left unaddressed.

According to Dr. Okello, mental health contributes to academic excellence through improved emotional regulation, resilience, concentration, and overall wellbeing. She encouraged students to develop consistent daily anchors that support stability and recovery, including protecting time for rest and self-care.

Contributing to the discussion, Dr. Leah Oyedele emphasised the importance of self-care practices in promoting positive mental health and academic excellence. She explained that self-care involves intentionally making decisions and choices that enhance an individual's physical, emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. 

Dr. Oyedele reminded students that every decision carries consequences and urged them to be mindful of the habits they cultivate and the lifestyles they adopt. She encouraged them to embrace healthy routines, manage stress effectively, maintain meaningful relationships, and prioritise activities that positively contribute to their wellbeing and academic success.

Giving the vote of thanks, Dr. Faith Nakalema, Counselling Psychologist, commended the organisers, speakers, and participants for making the public lecture a success. She later welcomed Prof. Tajudeen Muhammad, Associate Professor of Counselling Psychology, who challenged students to reflect on how they cultivate and sustain positive mental health in their daily lives.

He urged them to adopt healthy habits, build supportive relationships, seek help when needed, and prioritise their emotional wellbeing as a foundation for academic and personal success.

Prof. Muhammad highlighted five key ways through which students can develop and maintain positive mental health, namely enhancing cognitive functioning and memory, building self-efficacy, strengthening emotional regulation, increasing psychological capacity and resilience, and developing strong social support networks. He encouraged students to intentionally nurture these attributes to enhance both their wellbeing and academic performance.

The lecture attracted students, academic staff, and mental health professionals from across the university. Among those in attendance were Peris Kwagala, University Counsellor; Prof. Enoch Oladunmoye, Associate Professor of Psychometrics and Daniel Moyiti, Psychologist.

The public lecture underscored the University's commitment to promoting mental wellbeing as a cornerstone of academic excellence and holistic development.

Participants left with a deeper understanding of the importance of cultivating positive mental health, resilience, and responsible life choices in achieving personal and academic success. The event also reaffirmed KIU's dedication to fostering a supportive learning environment where students are empowered to thrive both intellectually and emotionally.