The Sunday News
Rumbidzai Mhlanga, Sunday Life Reporter
The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) hosted a Family Fun Day last Saturday.
Stylist Madida, Acting Dean of Students said the university was worried about the high number of students who have committed suicide and hoped the event would help deal with such societal issues.
“There have been a lot of cases where students commit suicide and we looked closely as a university and realised that some of them will be depressed hence leading to suicide upon failing to solve whatever might be stressing them. That is why today we invited specialists from mental institutions to come and address all of us, maybe we can find ways of dealing with such challenges,” Madida said.
Vice Chancellor Dr Nduduzo Phuthi also highlighted what they aimed to achieve by creating the Family Fun Day.
“We have created the NUST Family Fun Day as an annual event and through it we mainly accomplish two things. We keep the family spirit alive and vibrant even among NUST parents and relatives. We also raise funds towards selected causes that make student life at NUST unforgettable. It gives parents and relatives a chance to see where their children spend a good part of each year. Above all this event is for the interaction of students, staff and each other,” said Dr Phuthi.
Among guest speakers was a psychiatrist Dr Nemache Mawere who gave a speech on mental health.
“Students should be open to the clinic, parents, mentors and other trusted people if they start developing challenges as soon as possible, they should change their thinking pattern, for example know the difference between urgent versus important and also learn to do some life purpose work, that is do something to help your community for no reward,” Mawere said.
One of the students Godwill Zulu shared with Sunday Life what the family interactive day meant to students.
“This event will bridge the gap between parents and children. At times it’s hard for us to approach adults when we have problems or challenges and such events help people get to know each other. After this event it will be easy for students to approach either landlords or members of staff if there is something bothering them,” he said.
