Universities all over Britain are seriously struggling with student engagement and mental health, especially after the pandemic. Students are not attending classes, they suffer from anxiety and stress, and generally lack social skills.
Many students do not come from a Dharmic culture or upbringing and lack the experience of community, and the benefits of belonging to one, volunteering and sharing. When mental health breaks down, it is so difficult to repair, and the fact that students are away from home in a new environment can exacerbate the stress. Research also shows that humans in that age group are confused about their identity and want to understand who they are to feel a sense of identity and belonging.
Fortunately, many Indian students are transforming campus life due to their strong sense of ethics and community. At Hertfordshire University, Rohit Mahadevu first transformed the student Indian society, by organising a wide range of festival celebrations and events, including engagement with the local Indian community. Ranjit Rathore did the same at Brunel University and significantly improved student engagement, becoming President of the Student Union. Rohit then stood for the Student Union elections and is now President of the Student Union at University of Hertfordshire, even though he has never before lived in the UK! He developed very close working relationships with the University staff and also conducted an excellent campaign to be President. Rohit will now work full time for the whole academic year to help improve student engagement and well-being, and I am sure his leadership will be transformational for the University.
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The Indian National Students Association (INSA) UK is harnessing student culture and leadership all over Britain and has excellent leaders like Vasikar Sathiyamoorthy who is at Warwick University and an inspirational pioneer. The National Hindu Students Forum (NHSF) UK is helping all students socialise at a campus and national level through a series of events, including sports competitions. For them, maintaining culture on campus is a priority and they understand how confused young people can feel when they are on campus. They are also encouraging Hindu Chaplains on various campuses to give young people the sensitive cultural and moral support they need when on campus. This is very important and necessary, as students often do not share their problems with their parents, and can feel worried and isolated.
When University campuses have active student communities, they can help improve student well-being as young people trust other young people and are willing to listen and learn from them. This subtle leadership that our students provide may not be widely recognised, but in reality, it is invaluable. They are very open-minded and inclusive in their culture and mindset, and often not afraid to work hard to volunteer and build communities wherever they go.
My own research on Dharma shows that the separation of knowledge from belief in modern science education is also a big part of the problem, as it disrespects the cultural wisdom students bring to campus. Society needs to find ways of integrating knowledge and belief, and encouraging young people to practice the values of kindness and compassion to help belong to and build communities wherever they go.
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Dharma is the hidden spark which lights the fire of community, inclusive of all living beings. Campuses ought to value this critical quality among our students.
Professor Atul K. Shah [@atulkshah] teaches and writes about Indian wisdom on business, culture and community at various UK universities and is a renowned international author, speaker and broadcaster.