SINTOK, 27 January 2026 – Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) will designate one Tuesday every month as a dedicated day for leisure and wellness activities across all departments and centres of authority, as part of a university-wide initiative to promote physical and mental well-being among staff.
UUM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed, announced that each department and centre of authority is required to organise leisure activities once a month, every Tuesday, from 8.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.
“On this designated day, no workshops or meetings will be scheduled. This is to ensure that all staff can fully utilise the time for leisure and wellness activities, in order to maintain both physical and mental health,” he said during the Monthly Staff Assembly & UUMFiT held at the PALAPES Parade Ground, UUM.
The initiative is driven by current health data from the University Health and Wellbeing Centre (PKKU), which highlights growing health concerns among staff. According to the 2025 health profile, 655 staff members (32%) recorded a Body Mass Index (BMI) above 25, while 485 staff (24%) recorded a BMI above 30.
In addition, 258 staff members (12.8%) were reported to have diabetes, 154 (7.63%) high cholesterol, and 466 (23%) hypertension.
Mental health indicators also revealed concerning trends, with 70 staff (6.5%) experiencing stress, 189 (17.6%) anxiety, and 44 (4%) depression.
Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha emphasised that staff well-being is a critical foundation for institutional excellence, noting that without good physical and mental health, it is difficult for individuals to fulfil their responsibilities, uphold entrusted duties, and sustain high levels of productivity and commitment.
The Assembly also marked the launch of EKSA’s Gotong-Royong Perdana and the Ihya Ramadan 1447H Programme, initiatives aimed at fostering a positive work culture, strengthening discipline, and promoting responsibility for workplace cleanliness. These programmes also seek to enhance welfare initiatives, volunteerism, and staff participation in infak and community assistance activities.
The event was further enlivened by a brisk walk activity, which provided staff with an opportunity to maintain fitness while interacting socially, strengthening interpersonal relationships, and reinforcing the importance of physical health, teamwork, and camaraderie among the UUM community.
Overall, the Monthly Staff Assembly & UUMFiT successfully achieved its objectives of promoting healthy lifestyle practices, strengthening bonds among campus residents, and nurturing a strong spirit of teamwork, while reinforcing UUM’s commitment to sustaining staff well-being as a foundation for productivity, performance, and institutional excellence.
