Baguio Central University (BCU) participated in the GINHAWA Student Well-Being Summit, themed “Inspiring Wellness, Leadership, and Purpose in Higher Education,” held on June 3–4, 2026, at Twin Lakes Hotel in Tagaytay–Nasugbu, Batangas. The two-day summit brought together delegates from various universities and institutions, alongside officials from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), to discuss student well-being and approaches to creating healthier, safer, and more supportive higher education environments.
Representing BCU were Ms. Jane V. Cabugos, SSC PRO and PFMHAO Member; Ms. Rufina T. Cas-oy, Head of the Student Services Office; and Ms. Zina Gabrielle Tamayo, CHTM PRO and SASMO Member. Their participation reflected the University’s engagement in discussions and activities centered on student welfare, campus involvement, and holistic development.
The first day opened with a formal program marking the start of the summit, followed by a Wellness Engagement Activity. Ms. Cabugos and Ms. Tamayo participated in the activity, which included interactive booths facilitated by students from the University of Perpetual Help and the City College of Tagaytay. These activities provided opportunities for delegates to engage with fellow participants through wellness-focused experiences.
On the second day, the delegates joined breakout sessions addressing different dimensions of student well-being. Ms. Cabugos participated in sessions on Personal Well-Being and Campus Engagement and Safe Spaces. Discussions under these areas covered mental health, stress management, coping skills, self-care, help-seeking behavior, inclusive student activities, belongingness programs, safe reporting channels, anti-discrimination efforts, and mechanisms for student participation.
Meanwhile, Ms. Tamayo and Ms. Cas-oy attended sessions on Academic Life and Well-Being and Wellness and Prevention Initiatives. These sessions explored academic pressure, performance-related stress, effective study habits, motivation, and learning support systems. They also addressed mental health promotion, stress management, prevention of substance use, HIV/AIDS and hazing awareness, digital well-being, healthy lifestyle activities, and awareness campaigns.
The summit provided a platform for representatives from participating institutions to exchange perspectives on student welfare and examine approaches to supporting students in their academic and personal lives. BCU’s participation highlighted the importance of student services, student leadership, and collaborative engagement in advancing a supportive campus environment.
The initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, through its emphasis on mental health awareness, stress management, and preventive wellness initiatives. It also relates to SDG 4: Quality Education, particularly the importance of fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments that contribute to students’ holistic development.
Through participation in the GINHAWA Student Well-Being Summit, BCU engaged in a broader higher education dialogue on student wellness, leadership, and purpose, reinforcing the relevance of student well-being in the University’s educational mission.
