Kampala International University in Tanzania (KIUT) was among a distinguished group of higher learning institutions that convened in Dar es Salaam on 20th of May 2026 for the O3PLUS Project Cluster Working Group Meeting, held at the Tanzania Institute of Accountancy (TIA). The gathering brought together key institutional actors under the auspices of UNESCO's Education for Health and Wellbeing (EHW) Programme reaffirming KIUT's commitment to fostering inclusive, safe, and health-enabling academic environments.

The one-day meeting brought together senior officials, focal persons, and peer educators from institutions across Tanzania, including Zanzibar University (ZU), the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), the Muhimbili National Medical Authority (MNMA), the Institute of Social Work (ISW), TIA Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE), the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), and the National Council for Vocational and Educational Training (NACTVET). The session reviewed institutional achievements and challenges recorded during the implementation of the 2025 Annual Work Plan (AWP), while also orienting key stakeholders on the 2026 AWP and their respective roles in driving its success. Discussions spanned a broad range of critical areas from data management and reporting systems, to the implementation of peer education programmes, gender-sensitive referral mechanisms, and institutional scorecards.

The meeting addressed a comprehensive set of systemic challenges and actionable priorities, by focusing on strengthening the Comprehensive Sexual Education (CSE) online course delivery, improving data and report submission processes, and enhancing communication between focal persons and leadership. Additionally, the group committed to scaling up external referral mechanisms, fully implementing institutional scorecards, and deepening the reach of peer education programmes. Finally, the discussion emphasized clarifying roles to ensure accountability and integrating student health and wellbeing priorities into institutional plans and budgets for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 periods. Peer Educator Chairpersons from participating institutions also shared lived experiences, offering valuable grassroots perspectives that enriched the forum's commitments to the 2026 Annual Work Plan.

As a beneficiary institution under the O3PLUS Programme, KIUT has consistently demonstrated its dedication to creating a campus culture that upholds the rights and dignity of all students. The University's participation in this cluster working group reflects its proactive stance in implementing evidence-based interventions that promote gender equality, combat gender-based violence (GBV), and build supportive systems for student mental and physical health. By collaborating with peer institutions and partners such as UNESCO, KIUT continues to strengthen the coordination frameworks that make quality, inclusive education a reality not just an aspiration.

With the 2026 AWP now firmly on the horizon, KIUT's teams including its institutional focal persons and peer educators are fully committed to translating the commitments made in Dar es Salaam into meaningful outcomes on campus. Key next steps include updating institutional plans and budgets to reflect the programme's priorities, enhancing internal data reporting systems, and broadening the reach of peer education activities among students.

KIUT reaffirms its belief that a healthy, empowered student body is the foundation of transformative education and remains steadfast in its partnership with UNESCO and fellow institutions to make this vision a reality across Tanzania.