On July 3rd, 2025, Villa College reaffirmed its commitment to community-centric education as postgraduate MSc Nursing students from our Hithadhoo Campus led a community engagement program at the Vilunu Detox Centre in Hulhudhoo, Addu City. This impactful initiative, developed in close collaboration with the National Drug Agency (NDA), was centered around the theme "Healing Together," aiming to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and compassionate, real-world application. The program provided a platform for students to connect directly with individuals on their recovery journey, fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding.
The event was strategically integrated into the students' curriculum as a practical component of the "Dual Diagnosis: Substance Misuse and Mental Health" module. This approach highlights Villa College's educational philosophy, which emphasizes that true learning extends far beyond the confines of the classroom. By engaging with both in-house and community clients of the Vilunu Detox Centre, our students were able to apply complex theoretical concepts to tangible human experiences, transforming academic lessons into acts of social responsibility and meaningful support for vulnerable members of the community.
The day's agenda was carefully crafted to promote therapeutic engagement and open communication. The key engagement activities included a powerful session named Breaking the Chains, which symbolically portrayed the challenging yet hopeful journey of recovery; a professionally guided Milieu Therapy session, designed to cultivate a supportive and therapeutic community setting; and a series of icebreaker activities that successfully encouraged emotional expression and helped build meaningful connections among participants. In a practical gesture of support, the students also donated essential items to assist with the daily needs of the clients at the centre, reinforcing their message of care and solidarity.
Through these interactions, the MSc Nursing students actively promoted vital causes such as mental health advocacy, substance misuse awareness, and the overarching importance of compassion in the healing process. The program was a powerful demonstration of our students' dedication not only to their professional development but also to their role as conscientious citizens committed to giving back to society. The "Healing Together" initiative served as a testament to their readiness to become future healthcare leaders who are both highly skilled and deeply empathetic.
This community engagement program is also a clear reflection of Villa College's alignment with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative directly supports SDG 3, Good Health and Well-being, by addressing mental health and strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance misuse. Furthermore, it embodies the principles of SDG 4, Quality Education, by providing an inclusive and equitable learning experience that combines academic rigor with civic engagement. The collaboration between Villa College and the National Drug Agency is a prime example of SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals, showcasing how academic institutions and government bodies can work together to achieve common objectives for the betterment of society.
