Student Welfare

In the discussion on Student Welfare the participants devoted attention to such problems as financing of studies, student employment, student co-operatives, board, lodging and health facilities. The participants discussed the student welfare situation in their respective countries and examined the ways by which it may be improved, giving great emphasis to cooperative and self-help techniques in the university community as a means of solving welfare problems.

Community development programmes were given great importance in the discussions on student welfare. The Seminar examined the role which students can play in programmes of community and rural development in Asia and recommended that all national and local unions in Asia, explore opportunities for utilising student resources for work camps, illiteracy campaigns and other social projects within their countries.

The Seminar called upon the 10th Isc to make provision for a welfare conference of National Unions of Students in Asia, Australia and New Zealand to be convened during the period between the 10th and 11th Isc. At this specialist Seminar great emphasis would be placed on detailed study of problems relating to student health schemes, student concessions and student co-operatives.

All National Unions of Students in Asia were asked to coordinate. their welfare activities with the national World University Service committees where these exist in order to reduce the possibilities of duplication. It was recognised that both the World University Service and National Unions shared mutual responsibility in co-ordinating projects and in channelling financial assistance from university sources. The Seminar also took note of the valuable and extensive role which the World University Service has played in promoting the general well-being of the Asian student community.

In the field of student accommodation the Seminar noted the rapid increase in the student rolls in the Asian countries and that a large number of students are required, due to lack of hostel accommodations, to live in private lodging houses with inadequate living and study facilities. The Seminar recommended that National Unions of Students seek to interest university and government authorities in undertaking a joint survey of student accommodation conditions with the purpose of instituting more extensive programmes for the provision of hostel facilities. The Seminar also recommended to National Unions of Students that they explore avenues of assistance from the Wus and international welfare agencies for the provision of student accommodations.

The Seminar, considering the need for less expensive services for student communities through cooperative enterprises, recommended that all National Unions consider the establishment of co-operative shops, canteens and book stores for the benefit of students.