In an effort to bring more honest and timely conversations around health into student spaces, UHAPO Health Services Pvt. Ltd. (a community that serves cancer patients and caregivers) has entered into a three year collaboration with DY Patil University School of Hospitality and Tourism Studies. The idea is simple : make health awareness, especially around cancer and mental well-being, a more visible and regular part of campus life.

The collaboration comes from a shared understanding that many young people today don’t always see the connection between their daily habits and long term health. Between academic pressure, social expectations, and peer influence, certain choices become normal without much thought. This initiative is an attempt to change that quietly, by making the right information available early.

As part of the engagement, oncologists and mental health professionals will spend time with students, faculty, and staff through sessions that are meant to be open and conversational rather than instructional. The focus is on creating space for questions things students may not otherwise ask and helping them understand the “why” behind health risks. Where relevant, support such as HPV vaccination and screenings will also be made accessible.

The effort is not limited to talks and seminars. There are plans to involve students more directly through activities like hair donation drives, and by creating opportunities to interact with cancer survivors. One of the more thoughtful ideas being explored is to have the university’s culinary faculty train a few survivors in specialised cooking skills, giving them a chance to build something sustainable for themselves.

The partnership will also include faculty development programmes and webinars led by UHAPO’s medical experts, so that these conversations continue beyond one off sessions and become part of a larger learning environment.

Speaking about the collaboration, Vivek Sharma, Founder of UHAPO Health Services Pvt. Ltd., said,
“Most of the time, we start talking about health when something has already gone wrong. If that conversation can happen earlier when people are still in the age of habit formation, it can make a real difference. It’s about helping them understand what their choices mean over time.”

A representative from DY Patil University School of Hospitality and Tourism Studies, added, “Students today are dealing with a lot, and health often takes a back seat. We felt it was important to bring these conversations into a space that feels normal and approachable, not heavy or intimidating. If students can engage with this early on, it stays with them.”

There is also a larger concern behind the initiative. Many high-risk habits, including tobacco use, begin between the ages of 15 and 24. Addressing these patterns during student years can play an important role in prevention, rather than intervention later.

While this partnership begins here, similar collaborations with other institutions are already being explored. The larger intention is to make health awareness something students grow up with, not something they only encounter when it becomes unavoidable.

At its core, the effort is about balance helping young mind pause just enough to understand their choices, and giving them the information they need to take better care of themselves and those around them.