STUDENTS WELFARE

1. OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF STUDENTS

The Office of the Dean of Students is responsible for taking care of all forms of students’ welfare matters ranging from social, mental, emotional, physical and spiritual for the purpose of maintaining a conducive learning environment that will enable students realize their goals. The main objective of this office is to provide services and support for enhancing students growth and development in the University. Mr. Abraham R. Mwalugeni serves as Dean of Students.  

The office of the Dean of Students maintains regular counselling services to students individually or in groups. The aim is to provide them with the opportunity in being realistic about themselves, their potential and their career interests. The office is also responsible for disciplinary matters pertaining to guiding students’ lives in pursuit of their transformation into lifelong learners.

2. STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

The University has a Students’ Association (HKMUSA), where all students are automatically members of students’ association by registration as provided in the University Charter. Students’ Association which works closely with the University Management through the Office of the Dean of Students is represented in various statutory meetings including Senate and Council as provided for by the University Charter.

The Association contributes to decision-making on matters that affect students’ welfare, social activities, entertainment, games and sports. HKMUSA is a thriving association that organizes and participates in many activities, for example:

• Participating in the national and regional annual East Africa Universities games.
• Preparing Continuing Medical Education.
• Scientific Conferences.
• Student involvement in health delivery activities (Community Outreach).

Every HKMUSA member shall pay an annual subscription fee as may be prescribed from time to time by University Students’ Representative Council. The affairs of the University Students’ Association shall be conducted in accordance with its constitution which was approved by the University Statutory organs.

The HKMUSA office is under the mentorship of the office of the Dean of Students. The Association is an important link between students and the University Management. HKMU Management also uses this partnership to nurture and mentor HKMUSA leaders into lifelong leaders.

Students Professional and Association Club at HKMU are as follows:

• Tanzania Medical Students Association (TAMSA HKMU Branch).
• Tanzania Health and Medical Foundation (TAHMEF).
• Tanzania National Nurses Association- (TANNA HKMU branch).
• Rotaract Club Kairuki Chapter.
• Community Health Education Group (COEG).
• HKMU Alumni Association.
• Tanzania Red Cross (HKMU Branch).

3. STUDENTS’ LEADERSHIP

HKMUSA leadership comprise of the Students’ Government and the Representative Council. The students’ government comprise of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Ministers and other officials. The Representative Council comprise of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Clerk and members of the Parliament. General elections are normally held (between May and June) every year where students elect their leaders who eventually form students’ government and the representative council/parliament.

4. PSYCHOSOCIAL WELLNESS CENTRE

The Psychosocial Wellness Centre was established to cater for the welfare of the students and staff at KHEN. The objective of the centre is to provide advisory, counselling services and crisis intervention to students and staff faced with psychological trauma, psychosocial crisis and stress. It also aims at promoting mentoring relationship between staff and students. The Psychosocial Wellness Centre is coordinated by the Social Work Department in Collaboration with the office of the Dean of Students, the Departments of Behavioural Science and Ethics, Psychiatry and Mental Health Nursing.

5. STUDENT ADVISORS

Student advisors play an important role in promoting students’ success by assisting students in a way that encourages them to engage in the right kind of activities, inside and outside the classroom. At HKMU each student will be assigned to an advisor. This advisor is assigned to the student in their first year at the University and will remain so for the whole period a student is enrolled in a programme. It will be the responsibility of both the advisor and the students to maintain frequent communication and a friendly environment where students will be able to share their concerns.

To facilitate this, the Psychosocial Wellness Centre will evaluate advisor/student fulfilment of roles and responsibilities assigned to both at the end of each academic year. Thereafter, submit the report to the DVCAC.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Student Advisor

• Know your student.
• Maintain frequent communication with the student by establishing a platform such as WhatsApp groups or Telegram.
• Introduction to academic life.
• Prevention of exclusion and social isolation.
• Good role model to students.
• Provision of the informal setting for social and cultural orientation.
• Nurturing good academic habits including career goals/path.
• Serve as resources for solving minor and major conundrums.
• Be a trusted guide for navigating unchartered waters of social life.
• Encourage the development of problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Trusted confidant in a crisis situation.
• Advocate of the student in resolving conflicts.
• Foster self-esteem and confidence in the student.
• Foster student’s growth personally and academically.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Student

• Know your advisor.
• Introduce yourself to the advisor.
• Maintain frequent communication.
• Foster relationships with other students in the same group.
• Serve as a role model, resource for peers within the group.
• Be a needs-advocate for others in the group.

6. STUDENTS’ ACCOMMODATION

The University has a hostel for male and female students. The hostel is located opposite the existing main University building in Mikocheni. Hostel Committee under the Dean of Students coordinates accommodation services in liaison with the Hostel Manager.

In-Campus Accommodation

The hostel which accommodates both undergraduate and postgraduate students has a carrying capacity of 456 students. The University has limited accommodation facilities to accommodate all enrolled students, hence not primarily responsible to provide accommodation services to all students. Students may be offered accommodation in the University residence upon payment of tuition and hostel fees in order of the priority as follows:

1. Students with Special Needs: These are students who have been identified to have serious medical condition and so need special attention, and those with physical disabilities/health challenges, which may qualify them for accommodation, will be given individual consideration before others, only after receiving student medical reports.
2. International Students: International students will be offered University accommodation for the duration of their programme provided that they remain fully registered as university students.

iii. First Year Students: First year students both Undergraduates and Postgraduates students enrolled by HKMU/KSN are eligible for accommodation, upon payment of tuition and hostel fees, so as to enable them adapt easily the City and the university life, because in most cases many new students come from the up country.

1. Finalist students: Finalist students both Undergraduate and Postgraduate enrolled by HKMU/KSN will be eligible for accommodation, depending on the availability of hostel rooms.
2. HKMUSA Leaders: HKMUSA ex-com members, upon payment of tuition and hostel fees. Hostel residents shall be required to sign a tenant contract at the beginning of the academic year.

In the room, a student is provided with a bed, mattress, ceiling fan, cupboard, bookshelf, reading chair and table, and a dust bin. Residents are expected to comply with the students’ by-laws regarding in-campus accommodation. Dean of Students can be contacted through email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Hostel Manager through email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Off-Campus Accommodation

Students who fail to secure in-campus accommodation are advised to seek alternative accommodation in nearby private hostels and private rental homes. However, the lease agreement shall remain between the student and the owner of accommodation facility. Students Association (HKMUSA) will assist in making available a list of off campus accommodation facilities for students who find it difficult to locate the same. Sometimes, HKMUSA organizes housing for new students. Students who are interested in the off-campus accommodation should contact the Dean of Students or HKMUSA office for the arrangement of such accommodation.

7. CAFETERIA SERVICES

The University has a Cafeteria which is outsourced, located at the second floor of the hostel building, where students pay for their meals. Students are not allowed to cook in the university hostel and therefore are advised to use the catering services available. Cafeteria provides three course meals every day to students at reasonable prices. Special meal arrangements are made during the Holy Month of Ramadhan. Catering services are also provided by several vendors outside the University campus.

8. STUDENTS’ HEALTH SERVICES

All students are required (compulsory) to be registered under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) scheme. Students will be entitled to both inpatient and outpatient services as prescribed by the NHIF guidelines and will be able to access medical services at any accredited facility throughout the country. Students are advised to use Kairuki Hospital for medical services. Students (both new and continuing) will be required to register for the NHIF scheme during registration period.

Registration will be made by students (through Online Students Information Management-OSIM). After registration, students will be able to generate control number that will enable them pay NHIF fee TZS 50,400 (per annum respectively subject to annual renewal) direct to NHIF. Students will be informed when to collect their NHIF Card from the Office of the Dean of Students. Postgraduate students will have to contact Dean of Students for guidance with regard to their health insurance. Please note that no students will be allowed to attend lectures or rotations or field without having NHIF card.

9. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

The university recognizes the opportunity for personal growth and religious expression through worship, religious education, etc. The university supports freedom of worship and a pluralistic, multicultural and interdenominational environment. There are dedicated places for individuals and groups to worship and pray. HKMU community is largely composed of Christians and Muslims. The university also promotes religious tolerances amongst religious and other social groups in the community. The University has a good number of religious groups in which students are free to join including:

• Tanzania Universities and Colleges Adventist Students Association
• (TUCASA)
• Hubert Kairuki Memorial University Catholic Association (HKMUCA)
• Hubert Kairuki Memorial University Muslim Association (HKMUMSA)
• Tanzania Fellowship of Evangelical Students (TAFES)
• Christ Ambassadors Students Fellowship Tanzania (CASFETA).
• Protestants under the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT).

10. HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS’ LOANS

Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB) offers study loan for Tanzania students after adhering to the Board criteria for issuance of loans. HESLB was established to assist needy students who secure admission in accredited higher learning institutions, but cannot afford to pay for the costs of their studies. Many HKMU students are beneficiaries of the HESLB.

The University has a Loan Officer who will assist needy students in loan application and eventually following up their loans and disbursement of funds. Students’ Government has a dedicated Ministry for students’ loans. For more information, students are urged to visit the HESLB website (www.heslb.go.tz).

11. BANKING SERVICES

There are a number of banking services around the University such as CRDB, National Microfinance Bank (NMB), Bank of Africa (BOA), NBC and etc. Some ATMs (NMB and CRDB banks) are located in the University compound. Students who have no bank accounts are advised to open bank accounts for keeping their money and for financial transactions. Students will collect a special form for opening bank account from the Dean of Students office and the introduction letter that will introduce him/her to the relevant bank. The form will be signed and stamped by the Dean of Students and then the student will take it to the bank.

12. STUDENT DRESS CODE

Dress Code is designed by HKMU to provide appropriate guidance to all students to dress in a manner that is respectful, but also maintaining the good image of the students, their profession and the University at large through appropriate dressing. Dress code helps to preserve moral standards, ensure discipline and a sense of responsibility among students, but also prepare them for their careers in real world. All students are strongly required to observe dress code while on campus. Inappropriately dressed students will not be permitted to attend classes and or use any university facilities.

A student who violates the dress code frequently will be eligible for disciplinary measures as stipulated in the Student By-Laws. A student who has a question about the appropriateness of dressing should discuss the specific issue with the Office of Dean of Students before wearing the item. The University Management, classroom instructors/lecturers and other staff have the responsibility to oversee and address guidelines violators and/or deny services to students dressed in any of the prohibited attire.

13. SPORTS AND GAMES ACTIVITIES

Games and sports play an important role in fostering students’ academic career and, in attaining good health and academic mind-set. HKMU students usually participate in various extra-mural activities, such as inter-class competition, the inter-college games with universities located in Dar es Salaam or medical schools and the East Africa Universities games. In-door facilities are also in place such as pool table, table tennis, darts, etc. The University is also affiliated to local and international sports organizations such as Tanzania Universities Sports Association (TUSA), East Africa Universities Sports Federation (EAUSF), through TUSA the University, is affiliated with Federation of African University Sports (FASU) and the Federation of International University Sports (FISU).