Launched in May 2020, the programme aims to give universities the tools, guidance and best practices to ensure the health and well-being of staff and students on campus.

This month has seen universities from China, Switzerland, Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom join the programme as they begin their journey towards gaining the highest certification level.

Australia’s Murdoch University, Spain’s Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona and Estonia’s Academy of Security Sciences are among the latest to become a certified FISU Healthy Campus university.

The programme will reach its one-year anniversary on May 12.

To mark the occasion, the FISU is set to publish the best practices of certified universities in a bid to allow others to benefit from their knowledge and experience.

"The registered universities, so far 71 of them, are very enthusiastic," said Eric Saintrond, chief executive and secretary general of the FISU.

"However, more than 200 meetings have already been held with others that will join the programme.

"The expectation of growth is high, and universities always take some time to register after being aware of the programme, but we will soon see the impact of the work that has been done."

The Healthy Campus initiative bids to offer access to its digital platform, technical support and monitoring during the certification process as well as online training sessions, annual self-assessment reports and an evaluation report.

A UNESCO recognised certification, a presential audit and advantageous conditions to educational and training events will also be available for those who sign up to the initiative according to the FISU.

The project also incorporates the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals which looks to create more sustainable ways of running universities and set examples for others.