Assignment Instructions: Report Writing on Public health awareness among university students in the UAE
Assignment 14
Academic Scope, Weighting, and Submission Conditions
This assignment functions as the sole assessed submission for the module and is reviewed as a unified academic work rather than a sequence of smaller tasks. The expected length of the paper is 2,000 to 2,500 words, a range selected to allow analytical depth without encouraging unnecessary expansion. Work that falls substantially outside this range rarely meets the expectations of conceptual focus and balance.
All submissions must be uploaded through the university’s Turnitin platform. Submissions sent via email, portable storage devices, or printed copies are not recognised under institutional regulations. Your work must remain anonymous and should include only your Student Reference Number (SRN). Any identifying information compromises the integrity of the assessment process.
Marks are awarded on a 100-point scale, with 50% as the minimum requirement to pass. Academic integrity is essential. All sources, academic articles, public health reports, policy documents, or reputable statistical publications, must be cited using the Harvard Referencing System. Any unacknowledged use of published material will be treated as plagiarism.
Digital tools may be used at the revision stage to improve clarity, grammar, or organisation. They may not be used to generate arguments, analysis, or interpretations. The academic judgement reflected in the work must be entirely your own.
Academic Focus and Rationale of the Task
Public health awareness among university students has become a central concern for higher education systems worldwide, and the UAE is no exception. University students navigate academic pressure, lifestyle transitions, social expectations, and increasing exposure to digital health information, all of which shape their health behaviours and decision-making.
This assignment invites you to explore public health awareness among university students in the UAE as a social, educational, and policy-related issue. The focus is not limited to health knowledge alone. Instead, you are expected to examine how awareness is formed, communicated, interpreted, and acted upon within university settings.
Your discussion should address public health awareness as a multidimensional concept, encompassing physical health, mental wellbeing, preventive behaviour, health literacy, and access to information. The UAE context, its healthcare system, cultural norms, national health strategies, and diverse student population, should remain central throughout your analysis.
Learning Orientation Embedded Within the Assignment
Well-developed submissions usually demonstrate the following academic capabilities through analysis rather than explicit listing:
- Understanding of public health awareness and health literacy concepts
- Ability to situate student health within UAE social and institutional contexts
- Critical engagement with public health research and secondary data
- Awareness of stakeholder roles in shaping health awareness
- Capacity to develop evidence-informed insights relevant to university settings
These capabilities should emerge organically through your discussion.
Structural Expectations and Academic Components
Your paper should be organised into clearly defined sections that guide the reader through your reasoning without relying on a conventional report template. Use original headings that reflect public health awareness and student wellbeing, while maintaining a clear academic flow.
Preliminary Pages
Before the main text, include:
- Title page
- Academic integrity declaration (if required by your institution)
- Table of contents
- List of abbreviations (only if used frequently)
These pages are excluded from the word count.
Public Health Awareness in the UAE Higher Education Context
Student Health Within a Rapidly Changing Society
Begin by situating university student health within the broader social and demographic landscape of the UAE. Rapid urbanisation, lifestyle changes, and digital connectivity influence health behaviours and risk awareness among young adults.
You may explore:
- Common health concerns affecting university students
- The transition from secondary education to independent living
- Cultural influences on health perceptions and help-seeking behaviour
This section should establish why public health awareness is a relevant and timely concern in UAE universities.
Dimensions of Public Health Awareness Among Students
Health Knowledge, Literacy, and Information Sources
Public health awareness extends beyond factual knowledge. Analyse how students access, evaluate, and apply health information. Consider:
- Health literacy levels among university populations
- The role of social media and digital platforms
- Trust in official health authorities versus informal sources
Academic literature on health communication and literacy may strengthen this discussion.
Preventive Behaviours and Lifestyle Choices
Awareness does not always translate into action. Examine how knowledge influences behaviours related to:
- Nutrition and physical activity
- Sleep patterns and stress management
- Substance use and risk prevention
Use empirical studies to explore gaps between awareness and behaviour.
Mental Health Awareness in University Environments
Understanding Mental Wellbeing Among Students
Mental health has become an increasingly visible component of public health. Analyse how awareness of mental wellbeing is shaped within university contexts in the UAE.
You may consider:
- Academic stress and performance pressure
- Cultural attitudes toward mental health
- Awareness of counselling and support services
This section should demonstrate sensitivity and academic balance.
Barriers to Awareness and Support-Seeking
Despite growing attention, barriers remain. Critically examine factors such as:
- Stigma and cultural norms
- Limited awareness of available services
- Gender and social expectations
Engage with psychological and sociological perspectives where relevant.
Stakeholders Shaping Public Health Awareness
Students as Active Health Decision-Makers
Students are not passive recipients of health information. Analyse how they interpret, adapt, or resist public health messages based on personal experience, peer influence, and cultural background.
Universities as Health-Promoting Institutions
Higher education institutions play a central role in shaping student health awareness. Examine how universities contribute through:
- Campus health services
- Awareness campaigns and workshops
- Integration of health topics into curricula
The focus should be on impact rather than description.
National Health Bodies and Policy Frameworks
Public health awareness in the UAE is influenced by national strategies and health authorities. Analyse how government initiatives and public campaigns shape student awareness and behaviour.
Analytical Perspectives and Use of Secondary Evidence
Theoretical Frameworks for Health Awareness
This section should form the analytical core of your paper. Apply relevant theories or models to interpret public health awareness among university students, such as:
- Health belief models
- Social determinants of health
- Health promotion and prevention frameworks
The emphasis should be on application rather than explanation.
Critical Engagement With Research and Data
Engage with secondary sources including:
- Peer-reviewed public health journals
- UAE health policy documents
- Reports from international health organisations
Compare perspectives, identify trends, and acknowledge limitations in available data.
Challenges and Emerging Trends in Student Health Awareness
Gaps Between Knowledge and Practice
Analyse why awareness does not always result in healthier choices. Consider structural, social, and psychological factors influencing behaviour.
Digital Health and Changing Communication Patterns
Examine the growing influence of digital health tools, mobile apps, and online campaigns on student awareness. Reflect critically on both opportunities and risks.
Evidence-Informed Directions for Improving Awareness
Context-Sensitive Recommendations
Based on your analysis, offer recommendations that are:
- Grounded in academic evidence
- Sensitive to cultural and institutional realities in the UAE
- Practical within university settings
These should emerge logically from your discussion rather than appearing as isolated suggestions.
Long-Term Value of Health-Aware Student Communities
Reflect on how improved public health awareness contributes to:
- Academic success and retention
- Long-term wellbeing
- National health objectives in the UAE
These reflections should feel earned through analysis rather than declarative.
Academic Writing and Presentation Standards
Your writing should demonstrate clarity, coherence, and academic maturity. Transitions between sections should guide the reader smoothly. Tables or figures may be included where they add analytical value and must be clearly labelled and referenced.
Harvard referencing must be applied consistently throughout the text and reference list. Strong submissions typically engage with a broad range of scholarly sources, including recent peer-reviewed journal articles.
Careful formatting, accurate language use, and logical organisation contribute significantly to the overall academic quality of the submission.
Final Academic Reflection
This assignment invites you to consider public health awareness not simply as access to information, but as a complex interaction between knowledge, culture, institutions, and individual choice. Within UAE universities, student health awareness plays a critical role in shaping both educational outcomes and long-term wellbeing. Approach this task with analytical curiosity, contextual sensitivity, and a strong commitment to evidence-based reasoning.