About 550 University of Wollongong students will have their well-being - as well as their academic performance - monitored when they move into the world's first "positive residence" this year.
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Based on the science of positive psychology, Kooloobong Village on the main campus is due for completion by the end of March and staff and student leaders have already been trained to support students' social and psychological needs.
The $40 million, five-storey accommodation residence will provide 360 beds and the village will encompass an existing residence that houses 193 students.
Alison Hemsley will manage the village, with support from the Australian Institute of Business Well-Being, which was established at the university in 2011.
"The institute, part of UOW's Sydney Business School, will provide the consultancy for the residence, which will be the world's first positive residence," she said.
"Positive schools, like Geelong and Knox grammar schools, have been established and some organisations across the world have applied positive principles, but until now there hasn't been a positive student residence."
Ms Hemsley said the positive residence would be managed, organised and led using the principles of positive psychology.
"Historically psychology has looked at what's wrong with people, while positive psychology looks at what's right with them," she said.
"As a positive organisation, staff will be trained in positive practices and interventions so they can run individual coaching programs in partnership with the university's psychology department.
"Positive education programs will also be run to look at how students can be working to be the best they can be, not only academically, but in terms of their welfare.
"And students will be encouraged to take part in some of the community engagement projects we have."
Ninan Mathew, from Scotland, has lived in student accommodation for the past year and a half, and will be moving into the new residence soon.
"I enjoy student accommodation because of the cultural diversity and the opportunity to make many friends," he said. "I think the positive concept sounds good. I'm happy to be a part of it."
Norwegian student Hakon Hellebust is also looking forward to moving into the new building, which will have a mix of single and four-bedroom units.
"It'll be like a new family," he said. "I'm looking forward to it."
The residence was due to be finished this month, but wet weather in early 2012 delayed construction.
Students who have already been accepted into the residence will be housed in motels until its completion, where they will be supported by on-site student leaders.
"The Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort, Flinders Motel and the Comfort Inn, Primbee, will host the students until the new building is ready in late March," Ms Hemsley said.
Pictured: Ninan Matthew from Scotland, Hakon Hellebust from Norway, Kufre Nicholas from Nigeria and Dina Sofie Hestad from Norway are University of Wollongong international students staying at Kooloobong House. Photo: KEN ROBERTSON
