Volume 2 - Issue 1, January - February 2026

The psychosocial well-being of staff and students in higher education institutions (HEIs) is a critical determinant of academic success, institutional reputation, and sustainable development. While HEIs are traditionally focused on intellectual and professional formation, contemporary pressures including academic commercialization, digital acceleration, and post-pandemic socio-economic strains have exacerbated mental health crises, burnout, and systemic inequities among university populations. Current institutional responses, often limited to reactive counseling and fragmented welfare services, are demonstrably insufficient to address these complex, interrelated challenges. This study argues for the systematic integration of professional social work practice as a multidisciplinary, proactive, and capacitybuilding intervention within HEIs. Employing a systematic literature review of 52 peer-reviewed studies (2018–2024), this paper: (1) critically analyzes the scope and etiology of psychosocial challenges affecting students and staff; (2) evaluates the structural and operational limitations of existing support ecosystems; and (3) proposes an evidence-based, multi-level framework for integrating social work. The paper contextualizes this framework within the resource-constrained and culturally specific environment of Tanzanian HEIs, addressing a significant gap in the Global South literature. Findings indicate that embedded social work practice grounded in ecological systems theory and a strengths-based approach can significantly enhance institutional resilience by providing holistic support, facilitating systemic advocacy, and bridging the gap between individual need and organizational policy. The study concludes that the integration of social work is not merely an ancillary service but a strategic imperative for HEIs committed to fostering inclusive, sustainable, and human-centered academic communities in the 21st century.

Evance E. Sanga, Caroline J. Mhina, Hilderitha E. Matupa, Beatrice C. Gisema, Raymond L Dibogo, Thobias J. Ongito,"Intagrating Social Work Practice in Higher Education: A Systemic Framework for Promoting Staff and Student Well-Being in Tanzania" International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development, V2(1): Page(420-432) Jan-Feb 2026. ISSN: 3107-6513. www.ijamred.com. Published by Scientific and Academic Research Publishing.