From a task force to reach out to those facing challenges to strengthening counselling services at hostel-level and mandatory health check-ups, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, has announced a host of initiatives to help address mental health issues on campus in the wake of three student suicides over the past five months.
According to the institute, it has encouraged students for “open dialogue” and resolved to offer support for the same. “The institute has encouraged students to come forward and discuss any challenges they may be facing. A self-sustainable task force has been established to reach out to every student and provide the necessary support,” it said.
A statement issued by the institute on Friday read: “IIT Guwahati is deeply saddened by the recent loss of student lives on our campus. The institute has conducted a thorough investigation into each of these cases and has identified several factors contributing to these tragic events. While many of these incidents were non-academic in nature, they underscore the urgent need for enhanced support systems and preventative measures to safeguard the well-being of our students. To address these concerns, IIT Guwahati has implemented several initiatives.”
POLICY CHANGES
News18 had on September 19 reported that the institute had agreed to make several policy changes following massive student protests on campus post the third incident. These included introducing a new attendance policy, flexibility in supplementary exams schedule and online pre-registrations for each semester. A decision to affect these policy level changes were to be discussed in the institute’s senate — the highest decision-making body of any IIT for all academic purposes.
According to IIT-Guwahati officials, in addition to existing mental health counselling resources on campus, the institute is prioritising the establishment of dedicated counselling services at the hostel level. Also, it said, it has strengthened its faculty advisory system to ensure that students receive timely academic guidance and support.
Following the suicides, students, during multiple open house sessions on campus with faculty members, had raised their concerns and the need to bridge the student-faculty gap so as to ensure an open and free relationship between the two. “We raised it during the sessions that there is an urgent need to improve on the student-faculty relationship, which is crucial to a student’s growth not just academically, but even as people. Students must be able to feel free to approach, speak to and seek help from faculty members, which can only happen if the faculty decides to bring on this change at their end,” said a final-year-student, who didn’t wish to be named.
The Students Welfare Board on campus, the student said, is working out measures to address this concern. The IIT also said that recognising the importance of understanding students’ medical history, it is introducing a mandatory one-time medical check-up at the time of admission.
“IIT-Guwahati is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all students. By prioritising student well-being and implementing these comprehensive measures, we aim to prevent future tragedies and ensure the success of our students,” it said in the statement.
Last year IIT-Madras, a top-ranking institution, too, conducted medical check-up of its students, following similar incidents of students taking the extreme step on campus. The institute found that students lacked vitamin D because of lack of exposure to outdoor settings such as playgrounds. This prompted the institute to introduce a sports excellence admissions policy, and reserving supernumerary seats for national and international level players, who meet the academic eligibility criteria.
THE THREE DEATHS
On September 9, Bimlesh Kumar, a 21-year-old BTech student pursuing Computer Science and Engineering was found dead in his hostel room on IIT-Guwahati campus. The student hailed from Uttar Pradesh (UP). This was the third such incident on campus this year which triggered a massive uproar, with students protesting for three days in a row as well as resulting in the resignation of dean, academic affairs.
On August 9, Saumya, a 23-year-old MTech student, also hailing from UP, was found dead in her hostel room.
In April, a 20-year-old BTech student was found dead in his hostel room in a suspected case of suicide.
Bimlesh and Saumya were reportedly stressed due to academic pressure linked to the stringent attendance policy. This is even though Bimlesh’s family has maintained that their son was unwell and had submitted medical certificates for his low attendance.
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