After the third student suicide on its campus this year, the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG), on Friday announced the implementation of several initiatives to support students' mental well-being which includes dedicated counselling services at the hostel level and medical check-ups. This decision has been taken after students protested on the campus demanding flexibility in attendance and the resignation of some authorities. "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," an official statement said. As part of the new initiatives, IIT Guwahati is now introducing comprehensive medical checkups. Recognising the importance of understanding students' medical history, IIT Guwahati is introducing a mandatory one-time medical checkup at the time of admission. This will enable the institute to provide tailored support and ensure students receive the necessary care, IIT Guwahati stated. Additionally, IIT Guwahati has encouraged students to come forward and discuss challenges they may be facing. A self-sustainable task force has been established to reach out to every student and provide the necessary support. "IIT Guwahati is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all students. By prioritizing student well-being and implementing these comprehensive measures, we aim to prevent future tragedies and ensure the success of our students," Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, said in an official statement. Earlier this month, a 21-year-old student from Uttar Pradesh, who was in the Computer Science and Engineering programme, was found dead in his room. On August 9, a 23-year-old student from Uttar Pradesh, who was pursuing MTech, was found dead in her hostel room. Before that, in April, a 20-year-old BTech student from Bihar was found dead in his hostel room in a suspected case of death by suicide. Meanwhile, a senate meeting was recently held to discuss demands made by the students of IIT Guwahati. A key demand that the students made during an open house held in the wake of the suicides was the resignation of some senior administrative members, including the dean of academic affairs. IIT Guwahati students also called for relaxation in the policy that requires 75 per cent attendance to be eligible to appear for final exams — a verdict on the same is yet to be announced.
