IISER Pune sets up counselling drive 10 days after student found dead outside hostel; probe on

More than 10 days after a girl student was found dead outside a hostel building at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune campus, the institute has issued a statement saying that it has set up a counselling support for students, faculty and staff members.

According to the statement, issued by the institute, the girl student was found lying outside a hostel building at IISER Pune campus on August 16, around 9:45 pm.

The institute said the student was immediately taken to hospital in an ambulance, but could not be saved. “We have informed the student's parents and the police at the same time and extending our full support to the ongoing police investigation,” the institute said.

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IISER Pune to hire two full-time counsellors

A condolence on August 17 was held at campus and attended by students, faculty and staff members, it added.

Moreover, the institute is also providing counselling support to the student's friends, classmates and other affected members of the campus community.

“Following the incident, IISER Pune's Mental Wellbeing Centre has arranged immediate one-on-one and group counselling sessions across the campus. Guided group sessions led by a specialised counsellor are also being organised for students, staff and faculty members,” it added.

Currently, the institute has two-full time counsellors and has hired two additional counsellors to provide support following the incident.

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Police investigation underway into student's death

It is also in the process of hiring one to two more full-time counsellors, the institute said.

In addition, classes were cancelled for the day following the incident, while the institute is considering academic accommodations and flexible attendance policies for affected students.

It remained committed to the safety and wellbeing of students and campus residents and has initiated additional measures in this regard, the institute said.