IIT Guwahati mandates medical check-ups during admission amid rising suicides

NEW DELHI: After four students died on-campus this year, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) has announced several initiatives including dedicated counselling services and medical check-ups. The decision comes after the protesting students demanded relaxation in 75% attendance rule among 15-long term agendas.

A mandatory one-time medical check-up will be conducted at the time of admission to gather information about the students’ health. The step has been taken to provide tailored support to ensure students receive necessary mental health support, the reports added.

“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,” the institute said in a latest statement, as per reports.

Further, the institute also encouraged students to come forward and discuss the difficulties and challenges faced by them. To provide necessary support and reach out to every student, the institute has also set up a self-sustainable task force.

Also read 75% attendance rule, backlogs reasons for IIT Guwahati student death, classmates call out instructor

A female student pursuing MTech in IIT Guwahati died by suicide on August 9 by hanging self in hostel room. Following this, a BTech Computer Science Engineering student’s tragic death on campus raised fear and concerns about the rise in the number of on-campus deaths.

IIT-G dean of academics affairs (DOAA) KV Krishna resigned from his position amid the students’ protest demanding the administration to provide mental health support. The students had earlier attributed the increase in student deaths to academic pressure and backlogs.