IIT Kharagpur Introduces Well-Being Courses
Kolkata: The Senate, the top academic body of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, has recently approved two new well-being courses aimed at enhancing the emotional and psychological resilience of students. This decision comes in response to a concerning increase in student suicides reported in the past year.
Course Overview
The two courses, titled “Life Skills” and “Joy & Success,” will be rolled out starting January 2026. The “Life Skills” course is mandatory for approximately 2,000 first-year students, while the “Joy & Success” course is optional for senior students and offers three credits upon completion.
Objectives of the Courses
The primary goal of these courses is to equip students with essential life skills that promote emotional intelligence and psychological well-being. Director Suman Chakraborty emphasized that these pioneering courses aim to empower students not only to excel academically but also to flourish in their personal lives. He stated, “Through these courses, we are building resilience, empathy, and meaning alongside academic brilliance.”
Course Content and Structure
Life Skills Course
The “Life Skills” course will be conducted in ten batches, each comprising 200 students. It includes a variety of interactive activities designed to foster a sense of belonging and community among students. Key components of the course include:
- Small peer circles and micro-communities based on common interests.
- Strength-mapping exercises to help students identify their personal strengths.
- Community cooking sessions to encourage collaboration and bonding.
- Campus exploration activities to familiarize students with their new environment.
- Sharing failure stories from faculty and seniors to normalize setbacks.
- Problem-solving workshops focused on hostel life challenges.
Topics covered in the course will include:
- Building friendships and a sense of belonging.
- Navigating self-worth and identity.
- Understanding failure and developing resilience.
- Learning emotional first-aid and knowing when to seek help.
- Communicating across cultures and languages.
- Managing the pressures of hostel life.
Joy & Success Course
The “Joy & Success” course is designed for students in their second to fifth years and follows an experiential learning structure. It consists of ten sessions, each lasting two and a half hours. Core modules of this course include:
- Habits, happiness, and success.
- Aspiration and awareness.
- Re-framing failure and managing emotions.
- Gratitude and positive emotions.
This elective course aims to help students develop a deeper understanding of their emotional well-being and personal aspirations.
Collaboration and Development
The development of these courses involved collaboration between faculty members, student representatives, and administrators from both IIT Kharagpur and IIT Madras. They drew upon the lived experiences of students to create a curriculum that addresses common challenges faced by students, such as:
- Homesickness and adaptation to a new academic environment.
- Feelings of being ‘stuck’ in an undesired branch of study.
- Navigating newfound freedom and independence.
- Managing rejection and the pressure of expectations from family and peers.
- Dealing with issues related to identity, relationships, and discrimination.
Conclusion
The introduction of these well-being courses at IIT Kharagpur marks a significant step towards prioritizing mental health and emotional well-being in academic institutions. By focusing on life skills and personal development, the institute aims to create a supportive environment that fosters both academic success and personal growth.
Note: The implementation of these courses is a proactive measure to address the mental health crisis among students and promote a culture of well-being within educational institutions.
