In a significant move aimed at student welfare, the prestigious Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur, has launched a compulsory course focused on well-being and happiness for all its incoming first-year students. The initiative, rolled out from the current academic session, marks a proactive step by one of the country's oldest engineering institutes to address the mental and emotional challenges faced by freshers.
A Proactive Step for Student Mental Health
The announcement was made by the institute's Director, VMSR Murthy, during the convocation ceremony held on Friday. He revealed that the two-credit course has been made mandatory as part of the institute's commitment to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes holistic education. Director Murthy explained that transitioning to a new environment and adjusting to campus life can be particularly difficult for new students. The course is designed to equip them with the necessary tools to navigate this phase successfully.
"We felt that transitioning into a new environment and adjusting to campus life often becomes difficult for new students, so the course has been made mandatory for them," Murthy stated. He further highlighted the growing concerns around well-being and mental health, noting that such courses are the best way to help students understand their own mental state and be vigilant about the well-being of their peers.
Course Structure and Institute Support
The well-being and happiness course at IIEST is comprehensive, featuring both practical and written examinations. It is structured around six detailed modules designed to cover all aspects of personal development:
- Introduction to well-being and happiness
- Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
- Stress and coping mechanisms
- Relationships and social well-being
- Building resilience and strength
- Practising happiness and creating a personal well-being plan
Faculty members from the humanities and social sciences department have been engaged to conduct these classes, ensuring a nuanced and expert-led delivery of the curriculum.
Complementing the academic course, the institute has also strengthened its support system by appointing a full-time professional counsellor. The counselling service, known as SATHI, now operates with this dedicated counsellor and a faculty in-charge, providing students with accessible and confidential mental health support.
A Growing Trend in Premier Institutes
IIEST's initiative is part of a broader shift in Indian higher education towards prioritizing student wellness. Notably, IIT Kharagpur is also set to introduce two well-being courses—'Life Skills' and 'Joy & Success'—starting in January. At IIT Kharagpur, 'Life Skills' will be compulsory for first-year students, while 'Joy & Success' will be offered as an optional course for senior batches. This trend underscores a recognition within premier technical institutions that academic excellence must be supported by emotional and mental resilience.
The recent convocation at IIEST Shibpur, where this policy was announced, was a momentous occasion. Degrees were awarded to 641 undergraduates across 10 courses, 228 postgraduates, and 90 PhD scholars. The event was graced by NITI Aayog member Vijay Kumar Saraswat as the special guest, with IIEST board of governors chairperson Tejaswini Ananth Kumar presiding. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shared a written message, and Minister of State for Education and Development, Sukanta Majumdar, delivered his address via video conference.
By integrating emotional and mental well-being into its core curriculum, IIEST Shibpur is setting a new standard for engineering education in India. This mandatory course represents a vital investment in creating not just skilled engineers, but also well-rounded, resilient individuals prepared for the challenges of both campus life and their future careers.
