IIT Madras Introduces Mandatory Outbound Training for Research Scholars
On the lush campus of IIT Madras, a unique scene unfolds under the shade of a tree. A group of students forms a tight circle, their arms outstretched and eyes intently focused on a fellow student standing on a table. With his back turned, he cannot see what lies behind him. In unison, the group calls out, "Buddy, are you ready?" Upon his affirmative response, they instruct him to fall backwards into a durrie (carpet) they are holding. This exercise, known as a trust fall, is a key component of the outbound training (OBT) program that has been made compulsory and integrated into the curriculum for all PhD and MS research scholars joining IIT Madras since last year.
Activities Designed to Foster Essential Skills
Each OBT session lasts approximately two hours and includes a variety of engaging activities beyond the trust fall. Participants engage in caterpillar walks, crawling on a rope, snake races, blind soccer (Zu-Lu), and minefield crossings. The session concludes with a debriefing to reflect on the experiences. According to trainers, these activities are meticulously designed to emphasize the importance of teamwork, coordination, leadership, and communication.
Retired Lt Colonel Jayakumar, a guest faculty member at IIT Madras who designed and introduced the OBT program, explained, "OBT is designed to push participants out of their comfort zones and prepare them for life challenges. In this training, physical coordination, emotional intelligence, and collective problem-solving are reinforced." He added that the program also provides students with an opportunity to mingle and collaborate with peers from different departments, fostering new friendships. Senior students take on roles as trainers for each activity, further enhancing the learning environment.
Benefits for Research and Academic Collaboration
Sathyanarayana N Gummadi, dean (students) at IIT Madras, highlighted the academic benefits of the training. "These games improve communication and social skills of the participants. It will help research scholars to work better in a research group. Activities like caterpillar walks will teach the importance of coordination, as they can move forward only as a team," he stated. The OBT program is unique to IIT Madras, with approximately 400 new research scholars having undergone the training this year alone.
Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, prompting plans to expand the initiative. "We are planning to introduce OBT games for other IITs in south India by conducting inter IIT competitions," Gummadi added. Notably, this training was already made mandatory for undergraduate and postgraduate students at IIT Madras a few years ago, underscoring the institute's commitment to holistic development beyond traditional academics.
The implementation of OBT at IIT Madras represents a forward-thinking approach to education, aiming to equip scholars with not only technical expertise but also vital interpersonal and leadership skills essential for success in research and beyond.
