IIT Bombay alumni, parents and experts propose 21 measures to improve student wellbeing

The roadmap was drafted three to four days after an IIT-B student’s demise to highlight the pressures of studying at highly competitive institutes. Pic/Sayyed Sammer Abedi

AMID ongoing protests at IIT Bombay, a collective of nearly 150 alumni, parents, mental health experts and concerned citizens mailed a 10-page document titled "Enhance Wellbeing at IIT Bombay" to the institute. The document outlines 21 short, medium, and long-term recommendations, which the authors claim can fit in with IIT-B's 2026-2030 strategic plan.

Short-term goals

Immediate recommendations focus on increasing the visibility of campus mental health support, establishing post-crisis communication protocols, and involving parents. The proposal suggests mechanisms for parents or local guardians to alert institute officials upon noticing behavioural changes in students.

Medium-term measures

For implementation within three to 12 months, the group advocates adopting a formal suicide prevention strategy, third-party audits of wellness facilities, faculty stress-recognition training, AI-supported learning and formal alumni mentoring programmes.

Vinay Somani, an IIT Bombay alumnus who coordinated the drafting of the recommendations, said, "We came together to draft this roadmap three to four days after the unfortunate demise of the IITB student. We want the public to understand the pressures of studying at such institutes.

Students entering IITs are toppers in school but may experience a shift once they get there. Parents, peers, and the student themselves should be helped to understand when to take a step back. The pressures faced by students today can be wide-ranging, and the institutes must ensure they support those who are struggling the most."

Long-term strategy

Proposed one to three-year measures include conducting and publishing a longitudinal study on student wellness. The group also recommends involving the IIT-B Alumni Association and IIT-B Heritage Foundation, integrating soft-skills training into faculty leadership programmes, and securing dedicated funding for student well-being.