Not Only Excel but Also Flourish: IIT-Kgp to Teach ‘Life Skills’
Kolkata: In a proactive response to the concerning trend of student suicides, IIT Kharagpur is set to introduce two innovative courses aimed at enhancing the emotional and psychological well-being of its students. The courses, titled ‘Life Skills’ and ‘Joy & Success’, are designed to equip students with essential skills for both academic and personal success.
Introduction of Life Skills and Joy & Success Courses
Scheduled to be rolled out in January 2026, pending Senate approval, the ‘Life Skills’ course will be mandatory for all first-year students, while ‘Joy & Success’ will be an elective for senior students. The initiative comes in light of the distressing reality that the institution has witnessed five student suicides in the past nine months, prompting a need for comprehensive support systems.
Goals of the Courses
According to the director of IIT Kharagpur, Suman Chakraborty, the primary objective of these courses is to empower students not only to excel academically but also to flourish in their personal lives. He stated, “These programs reflect our conviction that the future will belong not only to the most intelligent minds but to the most emotionally grounded and socially connected human beings.”
Understanding the Need
An external expert committee conducted interviews with students and discovered that over 80% of them attributed their stress to parental expectations and the pressure to secure prestigious internships and job placements. The committee emphasized the importance of integrating life skills and socio-emotional learning into the curriculum to help students navigate these challenges.
Course Structure
Life Skills Course
The ‘Life Skills’ course is designed to help first-year students develop essential social, emotional, and practical skills necessary for navigating the complexities of campus life. Key components of the course include:
- Emotional literacy
- Self-awareness
- Resilience building
- Managing peer pressure and homesickness
- Addressing relationship issues and academic stress
This 12-week course will be activity-based and facilitated by experts, alumni, and trained senior students, ensuring a supportive learning environment.
Joy & Success Course
The elective ‘Joy & Success’ course for senior students focuses on personal growth and success through scientifically validated strategies. Some core modules include:
- Habits, happiness, and success
- Aspiration and awareness
- Reframing failure and managing emotions
- Building social capital
- Practicing gratitude and positive emotions
- Designing a life centered around joy
This course will consist of 10 sessions, each lasting two-and-a-half hours, featuring a blend of lectures, peer discussions, presentations, and activities such as reflective journaling and community play sessions.
Addressing Student Concerns
A senior professor at IIT Kharagpur highlighted the urgent need for such courses, stating that many students experience anxiety related to academic performance and peer comparisons. The courses aim to foster inner strength, teach stress management techniques, and help students accept setbacks while overcoming self-doubt.
Conclusion
The introduction of these life skills courses at IIT Kharagpur represents a significant step towards addressing the mental health crisis among students. By focusing on emotional intelligence and resilience, the institute aims to create a supportive environment that encourages students to thrive both academically and personally.
Note: The implementation of these courses is a proactive measure in response to the increasing mental health challenges faced by students in high-pressure academic environments.
