Latest news with #ArunChakraborty
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
3 days ago
- General
- Business Standard
In a first, IIT-Kharagpur appoints its first 'Dean of Student Well-being'
In a historic step among the Indian Institutes of Technology, IIT-Kharagpur has appointed Professor Arun Chakraborty as its first Dean of Student Well-being. The appointment was unveiled during the induction programme for the new BTech batch on July 26. This marks a deliberate move to ensure students' mental health receives dedicated attention—distinct from the traditional administrative role of the Dean of Student Affairs. Chakraborty, from the Centre for Ocean, River, Atmosphere and Land Sciences, described the role as both urgent and deeply needed. He emphasised his availability to students 24/7, encouraging them to seek support irrespective of how minor a concern may seem. 'We are here like parents,' he assured students. The appointment comes amid a backdrop of four student suicides over the past seven months, the most recent being a mechanical engineering student in July. The new post is designed to bring a more personalised and proactive response to student welfare. IIT- Kharagpur's work on SETU IIT-Kharagpur has launched several innovative measures under the SETU framework (Support, Empathy, Transformation, and Upliftment), including an AI-powered mental wellness platform, revamped counselling services (Sarth), 'campus mothers', student task forces, and workshops on managing stress. These efforts are especially vital considering the institute's scale—home to more than 16,000 students across 21 hostels—highlighting the need for a role focused exclusively on well-being. The administration also plans to gather regular feedback from students on the effectiveness of these measures, ensuring the programmes evolve to address emerging challenges. With a culture of openness, early intervention, and empathy, IIT-Kharagpur aims to set a benchmark for student welfare in higher education institutions across the country.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
In a 1st among IITs, Kharagpur gets student well-being dean
KOLKATA: Arun Chakraborty, professor at Centre for Ocean, River, Atmosphere and Land Sciences at IIT-Kharagpur, Friday became the institute's first dean of student well-being. TOI had earlier reported that IIT-Kharagpur director Suman Chakraborty announced the appointment during the induction programme for the new BTech batch on July 26. The post was created to ensure students' mental health issues are not left unaddressed, especially after four student suicides on campus in seven months - the latest being fourth-year mechanical engineering student Ritam Mondal, who was found hanging in his hostel room on July 18. "This is possibly the first time in any IIT that a person of a dean's status has been assigned solely to look after students' overall well-being," said the director. "Our institute has a huge number of students, and it is necessary to have a designated dean of student well-being to give special emphasis to welfare activities." Chakraborty told TOI that while the role was challenging, it was essential. "We do not want any tragic incidents. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 1 minute and see why everyone is addicted. Every student can approach us at any time. Even the smallest issues will be addressed. I've told students I am available 24x7 - they should not panic; we are here like parents," he added. IIT-Kharagpur has 21 hostels housing 16,000 students. While there is a dean of student affairs, the director pointed out that "student affairs" and "student well-being" are distinct. The new dean will focus on identifying and addressing personal issues, while dean of student affairs will handle administrative matters like accommodation and discipline. Measures already in place at the college include the AI-driven mental wellness platform SETU, a restructured counselling centre, "campus mothers," student task forces, and stress management workshops.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
In a first among IITs, Kgp campus gets dean of well-being to take care of students' wellness
Kolkata: Arun Chakraborty, professor of the Centre for Ocean, River, Atmosphere and Land Sciences at IIT-Kharagpur, on Monday became the first dean of student well-being at the engineering college, stressing the initiatives launched for students' welfare. TOI had reported that IIT-Kharagpur director Suman Chakraborty had announced the appointment during the induction programme for the new BTech batch on July 26. This post was created to ensure any student's poor mental health, if any, did not go unaddressed, especially after four youths ended their lives on the campus in seven months. The last victim was fourth-year mechanical engineering student Ritam Mondal, who was found hanging in his hostel room at Rajendra Prasad Hall of Residence on July 18. "This is possibly the first time in any IIT in the country that a person of a dean's status has been solely assigned to look after students' well-being. As our institute has a huge number of students, we feel it is necessary to have a designated dean of student well-being to give special emphasis on all the welfare activities of students," the director told TOI. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Arun Chakraborty told TOI the new role was challenging but he looked forward to carrying it out. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain Knee pain | search ads Find Now Undo "This move was a necessity to focus on the youths' well-being and the smooth running of the initiatives taken for them. We do not want any more tragic incident on the campus. We will ensure every student can approach us at any point of the day and night. Problems will be addressed immediately. I have spoken to students and told them however small a problem they might face, I am available for them 24×7. They should not panic. We are there to support them as parents. They are like our children," he said. IIT-Kharagpur has 21 hostels accommodating more than 16,000 students. The institute already has a dean of student affairs. But, director Chakraborty pointed out, that 'student affairs' and 'student well-being' were separate responsibilities. "It is practically not possible for the dean of student affairs to look into an individual's well-being. "The dean of student well-being will be responsible for anything and everything leading to the well-being of students and it will be easier to identify students' issues and address them. The job of the dean of student affairs will mainly be administrative work related to students, such as their attendance, accommodation, disciplinary matters," he added. Several IITs, including Madras, Bombay, Delhi and Kanpur, too, have a dean of student affairs each. Among the measures taken to help out the Kharagpur students are AI-driven mental wellness initiative SETU, restructuring the counselling centre, introduction of 'campus mothers', forming students' task forces at hostel wings and conducting workshops on stress management. The institute had earlier assigned two associate deans to look after students' physical and mental health. An assistant warden at each hostel is also designated to look into students' welfare, particularly at hostels. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Celebrating culture, community, and foodBengalis in Pune get together for Poila Boishak
Cultural performances at the event The Bengali community in the city gathered in numbers from across Pune and neighbouring areas to celebrate Poila Boishakh or the Bengali New Year. While the evening started with a presentation of cultural performances, including dance, music, and poetry recitals, other attractions like stalls selling traditional handicrafts, to those stocked with snacks and more, kept the attendees engaged. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Food, of course, was at the core of the celebration, with everything from Bengali snacks to more elaborate mains, to gorge on. From children to the older generation, all were decked up in ethnic attire, immersing themselves in a celebratory mood complete with much camaraderie. No Bengali event is complete without sweets From food to clothing, there were lots to browse through 'While the evening started with a presentation of cultural performances, including dance, music, and poetry recitals, other attractions like stalls selling traditional handicrafts, to those stocked with snacks and more, kept the attendees engaged. Food, of course, was at the core of the celebration, with everything from Bengali snacks to more elaborate mains, to gorge on,' said Arun Chakraborty, who runs two Bengali community Facebook groups that organised the event.
