In the wake of a tragic student suicide earlier this year, IIT-Bombay conducted a study to find out the level of stress within its environment. The study was prompted by a high-level committee of faculty members across various departments.
The study revealed that 76% of students felt stressed due to their academic workload. Another 14% cited other factors contributing to their stress, while only 10% claimed they were not stressed.
In response to this, IIT-Bombay has proposed several changes. These changes will create a more supportive academic environment. It includes discontinuing the option to change branches, eliminating evening and weekend lectures, offering second chances for failed subjects, and updating parents on attendance.
A recent poll identified increased competitiveness as the main source of stress for first-year students. Other factors included difficulty understanding course material and a lack of support from instructors and teaching assistants. Additional concerns included excessive lab work, poor meal quality, isolation, and homesickness.
The Academic Stress Mitigation Committee (ASMC), created in response to the suicide case of Darshan Solanki, echoed these findings. The committee recommended discontinuing the rule allowing students to switch branches after their first year.
For the first time, the institute decided to update parents on their child's attendance following the tragic incident.
The committee also recommended that first-year students should not have the same rigorous schedule as second-year students. It was recommended that academic events not be scheduled on weekends or holidays and that lectures only be held from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm.
This approach by IIT-Bombay aims to address and mitigate academic stress among its students.
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