Latest news with #Kharagpur
India Today
3 days ago
- India Today
What is wrong? Supreme Court pulls up IIT Kharagpur over student suicides
The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up IIT Kharagpur and expressed concern over the growing incidence of student suicides on campus."What is wrong with IIT KGP? Why are students committing suicide? Have you given it any thought?" the division bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan top court was hearing a suo motu case related to student suicides at IIT Kharagpur and Sharda University. It had earlier directed both institutions to submit their LED TO REFORMS: IIT KHARAGPUR In its response, IIT Kharagpur informed the top court that an FIR had been registered on the same day when a fourth-year mechanical engineering student died by suicide in his hostel room nearly a month Kharagpur's affidavit states that the FIR was registered on July 18, after police completed the necessary procedural submission follows the Supreme Court's recent directions to IIT Kharagpur and Sharda University, seeking clarity on whether the police were informed promptly and whether First Information Reports were filed, as mandated by the Court's March 24 ruling on student suicide Kharagpur stated in the affidavit that it has treated the incident as a catalyst for comprehensive institutional reform and has already implemented multiple additional safeguards beyond those previously institute acknowledged, with utmost seriousness, the gravity of such unfortunate events, recognising them as both institutional and societal tragedies that necessitate rigorous introspection, accountability, and systemic OF EVENTSNarrating the timeline, the affidavit states that a housekeeping staff member, asked by the student's father to clean his room, found the door locked from the inside at 11:02 am. Peering through the window, the staffer saw the student hanging from the ceiling approximately 11:25 am, a security officer informed the police station and other senior officials about the 12:04 pm, police personnel from Hijli and Kharagpur Town Police Stations had arrived to begin necessary affidavit further states that the Registrar of IIT Kharagpur submitted a formal complaint to the Inspector-in-Charge of the Kharagpur Town Police Station, requesting registration of an Registrar also addressed a letter to the Under Secretary (IITs), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, informing the ministry of the student's death and confirming that the Institute had already initiated the FIR registration FIR was subsequently registered on the same day by the Kharagpur Town Police Station, after the police completed procedural Kharagpur also informed the Court that it has taken several preventive and remedial measures for student affidavit states that the institute has proactively overhauled its mental health framework and implemented comprehensive initiatives, including the establishment of specialised committees, technological innovations for real-time support, and enhanced access to counselling IIT Kharagpur maintains a robust and integrated mental health support affidavit also notes the formation of a ten-member committee comprising clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, senior police and legal professionals, educationists, and alumni familiar with campus framework is designed not only for swift crisis response but also to proactively identify and address emotional and psychological concerns among students, thus promoting resilience and overall mental institute has also launched the SETU framework, comprising five integrated pillars: upgraded counseling services, an AI-enabled welfare application for anonymous emotional check-ins, hostel-level wellness units, trained volunteer groups, and structured student-engagement reduce the gap between distress and assistance, QR codes have been affixed to every hostel room door and in conspicuous common areas.A single scan provides students with direct links to emergency contact numbers, a counseling appointment interface, and contact details of wardens, mentors, and medical staff. The system also includes an anonymous grievance form to capture early-stage concerns.- Ends
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
No need for more technocrats, IIT Kharagpur to focus on human-centric R&D, says Director
On the 71st convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology on Tuesday (July 15, 2025), Kharagpur (IIT-KGP) director Dr. Suman Chakraborty said 'the world does not need more technocrats', highlighting the institute's renewed focus on human-centric, multidisciplinary technology research. 'Let me be clear: the world does not need more technocrats. It needs humans who can think and feel — who can use algorithms, but are not ruled by them. The future belongs to those who can combine emotional intelligence with technical intelligence,' the director said. In an exclusive interaction with select media, Mr. Chakraborty elaborated that earlier, technocrats relied on extensive research and skill-learning, whereas in the current day scenario, AI systems like ChatGPT can generate answers to most science and tech questions. 'Unfortunately, it will take a whole lot of time to create a four-year undergraduate programme where answers will not be generable by ChatGPT. So, when these things are already there, students have to elevate themselves where they can innovate, interpret between lines, converge between domains, and come up with solutions that are both technologically advanced as well as human-centric,' the director said. He added that IIT KGP is looking to equip future students with the knowledge of using AI more ethically. Focus on convergence Mr. Chakraborty also highlighted how the research on AI, deeptech, cloud computing, etc., at IIT KGP is advancing in converging domains, with a mix of traditional and non-traditional subjects like AI in diagnostics, medicine, law, humanities, etc. 'In terms of research on AI, we are also thinking of exploring certain domains where the research will be led by non-AI domain experts… Usually, the engineering and science departments kick off science and tech projects, taking humanities and social sciences as complementary aspects in some cases. In that way, we are concerned with how AI can be more empathetically used to bridge the gap between AI and humans,' he said. Mr. Chakraborty also said that IIT KGP is pushing boundaries with research across cybersecurity, AI, cloud computing, and disease modelling. He added that the AI models designed by the institute are being used for disaster response and precision agriculture. 'Our AI department, now a full-fledged academic unit, offers BTech., MTech., and interdisciplinary dual degree programs. It has become a national leader in responsible and explainable AI with real-world applications in healthcare, climate, and linguistics, and with emphasis on human-centric AI… we are therefore not just building machines, we are building meaning,' he added. The Director also unveiled PLATO, an AI-powered coding tutor that offers real-time, personalised guidance to students learning computer programming. Better amenities at IIT KGP The director said that the institute is working on its 'shortcomings' to make itself a more preferred choice for nationwide talent. 'We are good at classroom teaching, but beyond that, we are working on improving infrastructure, improving quality of life, and making campus life more vibrant. We should connect everything. As part of our Platinum Jubilee, we are also building a special amenities centre, an all-in-one unit that can help students have an enjoyable lifestyle while facilitating all-round growth,' Mr. Chakraborty said. More women in STEM Mr. Chakraborty also touched upon the global gender disparity in science, technology, medicine and engineering, 'Women are not just contributors — they are disruptors, creators, and changemakers — and at IIT KGP, we thrive not merely to preach this spirit but portray the same in practice,' he added. Notably, gender ratios in several branches of the IIT remain skewed despite girl students excelling in all-India examinations. On Tuesday, less than half of the graduating students being awarded prestigious medals at IIT KGP's convocation ceremony were women. 71st convocation This year, IIT KGP awarded a total of 3,731 degrees across various disciplines, including 277 PhD, 18 MS, 956 50 MCP, 142 MBA, 23 EMBA, 58 PGDBA, 5 MMST, 28 MHRM, 18 47 LLM, 31 LLB, 786 Dual Degree, 614 (Hons), 46 (Hons), 151 Four-Year B.S, 260 Five-Year 214 Two-Year 3 3 Three-Year and 1 Certificate of Excellence in Research (CER). Awards such as the President's Gold Medal, Prime Minister's Gold Medal, and others were conferred upon graduating students and scholars. Dr. S. Somanath, former chairperson of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was the chief guest.
