NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) organized a two-day regional workshop on ‘Celebrating Minds: From Academic Excellence to Sustainable Wellbeing’ on July 12-13, 2026, which brought together over 200 faculty and student support professionals from higher education institutions across South India. The workshop was conducted under the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Program of the Ministry of Education as part of a national initiative to strengthen student welfare mechanisms in higher education.The event also marked a significant institutional milestone for IIT Madras, which recently became India’s first Centrally Funded Technical Institute (CFTI) to receive ISO 45001:2018 certification for its Wellness Centre. Awarded by the TUV NORD Group, the certification recognizes the institute’s occupational health and safety management systems and its integrated approach to campus well-being.
IIT Madras Hosts National Student Welfare Workshop with Ministry of Education for South Indian Teachers
The ministry highlights the welfare initiative at the national levelThe workshop was attended by Rina Sonowal Kouli, Joint Secretary (Higher Education), Ministry of Education, the Director of IIT Madras, Prof. V. Kamakoti, faculty members and other stakeholders.Addressing the participants, Rina Sonowal Kouli said, “The Ministry is facilitating these programmes. Since January 2024, we have been able to reach more than 3,000 teachers through the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme. We learn from the integrated crisis response in the IIT Madras system.”The workshop is one of five regional programs being organized across the country following the recommendations of the Ministry of Education committee set up to strengthen the national student welfare framework.IIT Madras showcases an integrated wellness modelSpeaking at the event, Professor V. Kamakoti said, “The true measure of academic excellence lies not only in intellectual performance but also in the emotional resilience and holistic well-being of our students.” He added that the institute’s ISO certification and the creation of a dedicated position of associate dean students (welfare) reflected IIT Madras’ long-term commitment to student welfare.Participants were introduced to the IIT Madras Student Wellbeing Model, which includes mentoring systems, peer support networks, counseling services, early identification of distress, inclusive education and student engagement initiatives.Sessions focus on preventative mental health supportThe workshop featured lectures, panel discussions, case studies, and group exercises on stress management, resilience, institutional support systems, learning disabilities, substance use prevention, and preventive mental health strategies. Experts from institutions like IIT Tirupati, NIT Tiruchirappalli, AIIMS Jodhpur, Krea University, Expressions India, Ramakrishna Math, Kauvery Hospital and YourDOST participated in the sessions.The participants also visited the hostels and canteens of IIT Madras to observe the student support mechanisms of the institute, including interactions with guardians, peer mentors, volunteers and MITR students. The workshop concluded with participating institutions presenting recommendations aimed at strengthening mentoring, counselling, hostel support and preventative wellness frameworks in higher education institutions.