Smriti Irani calls upon institutions to adopt 'student centric approach' to tackle depression

Addressing a meeting of the Council of National Institute of Technology, Science Education and Research at National Institute of Technology here on Thursday, Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani called upon institutions for adopting 'student centric approach' to tackle growing cases of depression among students due to non performance in studies.

She said each of the institutions should be an island of excellence in innovation, design and research in specific areas, while adding that these islands should have synergised strategy to collaborate and grow together.

Hailing the common counselling for NITs, IITs, IIITs, IIEST and other government-funded technology institutes (GFTIs) for the admissions, Irani said the common counselling had not only reduced stress among students and their parents, but also minimised the number of vacant seats. Less than two percent seats remained vacant after five rounds of counselling leading to all time high numbers of admission in these institutions.

She also unveiled a slew of measures to support students in need academic help.