IIT-Kharagpur to coach professionals on age-friendly communities

The Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur (IIT-Kgp) has designed a special week-long course for professionals from industry and academia to enable India's ageing population lead a better life.

Beginning April 19, the short-term course will focus on health, ergonomics and architectural requirements to design age-friendly communities.

"Infrastructural requirements such as road structure, safety, night travel etc. are a part of the course. It is meant for practising professionals and anyone who is interested," Abraham George, one of the course co-ordinators at the institute told IANS on Thursday.

According to George, an associate professor in the department of architecture and regional planning at IIT-Kgp, awareness among professionals on sustainable communities for the elderly is very low and the new initiative will help bridge the gap.

The course runs till April 25 and caters to the current as well as future scenario of elderly population in India, he said.

Lectures will be delivered by experts from design, medical and healthcare providers and security firms along with faculty members of IIT-Kgp and IIT Guwahati.

George said a leading graphologist will also share insights.

"We have included a section on graphology since trained people can analyse the physical characteristics and patterns of handwriting and get an idea on the psychological state of senior citizens," George said, adding the course fee ranges from Rs.15,000 to Rs.20,000.