Two-day Wellness Conclave starts at IIT Bombay

 

The inaugural session laid a strong foundation for holistic student well-being

: Mumbai, 22 November 2025

IIT Bombay inaugurated its first Wellness Conclave today, setting the stage for a coordinated national effort to enhance student well-being in higher education institutions across India.

A key highlight of the session was the formal release of Emerging Best Practices of Wellbeing 2.0, a compendium capturing innovative models and initiatives adopted by institutions nationwide to support student mental health.

Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary (Higher Education), Ministry of Education, who was present on the occasion, emphasized on well-being through traditional knowledge and modern scientific approaches. Referring to the journey from 'Prana-Maya Kosh' to 'Ananda-Maya Kosh', he called for creating safe, supportive campuses where students can freely express themselves. He emphasized on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s focus on holistic development and the important role of teachers in influencing the well-being of students.

IIT Bombay Director Prof. Shiresh B. Kedare reminded all that an educational institution is not just a placement pathway but a transformative environment where young students spend their first four years. He spoke about the initiatives taken by IIT Bombay for the emotional well-being of students, including the establishment of the Flourishing Hub, and stressed the need to guide parents to reduce the stress affecting students.

Dr. Jitendra Nagpal, Director, Expressions India, explained the philosophy of the Guru-Shishya tradition and stressed the urgent need for systematic support. Noting that one in eight people in India experiences a mental health disorder, he said that people in the age group of 18-25 are particularly vulnerable, hence the need for early care and proactive intervention.

In his welcome address, Vice President Prof. Deepak Marla explained the role of the conference. He said that the aim of the conference is to collaboratively create an environment where students can flourish emotionally, socially and academically.

Mr. Manoj Singh Gaur spoke on practical steps that institutions can take to strengthen the student well-being ecosystem, while Ms. Reena Kholi spoke on the importance of the newly released collection, and the need for trained professional counselors along with faculty mentors to build a strong mental-health support framework.

About the Wellness Conclave:

The Wellness Conclave brings together policy leaders, academic administrators, mental-health professionals and student support practitioners to share best practices and build a collective roadmap for the future of well-being in higher education.

Source: IIT Bombay