New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) organized a two-day regional workshop on ‘Celebrating Ideas: From Academic Excellence to Sustainable Health’ on July 12-13, 2026, bringing together over 200 faculty and student support professionals from higher education institutions in South India. The workshop was organized under the Ministry of Education’s Malawi Mission Teacher Training Program as part of a national initiative to strengthen mechanisms for the well-being of students in higher education.The event also marks an important institutional milestone for IIT Madras, which recently became the first Centrally Funded Technical Institute (CFTI) in India to receive ISO 45001:2018 certification for its health centre. The certification, issued by the TUV NORD Group, recognizes the college’s occupational health and safety management system and its comprehensive approach to campus well-being.
IIT Madras and Ministry of Education organize National Student Health Workshop for teachers in South India
Ministries emphasize measures for universal welfareThe workshop was attended by Rina Sonowal Kouli, Joint Secretary (Higher Education), Ministry of Education, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Dean, IIT Madras, teachers and other stakeholders.Addressing the attendees, Rina Sonowal Kouli said, “The Ministry of Education is promoting such programs. We have been able to reach out to more than 3,000 teaching staff through the Malawi Mission Teacher Training Program since January 2024. We will learn from the crisis response embedded in the IIT Madras system.”The workshop was one of five regional programs organized across the country in line with recommendations established by the Department for Education Commission to Strengthen the National Student Wellbeing Framework.IIT Madras showcases integrated well-being modelSpeaking at the event, Professor V. Kamakoti said, “The true measure of academic excellence is not just intellectual achievement but also the emotional resilience and overall well-being of students.” He added that the institute’s ISO accreditation and creation of a dedicated post of Associate Dean of Students (Health) reflect IIT Madras’ long-standing commitment to the well-being of students.Participants were introduced to the IIT Madras student well-being model which includes guidance system, peer support network, counseling services, early identification of distress, inclusive education and student engagement programmes.Conference focuses on preventive mental health supportThe workshop features lectures, panel discussions, case studies and group exercises on stress management, resilience, institutional support systems, learning disabilities, substance abuse prevention and preventive mental health strategies. Experts from institutions such as IIT Tirupati, NIT Tiruchirappalli, AIIMS Jodhpur, Krea University, Expressions India, Ramakrishna Math, Kauvery Hospital and YourDOST participated in the meeting.Participants also visited the hostels and dining facilities of IIT Madras and observed the institute’s student support mechanisms, including interactions with housemasters, peer mentors, MITR volunteers and students. The workshop concluded with recommendations from participating institutions aimed at strengthening guidance, counselling, hostel support and preventive well-being frameworks in higher education institutions.
