The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), under the aegis of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, hosted a two-day regional workshop titled "Celebrating Minds: From Academic Excellence to Sustainable Wellness" on July 12 and 13, 2026. The programme brought together faculty members from higher education institutions across South India to strengthen student wellbeing initiatives and promote mental health on campuses.

The workshop forms part of the Ministry of Education's nationwide Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme, a capacity-building initiative aimed at equipping educators with the skills needed to create healthier, more supportive learning environments for students.

The event was attended by Rina Sonowal Kouli, Joint Secretary (Higher Education), Ministry of Education, and Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, along with academicians, healthcare experts and mental health professionals from leading institutions across the country.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Rina Sonowal Kouli highlighted the ministry's continued efforts to improve student wellbeing through faculty development programmes.

"It was during January 2024 that we started capacity-building programmes for teachers as part of the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme. Since then, we have been able to reach out to more than 3,000 faculty members," she said.

She noted that educational institutions serve as a second home for students after they leave their families, making it essential for campuses to provide a safe, supportive and emotionally healthy environment. According to Kouli, such initiatives have played a significant role in reducing stress arising from academic pressures and encouraging holistic student development.

Emphasising IIT Madras' commitment to student mental health, Prof. V. Kamakoti said that academic excellence should go hand in hand with emotional resilience.

"The true measure of academic excellence lies not only in intellectual achievement but also in the emotional resilience and holistic wellbeing of our students. At IIT Madras, we have been consciously building a campus ecosystem where every student feels supported, heard and empowered to thrive," he said.

The two-day workshop featured expert lectures, panel discussions, case studies, practical demonstrations and interactive group exercises focusing on various aspects of student mental health and wellness. Key sessions covered stress-free education, institutional policies for student wellbeing, resilience and life skills, preventive mental healthcare, lifestyle interventions, counselling practices and strategies for creating happier and healthier campuses.

Participants also explored best practices such as mentoring systems, peer support networks, counselling services, early identification of psychological distress, inclusive education models and holistic student engagement.

The workshop brought together experts from prestigious institutions, including IIT Madras, IIT Tirupati, NIT Tiruchirappalli, AIIMS Jodhpur, Krea University, Ramakrishna Math, Kauvery Hospital, Expressions India and YourDOST, alongside officials from the Ministry of Education.

The initiative reflects the Government of India's growing emphasis on integrating student wellness, mental health support and academic excellence into the country's higher education system through sustained faculty training and institutional reforms.