IIT Madras recently hosted the first-ever Pan IIT Student Governance Summit, creating a collaborative platform for student representatives from IITs across India.
This landmark event aimed to address the rapidly changing landscape of higher education while tackling the unique challenges faced by students in the IIT system. Through lectures and discussions, the summit encouraged an exchange of ideas, best practices, and solutions to strengthen governance across IIT campuses.
The two-day summit included expert-led sessions covering critical topics such as Sustainable Campus Policies and Student Practices, Academic Standards and Policies, Research Affairs and Ecosystem Policies, and Student Mental Health and Holistic Wellbeing. Each session provided participants with actionable strategies and insights to improve campus governance, laying a foundation for ongoing improvements within their institutions. In particular, sustainable practices and mental health support were highlighted as priorities to ensure the well-being and success of students within demanding academic environments.
Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, stressed the importance of effective governance and management in educational institutions. “Governance and Effective Management are integral part of any organization. This Summit has not only enabled close association among student legislators but also has brought in lot of synergy in effectively addressing important issues in the IIT Campuses. The outcome and suggestions emanated out of this Summit will be taken up very seriously by the administration,” Prof. Kamakoti said, underscoring the administration's commitment to responsive leadership.
Prof. Sathyanarayana N. Gummadi, Dean (Students) at IIT Madras, echoed this sentiment, calling the summit a “first-of-its-kind initiative designed to empower student leaders with the necessary tools, insights, and networks.” According to Prof. Gummadi, the summit equips students with governance strategies that can bring meaningful change to their institutions.
Atharv Joshi, Student Convenor of the summit and Speaker for IIT Madras’s Student Legislative Council described the event as a "transformative experience" for student leaders. He praised the summit for fostering a collaborative spirit among IITs and inspiring a shared vision for the future of student governance. “This unique platform allowed us to exchange ideas, build connections, and actively shape the direction of governance across our institutions,” Joshi remarked, reflecting on the event’s impact on the IIT community.