Margao: In the wake of recent suicide cases reported at BITS Pilani’s Goa campus, the third District Level Monitoring Committee meeting on student safety and welfare was convened in South Goa on Friday, where institute authorities outlined a series of mental health, academic, and campus safety measures undertaken to support students.
The meeting was chaired by South Goa Collector and District Magistrate Egna Cleetus and attended by Superintendent of Police (South Goa) Tikam Singh Verma, Director of Higher Education Bhushan Sawaikar, and Dean of BITS Pilani Goa Campus Suman Kundu, along with officials from the Departments of Technical Education, Social Welfare, Health Services, Tribal Welfare, and the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Vasco.
Six students have committed suicide at the BITS Pilani campus located in Sancoale village in South Goa during the last three years.
The government spokesperson said that during the meeting, the Dean of BITS Pilani briefed the committee on initiatives introduced to address stress- and depression-related issues among students, following concerns raised over multiple suicides at the campus in recent years.
The Dean said the institute has engaged counsellors and psychiatrists to provide professional support and has been organising mental wellness and rejuvenation camps to enhance students’ overall well-being.
According to the Dean, the Goa campus has implemented a comprehensive framework integrating mental health support, academic reforms, and campus life improvements to ensure holistic student development.
Key programmes include Mitr, a faculty-led hostel outreach initiative encouraging open conversations, and Sethu, a structured mentorship system that connects every student with a faculty mentor. Peer-based support systems have also been strengthened through Mental Health Buddies in collaboration with Rahat Trust, TAG — an anonymous student support group — and a peer mentorship programme for first-year students.
Professional care has been expanded through the Mpower Centre, which now comprises psychologists, therapists, and a psychiatrist. The campus also provides 24×7 medical services, dedicated helplines, COOJ counselling support, and Myndwell assessments for early identification and intervention, the Dean informed.
He added that faculty members and wardens have undergone Mental Health First Aid and Gatekeeper training to help identify early warning signs and respond appropriately.
Academic measures such as liberal evaluation practices, spaced examinations, curriculum restructuring, and the introduction of a course titled BITS K101 – Physical Well-being and Creativity have been implemented to reduce academic pressure.
The institute has also enhanced campus life with extended sports facilities, open gyms, shuttle services, upgraded hostels, and expanded library hours. Innovation-driven initiatives like Challengathon and a 24×7 Innovation Lab have been introduced to foster constructive engagement among students.
On the safety front, the Dean said the campus has comprehensive CCTV coverage, X-ray screening at entry points, and a zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct.
The committee reviewed the steps taken and stressed the need for continued coordination among government departments and the institute to ensure student safety and well-being.
